The technology sector is currently navigating a complex landscape marked by both supply chain disruptions and significant advancements in artificial intelligence. Valve, for instance, has halted sales of its 256GB LCD Steam Deck model and anticipates intermittent stock issues for the Steam Deck OLED in certain regions. This situation stems from a global shortage of AI chips and an AI-driven RAM shortage that began in late 2025, impacting not only Valve but also delaying products like Sony's PS6 and potentially increasing prices for Nintendo's Switch 2.
In the realm of AI's societal impact, a new trend called "AI-washing" sees companies attributing job cuts to artificial intelligence, often to mask other issues like over-hiring or financial pressures. Simultaneously, AI hiring tools are facing increased scrutiny and discrimination lawsuits in the US. A notable case, Mobley v. Workday, Inc., alleges that Workday's AI tools exhibited bias based on age and race, highlighting the need for employers to carefully vet their AI-supported hiring processes.
Meanwhile, Elon Musk's companies, SpaceX and xAI, are entering a Pentagon competition focused on autonomous drone technology. This six-month challenge offers a $100 million prize for developing advanced swarming tech capable of controlling multiple drones via voice commands for offensive military purposes. This initiative underscores a growing interest in AI for defense applications, even as Musk has previously expressed reservations about developing new tools for killing.
Addressing the broader implementation of AI, many organizations struggle with governance, often duplicating efforts for various regulations like the EU AI Act. Experts suggest a unified approach with a single system for controls, evidence, and incident response, using tools like AIBOM and SBOM, to accelerate AI deployment. In education, AI holds immense potential for personalized learning and freeing teachers from routine tasks, with examples like Eneza Education in Kenya already demonstrating improved learning outcomes.
However, the ethical implications of AI continue to emerge. A New Zealand judge recently questioned a defendant's genuine remorse after discovering AI helped draft her apology letters, raising concerns about the authenticity of communication involving machines. Furthermore, research from Notre Dame and a Vatican working group is exploring how to "reclaim human agency" in the AI age, examining AI's impact on human actions, freedom, and the development of virtues.
Key Takeaways
- Valve has stopped selling the 256GB LCD Steam Deck model and expects Steam Deck OLED stock issues due to a global AI chip and RAM shortage.
- An AI-driven RAM shortage, starting in late 2025, is broadly affecting gaming hardware, including potential delays for Sony's PS6 and higher prices for Nintendo's Switch 2.
- Elon Musk's SpaceX and xAI are competing in a Pentagon challenge to develop autonomous drone swarming technology.
- The Pentagon competition offers a $100 million prize for advanced swarming tech capable of controlling multiple drones by air and sea using voice commands.
- AI hiring tools are facing discrimination lawsuits in the US, with cases like Mobley v. Workday, Inc. alleging age and race bias.
- A trend called "AI-washing" sees companies blaming AI for layoffs, potentially masking other business issues like over-hiring or financial pressures.
- Effective AI governance requires a single system for controls, evidence, and incident response to simplify compliance and speed up deployments across regulations.
- AI has the potential to transform education by offering personalized learning and freeing teachers from routine tasks, as seen with Eneza Education and Efekta Education.
- A New Zealand judge questioned a defendant's genuine remorse after discovering AI helped write her court apology letters.
- Notre Dame and a Vatican working group are researching how to "reclaim human agency" in the age of AI, focusing on its impact on human actions and freedom.
AI Chip Shortage Halts Valve Steam Deck Sales
Valve has stopped selling some Steam Deck models because of a global shortage of AI chips. The company stated that the Steam Deck OLED may be out of stock sometimes in certain areas. The 256GB LCD model has been completely stopped. This shortage is also affecting other companies, with Sony delaying the PS6 until 2029 and Nintendo possibly raising Switch 2 prices. Valve's new compact gaming PC is also delayed due to the difficulty in finding affordable parts.
AI RAM Shortage Causes Steam Deck Stock Problems
The Steam Deck is facing stock problems in the US due to an AI-driven RAM shortage that began in late 2025. Valve announced that the Steam Deck OLED might be out of stock often in some areas. The Steam Deck LCD 256GB model is no longer made and will not be available once current stock sells out. An expert suggests buying certified refurbished parts or waiting if you can, as this shortage affects gaming hardware broadly.
Top 12 Zapier Alternatives for Workflow Automation in 2026
This article lists the 12 best alternatives to Zapier for automating workflows in 2026. Many users seek cheaper or more specialized tools than Zapier. Top choices include Make, Integrately, and Pabbly Connect. Make is great for visual workflow builders and complex tasks, offering a freemium model. Integrately focuses on simplicity with one-click automations and a free plan. Pabbly Connect stands out with a lifetime deal for a one-time payment, providing thousands of tasks monthly.
