"The AI Act raises citizens' trust in technology and provides investors and entrepreneurs with the legal certainty they need to scale up and deploy AI throughout Europe," the Commission said, adding the AI Act Service Desk will "serve as the central point of contact and hub for information and guidance" on the rules.
The plan bears similarities to the U.K.'s AI Action Plan announced earlier this year. Like the EU, Britain committed to expand domestic AI infrastructure to aid developers.
Hindering innovation?
The launch of the EU's AI plan arrives as the bloc is facing criticisms from tech leaders that its rules on everything from AI to taxation hinder innovation and make it harder for startups to operate across the region.
The bloc's landmark legislation known as the AI Act has proven particularly thorny for companies in the rapidly growing artificial intelligence industry.
The law regulates applications of AI based on the level of risk they pose to society — and in recent years it has been adapted to cover so-called "foundational" model makers such as OpenAI and French startup Mistral, much to the ire of some of the buzziest businesses in that space.
At an event Saturday hosted by right-wing Italian Deputy Prime Minister Matteo Salvini, Musk said, "Both Europe and the United States should move, ideally, in my view, to a zero-tariff situation, effectively creating a free trade zone between Europe and North America."
Musk, whose view on trade relations with Europe stands in stark contrast to the policies implemented by Trump, has a vested interest in the region. Tesla has a large car factory outside Berlin, and the European Commission has previously turned to SpaceX for launches.
Even before the tariffs, Tesla's business was faltering. On Wednesday, the company reported a 13% year-over-year decline in first-quarter deliveries, missing analysts' estimates. That report landed two days after Tesla's stock price wrapped up its worst quarter since 2022.
In January, Microsoft issued disappointing revenue guidance. Nevertheless, last week, as Jefferies analysts reduced their price targets on many software stocks, they wrote Microsoft was among the "companies who we view as more insulated" from tariff uncertainty.
Microsoft also had the highest market capitalization of any public company in early 2024, but Apple soon reclaimed the title.
The unit played a central role in high-profile cases, including the investigation into Binance and its founder, Changpeng Zhao, who pleaded guilty in 2023 to violating U.S. anti-money laundering laws, resulting in a $4.3 billion settlement.
Prosecutors have been instructed to close ongoing investigations that do not align with the new priorities, according to the memo.
The DOJ also explicitly states it will not pursue enforcement against crypto exchanges, mixing and tumbling services, or offline wallets for the actions of their users or "unwitting violations of regulations" — marking a major departure from prior policy. Prosecutors are instructed not to charge violations of financial laws, such as unlicensed money transmission and unregistered securities offerings unless they can prove the defendant knew of the rules and willfully broke them.
"Litigation or enforcement actions that have the effect of superimposing regulatory frameworks on digital assets" will no longer be pursued, the memo states, deferring that responsibility to financial regulators operating outside the criminal justice system.
The Justice Department did not immediately respond to CNBC's request for comment.
Since taking office, the Trump administration has rapidly scaled back oversight, with the Securities and Exchange Commission pausing or abandoning several high-profile enforcement actions, and revoking a banking rule that blocked Wall Street banks from adopting crypto.
Best catalyst for producing CO
The new conversion method demonstrated long-term stability by maintaining consistent performance for 144 hours under a current density of 150 mA/cm².
This sustained operation under relevant electrochemical conditions suggests the system’s potential for practical and continuous application.
Furthermore, the advanced structural analysis revealed the secret behind this remarkable performance: the direct crystallization of the phthalocyanines led to densely packed molecules. As a result, the efficient flow of electrons necessary for the conversion was achieved.
“Not only is this the best Pc-based catalyst for producing CO to date, but it successfully exceeds the industrial standard thresholds for its reaction rate and stability. It’s the first ever to make the cut,” added Liu in the press release.
Therefore, this technology has significant potential as a next-generation solution for Carbon Dioxide Capture and Utilization (CCU).
Last year, Interesting Engineering reported on the development of a lotus-inspired method to turn carbon dioxide into useful products.
Inspired by the water-repelling properties of the lotus plant, the University of Central Florida (UCF) developed a device for conversion. This technology offers a dual benefit: reducing carbon emissions from human activities and sustainably generating more energy.
Project expectations
While only the first unit is currently in commercial operation, construction on three other reactors is well underway, signaling steady progress in the project’s phased development.
Once all six units are operating at full strength, the Zhangzhou nuclear power plant will have a total installed capacity of around 7.2 million kilowatts, with each reactor projected to produce more than 10 billion kilowatt-hours of clean electricity a year.
