Meta Resumes AI Training with Public Content in the EU
Meta is set to restart training its artificial intelligence models using public content from Facebook and Instagram users in the European Union. After halting this practice due to regulatory concerns last year, the company has now received clearance from European regulators, including the Irish Data Protection Commission. Meta plans to utilize publicly available posts, comments, and other user-generated content to refine its AI models, a move aimed at improving the company’s AI capabilities in line with European laws.
Starting this week, EU users will be notified of this change and given an opportunity to opt out of having their data used for training purposes. However, Meta has assured users that private messages and data from individuals under 18 will not be included in the AI training process. The company asserts that the initiative is intended to make its AI systems more attuned to the nuances of European culture and to ensure that its algorithms are diverse and effective across different languages and regions.
Nvidia Invests $500 Billion in U.S. AI Chip Manufacturing
Nvidia has announced plans to invest up to $500 billion in U.S.-based manufacturing of artificial intelligence (AI) chips and supercomputers over the next four years. The company has initiated production of its Blackwell chips at TSMC’s facility in Phoenix, Arizona, and is establishing supercomputer manufacturing plants in Texas through partnerships with Foxconn in Houston and Wistron in Dallas. Mass production at these Texas sites is expected to begin within 12 to 15 months.
This strategic move aligns with the U.S. government’s push for domestic semiconductor production. Nvidia’s CEO, Jensen Huang, stated that bringing manufacturing to the U.S. will enhance supply chain resilience and meet the growing demand for AI technologies. The initiative is projected to create hundreds of thousands of jobs and significantly bolster economic security in the coming decades.
OpenAI to Require Verified ID for Access to Future AI Models
OpenAI has introduced a new policy that will require developers to verify their identity in order to access its upcoming advanced AI models through the API. As part of this change, developers will need to submit a government-issued ID from a country supported by OpenAI’s API. The ID verification can only be used for one organization every 90 days, and not all organizations will be eligible for access. This move is aimed at ensuring that the company’s cutting-edge AI models are used responsibly and safely, addressing concerns about misuse and unethical applications of the technology.
The implementation of the Verified Organization process reflects OpenAI’s commitment to preventing risks like intellectual property theft and policy violations as its AI tools become increasingly powerful. With these new security measures, OpenAI hopes to create a more secure environment for developers while continuing to support innovation. By adding an extra layer of verification, OpenAI is taking proactive steps to safeguard its technologies, ensuring they are deployed ethically and in line with legal and regulatory standards.
Ilya Sutskever’s Safe Superintelligence Startup Valued at $32 Billion
Safe Superintelligence (SSI), the AI startup founded by OpenAI co-founder Ilya Sutskever, has secured an additional $2 billion in funding, bringing its valuation to $32 billion. This marks a significant increase from its previous valuation of $5 billion in September 2024. The latest funding round was reportedly led by Greenoaks Capital Partners, with participation from major investors such as Sequoia Capital, Andreessen Horowitz, and DST Global. SSI’s mission is to develop a safe superintelligence, a form of AI that surpasses human intelligence across various domains. Despite its high valuation, the company has not yet released any products and operates with a small team of approximately 20 employees.
The substantial investment reflects growing confidence in SSI’s approach and the leadership of Sutskever, who departed OpenAI in May 2024 following internal disagreements. Unlike other AI companies that focus on releasing consumer-facing products, SSI is dedicated exclusively to research and development, aiming to create a superintelligence that aligns with human values and safety. This commitment to long-term, high-risk innovation has attracted significant interest from venture capitalists eager to support the next frontier in artificial intelligence.