US

AI regulation fight heats up over US federal moratorium

The US House of Representatives has passed a budget bill containing a 10-year moratorium on the enforcement of state-level artificial intelligence laws. With broad bipartisan concern already surfacing, the Senate faces mounting pressure to revise or scrap the provision entirely.

While the provision claims to exclude generally applicable legislation, experts warn its vague language could override a wide array of consumer protections and privacy rules in the US. The moratorium’s scope, targeting AI-specific regulations, has triggered alarm among concerned groups.

Critics argue the measure may hinder states from addressing real-world harms posed by AI technologies, such as deepfakes, discriminatory algorithms, and unauthorised data use.

Existing and proposed state laws, ranging from transparency requirements in hiring and healthcare to protections for artists and mental health app users, may be invalidated under the moratorium.

Several experts noted that states have often acted more swiftly than the federal government in confronting emerging tech risks.

Supporters contend the moratorium is necessary to prevent a fragmented regulatory landscape that could stifle innovation and disrupt interstate commerce. However, analysts point out that general consumer laws might also be jeopardised due to the bill’s ambiguous definitions and legal structure.

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Most X users regain access after global glitch

X, formerly known as Twitter, has resumed normal operations for most users following a global outage early Friday.

Reports of the disruption surged shortly after 8AM ET, before rapidly declining within the hour. NetBlocks confirmed the outage was not linked to any national internet restrictions.

The incident followed a fire earlier in the week at a data centre in US Oregon reportedly owned by X.

Sources cited by Wired indicated that the blaze involved backup batteries and required a prolonged emergency response. Users had already reported problems in the days prior.

Although service has stabilised, the X developer status page still notes degraded performance with login features.

The company has yet to comment publicly on the situation. User concerns remain visible across social media platforms and tech forums.

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Tech coalition to push for faster US foreign cybersecurity aid

A coalition of leading technology and cybersecurity firms, including Carahsoft, Dell Technologies, Forescout, Google Cloud, Trellix, and Velos, has launched the Strategic Cybersecurity Coalition (SCC). The group is dedicated to advocating for a more efficient and streamlined US approach to foreign cybersecurity assistance.

Their goal is to accelerate the deployment of sustainable, interoperable cybersecurity solutions that can effectively respond to the growing global cyber threat landscape. The US government continues to face significant bureaucratic and legal barriers that slow the delivery of timely cybersecurity support to its allies.

Despite the Biden administration’s introduction of a rapid-response fund, the broader foreign aid framework remains outdated and ill-equipped to keep pace with fast-evolving cyber incidents. Progress was further stalled by a pause in foreign assistance during the previous administration.

Moreover, existing military aid programs focus largely on traditional weaponry, which often requires years-long procurement processes, an impractical timeline for urgently needed cybersecurity tools and training. Restrictive regulations also hinder US companies from providing cybersecurity services abroad, limiting critical threat intelligence sharing vital to national security.

Strengthening allied cybersecurity is crucial for US security, as threats often target both partners and the US. The SCC calls for faster, streamlined cyber aid through military programs by easing contracting rules and funding limits, aiming to reduce procurement from years to months.

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FCC to enhance security on foreign communications equipment

The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has implemented new policies aimed at strengthening the security of the United States’ communications infrastructure against foreign threats. These policies expand the FCC’s authority to prohibit the authorisation of communications equipment from companies identified as national security risks, including Huawei, ZTE, Hytera, Hikvision, and Dahua.

Additionally, the FCC now has the power to revoke previously granted equipment authorisations if a company is later added to the ‘covered list.’ The scope of these regulations has also broadened to cover not only core network infrastructure but also a wide range of devices such as routers, switches, and consumer electronics, thereby reducing vulnerabilities and protecting against foreign interference.

US telecom companies must comply by replacing equipment from covered vendors, which may involve significant costs. While this transition poses challenges, the FCC stresses minimal short-term impact on consumers and highlights the long-term security benefits.

The agency also has enforcement powers, including fines, to ensure compliance. Going forward, the FCC will keep monitoring threats and update its policies as needed.

It will also work with government and international partners to strengthen cybersecurity efforts, showing its commitment to protecting critical communications infrastructure.

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Google’s AI Mode is now live for all American users

Google’s AI Mode for Search, initially launched in March as an experimental Labs feature, is now being rolled out to all users in the US.

Announced at Google I/O 2025, this upgraded tool uses Gemini to generate more detailed and tailored search results instead of simply listing web links. Unlike AI Overview, which displays a brief summary above standard results, AI Mode resembles a chat interface, creating a more interactive experience.

Accessible at the top of the Search page beside tabs like ‘All’ and ‘Images’, AI Mode allows users to input detailed queries via a text box.

Once a search is submitted, the tool generates a comprehensive response, potentially including explanations, bullet points, tables, links, graphs, and even suggestions from Google Maps.

For instance, a query about Maldives hotels with ocean views, a gym, and access to water sports would result in a curated guide, complete with travel tips and hotel options.

