In today’s newsletter:

• News - 🇺🇸 Biden Plans AI Chip Crackdown – Is Nvidia at Risk?

• Productivity - ⚙️ Zapier: Automate Tasks Without Coding Effortlessly

• Culture - ✏️ Parents Sue School After Son Penalized for Using AI on Project

Check out our Meme of the Day at the bottom of the newsletter for your daily dose of AI-powered humor!

🇺🇸 Biden Plans AI Chip Crackdown – Is Nvidia at Risk?

The Biden administration is considering new limits on the sale of advanced AI chips from companies like Nvidia to specific countries, primarily in the Persian Gulf, in an effort to protect national security. These countries, including the UAE and Saudi Arabia, are increasingly investing in AI data centers. The policy, still in early discussions, could place caps on export licenses and build on recent regulations aimed at easing shipments to these regions. The approach reflects growing concern over how AI technology might be used for surveillance or other activities that could pose security risks.

This move follows broader export controls aimed at China, where Nvidia and other chipmakers have already faced restrictions. Some officials see these export licenses as a way to leverage diplomatic goals, potentially pressuring countries to reduce ties with China. However, tightening these restrictions globally could complicate relationships with key allies and challenge US companies. Nvidia’s shares fell slightly following the news, while the White House has declined to comment directly on the deliberations, emphasizing the importance of managing AI's risks and benefits.

🗞️ In Other News…

• Anguilla is experiencing a financial windfall from the global AI boom, with revenues from its .ai domain registrations soaring, now accounting for 20% of its government income and supporting key infrastructure projects on the island.

• The Department of Housing and Urban Development is implementing a new AI skills competency model to more accurately assess employees' AI knowledge, provide personalized training plans, and address resistance by showing how AI can enhance their everyday work.

• The New York Times has issued a cease-and-desist notice to Perplexity, accusing the AI company of using its content without permission for generative AI, in violation of copyright law, and requesting clarification on how the site is being accessed despite prevention efforts.

• Chipotle's stock rose after the company announced investments in AI supply chain firm Lumachain and Mediterranean restaurant chain Brassica through its $100 million Cultivate Next venture fund, aiming to boost supply chain efficiency and expand Brassica's market presence.

• Google has committed to purchasing power from seven small nuclear reactors to be built by Kairos Power, aiming to meet its growing electricity demand for AI and help revitalize the U.S. nuclear industry with a focus on clean, round-the-clock energy.

⚙️ Zapier: Automate Tasks Without Coding Effortlessly

Zapier is an online automation tool that helps users streamline repetitive tasks by connecting over 2,000 web apps, such as Gmail, Slack, and Mailchimp, without the need for coding. By creating automated workflows, known as Zaps, Zapier allows users to move information between apps seamlessly, saving time and boosting efficiency. With its no-code customization, Zapier is particularly useful for non-technical users looking to improve productivity through easy-to-build automations.

At the core of Zapier’s functionality are triggers and actions, which define how apps communicate with each other. Users can set up Zaps that start with a trigger, like a new email subscriber being added, and follow up with actions, such as updating a CRM or sending an email. Whether you use the user-friendly Platform UI or the more developer-focused Platform CLI, Zapier provides flexibility and powerful integrations to automate workflows with ease.

✏️ Parents Sue School After Son Penalized for Using AI on Project

A Massachusetts family is suing Hingham High School after their son was penalized for using AI on a project without a clear policy in place. The student, who used AI to generate notes and an outline for a civil actions paper on Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, claims he wasn’t cheating, as the AI didn’t write the paper itself. The lawsuit argues that the school’s lack of an AI policy makes the punishment unfair, and the parents are asking the court to raise his grade to a "B" and remove the academic penalties from his record, emphasizing that the situation has delayed his college applications.

The parents, Dale and Jennifer Harris, are also pushing for AI training for teachers, pointing out that AI is becoming a critical tool in education and the workforce. Their lawyer revealed that the National Honor Society initially denied the student’s induction due to the incident but reversed the decision after discovering other students with similar AI-related issues had been accepted. The school has not commented on the case, citing privacy concerns and ongoing litigation.

VC Fundraising Rounds

• Xscape Photonics raised $44 million in Series A funding, led by IAG Capital Partners and supported by Cisco, NVIDIA, and others, to advance its photonics technology for AI data centers. (10/15/24)

• Neuron7.ai, a leader in Service Resolution Intelligence, announced it has secured $44 million in Series B funding. (10/15/24)

• Gladia, an AI-powered transcription and audio intelligence company, has successfully raised $16 million in a Series A funding round. (10/15/24)

• Path Robotics, an AI-driven robotic welding company based in Columbus, OH, secured $100 million in venture capital funding. (10/14/24)

• Omnea, an AI-driven platform for procurement orchestration and supplier risk management, secured $20 million in Series A funding to simplify procurement and provide businesses with better control over their spending. (10/14/24)

Meme of the Day

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