This, according to CNNC can meet the annual production and domestic electricity demands of one million people in moderately developed countries. The plant’s annual output is expected to cut standard coal use by 3.12 million tons and reduce carbon dioxide emissions by 8.16 million tons – an environmental benefit comparable to planting more than 70 million trees each year.
This will play a vital role in supporting China’s efforts to transition to low-carbon energy, helping reduce emissions while meeting the country’s growing power demands with reliable, sustainable sources.
“Hualong-1 has become the world’s most widely deployed third-generation nuclear technology, both in operation and under construction,” Mei concludes. “This marks that China’s nuclear technology and overall competitiveness have reached the front ranks globally.”
Nuclear power currently accounts for only 5 percent of China’s electricity generation, with Beijing aiming to double that share to 10 percent by 2035, and 18 percent by 2060.
The project aims to provide clean, affordable electricity for Ontario and a stable supply of cancer-fighting medical isotopes worldwide.
“Ontario has become a world leader in nuclear power plant refurbishment and, along with our partners and skilled tradespeople, we continue to prove that these complex major projects can be delivered with the highest standards of safety and quality, on time and on budget,” Eric Chassard, Bruce Power president and CEO says.
“Through continued excellence and innovation, we’re helping to drive the economy and produce cancer-fighting medical isotopes,” Chassard continues. “Our nuclear industry is truly a made-in-Ontario and Canadian success story.”
Meta working in China?
Wyn-Williams suggested that Meta has worked secretly with China under a program called ‘Project Aldrin.’ According to her, this initiative was limited in knowledge to a handful of important staff members.
“Meta executives ignored warnings that this would provide backdoor access to the Chinese Communist Party, allowing them to intercept the personal data and private messages of American citizens,” she stated in her draft testimony.
“I watched as executives decided to provide the Chinese Communist Party with access to Meta user data — including that of Americans.”
The overall claim is a sharp surprise, given that Meta has been banned from China due to censorship issues.
Whistleblowing through a memoir
Wynn-Williams recently published her book, ‘ Careless People,’ penning down her experiences working at the company. The book quickly rose through the best-seller ranks despite facing legal challenges from Meta.
Mark Zuckerberg and co made a successful attempt to block her and her publisher from promoting this book and making any claims against the company. Meta is currently seeking a mammoth sum in millions of dollars from her for this purpose.
“This gag order was sought by a company whose CEO claims to be a champion of free speech,” Wynn-Williams states in her draft testimony. “The American people deserve to know the truth.”
Remote reactivation success through the robot dog
The crane had been powered down at the switchboard in 2023 due to concerns over aging infrastructure. However, strict safety restrictions prevented workers from accessing the area to turn it back on, delaying essential waste shipment and decommissioning operations.
Dounreay’s innovation team suggested using robot dog Spot to address the problem.
The Robotics and Artificial Intelligence Collaboration (RAICo), a collaboration between the UK Atomic Energy Authority, Nuclear Decommissioning Authority (NDA), Sellafield, and the University of Manchester, was contacted for assistance because their in-house robot lacked a handling arm.
RAICo, which specializes in using robotics and artificial intelligence to solve nuclear problems, had previously collaborated with Dounreay.
RAICo’s experts brought a specially equipped version of robot dog Spot to the site and collaborated with the Dounreay team to develop a safe and effective approach. After a week of practice on a mock switchboard in a nearby storeroom, Spot was ready. In a carefully executed maneuver, it used a gripped pole to push the real switch into the “on” position. A loud “clunk” confirmed success as power was restored to the long-dormant crane.
“This is a fantastic example of collaboration through RAICo leading to the acceleration of deployment of robotic technology to unlock a real-world challenge in an efficient and safe way. It’s supporting us to keep our people out of harm while developing them, transferring specialist knowledge and skills across our group,” said Kate Canning, head of R&D at NDA, in a statement.
Nuclear site automation
Recently, Canadian firm AtkinsRéalis successfully deployed a customized Spot robot as part of the Integrated Remote Monitoring Project in Sellafield, enabling inspections and tasks to be performed in hazardous areas without human presence on site.
During the study, real-time video streaming and a secure virtual access network were used to control Spot from outside the Sellafield site perimeter. It demonstrated a major breakthrough in safe, remote robotic integration and was the first time such remote operation was tested on a nuclear-licensed site.
Trump Ends $4M in Funding to Princeton's Climate Programs
The awards to Princeton are no longer aligned with the program objectives of NOAA ... and are no longer in keeping with the Trump Administration’s priorities, the department said.
The Commerce Department on Tuesday ended about $4 million in funding to Princeton University for assessing climate-related risks, saying those programs were not aligned with the Trump administration's priorities.
