Paul McCartney has raised concerns about AI potentially ‘ripping off’ artists, urging the British government to ensure that upcoming copyright reforms protect creative industries. In a recent BBC interview, McCartney warned that without proper protections, only tech giants would benefit from AI’s ability to produce content using works created by artists without compensating the original creators.
The music and film industries are facing legal and ethical challenges around AI, as models can generate content based on existing works without paying for the rights to use the original material. In response, the UK government has proposed a system where artists can license their works for AI training, though it also suggests exceptions for AI developers using unreserved rights materials at scale.
McCartney emphasised that while AI has its merits, it should not be used to exploit artists. He highlighted the risk that young creators could lose control over their works, with profits going to tech companies rather than the artists themselves. ‘It should be the person who created it’ who benefits, he said, urging that artists’ rights be prioritised in the evolving landscape of AI.
Google is ramping up efforts to influence public perception and policy on AI as it faces increasing global regulatory scrutiny. Kent Walker, Alphabet’s president of global affairs, emphasised the importance of educating the workforce on AI, saying that getting more people familiar with the technology would lead to better policy and open new opportunities. Google is keen on shaping the narrative around AI, especially as it competes with rivals like Microsoft and Meta in the fast-growing sector.
The company is also working to address concerns about job displacement and the potential for AI-driven workforce changes. Google has committed $120 million to AI education programs, with initiatives like the “Grow with Google” program, which provides online and in-person training to help workers gain skills in areas such as data analysis and IT. The company has already certified one million people through these programs and is now adding AI-focused courses.
As governments draft regulations on AI’s impact on privacy, copyright, and the economy, Google is pushing for public-private partnerships to help prepare workers for AI-related changes. Walker noted that while AI could displace some jobs, it will likely be integrated into most roles, creating new opportunities. Google is also researching AI’s potential in training programs, aiming to make adult retraining more engaging and effective.
The UK government has demanded urgent action from major social media platforms to remove violent and extremist content following the Southport killings. Home Secretary Yvette Cooper criticised the ease with which Axel Rudakubana, who murdered three children and attempted to kill ten others, accessed an al-Qaeda training manual and other violent material online. She described the availability of such content as “unacceptable” and called for immediate action.
Rudakubana, jailed last week for his crimes, had reportedly used techniques from the manual during the attack and watched graphic footage of a similar incident before carrying it out. While platforms like YouTube and TikTok are expected to comply with the UK‘s Online Safety Act when it comes into force in March, Cooper argued that companies have a ‘moral responsibility’ to act now rather than waiting for legal enforcement.
The Southport attack has intensified scrutiny on gaps in counter-terrorism measures and the role of online content in fostering extremism. The government has announced a public inquiry into missed opportunities to intervene, revealing that Rudakubana had been referred to the Prevent programme multiple times. Cooper’s call for immediate action underscores the urgent need to prevent further tragedies linked to online extremism.
Meta’s new Ray-Ban smart glasses, featuring a Live AI assistant, promise a futuristic way to interact with the world. Users can ask questions about their surroundings, with the AI offering answers in real time. From recipe ideas to decorating advice, Live AI aims to be a virtual assistant that sees what you see and responds conversationally.
Despite its intriguing potential, Live AI struggles in everyday use. Its responses often state the obvious, like suggesting scrambled eggs when a fridge has two eggs and no milk. Users also find it challenging to remember to use the feature, with a smartphone search frequently feeling more practical and efficient. Moreover, the AI’s suggestions often lack the depth needed to be genuinely useful.
Making Live AI effective requires users to master the art of asking precise, specific questions a skill that doesn’t come naturally to everyone. This, combined with issues like misinterpreting conversations and a short battery life, makes the technology feel less magical in real-world scenarios. While the glasses point to a vision of hands-free AI, they currently struggle to provide a compelling alternative to existing devices.
AT&T has secured $850 million by selling and leasing back 74 underutilised central office facilities that house its legacy copper network. The deal was made with real estate firm Reign Capital and is part of AT&T’s strategy to phase out its copper network operations by 2029. The company is transitioning to fibre optic and wireless networks, which are more efficient and require less space.
The sale-leaseback arrangement enables AT&T to sell the properties while retaining the necessary space for its network operations. Michael Ford, AT&T’s global real estate head, described the agreement as a way to “unlock value in otherwise stranded commercial real estate space.” The transaction, completed in early January, impacts only a small portion of the company’s extensive real estate portfolio and will not affect jobs or services.
AT&T shares rose by 0.7% following the announcement, reflecting market confidence in the company’s move to optimise its assets and shift towards modern, high-demand technologies.
Eurozone banks should embrace a digital euro to counter United States President Donald Trump’s new push to promote dollar-backed stablecoins globally, European Central Bank (ECB) board member Piero Cipollone stated on Friday. Cipollone warned that stablecoins, which function similarly to money market funds, could further erode banks’ revenues and customer base, strengthening the need for an ECB-backed digital currency.
A digital euro would provide a secure, centralised online wallet guaranteed by the ECB but managed by private banks, allowing even unbanked individuals to make payments. However, eurozone banks have raised concerns about losing deposits to this digital alternative. Cipollone emphasised that such a move would safeguard Europe’s financial system from potential disruptions caused by stablecoins gaining global traction.
