Nvidia criticizes Biden over his new AI chip rules, praises Trump
The second most valuable company in the world is taking aim at President Joe Biden, while at the same time praising President-elect Donald Trump. Nvidia’s criticism is in response to Biden’s last minute export controls on AI chips.
Nvidia’s Vice President of Government Affairs Ned Finkle called the new rules “misguided” and “sweeping overreach” in a blog post on Monday, Jan. 13.
“In its last days in office the Biden administration seeks to undermine America’s leadership with a 200+ page regulatory morass, drafted in secret and without proper legislative review,” Finkle wrote.
Biden’s policy changes would steer sales to allies, while curbing access to countries where there are national security concerns, like China. That’s another blow to Nvidia, which often sells its products to Chinese companies.
Nvidia’s China revenue has already taken a hit over past restrictions. It dropped from around a quarter of total revenue to 10%-15% in recent years.
Finkle’s blog post goes on to applaud Trump. He said his first administration showed “America wins through innovation, not by retreating behind a wall of government overreach.”
“We look forward to a return to policies that strengthen American leadership, bolster our economy and preserve our competitive edge in AI and beyond,” Finkle said.
The stance is a departure from Nvidia’s approach during the presidential campaign. The company and its CEO Jensen Huang stayed quiet on politics and did not make an endorsement.
This latest policy rule from Biden includes a 120-day comment period, leaving Trump’s incoming administration in charge of seeing it through.
In Trump’s first term, his team did restrict Chinese companies from getting their hands on the best U.S. semiconductor tech.
Biden plans final push to limit Nvidia advanced chip exports: Report
President Joe Biden is reportedly planning one last artificial intelligence chip restriction that would hit major companies, including the second most valuable in the world, Nvidia. It’s his final push to control the spread of U.S. made chips to China and Russia before leaving office.
According to Bloomberg, the restrictions are expected to have a broad and expansive impact. The U.S. is trying to restrict advanced chip sales to data centers in entire countries and specific companies.
Bloomberg sources say the goal is to concentrate AI development in allied nations, and urge global businesses to center on American standards. Bloomberg said the regulations could be announced as soon as Friday, Jan. 10, and would come in a three-tier system, granting virtually unlimited access to American chips for key allies, while adversaries would be largely cut off.
Most other countries would face limits on total computing power, though higher caps could be granted if they agree to certain U.S. standards.
Nvidia is naturally at the center of this back and forth. The U.S. previously banned the company from shipping its most high-tech products to China in 2022. After the U.S. expanded those curbs, China hit Nvidia with an antitrust investigation last month. Now, the company tells Bloomberg it objects to Biden’s latest proposal.
“A last-minute rule restricting exports to most of the world would be a major shift in policy that would not reduce the risk of misuse but would threaten economic growth and U.S. leadership,” a spokesperson for Nvidia said.
Wildfires force thousands to evacuate Southern California
Three massive wildfires are burning out of control in Southern California, putting thousands of homes at risk. And President-elect Donald Trump shares his plans to acquire Greenland, the Panama Canal and bring Canada as the 51st state. These stories and more highlight your Unbiased Updates for Wednesday, Jan. 8, 2025.
Southern California wildfires force thousands to evacuate
Three separate wildfires are burning in the Los Angeles, California, area, and there is no end in sight, as strong winds are fueling the flames. The most extreme of the three is the Palisades Fire, which spans nearly 3,000 acres and has already forced 30,000 residents to evacuate.
Cities surrounding Pacific Palisades, including Malibu, issued evacuation orders. Officials there told all residents to prepare to leave their homes, whether they were under evacuation orders or not since the inferno was moving so quickly.
All hands are on deck to fight the #PalisadesFire in Southern California. California is deeply grateful for the brave firefighters & first responders battling the blaze.
We will continue to mobilize resources and support local communities as they respond to this severe weather. pic.twitter.com/JZrYy85e4z
The neighboring city of Santa Monica also issued an evacuation order for the northern part of the city. It also closed the area to the public, warning of an immediate threat to life.
As thousands of firefighters continue to battle the flames, authorities work to find the fire’s cause.
