Senators move to keep Big Tech’s creepy companion bots away from kids

Republican Representative Marjorie Taylor Greene has made serious accusations against Israel, claiming that their recent military strikes in Gaza amount to war crimes. This comes in the wake of reports from local officials stating that 104 people, including 46 children, have lost their lives in these attacks. Greene's statements highlight the ongoing tensions and humanitarian concerns in the region, drawing attention to the impact of military actions on civilians, especially children.

Character.AI, an artificial intelligence startup, has decided to ban children under 18 from interacting with its chatbots. This decision comes amid increasing pressure from lawmakers and multiple lawsuits claiming that the company's chatbots could pose risks to young users. This move highlights the ongoing concerns about the safety of children in digital spaces and the responsibility of tech companies to protect their users.

In 2025, Big Tech's lobbying expenditures in the EU reached a record €151 million, a significant increase from €113 million in 2023 and €97 million in 2021. This surge in spending reflects the growing influence and interest of major tech companies in shaping EU regulations. Between January and June 2025, these companies held 146 meetings with EU officials, highlighting their proactive approach to engage with policymakers. This trend is important as it raises questions about the balance of power in regulatory processes and the potential impact on legislation affecting technology and innovation.

A new approach called Graph-based RAG is making waves in the field of question answering by constructing a knowledge graph from text chunks. This method significantly enhances retrieval efficiency, particularly in complex domains like biomedicine, law, and political science, where multi-hop reasoning is crucial. By streamlining the process of extracting entities and relations, it promises to reduce the costs associated with using large language models, making advanced retrieval techniques more accessible and effective.

A new framework developed by computer scientist Randy Goebel and his team in Japan aims to address the significant weaknesses of artificial intelligence in legal settings. For over ten years, they have been organizing an annual competition to push the boundaries of AI in law, which not only showcases advancements but also highlights the challenges that still need to be overcome. This initiative is crucial as it could lead to more reliable AI applications in the courtroom, ultimately enhancing the justice system.

The European Union is urging major technology companies to step up and take greater responsibility in combating online fraud. With the rise of digital scams, Brussels believes that these tech giants play a crucial role in protecting users and maintaining the integrity of online platforms. This push highlights the ongoing tension between regulatory bodies and the tech industry, as the EU seeks to create a safer digital environment for its citizens.

The integration of AI into childhood experiences is paving the way for safer and more enriching environments for young ones. As technology continues to evolve, it’s crucial to ensure that these innovations prioritize the safety and well-being of children. This article highlights the importance of creating safe spaces where kids can explore and learn without the risks associated with unregulated technology. By focusing on safety, we can harness the benefits of AI while protecting our future generations.

The introduction of MAD-Fact, a new multi-agent debate framework, marks a significant advancement in evaluating the factual accuracy of long-form content generated by large language models (LLMs). As LLMs become more prevalent, ensuring their outputs are reliable is crucial, especially in sensitive fields like biomedicine, law, and education. Traditional evaluation methods often fall short with complex texts, but MAD-Fact aims to enhance accuracy by employing a systematic approach that addresses these challenges. This development is important as it could lead to more trustworthy AI applications in critical areas.

Rode has announced that its latest wireless microphones are now compatible with digital cameras, a significant upgrade for content creators and filmmakers. This development is exciting because it enhances audio quality and flexibility, allowing users to capture professional-grade sound without the hassle of cables. As the demand for high-quality audio in video production continues to grow, Rode's innovation positions it as a leader in the industry, making it easier for creators to elevate their work.

The article discusses the importance of depth charts in college football, particularly for teams like Penn State and Texas. These charts are essential for fans and analysts as they provide crucial updates on player statuses, including injuries and performance changes. The dynamic nature of these charts makes it vital to have tools that can automate and analyze them effectively, enhancing the experience for fans and fantasy players alike.

In a recent update to his article on dynamically allocating 2D arrays in C, Paul J. Lucas reveals a much simpler method for achieving this task. This new approach not only simplifies the process but also enhances efficiency, making it easier for programmers to manage memory in their applications. Understanding these techniques is crucial for developers looking to optimize their code and improve performance, especially in resource-constrained environments.

The Tri-Glyph Protocol explores the intricate relationship between mythic symbols and the challenges faced by artificial intelligence systems, particularly in terms of signal collapse and metadata drift. By examining the roles of Chim Lạc, Kitsune, and Anansi, the article sheds light on how these concepts can inform our understanding of AI vulnerabilities. This discussion is crucial as it highlights the need for robust defenses in AI/ML technologies, ensuring they can withstand adversarial attacks and maintain integrity.

In a recent article, developer Jaideep Parashar shares his innovative approach to creating AI prompts and frameworks by utilizing GitHub as a centralized library hub. This method not only enhances accessibility for developers but also promotes reusability, making it easier for others to build upon his work. This is significant as it fosters collaboration and efficiency in the AI development community, encouraging more developers to engage with AI technologies.

Jon-Paul Vasta highlights how AI is becoming a crucial ally for small businesses as they navigate the challenges of 2025. Many owners feel overwhelmed with year-end pressures, but AI tools can streamline operations, enhance customer engagement, and ultimately help these businesses thrive. This shift is significant because it empowers small enterprises to compete more effectively in a rapidly changing market, ensuring they can meet customer demands without burning out.