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Intelligence for the New World Economy
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Africa’s AI adoption hindered by lack of local dialects
Where AI adoption has picked up on the continent, China’s DeepSeek has beat out American rivals due to its smaller energy requirements and lower cost.
A person using a smartphone in Khartoum, Sudan. Mohamed Nureldin Abdallah/Reuters
Virginia AI debate highlights new political tactics
Lt. Gov. candidate John Reid created the AI of his opponent, Ghazala Hashmi, after she declined to participate in a debate.
John Reid for Lt. Governor of Virginia/YouTube
Brazil launches AI to monitor online anti-LGBTQ+ hate speech
The AI, called Aletheia, monitors social media, blogs, and news sites, and the perpetrators it finds can be prosecuted under the country’s hate crime law.
The 2025 Pride parade in Sao Paulo. Jorge Silva/Reuters.
Funding for AI is evolving, Goldman report finds
The price tag on AI infrastructure is forcing bankers to rethink how they’re financing it, a report published Wednesday found.
Jonathan Ernst/Reuters
German defense tech co-CEO warns of ‘bubble’
Europe has seen a massive influx of spending in the defense tech sector since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in 2022, creating a business ecosystem ripe for startups.
Ritzau Scanpix/Bo Amstrup via Reuters
Uber predicts more human drivers with autonomous cars
The number of humans employed by Uber will actually increase as self-driving vehicles become more commonplace, a company executive predicted at Semafor’s World Economy Summit.
Paul Morigi/Getty Images for Semafor
On AI, corporate culture will need to catch up to innovation
A key theme at Semafor’s World Economy Summit this week in Washington, DC, was how quickly AI has brought dreams to fruition.
AI energy demand could soon ‘become a crisis,’ former Biden energy envoy warns
The US doesn’t have the capacity to meet the industry’s growing demands, Amos Hochstein said at Semafor’s World Economy Summit.
New stablecoin law could be an ‘opportunity,’ Zelle owner says
The executive stopped short of announcing any new stablecoin project at the company, saying their customers aren’t asking for it.
Renewables must be American and subsidy-free: Trump adviser
Speeding up fossil fuel projects will help them stand up to renewables, says energy strategy head Jarrod Agen.
Walmart US CEO on tariffs: Customers are ‘resilient’
John Furner does not see new tariffs having a detrimental impact on the retail giant or its customer base, he said during Semafor’s World Economy Summit.
DirecTV adds AI avatars to TV breaks for personalized shopping
The capability highlights broader privacy concerns around the integration of AI into users’ homes, personal devices, and everyday lives.
OpenAI eyes Argentina for data center expansion
The proposal could see an investment of up to $25 billion into the country, equivalent to roughly 4% of its 2024 GDP.
Talent giant CAA taps lobbyists on Hollywood AI issues
The talent agency’s move builds on the intensified lobbying efforts by Hollywood unions and production studios in recent years.
Insurers grapple with covering AI claims
OpenAI and Anthropic are considering tapping investor funds to settle AI-related lawsuits in lieu of insurers who won’t fully cover AI risks.
India pilots government-backed chatbot payments system
The country is launching a pilot allowing consumers to pay for products directly through AI chatbots, similar to one recently introduced in the US.
Europe’s AI rules slow tech startups while US speeds ahead, report finds
Nearly 60% of European tech startups said they’ve experienced delays in product development due to regulations, compared to 44% of small US companies, The App Association found.
Duke University AI research speeds drug design for cancer treatments
Researchers developed a system to speed up the design of drug-delivering nanoparticles in the human body, which can more directly target ailments.