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Tech Downturn Intensifies: Increased AI Investments by Major Tech Firms and Higher Capital Costs Impact Stock Market

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Tech Correction Deepens: Big Tech AI Spending and Rising Capital Costs Shake Stock Market - Barron's

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Tech Correction Deepens: Big Tech AI Spending and Rising Capital Costs Shake Stock Market

Joe Mazzulla, the head coach of the Boston Celtics, is gaining attention not just for his passionate persona and memorable quotes, but also for his analytical approach to basketball. Since taking the reins of the team in 2022, he has emphasized the Celtics' strategic use of the 3-point shot. Recently, during his appearance on 98.5 The Sports Hub’s “Zolak and Bertrand,” he surprised listeners by sharing that he employs Claude, an AI tool developed by Anthropic, to enhance his coaching methods.

In a conversation with the media, Mazzulla elaborated on how AI aids him in various aspects of his day-to-day responsibilities. "It helps organize, improve efficiency, and deepen understanding," he noted. He uses it as a conversational partner to explore ideas such as, “What am I struggling with?” and seeks insights from psychological perspectives, research, and data. This tool allows him to quickly gather information that can clarify and improve processes, including practice planning and halftime discussions.

Mazzulla’s approach is not isolated; the use of AI is becoming prevalent across professional sports. For instance, in June 2025, Thomas Dimitroff, a former executive with the Falcons and Patriots, reported that around 75% of NFL teams had begun integrating AI into their weekly routines. In addition, Major League Baseball intervened during the 2026 season to prevent teams from using dugout iPads for generative AI purposes during games, citing concerns over adherence to established technology guidelines.

Mazzulla’s incorporation of AI extends beyond traditional coaching strategies. He is reevaluating how athletes absorb and retain information during video review sessions. He engages in comparative analysis of basketball tactics with those in sports like soccer and handball, considering their implications on player comprehension.

For Mazzulla, every coach develops systems and rituals believed to maximize winning potential. He explained, “A platform like that challenges the efficacy of your methods. For instance, how we conduct film sessions—is the traditional structure the best way to promote retention and understanding?” He is continually asking whether their film viewing practices and the types of questions posed during these sessions are optimally designed to ensure athletes grasp the nuances of the game.

Ultimately, Mazzulla sees AI as a valuable tool that pushes the boundaries of conventional coaching wisdom, revealing potentially more effective methods of enhancing both team and individual performance. By integrating these advanced technologies, the Celtics aim to refine their strategies and maintain a competitive edge in the evolving landscape of professional sports.

Joe Mazzulla discusses his reasons for utilizing AI in his role as Celtics coach.

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Joe Mazzulla explains why he uses AI to help him as Celtics coach - Boston.com

- Joe Mazzulla utilizes AI to enhance efficiency in coaching and team processes.  
- The AI tool helps analyze psychological perspectives and data for better preparation.  
- Mazzulla reevaluates film session strategies for improved player retention and understanding.  

Boston Celtics Joe Mazzulla explains why he uses AI to help him as Celtics coach "It really helps you kind of test your processes that you think are efficient." Joe Mazzulla said that he uses AI to help with his coaching duties. AP Photo/Charles Krupa

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Joe Mazzulla has garnered a reputation around the league for his intense attitude, viral soundbites, and his love of both combat sports and “The Town.”

But the Celtics head coach has also routinely harped on his analytical approach to basketball strategy — as evidenced by Boston’s embrace of the 3-point shot since he took the helm of the team in 2022.

Still, Mazzulla raised a few eyebrows last week when he revealed on his weekly appearance with 98.5 The Sports Hub’s “Zolak and Bertrand” that he uses Claude, Anthropic’s AI tool, to help him in his coaching efforts. ​

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Speaking with the media last week, Mazzulla was asked to elaborate on his usage of AI and how he implements it in his daily coaching tasks.

“I think it’s more just helping organize, helping become more efficient, helping understanding,” Mazzulla said. “I really use it for just conversation and riffs on, like, ‘OK, here’s what I’m wrestling with.’ What does this look like from a psychological perspective? What is the research and the data? Can you quickly get just so much research and data on things? Are you verbalizing things? Can they be verbalized in a much more efficient way? Like I talked about, practice planning.

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“It really helps you kind of test your processes that you think are efficient. Like our halftime process — is that really the most efficient way to watch film getting ready for the second half? Is our pregame process the most efficient way to make sure our guys have retention of the game plan and what we need them to do, and they’re in the right space mentally and psychologically?”

Mazzulla isn’t exactly an outlier when it comes to embracing AI in professional sports.

In June 2025, former Falcons and Patriots executive Thomas Dimitroff estimated that 75 percent of NFL teams were using artificial intelligence in some capacity to help with their weekly preparation.

​During the 2026 MLB season, the league cracked down on teams for using dugout iPads to access generative AI during games.

“According to a commissioner’s office memo obtained by The Athletic, teams were pushing the boundaries of guidelines governing the use of technology by ‘in many cases” installing custom apps that expanded the use of the iPads “beyond their originally intended purpose to include recommendations regarding substitutions, pitch calling, and other in-game decisions traditionally made by players and coaches,’” The Athletic’s Eno Sarris wrote in July.

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For Mazzulla, utilizing AI has had him rethinking more than just his approach to coaching — as he’s also augmented his thought process around how players best retain information during film sessions, as well as how basketball strategy compares and contrasts with other sports like soccer and handball.

“I think for me, it’s like, OK, as a coach, you develop these processes, and you develop these rituals and these things that you think give you the best chance to win,” Mazzulla said. “And I think a platform like that tests your efficiency on, like, is this really the best? Like, how we watch film on a practice day.

“Is the way we watch film, the template of each clip, does that represent the best opportunity to build retention and build understanding? What does it look like to have the most efficient film session that you can? What type of questions are you asking when you’re going through film? Do I ask the right questions to check for understanding, to build retention?

“So I think it just really tests your processes. You may think that you’re doing something the right way, but there’s definitely a more scientific, a more efficient way of going about how to do things, and I think that just gives us a platform that allows you to do it.”

Conor Ryan Sports Writer Conor Ryan is a staff writer covering the Bruins, Celtics, Patriots, and Red Sox for Boston.com, a role he has held since 2023.

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Joe Mazzulla explains why he uses AI to help him as Celtics coach

Jean Eric Salata, the Chair of EQT Group, recently shared insights on potential growth opportunities in Asia, highlighting the healthcare sector in India as a robust investment, resilient against fluctuations in the AI landscape. He expressed optimism about Japan's market, even in the face of recent interest rate increases by the Bank of Japan, noting a steady influx of deals and ongoing improvements in corporate governance. Salata also emphasized that collaborating with hyperscale cloud providers in the AI space represents a sound investment strategy, due to their substantial financial resources.

