New York lawmakers have proposed a three-year moratorium on permits for new data centers, joining at least five other states considering similar measures amid growing concerns about the environmental impact of the burgeoning AI industry. The bill, introduced by New York legislators, aims to pause construction and operation permits for data centers, according to TechCrunch.
The move comes as tech companies are planning to invest heavily in AI infrastructure, sparking worries from both Democrats and Republicans about the impact on local communities. Studies have linked data centers to increased home electricity bills, and critics, including Senator Bernie Sanders and Florida Governor Ron DeSantis, have voiced their concerns.
In other tech news, AI chipmaker Cerebras Systems recently secured $1 billion in fresh capital, reaching a $23 billion valuation, nearly tripling its valuation in just six months. Benchmark Capital, a prominent Silicon Valley firm, invested at least $225 million in the latest round, according to a person familiar with the deal, as reported by TechCrunch. Benchmark first invested in Cerebras in 2016, leading the startup's $27 million Series A.
Meanwhile, the debate surrounding California's proposed Billionaires Tax has taken a bizarre turn. An AI startup founder is planning a "March for Billionaires" in San Francisco to protest the tax. The event, scheduled for this coming Saturday, has sparked incredulity, with many initially dismissing it as a hoax. The organizer's website features the tagline: "Vilifying billionaires is popular. Losing them is expensive," according to TechCrunch.
HBO's financial thriller "Industry" is also making headlines, with its current season focusing on a fraudulent fintech company called Tender. The show's storyline follows Harper Stern as she investigates the company, uncovering a scheme built on fabricated numbers. "The entire company appears to be built on fabricated numbers," Sweetpea tells Harper, according to TechCrunch.
Finally, Apple is reportedly working on integrating AI chatbots like ChatGPT into CarPlay. This move would allow users to interact with their favorite AI chatbots through their vehicle's infotainment system, according to Bloomberg. The next-generation CarPlay Ultra will include the central touchscreen display and digital dashboard, giving users control of certain vehicle settings.
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