A second wildfire, dubbed the Eaton Fire, burns near Pasadena. A city spokeswoman said it has “created its own firestorm” with flying embers igniting at least a dozen other spot fires.
So far, the Eaton Fire has consumed about 1,000 acres. It engulfed homes and forced more than 100 people to evacuate from a nursing home — some in wheelchairs and on gurneys. A federal disaster declaration is now in effect for the Eaton Fire.
Crews are also battling the Hurst Fire about 100 acres in the San Fernando Valley, which is in the northern part of Los Angeles County. The Hurst Fire also prompted evacuation orders.
The Los Angeles County canceled schools in 19 districts Wednesday, Jan. 8. Plus, more than 200,000 people are without access to power, either because of the powerful Santa Ana winds or because a utility provider turned off electricity to prevent additional fires.
The forecast called for the winds to continue for days, producing gusts that could top 100 miles per hour in the mountains and foothills.
Biden administration asks federal appeals court to block 9/11 plea deals
The Biden administration asked a federal appeals court to block a plea agreement for accused 9/11 mastermind Khalid Sheikh Mohammed. The controversial deal would spare Mohammed from the death penalty for his role in planning the terror attacks on the World Trade Center and Pentagon on Sept. 11, 2001.
The deadly attack rocked the U.S. and began the war on terrorism.
In court filings Tuesday, Jan. 7, the Justice Department argued the government would be irreparably harmed if the guilty pleas were accepted for Mohammed and two co-defendants in the 9/11 attacks.
It said the government would be denied a chance for a public trial and the opportunity to “seek capital punishment against three men charged with a heinous act of mass murder that caused the death of thousands of people and shocked the nation and the world.”
The Defense Department negotiated and approved the plea deal but later revoked it.
However, attorneys for the defendants argued the deal was already legally in effect and that U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin, who began the administration’s efforts to throw it out, acted too late.
Mohammed is set to enter his guilty plea on Friday, Jan. 10, if the appeal is not granted. His co-defendants, accused of lesser roles in 9/11, are due to enter theirs next week.
Harris, Johnson deliver eulogies for President Jimmy Carter
The 39th president died last week at the age of 100.
Carter’s body had been lying in repose since Saturday, Jan. 5, at the Carter Presidential Center in Atlanta before being transported Tuesday morning to Washington D.C.
Vice President Kamala Harris and Republican House Speaker Mike Johnson each delivered a eulogy during Tuesday’s ceremony
“We all know that his care for humanity didn’t stop at building homes,” Johnson said. “In the face of illness, President Jimmy Carter brought lifesaving medicine. In the face of conflict, he brokered peace. In the face of discrimination, he reminded us that we are all made in the image of God. If you were to ask him why he did it all, he would likely point to his faith.”
Harris highlighted Carter’s faith. She said, “James Earl Carter, Jr. loved our country. He lived his faith. He served the people. And he left the world better than he found it.”
Carter’s body will lie in state through Thursday morning, Jan. 9, and then be taken to the National Cathedral for a state funeral. Biden is expected to deliver a eulogy.
Trump suggests using military, economic force to expand America
In a wide-ranging press conference from Mar-a-Lago on Tuesday, President-elect Donald Trump touched on a bunch of topics, including a $20 billion foreign investment to build data centers in the U.S. He also talked about his plans to revoke Biden’s recent ban on offshore oil and natural gas drilling as well as expansion strategies for the United States.
Trump reiterated his goals of acquiring the Panama Canal, which has been under Panama’s sole control since 1999, and Greenland, a territory of Denmark.
Trump’s son, Donald Trump Jr., is leading an American delegation currently in Greenland, though the country’s prime minister said he is there as “a private individual.”
The Prime Minister of Denmark Mette Frederiksen responded to Trump’s remarks Tuesday, saying Greenland was not for sale.
Greenlandic Prime Minister Múte Egede reiterated this point, saying “Greenland belongs to the Greenlanders. Our future and fight for independence is our business.”
A reporter asked the president-elect if he can assure that he would not use any military force to take control of either the Panama Canal or Greenland.
