Author: Frank Salvato

Uber is preparing to launch its own robotaxi service in the San Francisco Bay Area later this year, marking the company’s most aggressive push yet into autonomous ride-hailing after years of setbacks and strategic restructuring. Rather than developing its own self-driving technology, Uber has partnered with electric vehicle manufacturer Lucid and autonomous driving company Nuro to deploy premium Lucid Gravity SUVs equipped with Level 4 autonomous systems. The move places Uber in direct competition with Waymo and Zoox in one of the nation’s most closely watched autonomous vehicle markets. Company executives say the Bay Area rollout is the first step…

A growing majority of Americans believe the nation’s largest social media companies require stronger government oversight, according to a new Reuters/Ipsos poll that found 61% of respondents support increased regulation of the industry. The survey also found broad bipartisan support for age-verification requirements intended to prevent children under 16 from accessing social media platforms, underscoring mounting concern over youth mental health, addictive platform design, and the influence of algorithm-driven content. The findings arrive as technology companies continue facing lawsuits, state investigations, and legislative proposals centered on claims that social media platforms have failed to adequately protect younger users. Together, the…

Artificial intelligence is rapidly moving from the workplace and classroom into one of the most intimate corners of human life: the therapist’s chair. Millions of people already confide their fears, relationships, addictions, anxieties, and darkest thoughts to chatbots. As AI agents become more sophisticated, some will inevitably function as always-available psychotherapists—remembering conversations, detecting emotional patterns, offering advice, and developing what can feel remarkably like a relationship with the user. There are legitimate benefits here. But a society that enthusiastically hands psychological care to machines without first establishing firm ethical boundaries risks discovering that technological convenience is no substitute for human…

California lawmakers are advancing legislation that would place new guardrails around artificial intelligence systems marketed or used as therapists, reflecting growing concern that increasingly sophisticated chatbots are providing mental health advice without the oversight, training, accountability, or ethical obligations required of licensed professionals. The proposed legislation, SB 903, would prohibit companies from advertising or offering AI-powered therapy unless the service is conducted by a licensed mental health professional, while still allowing clinicians to use AI for limited administrative or supplementary purposes under strict supervision and with informed patient consent. Supporters argue the measure is necessary as more people—particularly younger users—turn…

A closely watched federal lawsuit is bringing renewed attention to whether “social media addiction” should be recognized as a formal psychiatric diagnosis, with plaintiffs arguing that the absence of such a designation in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM) has become a central defense for major technology companies facing thousands of lawsuits over alleged harms to children and teenagers. Plaintiffs contend that social media platforms were intentionally engineered with features such as infinite scrolling, autoplay, and algorithm-driven engagement to maximize user dependency, while the companies maintain that no recognized medical diagnosis exists for social media addiction and…

Amazon has confirmed it is investing in a massive AI data center campus in Pecos County, Texas, that would initially be powered by a dedicated natural gas-fired generating facility rather than the state’s electric grid. According to permitting documents cited in multiple reports, the GW Ranch power plant has been authorized to emit up to 33 million tons of carbon dioxide annually if operated at its maximum permitted capacity, a level that exceeds the permitted emissions of any existing U.S. power plant. Critics argue the project highlights the growing environmental costs of the artificial intelligence race, while Amazon maintains the…

The Federal Communications Commission voted 2-1 on August 6 to eliminate the longstanding 39% national television ownership cap, replacing it with a case-by-case review process for future broadcast acquisitions. FCC Chairman Brendan Carr argued the decades-old restriction had become obsolete in an era where technology giants and streaming platforms face no comparable ownership limits, putting traditional broadcasters at a competitive disadvantage. Supporters contend the change gives local television companies greater flexibility to achieve economies of scale, invest in local journalism, and better compete with digital media giants. Opponents, however, argue that Congress—not the FCC—has authority over the cap and warn…

President Donald Trump announced a package of investments exceeding $2 billion aimed at expanding America’s critical minerals and mining sector, with the stated objective of reducing U.S. reliance on China for strategically important materials used in defense systems, advanced manufacturing, batteries, and electronics. The initiative includes financing for domestic mining, mineral processing, advanced battery technology, magnet production, and workforce development while streamlining permitting for new mining projects. Administration officials characterized the effort as part of a broader strategy to rebuild domestic industrial capacity, strengthen national security, and establish resilient supply chains for materials that have become increasingly dominated by Chinese…

A New Mexico judge has ordered Meta to pay an additional $567 million into a state fund dedicated to addressing the mental health harms allegedly caused to children through Facebook and Instagram, bringing the company’s total liability in the case to $942 million after an earlier $375 million jury verdict. The ruling concludes the second phase of a landmark lawsuit that found Meta’s platforms contributed to youth mental health problems and failed to adequately protect children from exploitation and harmful content. Beyond the financial penalty, the court imposed a series of operational changes, including stronger age-verification measures, expanded parental protections,…

South Australian Premier Peter Malinauskas signed a memorandum of understanding with OpenAI during a U.S. trade mission, establishing a framework to explore a strategic partnership focused on artificial intelligence investment, workforce development, government services, cybersecurity, research, and startup growth. The non-binding agreement is intended to position South Australia as an early adopter of AI technologies while emphasizing responsible deployment, privacy protections, and human oversight. The initiative also seeks to attract international investment and strengthen the state’s technology ecosystem by examining opportunities in sectors including manufacturing, health care, defense, agriculture, energy, and space. Sources Key Takeaways In-Depth South Australia’s agreement with…