The decision was made after a review of financial assistance programs against the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's current objectives, and it will reduce the cost and size of the federal government, the Commerce Department said in a statement.
Top FAA Air Traffic Control Official Stepping Down
The head of the Federal Aviation Administration's air traffic organization is stepping down after 40 years of federal government service, an agency spokesperson said on Tuesday.
The head of the Federal Aviation Administration's air traffic organization is stepping down after 40 years of federal government service, an agency spokesperson said on Tuesday.
Tim Arel, who is chief operating officer of the FAA Air Traffic Organization, is taking part in the U.S. Transportation Department's voluntary deferred retirement program, the spokesperson said.
The FAA brought in a new management team at Reagan "to ensure strong support for the workforce" and added priorities include reviewing safety data trends, performance management, "and ensuring facility training is robust and consistently meets national standards," the agency said.
The FAA is about 3,500 air traffic controllers short of targeted staffing levels, and a series of near-miss incidents has raised concerns in recent years. A persistent shortage of controllers has delayed flights, and at many facilities controllers are working mandatory overtime and six-day weeks.
"There is no question that we are seeing too many close calls," Arel told employees in 2023.
Trump Ignites US Nuclear Comeback With Texas Plant
The Trump administration's drive to revive American manufacturing and power a growing artificial intelligence industry is accelerating with a new nuclear energy project in Texas, The Washington Times reported.
A manufacturing facility in Texas is preparing to switch from natural gas to nuclear power as the Trump administration pushes to expand the use of small modular reactors, or SMRs, to meet rising electricity demand and bolster the U.S. manufacturing base.
Unlike traditional nuclear plants, SMRs are smaller, cheaper to build, and can be constructed in modules. Their design allows for high reliability, reduced carbon emissions, and easier siting since they do not require proximity to large bodies of water.
X-energy's Seadrift reactor will use helium gas to cool billions of uranium-filled pebbles, generating temperatures near 1,000 degrees Fahrenheit to create steam for power.
"What attracted them to X-energy was that our plant configuration is four modules that produce about 320 megawatts," said Carol Lane, X-energy's vice president of government affairs. "It gives very, very high reliability, which is something that the data centers and AI centers really care about."
Big Tech companies are increasingly backing SMRs. In October, Google announced a deal with Kairos Power to deploy multiple SMRs starting in 2030.
"The AI Act raises citizens' trust in technology and provides investors and entrepreneurs with the legal certainty they need to scale up and deploy AI throughout Europe," the Commission said, adding the AI Act Service Desk will "serve as the central point of contact and hub for information and guidance" on the rules.
The plan bears similarities to the U.K.'s AI Action Plan announced earlier this year. Like the EU, Britain committed to expand domestic AI infrastructure to aid developers.
Hindering innovation?
The launch of the EU's AI plan arrives as the bloc is facing criticisms from tech leaders that its rules on everything from AI to taxation hinder innovation and make it harder for startups to operate across the region.
The bloc's landmark legislation known as the AI Act has proven particularly thorny for companies in the rapidly growing artificial intelligence industry.
The law regulates applications of AI based on the level of risk they pose to society — and in recent years it has been adapted to cover so-called "foundational" model makers such as OpenAI and French startup Mistral, much to the ire of some of the buzziest businesses in that space.
At an event Saturday hosted by right-wing Italian Deputy Prime Minister Matteo Salvini, Musk said, "Both Europe and the United States should move, ideally, in my view, to a zero-tariff situation, effectively creating a free trade zone between Europe and North America."
Musk, whose view on trade relations with Europe stands in stark contrast to the policies implemented by Trump, has a vested interest in the region. Tesla has a large car factory outside Berlin, and the European Commission has previously turned to SpaceX for launches.
Even before the tariffs, Tesla's business was faltering. On Wednesday, the company reported a 13% year-over-year decline in first-quarter deliveries, missing analysts' estimates. That report landed two days after Tesla's stock price wrapped up its worst quarter since 2022.
In January, Microsoft issued disappointing revenue guidance. Nevertheless, last week, as Jefferies analysts reduced their price targets on many software stocks, they wrote Microsoft was among the "companies who we view as more insulated" from tariff uncertainty.
Microsoft also had the highest market capitalization of any public company in early 2024, but Apple soon reclaimed the title.
The unit played a central role in high-profile cases, including the investigation into Binance and its founder, Changpeng Zhao, who pleaded guilty in 2023 to violating U.S. anti-money laundering laws, resulting in a $4.3 billion settlement.
Prosecutors have been instructed to close ongoing investigations that do not align with the new priorities, according to the memo.