EQT Chair: Collaborating with hyperscalers in AI cloud is a 'fairly secure investment'

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EQT Chair: Partnering with hyperscalers in AI cloud is a 'pretty safe bet' - CNBC

- EQT's Jean Eric Salata identifies India healthcare as a stable growth opportunity.  
- He remains optimistic about Japan's deals despite Bank of Japan rate hikes.  
- Salata views hyperscalers in AI cloud as a safe bet due to capital strength.

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EQT Chair: Partnering with hyperscalers in AI cloud is a 'pretty safe bet'

EQT Group’s Jean Eric Salata discusses where he sees opportunity in Asia, pointing to India healthcare as a structural growth play insulated from AI volatility. He remains bullish on Japan despite the BOJ’s rate hikes, citing strong deal flow and corporate governance reforms. On the AI noise, he explains why hyperscalers building out AI cloud the safer bet given their deep capital.

EQT Chair: Partnering with hyperscalers in AI cloud is a 'pretty safe bet'

As discussions surrounding artificial intelligence gain momentum across the country, the lawsuit initiated by Montana’s Attorney General, Austin Knudsen, against OpenAI is in its nascent stages. This legal action, lodged in Lewis and Clark County, has now commenced its journey through the state court system.

Knudsen noted that OpenAI has yet to provide a response to the allegations. "They have a 90-day window to reply," he explained. "Once that timeframe passes, we'll enter the discovery phase, where we can seek documentation and communications relevant to the case."

The lawsuit contends that OpenAI's chatbot, ChatGPT, poses risks to minors by dispensing harmful guidance and lacking sufficient protective measures for young users. "This tool can be harmful. There are recorded incidents of ChatGPT advising children on how to commit suicide and providing instructions on concocting dangerous mixes of illegal substances," Knudsen expressed. "This algorithm seeks affirmation and positive reactions from users, which can often lead to perilous outcomes. We have certainly witnessed that."

In response, OpenAI emphasizes that any creation of fictional sexual roleplay scenarios involving children violates their child safety policies. The company stated, “We swiftly act to detect such attempts and ban the corresponding accounts. Our systems are crafted to identify and thwart these actions, and any accounts involved with apparent child sexual abuse material (CSAM) are reported to the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children.”

As the situation unfolds, Knudsen stresses the necessity for change. "I am advocating for modifications in how the company operates. They are not verifying the age of users, nor seeking parental consent. Young people can access this platform without any age checks, which leads to exposure to alarming advice. This technology is not ready for prime time,” he stated.

The Attorney General’s Office is anticipating a response from OpenAI in the weeks ahead.

Montana Attorney General states OpenAI has 90 days to reply as ChatGPT child safety lawsuit progresses.

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Open AI lawsuit claims of child exploitation continues - NBC Montana

- Montana AG Austin Knudsen's lawsuit against OpenAI claims ChatGPT endangers children.  
- OpenAI has 90 days to respond before the case moves to discovery phases.  
- AG seeks change in how OpenAI manages user safety and consent verification.

As AI continues to be a big topic nationwide, Montana’s Attorney General Austin Knudsen’s lawsuit claiming OpenAI is dangerous to children is still in the early phases.

Knudsen filed the case in Lewis and Clark County, and it is now moving through state court.

“They haven't even responded yet. They've got 90 days to respond,” Knudsen said. “We'll then get into the discovery phases where we will request documentation and whatever paperwork that might be out there, communications that might be out there.”

The lawsuit claims OpenAI's chatbot ChatGPT endangers children and teens by providing harmful advice and failing to adequately protect young users.

“This thing is dangerous. I mean, there are documented cases where ChatGPT is telling kids how to commit suicide, telling them how to mix dangerous cocktails of illegal drugs. This is an algorithm that wants gratification and wants positive reinforcement from its users. And oftentimes that leads to dangerous results. We've certainly seen that,” Knudsen said.

OpenAI says fictional sexual roleplay scenarios involving children and attempting to generate stories where minors are put in sexually inappropriate and/or abusive situations is a violation of child safety policies.

The company says “we take swift action to detect these attempts and ban the associated accounts. Our systems are designed to detect and block these attempts, and accounts engaging in this behavior are banned and reported to the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children when apparent CSAM is involved.

As the case develops, Knudsen says change must happen.

“I want change behavior from the company. They're not asking for consent age. They're not asking parents for consent. They're not asking for age verification of young people who may be using this thing and getting some really dangerous advice. This thing is not ready for primetime,” Knudsen said.

The Attorney General's Office says they’re hoping for a response from OpenAI in the coming weeks.









Montana AG says OpenAI has 90 days to respond as ChatGPT child safety suit advances

Garry Tan, the CEO of Y Combinator, has humorously referred to himself as a victim of “cyber psychosis,” often finding it hard to catch sleep due to his enthusiasm for engaging with AI agents. In a recent episode of Walter Isaacson’s podcast, The Builders, which is set to air on Tuesday, Tan disclosed the financial investment he makes in his AI endeavors.

"I spend around $100,000 to $200,000 annually on tokens," he shared with Isaacson. Tan employs these AI agents for a variety of work-related tasks, including coding, and has made his collection of 23 AI skills, dubbed gstack, publicly accessible on Github. This initiative aims to educate others about the potential of AI agents.

He utilizes his AI the same way many do: for research and preparation related to Isaacson’s podcast, anticipating the questions he may face. However, his AI also plays a significant role in managing his everyday life.

“It has access to all my emails and Dropbox content. It has even gone through my Apple Notes, including therapy notes from the past two decades,” he explained.

Tan likens the experience of using AI agents to having a supportive companion that assists in nearly any daily activity, operating with a degree of autonomy. "Imagine it as a constant Jiminy Cricket on your shoulder, always aware of your preferences and there to lend a hand. It proactively suggests ideas and helps you think ahead,” he articulated.

As an enthusiastic early adopter of OpenClaw, Tan highlights an important lesson: treating AI agents as traditional software is a mistake. According to him, some individuals are so preoccupied with ensuring “repeatability and safety” that they overlook the extraordinary benefits of collaborating with AI, which can be remarkably human-like.

For example, Y Combinator has integrated an AI agent, aptly named Stray Light, which is transforming the company's operations. “This agent is designed with its own personality and possesses a comprehensive understanding of our history with founders, past communications, and applications,” Tan noted.

As a passionate tech advocate—fitting for someone at the helm of Silicon Valley's renowned startup accelerator—Tan is convinced that personal AI agents are on the verge of mainstream adoption, contingent on one key factor: reducing costs.

“It’s prohibitively expensive at present,” he remarked, acknowledging that his level of spending on AI agents represents a “luxury” not accessible to everyone.