AI Hiring Tools Face Discrimination Lawsuits in US
Many US companies use AI tools for hiring, but these tools are now facing discrimination lawsuits. A key case is Mobley v. Workday, Inc., filed in 2023 by Derek Mobley. Mr. Mobley, an African-American over 40, claims Workday's AI tools rejected him repeatedly, showing bias based on age and race. He argues these tools automatically incorporate past employer biases and impact a broad group of applicants. Lawsuits against AI hiring tools and the companies using them have increased since 2022, reminding employers to carefully check their AI-supported hiring processes.
SpaceX and xAI Join Pentagon Drone Swarm Competition
SpaceX and xAI, two companies led by Elon Musk, will compete in a Pentagon challenge for autonomous drone technology. The six-month contest offers a $100 million prize to develop advanced swarming tech that can control multiple drones by air and sea using voice commands. This effort aims to create autonomous drone swarms for offensive military purposes. While Musk previously spoke against developing "new tools for killing people," engineers from both SpaceX and xAI will work on this project. The competition, launched by the Defense Innovation Unit and Defense Autonomous Warfare Group, will start with software development before moving to live testing.
Companies Blame AI for Layoffs in New 'AI-washing' Trend
A new trend called "AI-washing" is emerging where companies blame artificial intelligence for job cuts. Experts say executives use AI as an excuse to hide other problems like over-hiring, financial pressures, or company restructuring. For example, out of over 108,000 layoffs in January, AI was only directly mentioned in about 7,600 cases. This practice helps leaders avoid responsibility for their mistakes and makes the company look innovative to investors. However, it also creates unnecessary fear about AI's impact on jobs and distorts the public's understanding of the technology.
Smart AI Governance Simplifies Rules and Speeds Up Deployments
Many companies struggle with AI governance, often duplicating efforts for different regulations like the EU AI Act or US rules. This leads to long delays in deploying AI systems. A better approach is to create a single system for controls, evidence, and incident response that works for all frameworks. This "evidence spine" should collect information like incidents and model details once, using tools like AIBOM and SBOM. Organizations also need an AI governance council and a system to classify AI use cases by risk. Adopting a global-by-default design helps meet international standards and speeds up AI deployment across regulated markets.
AI Can Transform Education With Global Cooperation
Artificial intelligence has the potential to start a new era of learning, but only if governments, tech companies, and educators work together. AI tools can offer personalized learning and instant feedback, similar to one-on-one tutoring, on a large scale. This technology can also free teachers from routine tasks like grading, allowing them to focus on mentoring and critical thinking. Examples like Eneza Education in Kenya and Efekta Education in Latin America show how AI is already improving learning outcomes for millions of students. By working together, AI can help bridge the gap between students with and without access to quality education.
Judge Questions Remorse After AI Writes Court Apology
A New Zealand judge named Tom Gilbert questioned a defendant's true remorse after discovering AI helped write her apology letters. The woman, facing arson charges, submitted letters to victims and the court. Judge Gilbert found the letters were AI-generated with small changes after he tested AI tools himself. While he did not criticize using AI, the judge stated that a computer-generated letter does not show genuine remorse. This case highlights a growing global discussion about the realness of communication when machines are involved.
Notre Dame and Vatican Study Human Agency in AI Age
New research from a Notre Dame theologian and a Vatican working group explores how to "reclaim human agency" in the age of AI. Their new book, "Reclaiming Human Agency in the Age of Artificial Intelligence," is the second in a series from the Vatican's AI Research Group. Paul Scherz, a Notre Dame professor, co-edited the book which examines how AI impacts human actions, freedom, and the ability to develop virtues. The research highlights concerns like addictive apps and algorithmic control, but also looks at how AI can improve human action. This work aims to ensure AI serves human agency rather than undermining it.
Sources
- AI-fueled chip shortage forces Valve to halt Steam Deck sales
- Steam Deck Faces US Stock Issues as AI-Driven RAM Shortage Hits Gaming Hardware
- Las 12 mejores alternativas a Zapier para la automatización de flujos de trabajo (2026)
- When Artificial Intelligence Discriminates: Employer Compliance in the Rise of AI Hiring (US)
- SpaceX to Compete in Pentagon Contest for Autonomous Drone Tech
- 'AI-washing' rises as companies blame AI for layoffs: What to know
- Strategic AI Governance: Navigating Compliance and Risk in the AI Era
- AI could spark a new age of learning, but only if governments, tech firms and educators work together
- Question of True Remorse When A.I. Helps Write Your Court Apology
- New research from Notre Dame theologian and Vatican working group explores how to ‘reclaim human agency’ in age of AI
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