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AI Concerns Rise Across Tech and Government Sectors
A confluence of events this week highlighted growing concerns surrounding artificial intelligence, its use, and potential vulnerabilities across various sectors, from web browsers to government agencies. The developments ranged from user control over AI features in Firefox to the use of AI tools by the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and the acquisition of xAI by SpaceX.
Mozilla announced that an update to Firefox, scheduled for February 24th, will include a new AI control option in the browser's settings menu. This feature will allow users to disable all AI-powered features or selectively enable/disable individual AI functionalities, according to The Verge. This move comes as other companies are increasingly integrating AI into their browsers.
Meanwhile, the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has been utilizing AI tools from Palantir to screen and audit grants, grant applications, and job descriptions since March 2025. Wired reported that these tools are being used to identify noncompliance with President Donald Trump's executive orders targeting gender ideology and anything related to diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI). The report cited a recently published inventory of all use cases HHS had for AI in 2025. According to Wired, Palantir earned over $35 million from HHS during Trump's first year of his second term, though descriptions for these transactions did not mention the work related to DEI or gender ideology.
In other AI news, SpaceX formally acquired xAI, another company owned by Elon Musk. Ars Technica reported that SpaceX aims to create "the most ambitious, vertically-integrated innovation engine on (and off) Earth, with AI, rockets, space-based internet, direct-to-mobile device communications and the worlds foremost real-time information and free speech platform." The company stated that this merger marks a significant step towards "scaling to make a sentient sun to understand the Universe and extend the light of consciousness to the stars!" SpaceX also plans to build a 1 million satellite constellation to power xAI.
Adding to the week's AI-related news, MIT Technology Review highlighted the increasing "truth crisis" related to AI-generated content. The publication reported that the US Department of Homeland Security is using AI video generators from Google and Adobe to create content shared with the public. This revelation, according to MIT Technology Review, underscores the failure of current tools to combat the spread of AI-generated misinformation.
Separately, in a cybersecurity incident unrelated to AI directly but highlighting broader tech vulnerabilities, developers of Notepad++ revealed that their infrastructure was compromised for six months by suspected China-state hackers. Ars Technica reported that the attackers used their control to deliver backdoored versions of the app to select targets. The author of Notepad++ posted an apology on the official website, stating that the attack began last June, allowing malicious actors to intercept and redirect update traffic.
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