However, he warned against relying on free AI agents managed by large corporations. Reflecting on the influence of companies like Meta on social media and user experience, he stated, “It’s a colossal entity that governs the algorithm, and on some level, we all wish that power didn’t rest with them. This paves the way for the idea of a personal AI that you can control and customize.”

Y Combinator's Garry Tan spends as much as $200K annually on tokens due to his heavy use of AI agents.

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Y Combinator’s Garry Tan uses AI agents so much, he spends up to $200K a year on tokens - TechCrunch

- Y Combinator CEO Garry Tan spends $100,000 to $200,000 annually on AI token subscriptions.  
- He uses AI agents for research, life management, and automation of daily tasks.  
- Tan advocates for affordable personal AI agents while cautioning against centralized control by big tech.  

Y Combinator CEO Garry Tan has, in the past, jokingly admitted that he’s suffered from “cyber psychosis” and sometimes barely sleeps because he’s so excited to be working with his AI agents. On a new episode of Walter Isaacson’s podcast The Builders, set to publish on Tuesday, Tan put a price tag on his passion.

“I spend about maybe $100[,000]-$200,000 a year on tokens,” he told Isaacson. He uses agents for countless work projects and coding tasks and has freely shared his set of 23 Claude Code skills, called gstack, on Github — an effort to help teach others what agents can do, he said.

On the one hand, he uses his agent the way many people use AI: to help him research Isaacson’s podcast and prep for the kinds of questions he might be asked. On the other, his agent also helps him run his life.

“It’s read all of my email and all of my Dropbox. It’s read, like, all of my Apple Notes, even my therapy notes going back 20 years,” he said.

He describes using AI agents as getting help with “almost anything that you do in your day-to-day life, and for it to do it somewhat more autonomously. Think of it as a Jiminy Cricket on your shoulder at all times. Like, almost anything you want to do, it knows you, and it’s there to help. And it will actually sort of run ahead and say, ‘What about this?’ Or, it’ll help you see around corners.”

As an early OpenClaw adopter who is now a power user, Tan says one thing he’s learned is not to treat AI agents like traditional software. Some people are so worried about “repeatability and safety that they actually trade off all of the beautiful parts of working with an AI agent, which basically can be so similar to a human,” he said.

For instance, Y Combinator is also using an agent that is “rebuilding the way we operate at YC,” he said. “We now have an internal AI agent, for instance, named Stray Light that kind of has a personality, and then it has a company brain. Like it actually has the total context of every founder we’ve ever backed, anyone who’s ever emailed us, like all the applications.”

Tan who is, naturally, an avid lover of technology (as anyone running Silicon Valley’s famed startup accelerator would be), believes personal AI agents will eventually become mainstream, if one major problem is solved: Costs have got to come down.

“It’s too expensive right now,” he said, adding that he knows the amount of money he spends on AI agents is “a crazy privilege that not everyone can do.”

But freebie agents controlled by big tech maybe aren’t the answer, either. When discussing the future he’d like tech to build, and how Meta as a social media company has impacted us, he said, “This is a huge company that controls the algorithm, and we all wish that they didn’t at some level,” he said. “So you could imagine a personal AI that you control, that you program.”

Y Combinator’s Garry Tan uses AI agents so much, he spends up to $200K a year on tokens

This week marks the debut of "Ramayana: Rise of a Legend," a significant new cinematic interpretation of the ancient Indian epic, the Ramayana. The film features prominent actors, including Ranbir Kapoor, Yash, and Sai Pallavi, who bring this classic tale to life for modern audiences.

In a notable move, the film will be available not only in English but also in various Indian languages, making it accessible to a diverse audience just in time for Diwali, the vibrant festival of lights.

BBC culture correspondent Noor Nanji had the opportunity to engage with the film's stars, during which Kapoor expressed his reflections on the impact of artificial intelligence in filmmaking. He also shared insights into his experience working on "Ramayana" as a new father, adding a personal touch to his portrayal in this epic story.

Ranbir Kapoor discusses AI, cinema, and being a father.

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Indian film star Ranbir Kapoor on AI, movies and fatherhood - BBC

- "Ramayana: Rise of a Legend" is a new adaptation of the Indian epic.  
- The film stars Ranbir Kapoor, Yash, and Sai Pallavi in leading roles.  
- It releases ahead of Diwali in English and multiple Indian languages.  

This week sees the release of Ramayana: Rise of a Legend, a major new adaptation of the Indian epic Ramayana.

The film features Ranbir Kapoor, alongside co-stars Yash, and Sai Pallavi.

It's being released in English as well as several Indian languages and is coming out ahead of Diwali - the festival of lights.

The BBC's culture correspondent Noor Nanji has been to meet the stars, with Kapoor sharing his thoughts on AI in film, and how he felt making Ramayana as a new father.

Indian film star Ranbir Kapoor on AI, movies and fatherhood

The United Kingdom is projected to confront artificial intelligence-driven cyberattacks targeting its essential infrastructure by the year 2028, as both organized crime and state actors, particularly China and Russia, increasingly incorporate AI into their cyber operations, a warning issued by the nation's cyber chief indicated on Tuesday.

This shift could lead to the deployment of AI-enhanced malware used in ransomware assaults, with the potential to unearth and exploit "vulnerabilities that have been tolerated for far too long" at an unprecedented scale, according to Richard Horne, the head of the U.K.'s National Cyber Security Center (NCSC). 

During a speech that coincided with the release of the NCSC's annual cyber report, Horne highlighted the responsibility of business leaders and organizations that have skimped on technology investments. He cautioned that they will need to justify to the public why crucial resources like food and electricity are unavailable, or why companies are failing, if they neglect updates to their cybersecurity measures or continue using outdated technology.

The report identified Chinese cyber efforts as the "most sophisticated and sustained cyber challenge" facing the U.K., and suggested that both Russia and China would routinely leverage AI to fulfill their geopolitical ambitions. Notably, Russia appears to be conducting cyber operations that intentionally remain below the threshold of armed conflict, while Iran is directly targeting individuals considered threats to its regime.

As malicious actors gain access to AI capabilities, the report predicts a significant boost in the scale and effectiveness of their operations. However, it is suggested that the primary use of AI may involve enhancing existing strategies rather than uncovering entirely new weaknesses.

Recently, governments and private sector organizations scrambled to implement vital security updates after AI identified critical vulnerabilities in a programming language that supports roughly 70% of websites worldwide. These two major flaws have the potential to grant unauthorized access to websites, enabling cybercriminals to remotely control web servers without needing a password.

Horne noted that modern technology is integral to the automation of essential processes underpinning daily life, including electricity management, water facility operations, dam controls, and manufacturing processes. He cited recent cyber intrusions into refrigeration systems in French supermarkets as a stark example of how easily adversarial actors can compromise civilian infrastructure.

