Today in AI - April 3, 2025

Today in AI is a daily recap of the latest news and developments in the AI industry. See your story and want to be featured in an upcoming episode? Reach out at tonyphoang.com New Jersey has introduced a law that criminalizes the creation and distribution of deceptive deepfake media, imposing penalties of up to five years in prison and allowing for civil lawsuits. This legislation is designed to combat the misuse of AI-generated content, safeguard individuals' privacy, and uphold public trust in media. It sets a significant precedent that other states may follow to address similar concerns. The U.S. Department of Energy has identified 16 federal sites, including notable nuclear research labs like Los Alamos, as potential locations for AI data centers. This initiative aims to utilize existing infrastructure and expedite energy permits to meet the increasing demand for computational resources. Supported by both the Biden and Trump administrations, the plan also promotes the use of renewable and nuclear energy solutions. YouTube has introduced advanced video creation tools for its Shorts platform, such as an enhanced video editor and AI-generated stickers, to attract TikTok creators amid TikTok's potential regulatory issues in the U.S. These updates are part of YouTube's strategy to increase creator engagement and establish itself as a formidable competitor in the short-form video market. The platform has also updated its view-counting methods to further support this goal. Plaid, a fintech company, has raised $575 million in new funding, resulting in a valuation of $6 billion, down from $13.4 billion in 2021. Despite the lower valuation, Plaid has reported record revenue growth and positive operating margins. The company attributes the valuation decrease to broader market conditions and remains focused on expanding its product offerings and addressing AI-driven financial fraud. DeepSeek's innovative AI model has sparked renewed investor interest in Chinese tech stocks, leading to a surge in Hong Kong IPOs despite ongoing U.S.-China trade tensions. This renewed confidence is supported by regulatory backing and strategic adjustments by Chinese firms, positioning Hong Kong as a crucial financial hub for global investors. Anthropic and OpenAI have launched AI-driven educational services aimed at college students, with tools like Claude for Education and ChatGPT Plus. These services are designed to enhance critical thinking and independent learning while addressing privacy concerns and promoting AI literacy among students. The initiatives aim to establish a strong presence in the education market.