In simulated #wargames, leading #AImodels from OpenAI, Anthropic, and Google opted for #nuclearweapons in 95% of cases, demonstrating a willingness to use nuclear weapons without the same reservations as humans. https://www.newscientist.com/article/2516885-ais-cant-stop-recommending-nuclear-strikes-in-war-game-simulations/?eicker.news #tech #media #news

#Anthropic has acquired Seattle-based #AIstartup #Vercept, known for its desktop application #Vy, which automates tasks by observing and interacting with computer screens. The acquisition will integrate Vercept’s technology and team into Anthropic, enhancing its “computer use” capabilities for its #AIassistant, Claude. https://www.geekwire.com/2026/anthropic-acquires-vercept-in-early-exit-for-one-of-seattles-standout-ai-startups/?eicker.news #tech #media #news

#PayPal is not in talks to sell itself but has been preparing for a potential #activistcampaign or #takeoverbid. This follows a decline in PayPal shares, prompting the company to work with bankers. https://www.semafor.com/article/02/26/2026/paypal-stripe-not-currently-in-talks?eicker.news #tech #media #news

#Anthropic has proactively deployed its #AImodels to the #DepartmentofWar and other national #securityagencies for various applications. However, Anthropic #opposes the use of its models for #massdomesticsurveillance and #fullyautonomousweapons, citing concerns about #democraticvalues and the current #reliability of #AIsystems. https://www.anthropic.com/news/statement-department-of-war?eicker.news #tech #media #news

The #FTC will not enforce #COPPA against companies using #ageverification tools, provided they follow specific guidelines. These include not using age data for anything other than verification, not retaining the data, and ensuring third parties maintain confidentiality. https://therecord.media/ftc-says-it-wont-enforce-coppa-age-verification?eicker.news #tech #media #news

#Experts warn that low-quality, #AIgenerated #videos on #YouTube for #children often contain conflicting information, lack plot structure, and can be cognitively overwhelming, potentially affecting young children’s development. https://www.nytimes.com/2026/02/26/us/ai-videos-children-youtube.html?eicker.news #tech #media #news

A #Pew Research Centre survey of U.S. #teens aged 13 to 17 reveals that over half use #AIchatbots, primarily for information seeking and schoolwork help. While some teens use chatbots for casual conversations and emotional support, most do not. The survey also explores teens’ views on AI’s impact on their lives and society, revealing a generally positive outlook. https://www.pewresearch.org/internet/2026/02/24/how-teens-use-and-view-ai/?eicker.news #tech #media #news

#Viture, a company specialising in #video #displayglasses, has raised $100 million in a funding round led by Legend Capital. This brings their total funding in six months to over $200 million. Viture’s success is attributed to their focus on gaming and portable display use cases, with their products outperforming competitors. https://www.forbes.com/sites/charliefink/2026/02/26/viture-closes-second-100-million-round-as-display-glasses-category-finds-its-footing/?eicker.news #tech #media #news

The #Pentagon is designating #Anthropic as a #supplychainrisk to #nationalsecurity, prohibiting any commercial activity with the company. This follows Anthropic’s refusal to allow its AI models to be used for mass domestic surveillance or fully autonomous weapons, a stance supported by OpenAI. https://techcrunch.com/2026/02/27/pentagon-moves-to-designate-anthropic-as-a-supply-chain-risk/?eicker.news #tech #media #news

#OpenAI is negotiating a potential deal with the U.S. #DepartmentofWar to use its #AImodels and tools. The deal would allow OpenAI to retain #control over its #safetystack, while the government would respect OpenAI’s “#redlines” against using AI for #autonomousweapons, #masssurveillance. This comes after Anthropic’s contracts with the Pentagon were cancelled. https://fortune.com/2026/02/27/openai-in-talks-with-pentagon-after-anthropic-blowup/?eicker.news #tech #media #news