The report further referenced past cyber endeavors by Russia, detailing an attack attributed to its FSB security service against Poland's energy grid in December 2025, a breach that could have left 500,000 people without power during winter.

In the U.K., cybercrime has became a significant financial burden, costing organizations nearly $20 billion annually, according to the NCSC. The car manufacturer Jaguar Land Rover faced over $260 million in losses due to a cyberattack in 2025, which affected suppliers and had a negative impact on the U.K. economy.

Anne Keast-Butler, director of GCHQ—Britain's signals intelligence agency, underlining that the NCSC is part of this agency, emphasized the urgency of action from organizations across the U.K. to safeguard not only their customers and services but also to serve as a frontline defense for the nation. She advised the implementation of fundamental yet effective security protocols, such as ensuring that devices are updated, limiting administrative access to crucial systems, and regularly backing up important data.

UK cybersecurity leader warns of AI-driven cyberattacks on essential services by 2028.

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UK cyber chief says the UK will face AI cyberattacks on critical infrastructure by 2028 - Yahoo

- The U.K. faces potential AI cyberattacks on critical infrastructure by 2028, warns cyber chief.  
- China's cyber activity poses a significant threat, with both states using AI for warfare.  
- Malicious cyber activities cost U.K. organizations roughly $20 billion annually, necessitating urgent cybersecurity investments.  

LONDON (AP) — The U.K. will likely face artificial intelligence cyberattacks on its critical infrastructure by 2028 as criminals and states, including China and Russia, increasingly use AI in their cyber activity, Britain's cyber chief warned Tuesday.

That could include AI-powered malware for ransomware attacks as the technology will allow "vulnerabilities that have been tolerated for far too long" to be discovered and exploited "at a scale that was once unimaginable," Richard Horne, the head of the U.K.'s National Cyber Security Center said.

In a speech marking the publication of the NCSC's annual cyber report, Horne said the leaders of businesses and organizations of all sizes who have "got away with tech on the cheap" will have to explain why "food isn't on the shelves, lights aren't on, businesses have gone under," if they fail to invest in cybersecurity or update out-of-date technology.

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Chinese cyber activity is the "most sophisticated and sustained cyber challenge facing the U.K." while both Russia and China will routinely use AI to achieve their geopolitical goals, the report said. Russia is intentionally conducting cyber campaigns which fall below the threshold of armed conflict while Iran is carrying out attacks against the U.K. and targeting individuals who are a threat to the Iranian regime, Horne said.

The use of AI by states and criminals is highly likely to increase the scale and efficiency of hostile operations, but AI is more likely to be used to enhance and scale existing tactics and techniques rather than find brand new vulnerabilities, the report said.

Last week, governments and corporations worked on urgent security updates after the AI-assisted discovery of vulnerabilities in a programming language vital to 70% of websites globally. The two critical flaws identified by AI could allow bad actors to get unauthenticated access to sites which, in theory, could allow them to control a web server remotely without needing a password.

Technology "underpins the automation of physical processes that are vital to modern life," Horne said. That includes, he said, electricity switching, sluice gates in water facilities, dam operations, manufacturing lines, heating and refrigeration controls. The recent cyberattacks on refrigeration systems in French supermarkets showed how easily hostile actors could exploit civilian infrastructure, Horne said.

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Russia has already attacked critical infrastructure in Europe, according to the U.K. and EU member states that said Russia's FSB security service was behind an attack on Poland's energy grid in December 2025. If the attack had been successful, 500,000 people could have lost electricity during winter.

In the U.K., malicious cyber activity is costing organizations almost $20 billion every year, the NCSC said. In 2025, the carmaker Jaguar Land Rover suffered more than $260 million in direct losses following a cyberattack which also hit suppliers and dented the U.K. economy.

"We need every organization in the UK to take action now. Not only to protect their customers, services and livelihoods, but because cybersecurity is now part of the front line defense of our nation," said Anne Keast-Butler, director of GCHQ, Britain's signals intelligence agency, which the NCSC is part of.

That includes implementing basic but effective cybersecurity measures such as making sure devices are up to date, limiting administrator access to systems and backing up important files and data, the NCSC said.

UK cyber chief says the UK will face AI cyberattacks on critical infrastructure by 2028

The National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) has issued a stark forecast, suggesting that by 2028, AI-driven malware is highly likely to be utilized in cyberattacks targeting the UK's vital infrastructures, including power stations, airports, and hospitals. This insight comes from the NCSC’s annual report, which indicates an impending threat to critical national infrastructure (CNI) across multiple sectors such as energy, transportation, defense, food, healthcare, and finance.

The NCSC, an entity under the auspices of the GCHQ spy agency, warns that advancements in artificial intelligence will facilitate ransomware attacks aimed at these crucial facilities within the next five years. The report highlights that adversaries, particularly from nations like Russia and China, are expected to integrate AI more routinely into their cyber operations.

According to the NCSC, "It is … highly likely that between now and 2028, AI-powered malware will have been used in a ransomware attack on UK CNI." The rise of ransomware has been a prominent strategy among cybercriminals, particularly those operating from former Soviet states. In such attacks, hackers infiltrate a victim’s systems, encrypt sensitive data using tailored malicious software, and subsequently demand a ransom in cryptocurrency to restore access and data.

The application of AI is poised to elevate this ransomware threat by assisting malicious actors in identifying targets, pinpointing vulnerabilities within IT infrastructures, and crafting sophisticated malware, as noted by the NCSC.

Recently, the UK government advised citizens to stockpile emergency supplies, including up to nine liters of water and three days' worth of food, to prepare for various emergencies, including severe weather and cyberattacks. Defense Secretary Wes Streeting emphasized the importance of preparation against potential state-sponsored threats from Russia and other antagonistic forces aimed at civilian infrastructure.

In his forthcoming speech aligned with the annual review, NCSC chief Richard Horne is set to alert the public to the imminent surge of cyber incidents. He will declare, “In the coming months, we face a real prospect of an unprecedented rise in the number of cyber incidents,” attributing this risk to the ability of AI to reveal long-ignored vulnerabilities in IT frameworks.

A recent instance showcasing AI's capability to uncover security weaknesses was the identification of a critical flaw in PHP, a programming language employed by approximately 70% of global websites. Alan Woodward, a cybersecurity expert from Surrey University, emphasized the significance of the NCSC's warning, advocating for nations and businesses to utilize state-of-the-art AI technologies to mitigate these risks.

“AI can assist in identifying and fixing these vulnerabilities, but without access to these tools, the bad actors will outpace us,” he cautioned. Top AI firms, including OpenAI and Anthropic, have started granting select organizations early access to their advanced models to address serious IT vulnerabilities.

