AI News on December 17th
1. Microsoft's $80 Billion EU Data Center Plan Draws Regulatory Scrutiny
#Microsoft #EU #DataCenter #Regulation
Microsoft's proposal to invest up to $80 billion in new European data centers is facing heightened regulatory review. While the investment is welcomed for boosting cloud competition, it has drawn attention due to Microsoft's ongoing antitrust investigations and the recent withdrawal of a major AI liability proposal in the region.
2. EU Withdrawal of AI Liability Directive Sparks Debate
#EU #AILiability #Directive #Business
The European Commission's formal withdrawal of the proposed AI Liability Directive has created a complex landscape for businesses. While the tech industry welcomes the move for reducing legal uncertainty, consumer advocates and legal experts warn it may lead to a fragmented and unfair system for seeking compensation for AI-caused harm across the bloc.
#NVIDIA #OpenSource #AIModels #Nemotron
NVIDIA has launched its Nemotron 3 family of open-source AI models. This latest release is part of the company's strategy to expand its presence in the rapidly growing open-model ecosystem, directly challenging other major providers in the space.
4. Major European States Issue Joint Statement on AI Act Implementation
#EU #Germany #France #Italy #AIAct
France, Germany, and Italy have released a joint statement outlining their shared position on implementing the EU's AI Act. The key principle is that the regulation should apply based on the specific *use case* of an AI system, not the underlying technology, aiming to create a more innovation-friendly environment.
5. Report Details AI's Growing Impact on U.S. Workforce
#USA #Jobs #Workforce #Automation
A new analysis highlights the accelerating impact of AI on the U.S. job market. The report notes that over 54,000 layoffs in 2025 were directly attributed to AI, contributing to a broader trend of workforce restructuring and fueling ongoing political debate about economic security and retraining.
6. U.S. Political Battle Over AI Regulation Intensifies
#USA #Politics #Lobbying #Regulation
The political fight over how to govern AI in the United States is escalating. Powerful tech industry lobbying for minimal regulation now faces a rising populist challenge from both political wings, concerned about job losses, privacy, and the unchecked power of large technology corporations.
7. "Genesis Project" Outlines U.S. AI Ambition in Strategic Sectors
#USA #GenesisProject #Research #IndustrialPolicy
Further details of the U.S. "Genesis Project" reveal its goal to leverage AI supercomputing and automated research to achieve national leadership in six key strategic areas: biotechnology, quantum computing, semiconductors, advanced energy, next-generation networks, and advanced materials.
8. EU Begins Work on Code of Practice for AI-Generated Content
#EU #Transparency #Deepfakes #ContentLabeling
The European Commission has initiated the formal process to develop a voluntary Code of Practice for labeling AI-generated content like deepfakes. The code, expected by mid-2026, is designed to help platforms and creators comply with the AI Act's transparency requirements and combat disinformation.
9. Microsoft AI Executive Predicts Autonomous AI Agents Within 18 Months
#Microsoft #AI #Agents #FutureTech
Mustafa Suleyman, Microsoft's AI chief, predicted that the first generation of useful, autonomous AI agents capable of completing complex, multi-step tasks for consumers could be available within the next 18 months. He stated that AI is already "superhuman" in many specific, narrow domains.
10. U.S. States Consider Responses to Federal AI Executive Order
#USA #States #Federalism #AIRegulation
Governors and state legislators across the U.S. are evaluating their legal and policy responses to the recent federal executive order that seeks to preempt state-level AI laws. The order's provision to potentially withhold federal funds is a particular point of contention and a likely basis for legal challenges.