AI Pulse #108: Trump Admin Invests $625M in Coal Plants, Cerebras Raises $1.1B for Wafer-Scale AI Chips, +MORE
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Latest Funding News
This week, we’re watching major investments in both energy and AI. The Trump administration is putting $625 million toward coal plant upgrades, aiming to reduce energy costs and strengthen grid reliability. On the other side of the tech spectrum, Cerebras Systems has locked in $1.1 billion in funding, bringing its valuation to $8.1 billion as it continues developing cutting-edge AI chip technology. Read on for more updates on the world of tech!
Top Trending AI News
1. Trump Administration Invests $625M to Sustain Coal Plants, Reduce Energy Costs
Publisher: Fox
Published: 9/29/2025
Trump admin invests $625M in coal to lower energy costs, boost AI race, and revitalize the industry.
TAKEAWAYS
1️⃣ $625M to boost U.S. coal industry.
2️⃣ Plan aims to lower energy costs.
3️⃣ Investment to help win AI race.
4️⃣ Funds allocated to modernize coal plants.
5️⃣ Coal seen as key to U.S. industrial might.
2. Lufthansa Plans to Cut Thousands of Jobs to Boost Profitability
Publisher: Fox Business
Published: 9/29/2025
Former NSA hacker warns of cyberattacks on airlines; Lufthansa cuts 4,000 jobs; Spirit struggles with bankruptcy and job cuts.
TAKEAWAYS
1️⃣ NSA hacker warns airlines of cyber threats.
2️⃣ Lufthansa to cut 4,000 jobs via tech upgrades.
3️⃣ Spirit Airlines faces grim future with bankruptcy.
4️⃣ Lufthansa aims for efficiency through synergy.
5️⃣ JetBlue and Spirit end merger over regulatory hurdles.
3. James Cameron Talks Avatar 2 Re-Release, Asserts AI Can’t Replace Humans
Publisher: Variety
Published: 10/1/2025
Cameron revisits “Avatar: The Way of Water” for consistency with the sequel, breaking his rule of not watching his films post-release for creativity.
TAKEAWAYS
1️⃣ Cameron rarely re-watches his films post-release.
2️⃣ Broke rule for “Avatar: The Way of Water” sequel prep.
3️⃣ “The Way of Water” gets a big screen return.
4️⃣ Sequel work enhances VFX creative culture.
5️⃣ Filming for two sequels spanned 18 months.
4. Tech CEO Aims to Boost Companies’ Returns on AI Investments
Publisher: CNN
Published: 9/30/2025
Jason Droege now leads AI firm Scale, focusing on making AI profitable amid industry challenges, after Meta’s $14B investment and a leadership change.
TAKEAWAYS
1️⃣ 95% of AI companies don’t make money.
2️⃣ Scale AI leads in AI data labeling.
3️⃣ Meta invests $14.3 billion in Scale AI.
4️⃣ AI not a magic solution, says CEO.
5️⃣ Scale AI expands beyond data labeling.
5. California Enacts Law to Regulate Major AI Firms
Publisher: NBC
Published: 9/29/2025
California’s Gov. Newsom signs SB 53, pioneering AI safety and transparency law in the US, impacting global AI industry leaders.
TAKEAWAYS
1️⃣ California enacts first AI safety law in the US.
2️⃣ New law targets AI transparency and incident reporting.
3️⃣ Global AI industry impacted by California’s new regulations.
4️⃣ SB 53 aims to balance innovation with public safety.
5️⃣ Critics and supporters divided over AI regulation approach.
6. Young Americans Opt for Blue-Collar Jobs Amid AI’s Impact on White-Collar Work
Publisher: CBS
Published: 9/29/2025
AI’s impact on job market leads more young Americans to pursue blue-collar careers for job security.
TAKEAWAYS
1️⃣ AI drives youth towards blue-collar jobs.
2️⃣ Gen Z values job security over degrees.
3️⃣ Trades seen as safe from automation.
4️⃣ College costs push youth to skilled trades.
5️⃣ Young entrepreneurs thrive in blue-collar careers.
7. Buffalo Mom Scammed by AI Mimicking Son’s Voice for Ransom Demand
Publisher: WKBW
Published: 10/2/2025
Buffalo mom targeted in AI voice scam mimicking son’s voice to demand ransom, highlighting the growing threat of realistic AI-generated voice scams.
TAKEAWAYS
1️⃣ Mom receives AI scam call mimicking son’s voice.
2️⃣ Scammers demand $2,500 for son’s return.
3️⃣ Family uses app to confirm son’s safety.
4️⃣ Expert warns AI voice scams are improving.
5️⃣ Use of safe words advised in voice scams.
8. Paycom Replaces 500 Workers With AI at Oklahoma City HQ
Publisher: Oklahoman
Published: 10/1/2025
Paycom, Oklahoma City’s largest tech employer, is laying off 500+ workers, replacing some jobs with AI, marking its first major layoff since 1998.
TAKEAWAYS
1️⃣ Paycom lays off over 500 workers due to AI automation.
2️⃣ First major layoff in Paycom’s history since 1998.
3️⃣ Layoffs focus on non-client-facing automated roles.
4️⃣ Paycom to offer transition help to laid-off employees.
5️⃣ Paycom’s profit forecast rises despite layoffs.
9. UK Actors’ Union Criticizes Tilly Norwood as AI Constructed from Performers’ Work
Publisher: Variety
Published: 10/2/2025
British acting union Equity criticizes AI “actress” Tilly Norwood, questioning the ethics of her creation and the use of performers’ work.
TAKEAWAYS
1️⃣ Equity Union criticizes AI “actress” Tilly Norwood.
2️⃣ Concerns raised over AI’s use of actors’ data.
3️⃣ Equity explores GDPR to protect actors’ work.
4️⃣ AI’s origin and consent issues worry Equity.
5️⃣ AI seen as tool, not actor replacement.
10. Wikipedia’s Censorship Poses Threat to Civilization’s Core Values
Publisher: New York Post
Published: 10/2/2025
Wikipedia accused of censorship, banning conservative outlets like the Federalist, which exposed Neil Tyson’s fabrications. Bias extends to AI models trained on its content.
TAKEAWAYS
1️⃣ Wikipedia censors conservative sources.
2️⃣ Sanger reveals Wikipedia’s bias.
3️⃣ Federalist faces decade of Wikipedia censorship.
4️⃣ Wikipedia ignores Tyson’s fabrications.
5️⃣ AI models trained on biased Wikipedia entries.
AI Image of the Week
Prompt: A 2D paper cutout collage-style illustration of investors placing coins into a layered AI machine, with abstract geometric financial charts in layered paper shapes, bold colors, square 1:1.
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