In his address, Horne will also point out that the communications systems utilized by the British military are subjected to ongoing, aggressive cyber intrusions. While Russia has been implicated in these attacks, they have deliberately stopped short of crossing into open conflict, opting instead for targeted campaigns that fall below the threshold of warfare as part of their hybrid warfare strategy.

Horne will reference recent cyber incidents affecting supermarket refrigeration systems in Europe, where hackers manipulated temperatures to exceed 50°C, serving as a stark reminder for businesses to prioritize cybersecurity resilience. “For decades, we have collectively operated with technology that is too inexpensive,” he will remark, underscoring the urgent need for better cybersecurity measures.

AI-driven malware expected to likely target UK infrastructure by 2028.

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AI-powered malware ‘highly likely’ to be used to hack UK infrastructure by 2028 - The Guardian

- AI-powered malware is likely to be used in ransomware attacks on UK infrastructure by 2028.  
- NCSC warns that Russia and China will increasingly deploy AI for cyber-attacks.  
- Government urges citizens to prepare for emergencies amid rising cyber-threats and vulnerabilities.

AI-powered malicious software is “highly likely” to be used in hacking attacks against the UK’s power stations, airports and hospitals by 2028, according to the state cybersecurity body.

The National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) said AI will probably enable a ransomware attack against critical national infrastructure [CNI] between now and 2028. The UK’s definition of CNI covers a range of facilities and services across sectors including energy, transport, defence, food, health and finance.

The warning from the NCSC, part of the GCHQ spy agency, was published in the organisation’s annual review, which also warned that Russia and China will start using AI “routinely” in cyber-attacks.

“It is … highly likely that between now and 2028, AI-powered malware will have been used in a ransomware attack on UK CNI,” said NCSC.

Ransomware has become a cornerstone of the criminal hacker’s repertoire and is a signature ploy of gangs that typically operate out of former Soviet Union states.

After gaining access to a victim’s IT systems, the attackers then encrypt files with bespoke malicious software – or malware – and then demand a payment in cryptocurrency to unlock the crippled systems and return any stolen data. UK ransomware victims include Royal Mail, outsourcing firm Capita and various public bodies, including councils.

AI is set to enhance the ransomware threat by helping attackers with tasks such as scouting targets, locating weaknesses in IT networks and writing malicious code, said the NCSC.

Last month, the government urged Britons to stock up to nine litres of bottled water and three days’ worth of food in order to ensure that households can survive a weather, cyber or other serious emergency. Wes Streeting, the defence secretary, said as the Be Ready campaign was launched that Britain needed to prepare for the threat of “state-sponsored terrorism” by Russia or other hostile powers targeting everyday infrastructure.

NCSC’s chief executive, Richard Horne, will warn the public in a speech accompanying the review on Tuesday that AI is going to unleash a wave of cyber-attacks imminently.

“In the coming months, we face a real prospect of an unprecedented rise in the number of cyber incidents,” he will say.

Horne will attribute the threat to the technology’s ability to uncover weaknesses in IT systems that have been “tolerated for far too long”.

An example of AI’s capacity to root out previously undetected vulnerabilities came last month, when the technology helped discover a critical weakness in PHP, a computer language used by almost 70% of the world’s websites.

Alan Woodward, a professor of cybersecurity at Surrey University, said NCSC’s warning underlined the need for nation states and companies to access cutting-edge AI technology.

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“AI can help people find these flaws and patch them, but if we don’t get the access the bad guys will beat them to it,” he said. So far, leading AI companies like OpenAI and Anthropic have given some companies advanced access to their most powerful models in order to help them identify serious IT glitches.

Horne will also say in his speech that communications networks used by the British military are subjected to daily attacks that are “persistent” and “sustained”.

Horne will say Russia was one of the perpetrators, but the attacks have deliberately not crossed the line into warfare, with Moscow carrying out “notable campaigns” that “intentionally fall below the threshold of armed conflict as they escalate their attempts at hybrid warfare”.

Horne will add that recent cyber-attacks on supermarket fridges in Europe, which have seen fridge temperatures raised by hackers to more than 50C, are a warning to companies and organisations to invest strongly in cyber resilience.

“For decades we have collectively got away with tech on the cheap,” he will say.

AI-powered malware ‘highly likely’ to be used to hack UK infrastructure by 2028

Footage out of Palm Beach County, Florida, depicts a plane crashing nose-first into the ground at high speed, resulting in a massive impact that sends flames and smoke into the air. The intensity of the video has led some social media users to claim it is fabricated.

A post on X, formerly known as Twitter, shared on November 1 declared, “The Video You're All Seeing From The 'Plane' Crash Was 100% AI Generated SOMEONE IS LYING TO US !!!!!! That Was Not An Airplane.” This post included a clip that purported to show AI detection analysis, suggesting the content was artificially created. Other users on the platform echoed similar doubts regarding the footage's authenticity. However, the crash has been confirmed by reputable news organizations.

On November 1, around 12:51 p.m. ET, a Learjet 60, en route from Austin, Texas, to the Bahamas, crashed into a residential area close to Cresthaven, Florida. The U.S. Transportation Secretary, Sean Duffy, stated that all individuals aboard the aircraft perished in the incident.

While the cause of the crash has yet to be disclosed, Tom Chapman, a member of the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), noted on November 2 that the plane encountered turbulence and ice. He emphasized that the investigation is ongoing during a press briefing that day.

Timothy Monville, who is leading the NTSB's investigation, mentioned that the agency has only just begun documenting the scene. “We have a lot of work to do on-site,” he remarked. “This will take several days, and our primary challenge will be retrieving significant wreckage from the craters in the roadway.”

The crash footage has been verified and circulated by major media outlets, including The Associated Press, CNN, CBS News, and the BBC. The video was originally posted by Aki Kuusisto, a digital creator from West Palm Beach, who humorously commented on the unexpected nature of capturing such an event on his dash cam.

Several X posts have shown recordings of the video being analyzed by Hive Moderation, an AI detection tool, which reported it as potentially AI-generated. However, PolitiFact's testing of Kuusisto's original video did not indicate any AI-generated elements.

Darren Linvill, co-director of the Media Forensics Hub at Clemson University, acknowledges that while skepticism of viral videos is warranted as AI technology advances, some individuals have become excessively distrustful, fostering a phenomenon known as the "liar’s dividend." “This means that people are so accustomed to deception that they struggle to recognize the truth when it’s presented,” Linvill explained regarding the Palm Beach crash footage.

Given today’s prevalence of personal recording devices, it’s not unexpected that such a dramatic event would be filmed. Nonetheless, Linvill urges consumers of news to rely on credible sources for information. For instance, many of the X accounts questioning the legitimacy of the crash footage have been amplified by bot accounts that spread narratives linked to a Russian campaign aimed at disseminating false claims in the U.S. and beyond.

