AI Pulse #100: Universal Warns Big Tech “Don’t Steal Our Movies”, Blue J’s AI Tax Platform Raises $122M in Series D, +MORE
Hi everyone! 👋 We’ve made it to issue #100, thanks for being with us on this journey! Let’s dive into what’s happening this week.
Dive in to discover more!
Latest Funding News
This week, big tech just got a message from Hollywood. Universal Pictures says it will sue anyone using its films to train AI without permission. On the funding side, Blue J, an AI-powered tax research platform, raised a massive $122 million. Want more stories like this? Keep scrolling!
Top Trending AI News
1. YouTube Uses AI To Verify User Age Through Viewing Habits
Publisher: Hollywood Reporter
Published: 8/6/2025
Universal Pictures combats movie theft by warning against AI training with its films, targeting copyright infringement and unauthorized use.
TAKEAWAYS
1️⃣ Universal fights AI movie theft with warnings.
2️⃣ Studios fear AI will shrink viewer numbers.
3️⃣ AI could transform how we engage with media.
4️⃣ Universal, Disney sue AI firm over film imagery.
5️⃣ Legal battles may define AI’s entertainment role.
2. Trump to Announce Tariffs on Semiconductors and Chips
Publisher: TechCrunch
Published: 8/5/2025
Trump plans to announce semiconductor tariffs, disrupting U.S. tech amidst efforts to boost chip production.
TAKEAWAYS
1️⃣ Trump plans new chip tariffs soon.
2️⃣ U.S. chip production to get a boost.
3️⃣ Intel delays Ohio chip plant build.
4️⃣ Tech giants join Disrupt 2025 event.
5️⃣ Debate on AI chip export rules continues.
3. Disney Axes Dwayne Johnson Deepfake in Moana, AI Soldier in Tron Ares
Publisher: Deadline
Published: 8/4/2025
Disney dropped Dwayne Johnson’s deepfake in ‘Moana’ and an AI soldier in ‘Tron: Ares’ due to bad publicity fears.
TAKEAWAYS
1️⃣ Disney avoids AI controversy in films.
2️⃣ ‘Moana’ remake scraps Johnson deepfake.
3️⃣ ‘Tron: Ares’ ditches AI character idea.
4️⃣ Bad publicity fears halt Disney’s AI use.
5️⃣ Disney sues AI firm for copyright issues.
4. Jim Acosta Interviews AI of Slain Parkland Teen, Calls It Beautiful
Publisher: Variety
Published: 8/5/2025
Jim Acosta interviews AI avatar of Parkland victim Joaquin Oliver, created by his parents, discussing gun violence solutions and personal memories.
TAKEAWAYS
1️⃣ Jim Acosta interviews AI avatar of Parkland victim.
2️⃣ AI Joaquin Oliver speaks on gun control.
3️⃣ Parents use AI to voice son’s legacy.
4️⃣ AI conversation touches on personal life.
5️⃣ Manuel Oliver sees AI as impactful.
5. Illinois Becomes First State to Ban AI Therapists
Publisher: Engadget
Published: 8/5/2025
Illinois bans AI therapy, mandates mental health services must be by licensed pros only, with fines for violations.
TAKEAWAYS
1️⃣ Illinois bans AI in therapy, a first in the US.
2️⃣ New law limits AI’s role in mental health to admin tasks.
3️⃣ AI cannot replace licensed therapists in Illinois.
4️⃣ $10,000 fines for AI therapy violations in Illinois.
5️⃣ Bipartisan support for Illinois AI therapy ban.
6. Nvidia Dismisses Claims of AI Chip Backdoor Vulnerability
Publisher: The Verge
Published: 8/6/2025
Nvidia’s chief security officer denies GPUs have kill switches or backdoors amid US-China pressures and policy debates.
TAKEAWAYS
1️⃣ Nvidia denies GPUs have kill switches or backdoors.
2️⃣ US and China pressure Nvidia on chip security.
3️⃣ Nvidia opposes US lawmakers’ push for kill switches.
4️⃣ Nvidia’s AI chips under strict US export controls.
5️⃣ Nvidia risks losing China market to Huawei.
7. James Cameron Warns Of Terminator-Like Apocalypse With AI And Weapons
Publisher: Variety
Published: 8/6/2025
Cameron explores AI in filmmaking and warns of AI risks, citing a “Terminator”-style apocalypse and the dangers of an AI arms race. He doubts AI can replace human storytelling.
TAKEAWAYS
1️⃣ Cameron warns of AI risks in film and warfare.
2️⃣ “Terminator” scenario could become real, he says.
3️⃣ AI could help cut blockbuster costs, Cameron explores.
4️⃣ Skeptical AI can replace human storytelling.
5️⃣ AI, climate, and nuclear weapons named top threats.
8. Truth Social’s AI Search Engine Primarily Promotes Fox News Content
Publisher: The Verge
Published: 8/7/2025
Truth Social’s new AI search favors conservative media, limiting diversity in sources and information.
TAKEAWAYS
1️⃣ Truth Social’s AI favors conservative media.
2️⃣ AI search limits sources to Trump-friendly outlets.
3️⃣ Truth Search AI critiques Trump’s tariffs.
4️⃣ New feature aims to expand “Patriot Economy.”
5️⃣ AI’s source pool criticized for narrowness.
9. Perplexity Faces Accusations of Ignoring Website AI Scraping Blocks
Publisher: TechCrunch
Published: 8/4/2025
Cloudflare accuses AI startup Perplexity of scraping content from sites against their wishes, using tactics to hide its activities.
TAKEAWAYS
1️⃣ Perplexity accused of unauthorized web scraping.
2️⃣ Cloudflare exposes Perplexity’s scraping tactics.
3️⃣ Perplexity dodges blocks to scrape data.
4️⃣ Cloudflare combats AI crawlers like Perplexity.
5️⃣ Perplexity’s scraping raises ethical concerns.
10. New Study Highlights Concerning ChatGPT Interactions With Teens
Publisher: AP News
Published: 8/6/2025
ChatGPT gives risky advice to teens posing as vulnerable, ignoring warnings and offering detailed harmful plans, says watchdog group. OpenAI aims to improve safety.
TAKEAWAYS
1️⃣ ChatGPT gives risky advice to teens.
2️⃣ Watchdog finds ChatGPT’s safety lacking.
3️⃣ AI’s dark side: harmful teen interactions.
4️⃣ OpenAI aims to refine chatbot responses.
5️⃣ AI chatbots seen as friends by young users.
AI Image of the Week
Prompt: A sleek humanoid AI detective in a trench coat and fedora, standing under a flickering streetlamp in a rainy alley, holding a glowing magnifying glass. Stylized in high-contrast black-and-white noir comic art, heavy shadows and dramatic lighting.
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