#OpenAI announced a $110 billion #funding round, more than doubling its previous raise. #Amazon, #Nvidia, and #SoftBank are the main investors, with Amazon also forming a strategic partnership with OpenAI. The funding will support OpenAI’s ambitious plans for AI development and infrastructure, including a significant increase in compute spend. https://www.cnbc.com/2026/02/27/open-ai-funding-round-amazon.html?eicker.news #tech #media #news

#Amazon’s $50 billion investment in #OpenAI, valuing the company at $840 billion, is seen as a #costlymove due to its #lateentry into the #AI space. This contrasts with Microsoft’s earlier $13.8 billion investment, which secured a 27% stake and significant benefits like exclusive IP rights and revenue share. https://om.co/2026/02/27/amazon-the-cost-of-ai-lateness/?eicker.news #tech #media #news

#Anthropic’s #Claude #AIassistant app rose to the top of #Apple’s #freeappschart after the #Pentagon sought to block its technology: The app’s popularity surge is attributed to its stance against mass surveillance and autonomous weapons, despite the Trump administration’s criticism. https://www.cnbc.com/2026/02/28/anthropics-claude-apple-apps.html?eicker.news #tech #media #news

The issue of #Anthropic vs #Pentagon demands is highlighting the tension between #AIsafety and its #rapiddevelopment: it‘s becoming a #pivotalpoint in the 2026 #midterms, with New York State Assemblyman Alex Bores, a proponent of AI safety regulations, facing opposition from a super PAC backed by OpenAI cofounder Greg Brockman and others. https://www.cnbc.com/2026/02/28/ai-selloff-politics-agents.html?eicker.news #tech #media #news

Labour minister #JoshSimons #resigned after the Guardian revealed he falsely linked #journalists to a “pro-Kremlin” network: Simons, who had been under pressure for Labour Together’s commissioning of a PR firm to investigate reporters, claimed he was unaware of the report’s scope. https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2026/feb/28/minister-josh-simons-resigns-labour-together?eicker.news #tech #media #news

#Anthropic CEO #DarioAmodei defended the company’s patriotism and commitment to national security, highlighting their work with the defence community. However, the company maintains “#redlines” against using their AI for #domestic #masssurveillance and #autonomousweapons, citing concerns about AI’s rapid advancement and reliability. https://fortune.com/2026/02/28/anthropic-ceo-dario-amodei-patriotic-americans-trump-hegseth-mass-surveillance-autonomous-weapons/?eicker.news #tech #media #news

#Nvidia announced a commitment to building #6G on open and secure AI-native platforms, collaborating with global telecom leaders: This partnership aims to transform #telecommunications into #AIinfrastructure, enabling #autonomousmachines and #intelligentindustries. https://siliconangle.com/2026/03/01/ahead-mwc-barcelona-nvidia-bets-ai-native-platforms-will-carry-telecom-6g/?eicker.news #tech #media #news

#Honour unveiled the #RobotPhone, featuring a #camera on a #roboticarm that tracks subjects, and the Magic V6, a foldable smartphone with a thin design and large battery. The company also teased a #humanoidrobot designed for #shoppingassistance and #workplaceinspections. These launches highlight Honour’s efforts in the competitive #smartphone market and expand into #robotics. https://www.cnbc.com/2026/03/01/honor-robot-phone-magic-v6-foldable-launch-mwc.html?eicker.news #tech #media #news

#Block CEO #JackDorsey announced a 40% #workforcereduction, citing #AI as the catalyst. This is a narrative substitution, masking #operationalinefficiencies and #overhiring during the pandemic. Silicon Valley companies, including Block, lack #financialdiscipline and operational efficiency, and the AI narrative is being used as a convenient excuse for job cuts. https://om.co/2026/02/28/block-tackle-job-cuts-the-ai-narrative/?eicker.news #tech #media #news

#OpenAI is amending its contract with the #Pentagon after public #backlash regarding potential use of its #AI for #masssurveillance: CEO #SamAltman stated the AI system will not be used for #domesticsurveillance and any services to intelligence agencies would require a contract modification. https://www.businessinsider.com/openai-amending-contract-with-pentagon-amid-backlash-mass-surveillance-anthropic-2026-3?eicker.news #tech #media #news