In summary, a post on X inaccurately asserted that the November 1 plane crash footage in Palm Beach County was entirely AI-generated. Comprehensive reporting from various news organizations confirms the video's authenticity, with an AI expert affirming its legitimate and intense nature. Therefore, we categorize the claim as completely false.

Footage of the Palm Beach plane crash is not created by AI, contrary to social media assertions.

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Palm Beach plane crash footage isn’t AI-generated, despite social media claims - PBS

- A business jet crashed in Palm Beach County, killing everyone on board.  
- Social media users falsely claimed the crash footage was AI-generated and fake.  
- Legitimate news outlets confirmed the video's authenticity, despite ongoing skepticism about AI.  

This article originally appeared on PolitiFact.

Footage from Palm Beach County, Florida, shows a plane nosediving into the ground at full speed, cratering the pavement, and dissolving into fire and smoke. It looks unreal. So unreal that some social media users say it's fake.

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"The Video You're All Seeing From The 'Plane' Crash Was 100% Ai Generated SOMEONE IS LYING TO US !!!!!! That Was Not An Airplane," read a Nov. 1 X post sharing video of what looks like an AI detection video analysis. "Notice How The Ai Detector Only Detects Ai Generated Content From The 'Plane.'"

Other X posts also questioned the footage's veracity. But the crash happened and the video has been corroborated by legitimate news outlets.

A business jet, a Learjet 60, was headed to the Bahamas from Austin, Texas, when it crashed into a neighborhood near Cresthaven, Florida, at approximately 12:51 p.m. ET, on Nov. 1. Everyone on board died, U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy said Nov. 1.

The authorities have not said what caused the crash, but Tom Chapman, a member of the National Transportation Safety Board, said Nov. 2 that the aircraft experienced turbulence and encountered ice. The incident is under investigation, he said at a press conference that day.

Timothy Monville, who's leading the investigation into the crash for the safety board, said the federal agency has "just begun" documenting the incident.

"We have a lot of work to do on scene," he said. "This will be a several-day process, and the biggest obstacle that we're going to have is recovering the major wreckage from the impacted crater on the roadway."

The crash footage has been shared by The Associated Press, CNN, CBS News and BBC. We also found its original source, Aki Kuusisto, a digital creator from West Palm Beach, who first shared the clip on Facebook.

"This was not quite what I had in mind when I installed the dash cam," Kuusisto said in the post's comments.

The X posts show screen recordings of the clip being submitted to Hive Moderation, an AI-detection tool. The recordings show the tool's analysis reporting that it detected AI-generated content in the clip. Hive Moderation is an imperfect tool and PolitiFact has used it before. However, when we introduced Kuusisto's footage to the tool, it didn't flag it as AI-generated or manipulated.

Darren Linvill, co-director of the Media Forensics Hub at Clemson University, told PolitiFact people are right to be skeptical of viral videos as AI improves. But some people have grown so distrustful of AI they're disbelieving the truth, a phenomenon known as the "liar's dividend."

"This is when people are so accustomed to being lied to, they don't know the truth when it is presented to them," Linvill said. "That is what is occurring with the video of the Palm Beach crash."

It's not surprising the crash was captured on camera considering how abundant personal recording devices are today.

But Linvill added that people should get their news from reliable sources. One of the X accounts that questioned the veracity of the plane crash footage, for example, has been amplified by bot accounts that promote narratives by Russian Storm-1516, a campaign that uses Russian and non-Russian influencers to promote false claims in the U.S. and other countries.

Our ruling

An X post said footage of Nov. 1 plane crash in Palm Beach County, Florida, "was 100%" generated with artificial intelligence

News outlets have shared the dash cam footage confirming the video's veracity. An AI expert told PolitiFact that although the video is dramatic and frightening, it is authentic.

We rate this claim Pants on Fire!

Palm Beach plane crash footage isn't AI-generated, despite social media claims

In the future, businesses might be able to simulate robot and AI training in artificially created environments before introducing them to real-world factory settings. However, limitations in Google DeepMind's Genie 4 currently constrain the extent to which companies can apply this innovative approach.

On October 27, Google released the latest iteration of its world model, providing an interactive research preview that allows users to alter generated scenes in real time as narratives unfold. 

Genie 4 enhances the capabilities of its predecessor, Genie 3, by introducing features such as integrated audio and dialogue along with improved physics and more lifelike human movements. Users are empowered to shape their environments using natural language commands to modify elements like weather conditions, characters, or camera angles as scenarios develop.

Researchers can leverage these simulations to investigate the dynamics of natural disasters, such as floods and wildfires, and create outdoor environments to evaluate the responses of autonomous vehicles, drones, and other robotic systems to varying weather patterns and environmental shifts.

A step forward in simulation technology

The world model functions by generating a dynamic interactive environment that reacts frame by frame, corresponding to actions taken by users or AI agents. In partnership with Gemini Robotics, Google integrated Genie 4 with Gemini models that break tasks into smaller steps, monitor the simulated environments, and adapt strategies based on changing conditions.

Chris Selland, the founder and CEO of the AI research and strategy firm Differential Factor, highlighted the significant benefit of Genie 4: it can create a responsive interactive space rather than merely producing a static video from user prompts. 

"This innovation could enable businesses to recreate and evaluate various scenarios without the need to replicate them in reality," he noted.

The value for businesses

Google's most apparent enterprise application lies in the field of robotics. In one demonstration, Genie 4 generated a virtual environment in which a simulated Apptronik’s Apollo humanoid robot played checkers. Such demonstrations showcase how businesses might eventually harness similar environments to simulate robots navigating a range of situations before actual deployment in factories or warehouses. Developers could expose robotic software to diverse layouts, obstacles, and lighting conditions without necessitating the physical creation of each scenario.

“Companies could ultimately utilize generated environments to prototype experiences, craft training modules, and test AI agents in situations that are otherwise costly or hard to recreate in the physical world,” said Manish Jain, CEO of Strategic Horizon Research, an AI advisory firm.

Selland also sees possibilities for rapid prototyping that includes constructing interactive sets while evaluating variables like camera angles, lighting, and spatial arrangements. 

"World models could address a limitation of agentic AI, which has largely functioned through text and APIs: they enable testing the physical repercussions of actions in a simulated space," he explained.

Simulation accuracy challenges

Despite its promise, the existing technology remains in the experimental stage, with Google acknowledging certain limitations. There can be discrepancies in visual details and object placement, especially after intricate prompt modifications or user navigation. The company also highlights difficulties with intricate physical interactions, spatial accuracy, audio fidelity, text legibility, and long-term consistency.

These inaccuracies are critical because consistent training is essential for developers to compare outcomes and understand why systems succeed or fail. If the simulated scenarios don’t accurately mirror the real world, it could become challenging for developers to ascertain whether a robot's performance could be replicated outside of a simulation.