The DOJ also explicitly states it will not pursue enforcement against crypto exchanges, mixing and tumbling services, or offline wallets for the actions of their users or "unwitting violations of regulations" — marking a major departure from prior policy. Prosecutors are instructed not to charge violations of financial laws, such as unlicensed money transmission and unregistered securities offerings unless they can prove the defendant knew of the rules and willfully broke them.
"Litigation or enforcement actions that have the effect of superimposing regulatory frameworks on digital assets" will no longer be pursued, the memo states, deferring that responsibility to financial regulators operating outside the criminal justice system.
The Justice Department did not immediately respond to CNBC's request for comment.
Since taking office, the Trump administration has rapidly scaled back oversight, with the Securities and Exchange Commission pausing or abandoning several high-profile enforcement actions, and revoking a banking rule that blocked Wall Street banks from adopting crypto.
Best catalyst for producing CO
The new conversion method demonstrated long-term stability by maintaining consistent performance for 144 hours under a current density of 150 mA/cm².
This sustained operation under relevant electrochemical conditions suggests the system’s potential for practical and continuous application.
Furthermore, the advanced structural analysis revealed the secret behind this remarkable performance: the direct crystallization of the phthalocyanines led to densely packed molecules. As a result, the efficient flow of electrons necessary for the conversion was achieved.
“Not only is this the best Pc-based catalyst for producing CO to date, but it successfully exceeds the industrial standard thresholds for its reaction rate and stability. It’s the first ever to make the cut,” added Liu in the press release.
Therefore, this technology has significant potential as a next-generation solution for Carbon Dioxide Capture and Utilization (CCU).
Last year, Interesting Engineering reported on the development of a lotus-inspired method to turn carbon dioxide into useful products.
Inspired by the water-repelling properties of the lotus plant, the University of Central Florida (UCF) developed a device for conversion. This technology offers a dual benefit: reducing carbon emissions from human activities and sustainably generating more energy.
Project expectations
While only the first unit is currently in commercial operation, construction on three other reactors is well underway, signaling steady progress in the project’s phased development.
Once all six units are operating at full strength, the Zhangzhou nuclear power plant will have a total installed capacity of around 7.2 million kilowatts, with each reactor projected to produce more than 10 billion kilowatt-hours of clean electricity a year.
This, according to CNNC can meet the annual production and domestic electricity demands of one million people in moderately developed countries. The plant’s annual output is expected to cut standard coal use by 3.12 million tons and reduce carbon dioxide emissions by 8.16 million tons – an environmental benefit comparable to planting more than 70 million trees each year.
This will play a vital role in supporting China’s efforts to transition to low-carbon energy, helping reduce emissions while meeting the country’s growing power demands with reliable, sustainable sources.
“Hualong-1 has become the world’s most widely deployed third-generation nuclear technology, both in operation and under construction,” Mei concludes. “This marks that China’s nuclear technology and overall competitiveness have reached the front ranks globally.”
Nuclear power currently accounts for only 5 percent of China’s electricity generation, with Beijing aiming to double that share to 10 percent by 2035, and 18 percent by 2060.
The project aims to provide clean, affordable electricity for Ontario and a stable supply of cancer-fighting medical isotopes worldwide.
“Ontario has become a world leader in nuclear power plant refurbishment and, along with our partners and skilled tradespeople, we continue to prove that these complex major projects can be delivered with the highest standards of safety and quality, on time and on budget,” Eric Chassard, Bruce Power president and CEO says.
“Through continued excellence and innovation, we’re helping to drive the economy and produce cancer-fighting medical isotopes,” Chassard continues. “Our nuclear industry is truly a made-in-Ontario and Canadian success story.”
Meta working in China?
Wyn-Williams suggested that Meta has worked secretly with China under a program called ‘Project Aldrin.’ According to her, this initiative was limited in knowledge to a handful of important staff members.
“Meta executives ignored warnings that this would provide backdoor access to the Chinese Communist Party, allowing them to intercept the personal data and private messages of American citizens,” she stated in her draft testimony.
“I watched as executives decided to provide the Chinese Communist Party with access to Meta user data — including that of Americans.”
The overall claim is a sharp surprise, given that Meta has been banned from China due to censorship issues.
Whistleblowing through a memoir
Wynn-Williams recently published her book, ‘ Careless People,’ penning down her experiences working at the company. The book quickly rose through the best-seller ranks despite facing legal challenges from Meta.
Mark Zuckerberg and co made a successful attempt to block her and her publisher from promoting this book and making any claims against the company. Meta is currently seeking a mammoth sum in millions of dollars from her for this purpose.
