Jamie Lee Curtis calls out Zuckerberg over AI scam using her likeness

Jamie Lee Curtis has directly appealed to Mark Zuckerberg after discovering her likeness had been used without consent in an AI-generated advert.

Posting on Facebook, Curtis expressed her frustration with Meta’s lack of proper channels to report such abuse, stating she had exhausted all official avenues before resorting to a public plea.

The fake video reportedly manipulated footage from an emotional interview following the January wildfires in Los Angeles, inserting false statements under the guise of a product endorsement.

Instead of remaining silent, Curtis urged Zuckerberg to take action, saying the unauthorised content damaged her integrity and voice. Within hours of her public callout, Meta confirmed the video had been removed for breaching its policies, a rare example of a swift response.

‘It worked! Yay Internet! Shame has its value!’ she wrote in a follow-up, though she also highlighted the broader risks posed by deepfakes.

The actress joins a growing list of celebrities, including Taylor Swift and Scarlett Johansson, who’ve been targeted by AI misuse.

Swift was forced to publicly clarify her political stance after an AI video falsely endorsed Donald Trump, while Johansson criticised OpenAI for allegedly using a voice nearly identical to hers despite her refusal to participate in a project.

The issue has reignited concerns around consent, misinformation and the exploitation of public figures.

Instead of waiting for further harm, lawmakers in California have already begun pushing back. New legislation signed by Governor Gavin Newsom aims to protect performers from unauthorised digital replicas and deepfakes.

Meanwhile, in Washington, proposals like the No Fakes Act seek to hold tech platforms accountable, possibly fining them thousands per violation. As Curtis and others warn, without stronger protections, the misuse of AI could spiral further, threatening not just celebrities but the public as a whole.

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Australia appoints pro-crypto assistant minister for digital economy

Australia’s crypto sector has welcomed the appointment of Andrew Charlton as Assistant Minister for the Digital Economy. Charlton, a known supporter of blockchain, will also oversee AI and emerging technologies. He will work alongside Minister Tim Ayres.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese confirmed the appointment during a press conference in Canberra on 12 May.

Charlton has previously called for balanced regulation that supports growth in the digital asset sector. Industry leaders believe his appointment marks a step towards long-awaited clarity.

Jason Titman, CEO of Swyftx, described the move as ‘unequivocally good news’. He said Charlton truly understands blockchain and believes in its potential to support Australia’s economy. Many now hope he will fast-track overdue legislation around digital assets.

Vakul Talwar, head of Crypto.com’s Australian division, said the appointment shows the growing importance of the digital economy. Since the 2022 election, the sector has grown significantly.

More than 6.2 million Australians now own or have owned crypto. Edward Carroll of MHC Digital Group said Charlton’s pro-digital stance could help the country keep pace with global regulation while supporting innovation.

The government’s decision to include ‘digital economy’ in Charlton’s title signals a strong focus on tech-led growth. The re-elected centre-left Labor Party has already proposed a regulatory framework for crypto exchanges.

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Truth Social denies memecoin rumours

Truth Social, the social platform owned by Trump Media, has denied rumours that it plans to launch a memecoin. The speculation began after crypto influencer Ran Neuner tweeted that a token linked to the platform could be unveiled within 72 hours.

In a public post, Truth Social stated it had no involvement in any memecoin launch. Donald Trump Jr. echoed the denial, warning users not to be misled by circulating misinformation.

The original rumour suggested the project may involve individuals connected to the TRUMP token, but no evidence has surfaced.

Donald Trump is already linked to cryptocurrency through his own TRUMP token. The TRUMP token’s top holders have sparked concern among lawmakers, with many wallets potentially based outside the US.

Its value has dropped more than 80% from its peak but showed a small rebound recently.

The controversy intensified after Trump announced a gala dinner for major TRUMP token holders, attracting backlash from some US senators. Critics argue that foreign involvement and political fundraising through crypto could raise serious legal and ethical questions.

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SEC plans fresh rules for crypto securities

The US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) is preparing new rules for crypto assets that qualify as securities. At a roundtable on 12 May, SEC Chair Paul Atkins said current laws are outdated and don’t fit the fast-growing digital asset sector.

So far, only four crypto issuers have registered successfully — something Atkins called a failure of regulation, not of the industry.

Atkins said one of his top priorities is to build a clear and fair rulebook for crypto. The goal is to guide the issuance, custody and trading of these assets, while protecting consumers at the same time.

His approach marks a sharp break from former Chair Gary Gensler, who claimed that existing securities laws were enough. That view drew strong criticism from the crypto industry.

Atkins also praised the potential of tokenised securities. He compared their impact to how the music industry was transformed by digital technology. These assets could automate dividends, unlock liquidity and create new types of markets.

A new Crypto Task Force, led by pro-crypto Commissioner Hester Peirce, will lead the work on shaping the rules.

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Autonomous AI agents are the next phase of enterprise automation

Organisations across sectors are turning to agentic automation—an emerging class of AI systems designed to think, plan, and act autonomously to solve complex, multi-step problems.