This phenomenon is referred to as the "reality gap" in robotics. A forthcoming review in 2026 will address how variances between simulated and actual environments can adversely affect robot performance when they transition out of simulation.

Selland cautioned that Genie 4 is still an early-stage research preview. "During sessions, details can drift, and the physics involved remain approximative, which makes it unsuitable for precision-oriented engineering applications today."

Jain echoed this sentiment, emphasizing that the crucial concern is whether the results can transfer effectively beyond the simulation environment. "Before enterprises commit to using generated environments for robot training or physical process validation, they need validation that the simulated conditions and outcomes align closely with real-world tasks," he said.

Companies should thoroughly test world models in controlled environments, or "sandboxes," to build trust in their viability for critical functions, according to Selland.

Exploring immediate uses versus long-term potential

Google plans to expand Genie 4's features to Google AI Ultra subscribers through Project Genie and to select early-access partners via the Gemini API and Google AI Studio. This limited rollout currently restricts access for enterprise developers, with Google yet to confirm pricing or specific release dates.

Other organizations are also in the race to develop world models. For instance, Runway launched its interactive world model, GWM Worlds 2, complete with audio in September, while World Labs, founded by AI pioneer Fei-Fei Li, is making strides in the sector as well. The growing interest in simulation-based training and testing is further fueled by advancements in physical AI and robotics.

As multiple vendors vie for attention, enterprises need to discern which developments are ready to act on now.

Jain suggests businesses begin utilizing world models to fabricate virtual scenarios for experimenting and training AI systems. However, applying these environments to train robots or validate their performance in the physical world presents a higher-level challenge that requires more rigorous simulation accuracy.

"Firms should clearly differentiate between utilizing world models for scenario experimentation and depending on them for predicting how robots or physical processes will behave in reality," he advised.

Kinza Yasar covers AI and emerging technologies for TechTarget, focusing on the ethics, governance, and business strategies surrounding enterprise adoption. Her background in IT and network support provides her with a comprehensive perspective on the development, deployment, and management of enterprise technologies.

Google Genie 4 advances world models for robot and AI evaluation.

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Google Genie 4 brings world models closer to robot and AI testing - TechTarget

- Google DeepMind's Genie 4 enables real-time, interactive environment generation for AI testing.  
- Simulation accuracy issues present challenges for effective robotics training and deployment.  
- Enterprises should cautiously experiment with world models before relying on them for real-world applications.

Enterprises could someday rehearse robots and AI agents in generated worlds before risking them on a factory floor, but accuracy gaps in Google DeepMind's Genie 4 limit how far companies can take that approach today.

Released on Oct. 27 as a limited research preview, the updated world model generates interactive settings in real time, letting users change them as a scene unfolds.

Genie 4 builds on its predecessor, Genie 3, adding native audio and dialogue, more realistic physics and more natural human movement. Users can modify environments using natural-language prompts by changing the weather, adding objects or characters and adjusting camera angles as scenes unfold.

Researchers can use these generated settings to explore how natural disasters, including flash floods and wildfires, unfold. They could also create outdoor scenarios to test how autonomous vehicles, drones and other robotic systems respond to changing weather and environmental conditions.

Beyond video generation

A world model generates an interactive world frame by frame and reacts to what users or AI agents do. In a research setup tied to Gemini Robotics, Google paired Genie 4 with Gemini models that break tasks into steps, monitor the simulated scene and adjust plans as conditions change.

Chris Selland, founder and CEO of Differential Factor, an AI research and strategy company, said the important difference is that Genie 4 can create an interactive space that responds to what a person or AI system does, rather than simply generating a video from a prompt.

"It could give businesses a way to create and test different scenarios without having to recreate them in the real world," he said.

Why enterprises should pay attention

Google's clearest enterprise application is robotics. In a demonstration, Google used Genie 4 to generate a setting in which a simulated Apptronik’s Apollo humanoid robot played checkers. The demonstration illustrates how companies could eventually use similar situations to run robots through varied scenarios before deploying them on a factory floor or in a warehouse. Developers could expose robot software to different layouts, obstacles or lighting conditions without having to physically build each scenario.

"Enterprise teams could eventually use generated environments to prototype experiences, create training scenarios and test AI agents in situations that are costly or difficult to reproduce in the real world," said Manish Jain, founder and CEO of Strategic Horizon Research, an AI strategy and advisory firm.

Selland also sees potential in rapid prototyping, including building interactive sets and testing camera angles, lighting and layouts.

"World models could help address a limitation of agentic AI, which has largely operated through text and APIs: the ability to test the physical consequences of an action in a simulated environment," he said.

Simulation accuracy remains a hurdle

The technology is still experimental, and Google acknowledges limitations. Objects and visual details can drift, especially after complex prompt changes or as users navigate an environment. The company also cites challenges with complex physical interactions, spatial accuracy, audio accuracy, legible text and long-term consistency.

Those gaps matter because robot training must be sufficiently consistent for developers to compare results and understand why a system succeeds or fails. If simulated conditions don't accurately reflect the physical world, developers could have difficulty determining whether a robot's performance will transfer to a real-world setting.

This is known as the reality gap in robotics. A 2026 review of the reality gap examines how differences between simulated and physical settings can prevent robots from performing as expected outside a simulation.

Selland cautioned that Genie 4 is still an early research preview. "Sessions can drift, and its physics remain approximate, making it unsuitable today for engineering environments that require precision."

Jain similarly argued that the critical question is whether results transfer beyond the simulation. "Before relying on a generated environment to train robots or validate a physical process, enterprises would need evidence that its conditions and outcomes sufficiently match the real task," he said.

Enterprises should run world models extensively in sandboxes before relying on them for demanding tasks, adding that they are unlikely to trust the models without fully evaluating them internally, Selland said.

Near-term uses vs. longer-term claims

Google plans to make Genie 4 available to Google AI Ultra subscribers through Project Genie, its consumer prototype, and to early-access partners in the Gemini API and Google AI Studio.

The limited rollout still restricts access for enterprise developers. Google has not published pricing or specific release dates.

Other companies are also developing world models. Runway released its playable world model, GWM Worlds 2, with audio, in September, while World Labs, founded by AI pioneer Fei-Fei Li, is also working in the field. The broader push toward physical AI and robotics is also driving interest in simulation-based training and testing.

With several vendors racing to market, the question for buyers is which claims to act on now.

Jain said enterprises could begin by using world models to create virtual scenes for prototyping and training AI systems. But using those environments to train robots or verify how they will perform in the physical world is a more demanding application that requires much greater simulation accuracy.

"Businesses should distinguish between using world models to experiment with scenarios and relying on them to predict how robots or physical processes will behave in the real world," he said.

