2026 is shaping up to be the year governments worldwide act on kids’ social media use. Australia’s ban for under-16s is already law, with France, Denmark, and others following. But enforcement is a huge challenge, and critics warn of unintended consequences.
The U.S. has launched the Pax Silica Declaration, a new AI alliance with close allies. Singapore is the only Southeast Asian country to make the cut, thanks to its chip history and infrastructure. This highlights a strategic split in global AI supply chain politics.
In a temporary relief move, the U.S. government has approved Samsung Electronics to bring chip manufacturing tools into its Chinese facilities for 2026. This establishes a new annual license system, replacing broader waivers that expire on December 31.
Nothing has started the phased stable rollout of its Android 16-based Nothing OS 4.0 for the CMF Phone 1. The CMF Phone 2 Pro is slated for the update “in the coming weeks,” while the Nothing Phone (3a) Lite will begin receiving it “at the beginning of January.”
New York has become the second state to pass a major AI safety law, following California. The RAISE Act mandates safety disclosures from large AI developers and creates a new state office for oversight, but it faces immediate political and legal challenges.
Policymakers and founders gathered in Amsterdam for AI Policy Day, painting a surprisingly optimistic picture of Europe’s AI strengths. The big catch? Getting growth capital beyond €100 million remains a huge hurdle.
The U.S. government is now formally reviewing applications to sell Nvidia’s powerful H200 AI chips to China. This follows President Trump’s pledge to allow the sales with a 25% fee. The outcome could significantly impact the global AI chip race.
The Trump administration has halted a “technology prosperity deal” aimed at boosting cooperation in AI and quantum computing. The move comes as US officials grow frustrated with the UK’s stance on non-tariff trade barriers, particularly for agricultural goods.
India’s government has proposed a new system where AI companies would pay royalties to content creators for training data, but the payments would only kick in once the AI models generate revenue. The plan involves a central nonprofit body to collect and distribute the funds. It’s a bold attempt to b
The US government is proposing a dramatic new rule for tourists. Visitors from about 40 visa-waiver countries would have to provide five years of social media usernames on their ESTA forms.