Unlike traditional automation tools, which follow rigid rules, agentic systems use large language models (LLMs) and robotic process automation (RPA) to navigate ambiguity and make contextual decisions.

‘Agentic automation is the next generation of automation,’ said UiPath VP Robbie Mackness. ‘It’s about creating systems that can observe, reason, and act with minimal human input.’

Early adopters include the financial sector, where over 25% of firms plan to deploy agentic solutions this year, according to Bank Automation News.

Companies like BlackLine are using it to automate high-judgement accounting tasks, while public sector agencies like the US Navy are trialling the technology for logistics and admin workloads. The recruitment industry is also exploring AI agents for candidate screening and initial assessments.

Experts caution that success depends on identifying the right use cases and implementing proper governance. Still, the potential is clear: agentic automation could unlock entirely new capabilities and redefine how complex work gets done.

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Morrisons tests Tally robots amid job cut fears

Supermarket giant Morrisons has introduced shelf-scanning robots in several of its UK stores as part of a push to streamline operations and improve inventory accuracy.

The robots, known as Tally, are currently being trialled in three branches—Wetherby, Redcar, and Stockton—where they autonomously roam aisles to monitor product placement, stock levels, and pricing.

Developed by US-based Symbi Robotics, Tally is the world’s first autonomous item-scanning robot, capable of scanning up to 30,000 items per hour with 99% accuracy.

Already in use by major international retailers including Carrefour and Kroger, the robot is designed to operate in a range of retail environments, from chilled aisles to traditional shelves.

Morrisons says the robots will enhance store efficiency and reduce out-of-stock issues, but the move has sparked concern after reports that as many as 365 employees could lose their jobs due to automation.

The robots are part of a broader trend in retail toward AI-powered tools that boost productivity—but often at the expense of human labour.

Tally units are slim, mobile, and equipped with friendly digital faces. They return automatically to their charging stations when power runs low, and operate with minimal staff intervention.

While Morrisons has not confirmed a wider rollout in the UK, the trial reflects a growing shift in retail automation. As AI technologies evolve, companies are weighing the balance between operational gains and workforce impact.

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Some Google apps are better off without AI

With Google I/O 2025 around the corner, concerns are growing about artificial intelligence creeping into every corner of Google’s ecosystem. While AI has enhanced tools like Gmail and Photos, some users are urging Google to leave certain apps untouched.

These include fan favourites like Emoji Kitchen, Google Keep, and Google Wallet, which continue to shine due to their simplicity and human-focused design. Critics argue that introducing generative AI to these apps could diminish what makes them special.

Emoji Kitchen’s handcrafted stickers, for example, are widely praised compared to Apple’s AI-driven alternatives. Likewise, Google Keep and Wallet are valued for their light, efficient interfaces that serve clear purposes without AI interference.

Even in environments where AI might seem useful, such as Android Auto and Google Flights, the call is for restraint. Users appreciate clear menus and limited distractions over chatbots making unsolicited suggestions.

As AI continues to dominate tech conversations, a growing number of voices are asking Google to preserve the balance between innovation and usability.

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Gemini wins EU approval for crypto derivatives

Gemini has received a MiFID II licence from the Malta Financial Services Authority, allowing it to offer regulated crypto derivatives across the EU and EEA.

The exchange, founded by Cameron and Tyler Winklevoss, plans to offer products like perpetual futures to advanced traders. According to Gemini’s European head Mark Jennings, the licence is a major step in expanding services to retail and institutional clients.

Gemini will now work to meet final conditions before launching derivatives products. Its Maltese entity, Gemini Intergalactic EU Artemis, was granted the licence on 8 May.

The company had already chosen Malta as its base for compliance with Europe’s upcoming MiCA regulations. While it holds six VASP registrations in Europe, Gemini is still awaiting full MiCA approval.

Crypto derivatives are growing fast. Coinbase recently announced a $2.9 billion deal to buy Deribit, while Kraken plans to acquire NinjaTrader for $1.5 billion. Gemini’s move marks its entry into this competitive space.

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New AI tool predicts post-surgery infection risk

Leiden University Medical Center (LUMC) has developed a pioneering AI model, PERISCOPE, designed to predict infection risk in patients following surgery. PERISCOPE will become a standard tool at LUMC, with full implementation expected by mid-2026.

Based on data from over 250,000 surgical procedures, the tool provides a personalised risk assessment within seven to thirty days post-operation, helping healthcare providers intervene earlier and reduce complications.

The AI model, developed by PhD researcher Siri van der Meijden, uses pseudonymised patient data including medical history, vital signs and existing conditions to identify those most at risk.

During testing, PERISCOPE performed as well as experienced doctors and outperformed less experienced ones, making it a valuable decision-support tool. Once fully adopted, the tool is expected to save time, improve patient outcomes, and potentially predict other complications.

Rather than replace clinicians, it complements their judgement by offering a clear, visual dashboard of infection risk levels. Integration into hospital systems remains a challenge, but preparations are underway.

Van der Meijden continues to develop the model to expand its predictive capabilities and ensure long-term impact not only in the Netherlands, but globally.

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