Kinza Yasar covers AI and emerging technology for TechTarget, with a focus on ethics, enterprise adoption, governance and business strategy. Before moving into journalism, she worked in IT and network support roles, giving her a systems-level perspective on how enterprise technologies are built, deployed and managed.

Google Genie 4 brings world models closer to robot and AI testing

On Monday, major media outlets including the Chicago Tribune, the New York Times, and other associated newspapers initiated federal legal action in Manhattan against Brave Software. They accuse the tech firm of employing advanced scraping technology to illegally extract news content from their websites, which it allegedly then resells to artificial intelligence companies, such as Anthropic and Perplexity.

The complaint, lodged in a Federal Court in Manhattan by the listed news organizations and their affiliated publications like the Daily News and the Orlando Sentinel, characterizes Brave as “the supplier, dealer, and distributor of stolen copyrighted content.” It claims the company provides users—and notable generative AI firms—with access to premium content without authorization, effectively bypassing paywalls to exploit their proprietary news.

The lawsuit states, “Brave operates like a burglar who appropriates publishers' content while also acting as an AI ‘fence’ that sells this stolen material for profit.” It further alleges that these companies knowingly accept the purloined content as they construct their lucrative businesses.

According to the lawsuit, Brave has indexed and replicated content from over 30 billion webpages without notifying website owners or offering a means to block its crawling activities. The accusations extend to Brave’s web browser, which allegedly enables users to access paywalled copyrighted content, a significant revenue source for news outlets striving to produce high-quality content amid a rapidly changing media landscape.

This legal action adds to a series of emerging lawsuits filed nationwide by various news organizations against tech giants, claiming they are unlawfully using copyrighted material to train AI technologies. The plaintiffs, including The News and The Times, are also pursuing legal claims against OpenAI and Microsoft for similar alleged misconduct.

In one specific instance cited in the new complaint, users of Brave’s AI function, called “Ask Brave,” were prompted to access articles published that day by The News. The feature provided titles of 35 paywalled articles and asked whether users wanted access to the full texts, suggesting that it could retrieve complete versions upon request.

“The desperation of AI companies to evade accountability for stealing news content is evident, and Brave Software is providing them with a backdoor to journalism that they have no legal claim to. Purchasing stolen content doesn’t legitimize it. Brave must be held accountable for facilitating this piracy in the AI sector,” asserted Steven Lieberman, the attorney representing The News and its Tribune Publishing affiliates.

The lawsuit outlines five legal allegations, claiming that Brave has engaged in direct, contributory, and vicarious copyright infringement.

Frank Pine, Executive Editor at Tribune Publishing and MediaNews Group, criticized Brave for undermining intellectual property laws. He stated, “Brave, ostensibly advocating for its users and other well-known AI firms, exploits the internet and markets its ill-gotten content to anyone willing to pay. They boast about protecting privacy—though it may actually reflect their commitment to piracy—while attempting to erase evidence of their wrongdoing through their supposed ‘Zero Data Retention’ policy.”

Efforts to obtain commentary from Brave Software, Inc., were made, although Anthropic and other AI firms implicated in acquiring purportedly misappropriated content from Brave are not named as defendants in this latest lawsuit.

Brave accused of stealing Chicago Tribune's content and selling it to A.I. companies in copyright lawsuit.

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Tech company Brave plundered Chicago Tribune’s content and resold it to A.I. giants: copyright lawsuit - Chicago Tribune

- Chicago Tribune and others sued Brave Software for illegally scraping news content online.  
- Brave allegedly provides access to paywalled articles and sells content to A.I. companies.  
- Lawsuit claims Brave committed copyright infringement and undermined news organizations' revenue sources.  

The Chicago Tribune, the New York Times, and affiliated newspapers filed federal lawsuits in Manhattan Monday accusing the technology company Brave Software of using high-tech scraping tools to illegally plunder their websites for exclusive news stories to resell to A.I. giants, including Anthropic and Perplexity.

A Manhattan Federal Court complaint, filed by the News and affiliated Tribune Publishing newspapers the Daily News and the Orlando Sentinel, says Brave acts as “the supplier, dealer, and distributor of stolen copyrighted content” and provides a back door circumventing paywalls to its own users as well as prominent generative A.I. companies to help build their businesses.

“Brave acts both like a burglar that misappropriates the content of publishers, and an AI ‘fence’ that sells stolen content to third parties,” the lawsuit alleges. “And the third parties are serving as the knowing receivers of that stolen content, which they have used to build their trillion dollar businesses.”

The company sells copies of the publishers’ content to third parties for training their A.I. models and products and informing responses to users, the suit alleges, in addition to making unauthorized copies of copyrighted works through its own browser, providing free access to paywalled content.

The lawsuit says Brave crawled and copied content from more than 30 billion webpages in its index without identifying itself or providing the owners of websites any mechanism to block its crawler, according to The News’s complaint.

In addition to selling stolen stories to other companies, Brave also has a web browser that provides paywalled copyrighted content to its users, according to the suits. Paywalls provide a critical source of revenue to news organizations as they seek to compete in an evolving news environment by producing quality, original content.

The suits add to a growing pile of cases playing out across the country brought by news organizations and various owners of copyrighted content against tech giants alleging the wholesale theft of content used to train A.I. models. The News, The Times and other papers that filed suit Monday are also suing OpenAI and Microsoft, alleging similar conduct.

In one example detailed in the new lawsuit, a user prompted Brave’s A.I. feature known as “Ask Brave” to show them articles published that day in The News. The chatbot provided the titles of 35 articles that appeared in The News that day behind a paywall and asked, “would you like me to pull up the full text of any of these articles? If so, just tell me which one(s) and I’ll fetch the complete version.”

“AI giants are now desperate to avoid getting caught red-handed stealing news from publishers, so Brave Software is selling them a back door to the journalism they know they have no right to. Buying stolen goods secondhand doesn’t make them legitimate. Brave must be held responsible for laundering pirated reporting for the AI industry,” said Steven Lieberman, an attorney representing The News and its sister papers with Tribune Publishing in the suit.

The suit lists five legal claims, alleging Brave has committed direct, contributory, and vicarious copyright infringement.

In a statement, Frank Pine, the executive editor at Tribune Publishing and MediaNews Group, said the software company had made “a mockery of our intellectual property laws.”

“Brave, purportedly on behalf of its users but also on behalf of other more well-known AI companies, pillages the internet and resells its ill-gotten gains to anyone who will buy,” Pine said. “Then, proudly touting how it protects the privacy – read that as piracy – of its customers, it attempts to delete evidence of its misdeeds under its ‘Zero Data Retention’ policy.”

The News reached out to Brave Software, Inc., for comment. Anthropic and other A.I. companies accused of buying stolen content from Brave are not named as defendants in Monday’s lawsuits.

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