“I can’t assure you, you’re talking about Panama and Greenland,” Trump replied. “No, I can’t assure you on either of those two but, I can say this we need them for economic security. The Panama Canal was built for a military. I’m not going to commit to that now.”
In response to those remarks, the prime minister of Denmark called the United States its country’s “closest ally” and did not believe the U.S. would use any force to secure Greenland. Panama’s foreign minister repeated earlier comments from the country’s president that the sovereignty of the Panama Canal is not negotiable.
“[I’d use] economic force because Canada and the United States — that would really be something,” he said. “You get rid of that artificially drawn line, and you take a look at what that looks like. It would also be much better for national security. Don’t forget, we basically protect Canada.”
Outgoing Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau issued his response in a post on X saying, “There isn’t a snowball’s chance in hell that Canada would become part of the United States.”The president-elect also spoke of one more geographical goal of his in the upcoming term: to rename the Gulf of Mexico the Gulf of America, saying it “has a beautiful ring to it.”
Not long after his remarks, Republican Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene of Georgia said she directed her staff to begin drafting legislation for the name change.
Police: Former soldier used AI to plan Las Vegas Cybertruck explosion attack
New details are emerging about the man who blew up a Tesla Cybertruck outside Trump Hotel in Las Vegas on New Year’s Day. Las Vegas police said Tuesday the attacker used generative AI, including ChatGPT to plan the attack.
An investigation into former soldier Matthew Livelsberger, 37, found his search history on ChatGPT included questions about firearms and explosives. Straight Arrow News reporter Lauren Taylor has more details on the investigation into the Cybertruck explosion.
Girl Scout cookie season begins, 2 flavors discontinued
Girl Scout cookie season has arrived. The annual tradition is meant to teach young girls about entrepreneurial skills through selling boxes of cookies.
Almost everyone has a favorite, of course, but if yours is Girl Scout S’mores or Toast-Yay! Cookies — bad news. The Girl Scouts plan to retire those two flavors later this year.
The organization said discontinuing those two flavors may lead to something new and delicious.
Trump announces Emirati businessman’s $20 billion investment in US data centers
President-elect Donald Trump revealed a major foreign investment into the United States economy Tuesday, Jan. 7, in an effort to keep up with the fast-moving advancements of artificial intelligence. Trump introduced Emirati businessman Hussain Sajwani, the founder of DAMAC Properties, announcing the company is investing $20 billion to build data centers for AI and cloud storage across the U.S.
“We’re very, very excited now with his leadership and his open strategy and policy to encourage businesses to come to the U.S. For the last four years we’ve been waiting for this moment,” Sajwani said at a news conference with Trump.
Sajwani’s pledge is the latest in foreign business leaders promising to invest in the U.S. as a result of Trump’s election victory.
Last month, the Japanese CEO of Softbank, Masayoshi Son said he will invest $100 billion in the U.S. creating 100,000 over the course of Trump’s second term.
Sajwani said he may eventually double the $20 billion investment as big tech companies race to set up data centers, which are essential for powering AI applications including OpenAI’s ChatCPT and Google’s Gemini.
The challenge is that they require a massive amount of power to operate nonstop. Many companies are now striving to keep their facilities going using primarily clean energy including solar and wind power and developing more nuclear power.
Several companies are also working to implement advanced cooling systems that don’t drain as much power.
Management consulting firm McKinsey & Company estimates global spending on data centers is likely to surpass $250 billion by 2030.
Microsoft recently said it will spend about $80 billion this year to ramp up its AI capacity.
Google announces new AI dev team aimed at simulating the physical world
Google has a new team seeking to advance artificial intelligence even further, possibly changing the game in simulation technology. Tim Brooks, who left OpenAI for Google’s AI research lab DeepMind, announced this week he’s leading the initiative.
“DeepMind has ambitious plans to make massive generative models that simulate the world,” Brooks posted to X. “I’m hiring for a new team with this mission.”
DeepMind has ambitious plans to make massive generative models that simulate the world. I'm hiring for a new team with this mission. Come build with us!https://t.co/pqvALtAvLshttps://t.co/vtwgeXl9Dl
The job listings say the new group will look to develop “real-time interactive generation” tools on top of the models they build. The team aims to study how to integrate them with existing models like “Gemini,” Google’s AI-powered assistant.
