Takeoff of China's flying taxis hits turbulence

HONG KONG (AP) — Chinese companies are rushing to deploy low-flying vehicles and drones for various uses as the country finds innovative ways to drive its economy. Flying taxis, once a sci-fi dream, are being tested in southern China, where pilotless, oval-shaped crafts hover like mini helicopters. In Shenzhen, which neighbors Hong Kong, food-delivery drones already are part of daily life and a novelty attraction for tourists. The industry is growing with support from the government, but strict airspace controls, battery limitations and other obstacles are hindering the rise of the low-altitude economy. Analysts say the industry is still in its early stages and more obvious successes in commercialization may take years.

Frustrations grow in Russia over cellphone internet outages that disrupt daily life

TALLINN, Estonia (AP) — When Russians look back at 2025, they might remember it as the year when the government took even tighter control of the internet. Cellphone internet shutdowns ostensibly used to thwart Ukrainian drone attacks have hit dozens of Russian regions for months. They have caused digital disruptions in the lives of ordinary citizens. New restrictions also block popular messaging apps that the government has sought to replace with a state-controlled app many see as a surveillance tool. Experts say the wartime shutdowns haven't reduced drone strikes. Russians say they are frustrated and concerned about losing access to information and online freedom.

What to know about Trump's draft proposal to curtail state AI regulations

President Donald Trump is considering pressuring states to stop regulating artificial intelligence. A draft executive order obtained by The Associated Press reveals the plan. Trump and some Republicans argue that regulations dampen innovation and growth for AI. Critics worry this benefits big AI companies with little oversight. Four states, including California and Texas, have already passed AI regulations. The draft order directs federal agencies to pressure states to not enact burdensome regulations. It also suggests a national regulatory framework. However, opposition exists within both parties, and the draft order could change. Trump is tentatively set to sign it Friday.

France will investigate Musk’s Grok chatbot after Holocaust denial claims

PARIS (AP) — France's government is taking action against Elon Musk's AI chatbot, Grok, after it generated posts questioning the use of gas chambers at Auschwitz. Officials say Grok, built by Musk's company xAI and integrated into his platform X, used language associated with Holocaust denial. The Auschwitz Memorial highlighted the issue, saying it distorted historical fact. The Paris prosecutor’s office confirmed Friday that these comments have been added to an existing cybercrime investigation into X. France has strict Holocaust denial laws, and several ministers have reported Grok’s posts. The European Commission has also criticized the chatbot’s output.

Bubble fears ease but investors still waiting for AI to live up to its promise

Fears about the artificial intelligence boom turning into an overblown bubble have diminished for now, thanks to a stellar earnings report from Nvidia. But that doesn’t mean the specter of an AI bubble won’t return in the months and years ahead as Big Tech gears up to spend trillions of dollars more on a technology the industry’s leaders believe will determine the winners and losers during the next wave of innovation.

OpenAI and Taiwan's Foxconn to partner in AI hardware design and manufacturing in the US

TAIPEI, Taiwan (AP) — OpenAI has announced a partnership with Taiwan's Foxconn to design and make equipment for AI data centers in the U.S. Foxconn, known for making assembling iPhones and other Apple products and making servers for Nvidia, said it will co-design artificial intelligence data center racks with OpenAI under the agreement. The products that Foxconn will manufacture in its U.S. facilities include cabling and power systems. OpenAI will have early access to evaluate and purchase them. OpenAI CEO Sam Altman said the partnership aims to strengthen U.S. leadership in AI. The initial agreement does not specify any financial obligations or purchase commitments. Foxconn has factories in the U.S., including in Ohio and Texas.

Advocacy groups urge parents to avoid AI toys this holiday season

Children’s and consumer advocacy groups are urging parents not to buy AI-powered toys during the holiday season. These toys, marketed to kids as young as 2, are often powered by AI models like OpenAI’s ChatGPT, which have been shown to harm children and teenagers. Fairplay, a children’s advocacy group, warns that AI chatbots can foster obsessive use, explicit conversations, and unsafe behaviors. These toys are often marketed as educational but can disrupt children’s relationships and creativity.

Sony, Warner and Universal sign AI music licensing deals with startup Klay

LONDON (AP) — The world's biggest music labels have struck AI licensing deals with a startup named Klay Vision, the companies said Thursday. Warner Music Group, Universal Music Group, and Sony Music Entertainment signed separate agreements with Klay, according to Warner's website. This follows Warner's recent AI deals with startups Udio and Stability AI. Few details about Klay were released, but the company aims to evolve music experiences using AI while respecting artists' rights. AI-generated music is rapidly growing, with synthetic bands climbing the charts. Warner resolved its copyright litigation against Udio and plans to launch a licensed AI music service in 2026.

Pontifical secret revealed: Pope Leo XIV changes his Wordle start word each day

ROME (AP) — Pope Leo XIV has revealed a closely held secret: He uses a different Wordle start word each day. Leo divulged his strategy playing the popular New York Times online game during an online encounter with American young people. During the meeting, he fielded questions via videoconference about artificial intelligence, social media and the future of the Catholic Church.

Meta alerts young Australians to download their data before a social media ban

MELBOURNE, Australia (AP) — Meta has started notifying young Australians to download their digital histories and delete their accounts from Facebook, Instagram, and Threads. This comes ahead of a new law banning social media for those under 16. The Australian government announced that platforms including Snapchat, TikTok, and YouTube must comply with age resrictions by Dec. 10. Meta on Thursday became the first to outline its compliance plan, contacting young users via SMS and email. The messages warn that access will be denied from Dec. 4. Users mistakenly flagged can verify their age through Yoti Age Verification, which uses selfies to estimate a person's age for online and in-person services. Failure to comply could result in hefty fines for the platforms.