“This gag order was sought by a company whose CEO claims to be a champion of free speech,” Wynn-Williams states in her draft testimony. “The American people deserve to know the truth.”
Remote reactivation success through the robot dog
The crane had been powered down at the switchboard in 2023 due to concerns over aging infrastructure. However, strict safety restrictions prevented workers from accessing the area to turn it back on, delaying essential waste shipment and decommissioning operations.
Dounreay’s innovation team suggested using robot dog Spot to address the problem.
The Robotics and Artificial Intelligence Collaboration (RAICo), a collaboration between the UK Atomic Energy Authority, Nuclear Decommissioning Authority (NDA), Sellafield, and the University of Manchester, was contacted for assistance because their in-house robot lacked a handling arm.
RAICo, which specializes in using robotics and artificial intelligence to solve nuclear problems, had previously collaborated with Dounreay.
RAICo’s experts brought a specially equipped version of robot dog Spot to the site and collaborated with the Dounreay team to develop a safe and effective approach. After a week of practice on a mock switchboard in a nearby storeroom, Spot was ready. In a carefully executed maneuver, it used a gripped pole to push the real switch into the “on” position. A loud “clunk” confirmed success as power was restored to the long-dormant crane.
“This is a fantastic example of collaboration through RAICo leading to the acceleration of deployment of robotic technology to unlock a real-world challenge in an efficient and safe way. It’s supporting us to keep our people out of harm while developing them, transferring specialist knowledge and skills across our group,” said Kate Canning, head of R&D at NDA, in a statement.
Nuclear site automation
Recently, Canadian firm AtkinsRéalis successfully deployed a customized Spot robot as part of the Integrated Remote Monitoring Project in Sellafield, enabling inspections and tasks to be performed in hazardous areas without human presence on site.
During the study, real-time video streaming and a secure virtual access network were used to control Spot from outside the Sellafield site perimeter. It demonstrated a major breakthrough in safe, remote robotic integration and was the first time such remote operation was tested on a nuclear-licensed site.
Trump Ends $4M in Funding to Princeton's Climate Programs
The awards to Princeton are no longer aligned with the program objectives of NOAA ... and are no longer in keeping with the Trump Administration’s priorities, the department said.
The Commerce Department on Tuesday ended about $4 million in funding to Princeton University for assessing climate-related risks, saying those programs were not aligned with the Trump administration's priorities.
The decision was made after a review of financial assistance programs against the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's current objectives, and it will reduce the cost and size of the federal government, the Commerce Department said in a statement.
Top FAA Air Traffic Control Official Stepping Down
The head of the Federal Aviation Administration's air traffic organization is stepping down after 40 years of federal government service, an agency spokesperson said on Tuesday.
The head of the Federal Aviation Administration's air traffic organization is stepping down after 40 years of federal government service, an agency spokesperson said on Tuesday.
Tim Arel, who is chief operating officer of the FAA Air Traffic Organization, is taking part in the U.S. Transportation Department's voluntary deferred retirement program, the spokesperson said.
The FAA brought in a new management team at Reagan "to ensure strong support for the workforce" and added priorities include reviewing safety data trends, performance management, "and ensuring facility training is robust and consistently meets national standards," the agency said.
The FAA is about 3,500 air traffic controllers short of targeted staffing levels, and a series of near-miss incidents has raised concerns in recent years. A persistent shortage of controllers has delayed flights, and at many facilities controllers are working mandatory overtime and six-day weeks.
"There is no question that we are seeing too many close calls," Arel told employees in 2023.
Trump Ignites US Nuclear Comeback With Texas Plant
The Trump administration's drive to revive American manufacturing and power a growing artificial intelligence industry is accelerating with a new nuclear energy project in Texas, The Washington Times reported.
A manufacturing facility in Texas is preparing to switch from natural gas to nuclear power as the Trump administration pushes to expand the use of small modular reactors, or SMRs, to meet rising electricity demand and bolster the U.S. manufacturing base.
Unlike traditional nuclear plants, SMRs are smaller, cheaper to build, and can be constructed in modules. Their design allows for high reliability, reduced carbon emissions, and easier siting since they do not require proximity to large bodies of water.
X-energy's Seadrift reactor will use helium gas to cool billions of uranium-filled pebbles, generating temperatures near 1,000 degrees Fahrenheit to create steam for power.
"What attracted them to X-energy was that our plant configuration is four modules that produce about 320 megawatts," said Carol Lane, X-energy's vice president of government affairs. "It gives very, very high reliability, which is something that the data centers and AI centers really care about."
Big Tech companies are increasingly backing SMRs. In October, Google announced a deal with Kairos Power to deploy multiple SMRs starting in 2030.