One of the job post descriptions says that the team will be on a path to “artificial general intelligence,” or AGI, which is AI that can accomplish the same tasks as humans.
Several companies are on that path, including Elon Musk’s Tesla. While it’s not directly building AGI, its work on self-driving cars involves the same AI technologies and push towards machine learning.
Not everyone in the creative industry is on board though. A recent study by the Animation Guild found that over 100,000 U.S. based film, television and animation jobs will be disrupted by AI in 2026.
Some companies are pledging to work with creative professionals, like 3D start up Odyssey, which is planning to have creators wear cameras enabled with an AI system that will allow them to capture cinematic worlds with complete control of the scenery, characters, lighting and motion.
Experts say achieving true AGI still requires work in several areas, like fully trusting its judgement over our own.
Understanding ‘Gen Beta’: A new era begins in 2025
You’ve heard of Generation Z and Generation Alpha, but get ready to usher in a new era: Generation Beta. The new age group’s debut is Jan. 1, 2025, with babies in this category being born until 2039.
The babies will be the children of younger millennials and older Gen Zs, making up 16% of the global population by 2035. Many will live to see the 22nd century.
Gen Beta will grow up in a time with rapid advances in technology but unlike their predecessors, they’ll be immersed in it completely from the start, with smart homes, AI-powered tools and virtual reality being a part of everyday life.
Experts say with climate change now at the forefront of politics, sustainability will also be second nature for them and they’ll likely embrace eco-friendly habits.
If you’re wondering how generations get their names, there’s actually no official group that comes up with them. Instead, the different monikers and birth year cutoffs are proposed by various theorists and authors, with a consensus developing in popular culture.
Social analyst and demographer Mark McCrindle is credited with coining Gen Beta, as well as the two previous groups, Gen Alpha and Gen Z.
The shift to the Greek alphabet marks how Beta and Alpha are growing up at completely transformed points in history.
This trend is set to continue with Gen Gamma, Gen Delta and so on.
One challenge that’s expected for Beta is increased anxiety and depression as they work to find a balance between online interactions and real-world relationships.
Online school in Arizona adopts fully AI-taught curriculum for 2025
An online-based school in Arizona is outsourcing teaching duties entirely to artificial intelligence. The Arizona State Board for Charter Schools approved an application for an AI-based virtual academy in 2025.
Unbound Academy, which also operates in Texas and Florida under the name Alpha Schools, said kids can learn twice as much using a two-hour learning plan that AI customizes.
Instead of teaching, human adults help the students with motivation. The day starts with two hours of instruction on topics like math and science.
According to the application, the AI system, which is powered by platforms like IXL and Khan Academy, will analyze the students’ responses, time spent on tasks and emotional cues to adjust the learning plan.
After spending time on traditional subjects, students work on non-academics, including life skills like teamwork, leadership and social interactions.
Unbound said this type of AI is different from what’s behind programs like ChatGPT, because it provides a more personalized experience.
A 2024 poll by Impact Research for the Walton Family Foundation showed some interesting results about current teaching practices:
About half of teachers, 49%, say they use AI at least once a week, both in and out of school
37% said they have used AI to generate creative ideas for classes
32% have used AI to create lesson plans for classes
Another 32% say they’ve used AI to create worksheets or examples for students
31% have used AI to create quizzes or even tests
The Unbound school in Arizona will begin teaching students in fourth through eighth grade. Depending on the program’s success, they may also expand to K-8.
Unbound also applied to open schools in Utah and Arkansas.
Reporters push Apple to nix AI feature after false Luigi Mangione headline
Reporters Without Borders called on Apple to drop its AI news feature after it generated a false headline. The press freedom group said Apple AI’s feature summarizing news stories created a fake headline for a BBC story.
Last week, a push notification created by Apple AI and sent to users said Luigi Mangione, the man accused of killing UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson, had shot himself — which was not true.
The BBC filed a complaint with Apple but has not confirmed if the tech giant responded. Apple AI made its debut in the U.K. last week.
