U.S. Data Center Expansion Faces Growing Public and Political Resistance

Large U.S. data center campus near electrical infrastructure and a local community.

Public opposition to data center construction is becoming a significant constraint on the U.S. artificial intelligence infrastructure boom, as concerns over electricity demand, utility costs, land use and local decision-making move from community meetings into state policy and national politics. Resistance that was already visible through nationwide protests in July has continued to grow. New … Read more

China Launches CNY1 Trillion Venture Capital Fund to Power Hard Technology

China Launches CNY1 Trillion Venture Capital Fund to Boost Hard Technology

China on Monday launched operations of a national venture capital guidance fund with a target size of up to 1 trillion yuan (about $142.7 billion), marking a major policy move to channel long-term capital into early-stage and hard-technology and to scale advanced manufacturing and automation, where artificial intelligence and robotics are increasingly reshaping production models … Read more

New York Passes AI Safety Law Targeting High-Risk Artificial Intelligence

New York State Governor. Kathy Hochul

New York Governor, Kathy Hochul has signed landmark legislation imposing new safety and transparency requirements on powerful artificial intelligence (AI) systems, marking a major step in state-level oversight of emerging technology. The law, known as the Responsible AI Safety and Education Act, or RAISE Act, took effect immediately and places New York alongside California at … Read more

Australia Enforces World’s First Social Media Ban for Children Under 16

Australia Enforces World’s First Social Media Ban for Children Under 16

Australia has become the first country to ban social media access for children under 16, ordering major platforms to block young users under a landmark law aimed at reducing online harm. The restrictions cover TikTok, YouTube, Instagram, Facebook, and other large platforms. Under the new rules, 10 major companies were directed to prevent access by … Read more