Reddit sues AI company Anthropic for allegedly 'scraping' user comments to train chatbot Claude

Social media platform Reddit sued the artificial intelligence company Anthropic on Wednesday, alleging that it is illegally “scraping” the comments of millions of Reddit users to train its chatbot Claude. Reddit claims that Anthropic has used automated bots to access Reddit’s content despite being asked not to do so. Anthropic said in a statement that it disagreed with Reddit’s claims “and will defend ourselves vigorously.”

Amazon planning $10B investment in North Carolina for data center and AI campus

HAMLET, N.C. (AP) — Amazon is expanding its cloud computing infrastructure and artificial intelligence activities into a rural North Carolina county. The company said Wednesday it intends to invest $10 billion toward building a campus in Richmond County. This will bring a shot in the arm to a region where textile and apparel jobs dried up a generation ago. Amazon said its investment should create at least 500 jobs and support thousands more through construction and data center supply chain providers. Gov. Josh Stein says the investment is one of the largest in state history.

Consultant behind AI-generated robocalls mimicking Biden goes on trial in New Hampshire

CONCORD, N.H. (AP) — A political consultant who sent voters artificial intelligence-generated robocalls mimicking former President Joe Biden last year is set to go on trial. Steven Kramer has admitted orchestrating a message that was sent to thousands of voters two days before New Hampshire’s Jan. 23, 2024, primary. The message featured a voice similar to Biden’s and suggested that voting in the primary would preclude voters from casting ballots in November. The trial begins on Thursday. Kramer faces 11 felony charges related to voter suppression and 11 misdemeanor charges of impersonating a candidate. he faces decades in prison if convicted.

Napa Valley town that once rode out emergencies with diesel gets a clean-power backup

CALISTOGA, Calif. (AP) — When the threat of wildfires has forced power to be cut in the tourist town of Calistoga, California, on the edge of Napa Valley, it’s meant firing up a bank of noisy, polluting diesel generators. But no longer. Calistoga is about to finish installing a first-of-its-kind system that combines hydrogen fuel cells and batteries for backup power. Experts say the technology has potential beyond simply delivering clean backup power in emergencies. They say it’s a steppingstone to supporting the electric grid any day of the year. As the system was undergoing its final tests recently, some residents of Calistoga said they were excited to have a clean and reliable energy solution that doesn't rely on fossil fuels.

Federal judge blocks Florida from enforcing social media ban for kids while lawsuit continues

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (AP) — A federal judge has barred state officials from enforcing a Florida law that would ban social media accounts for young children, while a legal challenge against the law plays out. U.S. District Judge Mark Walker issued the order Tuesday, blocking portions of the law from going into effect. The measure was one of the most restrictive bans on kids’ social media use in the country when Gov. Ron DeSantis signed it into law in 2024, banning social media accounts for children under 14 and requiring parental permission for 14- and 15-year-olds. Also Tuesday, a judge in Georgia heard arguments seeking to block a 2024 Georgia law that would require age verification for social media accounts.

Meta becomes the latest big tech company turning to nuclear power for AI needs

WASHINGTON (AP) — Meta has cut a 20-year deal to secure nuclear power to help meet surging demand for artificial intelligence and other computing needs at Facebook’s parent company. The investment with Meta will also expand the output of a Constellation Energy Illinois nuclear plant. The agreement announced Tuesday is just the latest in a string of tech-nuclear partnerships as the use of AI expands. Surging investments in small nuclear reactors comes at a time when large tech companies are facing two major demands: a need to increase their energy supply for AI and data centers, among other needs, while also trying to meet their long-term goals to significantly cut greenhouse gas emissions.

Meta's nuclear deal signals AI's growing energy needs

Meta’s 20-year deal with Constellation Energy follows similar maneuvers from Amazon, Google and Microsoft, but it will take years before nuclear energy can meet the tech industry’s insatiable demand for new sources of electricity. AI already uses vast amounts of energy, much of which comes from burning fossil fuels, which causes climate change. The unexpected popularity of AI products over the past few years has disrupted tech companies’ carefully-laid plans to supply their technology with only climate-friendly energy sources that don’t contribute to climate change.

One Tech Tip: How to use your smartphone to photograph the Northern Lights

LONDON (AP) — People in parts of the U.S. may be able to see Northern lights Monday night — or at least use a smartphone cameras to reveal hints of the aurora not visible to the naked eye. If you plan to head outside after sunset to look for the lights, and photograph them, there are things you can do to make sure you get the best shot. First try to find a quiet, dark area away from light pollution. If you plan to use your phone, dim your screen first and consider third-party apps to help get the shot.

Google partners with Chile to deploy a trans-Pacific submarine cable

SANTIAGO, Chile (AP) — Google has signed an agreement with Chile to build an undersea fiber optic cable connecting South America with Asia and Oceania. The project announced Wednesday cements the South American country’s status as a major digital hub. It would involve the deployment of a 14,800-kilometer submarine cable to connect Chile’s coastal city of Valparaíso with Sydney, Australia, starting in 2027. The project will allow the South American country not only to become a gateway for data transfer from the Asia-Pacific but also to strengthen its relations with China, its largest trading partner.

Judge wrestles with far-reaching remedy proposals in US antitrust case against Google

WASHINGTON (AP) — The fate and fortunes of one of the world’s most powerful tech companies is now in the hands of a U.S. judge wrestling with whether to impose far-reaching changes upon Google in the wake of its dominant search engine being declared  an illegal monopoly. U.S. District Judge Amit Mehta heard closing arguments Friday from Justice Department lawyers who argued that a radical shake-up is needed to promote a free and fair market. Their proposed remedies include a ban on Google paying to lock its search engine in as the default on smart devices and an order requiring the company to sell its Chrome browser.