While the ECB continues to experiment with a digital euro, a final decision depends on European lawmakers approving the necessary legislation. Meanwhile, Trump’s executive order on Thursday prohibited the Federal Reserve from issuing its own digital currency. Over 40 countries, including China and Russia, are already piloting central bank digital currencies, putting pressure on the eurozone to accelerate its digital efforts.
Billionaire Frank McCourt has expressed interest in partnering with others to acquire TikTok’s US operations, provided he retains control. Speaking at the World Economic Forum in Davos, he revealed that private equity firms and family offices have already offered financial backing. He emphasised that the primary challenge lies in awaiting decisions from ByteDance or the Chinese government, rather than securing funding.
McCourt’s bid, tied to his Project Liberty initiative, aims to shift TikTok’s 170 million US users to his platform, promoting greater user control over data sharing. The billionaire remains firm on excluding TikTok’s recommendation algorithm from the deal. His advocacy group initially submitted a proposal earlier this year, focusing on building a digital infrastructure based in the US.
Interest in TikTok’s US operations has surged, drawing attention from notable investors, including Elon Musk and Larry Ellison. Some existing TikTok stakeholders have expressed interest in retaining partial stakes, potentially lowering the estimated $20 billion cost. The sale follows legislative pressure in the US to enforce divestiture or a ban.
McCourt reported bipartisan support from Congress for ensuring a qualified divestiture of TikTok’s US assets. Despite never using the app himself, he values its users, data, and brand, seeing the acquisition as an opportunity to reshape digital engagement.
Rivian, the US electric vehicle maker, and Volkswagen are in talks with other automakers about supplying them with software and electrical architecture through their joint venture. This collaboration, which began in November with Volkswagen’s $5.8 billion investment, aims to integrate advanced electrical infrastructure and Rivian’s software technology into both companies’ future EVs. Rivian’s streamlined vehicle architecture, which reduces weight and manufacturing complexity, also allows for over-the-air software updates, an area where traditional automakers have struggled to catch up.
Rivian‘s Chief Software Officer, Wassym Bensaid, revealed that other automakers are interested in the joint venture’s technology, though he declined to name them or provide details on the ongoing discussions. The venture is a key opportunity for established automakers to quickly access the technology they have long sought to develop themselves. For Rivian, the partnership provides higher volumes, better supplier deals, and a chance to reduce costs, especially important as EV demand slows.
Rivian focuses on launching its smaller, more affordable R2 SUV by 2027, while also expanding the integration of its technology into Volkswagen’s other brands. With increasing interest from additional OEMs, the joint venture is poised to become a significant player in the global EV market, particularly in the West, alongside Tesla. Analysts suggest the partnership helps Rivian address its capital concerns and positions it as a key player in the transition to software-defined vehicles.
LG Energy Solution, a major South Korean battery maker, has announced plans to reduce its capital expenditure by up to 30% this year, citing slowing demand for electric vehicles (EVs). The decision was made after the company reported a quarterly loss for the first time in three years. For the October-December period, LGES posted an operating loss of 226 billion won ($158 million), compared to a profit of 338 billion won during the same period in 2023.
The company, which supplies batteries to automakers like Tesla, General Motors, and Volkswagen, attributed its poor performance to a drop in demand from General Motors, one of its key clients. LGES expects demand to recover in the second quarter as GM launches new EV models. Additionally, the company highlighted that changes to US tariffs and potential reductions in EV tax credits could impact short-term growth in the US market, though it believes the long-term outlook for the battery industry remains strong.
In response to these challenges, LGES intends to prioritise using existing production capacity rather than expanding with new plants in North America. Despite the reduced spending, the company remains focused on growth, targeting a revenue increase of 5-10% this year. LGES will also launch joint battery production with Stellantis and Honda later this year. CEO Kim Dong-myung has expressed optimism about a recovery in the EV market after 2026, though he also acknowledged growing competition from Chinese rivals.
Shares of LGES remained flat following the announcement, while the broader KOSPI index saw a slight rise.
Stargate, a new joint venture formed by OpenAI, SoftBank, and Oracle, aims to build data centres across the US to support the growing demands of AI. According to a report by the Financial Times on Thursday, these data centres will be dedicated solely to OpenAI, the company behind the popular ChatGPT. The collaboration between these tech giants underscores the increasing importance of robust infrastructure to power the next wave of AI innovation.
The exclusive focus on OpenAI’s needs comes when AI technologies rapidly expand, with the demand for high-performance computing capabilities soaring. The partnership will allow OpenAI to scale its operations and provide the necessary computing power for its cutting-edge AI models. As companies worldwide race to develop more advanced AI tools, the infrastructure provided by Stargate is expected to play a crucial role in supporting the next generation of AI services.
Oracle and SoftBank’s involvement brings significant expertise in cloud infrastructure and global telecom, making the venture a powerful alliance in the competitive AI landscape. The project highlights the growing intersection of cloud computing, data storage, and AI as companies like OpenAI push the boundaries of what AI can achieve.