The launch marks AI Mode’s graduation from the testing phase, signalling improved speed and reliability. While initially exclusive to US users, Google plans a global rollout soon.

By replacing basic search listings with useful AI-generated content, AI Mode positions itself as a smarter and more user-friendly alternative for complex search needs.

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TSMC threatens to scale back Arizona fabs over US chip tariffs

TSMC has warned the US government that it may halt or scale back plans to expand its semiconductor manufacturing in Arizona if new tariffs on foreign-made chips are introduced. However, the entire plan now hangs in the balance, depending on how the White House proceeds.

The company, which supplies key US tech firms like Apple and Nvidia, says such tariffs would make production costly and risk reducing demand. TSMC currently operates one plant in Arizona, with two more under construction and three additional facilities planned.

The warning comes as the Biden administration considers imposing tariffs on imported semiconductors. TSMC argues that firms already investing heavily in US chip production, like itself, should be exempt. In a letter to the US Commerce Department, it cited risks to customer demand and its own business strategy.

Arizona is set to become central to TSMC’s most advanced chipmaking, with upcoming 2nm and 1.6nm chips produced using cutting-edge technology. These new fabs could make up 30% of the company’s future high-end capacity.

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Quantum computing partnership launches in Doha

Quantinuum and Al Rabban Capital have announced a new venture aimed at advancing quantum computing in Qatar and the region.

The partnership seeks to provide access to Quantinuum’s technologies, co-develop relevant quantum applications and train a new generation of developers.

This move aligns with Qatar’s ambition to become a hub for advanced technologies. Applications will focus on energy, medicine, genomics, and finance, with additional potential in emerging fields like Generative Quantum AI.

The venture builds on existing collaborations with Hamad Bin Khalifa University and the Qatar Center for Quantum Computing. Quantinuum’s expansion into Qatar follows growth across the US, UK, Europe, and Indo-Pacific.

Leaders from both organisations see this as a strategic milestone, strengthening technological ties between Qatar and the West. The joint venture not only supports national goals but also reflects rising global demand for quantum technologies.

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Epic Games wins long battle with Apple

Fortnite has returned to the Apple app store in the US, nearly five years after it was removed in 2020. The ban followed Epic Games’ attempt to bypass Apple’s 30% commission by introducing its own payment system, sparking a major legal fight.

The game is now also available on the Epic Games Store and AltStore in the EU. This development is being widely viewed as a win for Epic Games in its lengthy dispute over app store practices.

Analysts say it may shift power dynamics in distribution, giving creators more influence against platform holders.

The US return comes just days after Fortnite was briefly unavailable globally due to a blocked update. It had already reappeared in the EU earlier this year due to new competition laws. With over 400 million players worldwide, Fortnite remains one of the most popular games in the world.

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US bans nonconsensual explicit deepfakes nationwide

The US is introducing a landmark federal law aimed at curbing the spread of non-consensual explicit deepfake images, following mounting public outrage.

President Donald Trump is expected to sign the Take It Down Act, which will criminalise the sharing of explicit images, whether real or AI-generated, without consent. The law will also require tech platforms to remove such content within 48 hours of notification, instead of leaving the matter to patchy state laws.

The legislation is one of the first at the federal level to directly tackle the misuse of AI-generated content. It builds on earlier laws that protected children but had left adults vulnerable due to inconsistent state regulations.

The bill received rare bipartisan support in Congress and was backed by over 100 organisations, including tech giants like Meta, TikTok and Google. First Lady Melania Trump also supported the act, hosting a teenage victim of deepfake harassment during the president’s address to Congress.

The act was prompted in part by incidents like that of Elliston Berry, a Texas high school student targeted by a classmate who used AI to alter her social media image into a nude photo. Similar cases involving teen girls across the country highlighted the urgency for action.

Tech companies had already started offering tools to remove explicit images, but the lack of consistent enforcement allowed harmful content to persist on less cooperative platforms.

Supporters of the law argue it sends a strong societal message instead of allowing the exploitation to continue unchallenged.

Advocates like Imran Ahmed and Ilana Beller emphasised that while no law is a perfect solution, this one forces platforms to take real responsibility and offers victims some much-needed protection and peace of mind.

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UAE to host world’s biggest AI site outside the US

The United Arab Emirates will build the largest artificial intelligence infrastructure outside the United States, following a high-level meeting between UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan and President Trump in Abu Dhabi.

It will be constructed by G42 and involve US firms under the newly established US-UAE AI Acceleration Partnership. Spanning 10 square miles in Abu Dhabi, the AI campus will run on a mix of nuclear, solar and gas energy to limit emissions and will feature a dedicated science park to drive innovation.

A 5GW capacity will enable it to serve half the global population, offering US cloud providers a vital regional hub. As part of the agreement, the UAE has pledged to align its national security rules with US standards, including strict technology safeguards and tighter access controls for computing power.

The UAE may also be permitted to purchase up to 500,000 Nvidia AI chips annually starting this year.

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