Reporters Without Borders said it’s “very concerned about the risks posed to media outlets by new AI tools.” The group said this incident highlights that AI is “too immature to produce reliable information for the public.”
Apple has not commented on the incident as of yet.
Lisa Kudrow raises concerns over use of AI in Tom Hanks’ film ‘Here’
“Friends” alum Lisa Kudrow is speaking out about artificial intelligence in Hollywood, and she’s not holding back. Her criticism centers on Tom Hanks’ new film, “Here,” and the technology driving it.
Directed by Robert Zemeckis, “Here” premiered in October and showcases AI-driven de-aging technology. The film spans decades, using generative AI to make stars Tom Hanks and Robin Wright appear younger.
The tool behind these visuals, Metaphysic Live, seamlessly de-ages actors. Members of Metaphysic’s team have done previous AI work on projects such as “ABBA: Voyage,” the “Star Wars” saga and “Guardians of the Galaxy.”
Lisa Kudrow raises concerns about AI
Kudrow recently shared her thoughts on the “Armchair Expert” podcast. She described “Here” as “an endorsement of AI,” adding, “It’s not like, ‘Oh, it’s going to ruin everything.’ But what will be left for, forget actors, but what about up-and-coming actors?”
Her concern highlights a growing debate about AI’s impact on Hollywood. Many fear the technology could sideline younger actors trying to break into the industry.
A partnership driving AI innovation
Metaphysic Live has partnered with Creative Artists Agency (CAA) to develop generative AI tools for talent. Joanna Popper, CAA’s chief metaverse officer, praised the tools, saying they could “unlock an incredible opportunity for the entertainment industry and beyond.”
Zemeckis stands firmly behind the technology’s role in “Here,” saying, “The film simply wouldn’t work without our actors seamlessly transforming into younger versions of themselves. Metaphysic’s AI tools do exactly that.”
During production, actors could even use a “youth mirror.” This allowed them to see their younger selves in real time, helping them make specific performance choices.
Tom Hanks reflects on AI’s evolution
Hanks has been open about AI’s potential in Hollywood. Speaking on “The Adam Buxton Podcast,” he recalled working on Zemeckis’ 2004 film “The Polar Express.” At that time, motion capture technology laid the groundwork for today’s innovations.
With AI and deepfakes advancing rapidly, Hanks acknowledged the possibility of pitching movies with his younger likeness—even after his death. It’s a controversial prospect that raises questions about the future of filmmaking.
The ongoing AI debate in Hollywood
For Kudrow, this new era of AI raises alarms. While seasoned actors like Hanks can license their likeness, younger performers may face limited opportunities.
The debate continues to grow. Recently, the Writers Guild of America urged major studios to address AI plagiarism concerns –– a story SAN reported on last week.
As AI reshapes filmmaking, Kudrow’s critique reflects an industry wrestling with progress, ethics and the future of creativity.
Amazon invests $10 billion in Ohio data centers to drive AI evolution
Amazon is adding to its major Midwest technology hub investment while helping to shape the future of artificial intelligence. The company will invest $10 billion dollars in Ohio over the next five years.
The company will use the money to expand its Amazon Web Service data centers. They house equipment for powering AI, machine learning and other cloud computing technologies.
Data centers provide the power behind everyday tasks like prompting ChatGPT, streaming movies and performing Google searches.
The latest investment is in addition to Amazon’s $7.8 billion plan for Ohio announced in 2023 and the more than $6 billion it has already spent in the Buckeye State.
State officials said the investment will bring hundreds of jobs through the end of 2030.
Amazon has already contributed around $3.8 billion to the state’s gross domestic product. Their contributions support more than 4,700 jobs annually and create demand for telecommunications, software development and power generation workers.
While the company currently has seven data centers in central Ohio, it’s unclear how many more they will build. However, Amazon plans to expand into other parts of the state.
“As reliance on digital services continues to grow, so does the importance of data centers; they are critical to today’s modern economy,” Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine said.
There are currently more than 2,500 data centers in the United States, with Amazon Web Services holding a 31% market share of online computing resources. That’s more than Microsoft, Google and IBM combined.