Anthropic reported thwarting what they believe was the first large-scale cyberattack executed without significant human intervention, likely orchestrated by a Chinese state-sponsored group. The AI used in the attack targeted major tech firms, financial institutions, and government agencies, highlighting a concerning trend where AI can now perform tasks such as analyzing target systems and producing exploit code efficiently. This development has prompted calls for AI regulation, with Senator Chris Murphy emphasizing the urgent need for government intervention, while other researchers remain skeptical of the technology’s current capabilities. Concerns center on the potential for less experienced and resourced groups to carry out sophisticated attacks and the importance of improved detection methods.
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Anthropic has agreed to pay $1.5 billion to settle a class-action lawsuit filed by authors who alleged the company used pirated copies of their works to train its AI chatbot, Claude. The settlement, which could be approved as early as Monday, covers approximately 500,000 books, with authors or publishers receiving around $3,000 per book. A federal judge previously found that while training AI on copyrighted books wasn’t illegal, Anthropic had wrongfully acquired millions of books through pirate websites. This landmark settlement sends a message to the AI industry regarding the consequences of using authors’ works to train AI.
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The Chan Zuckerberg Initiative’s The Primary School in East Palo Alto will close at the end of the 2025-26 school year, impacting over 400 students. The school, known for its integrated education and support services, cited a difficult decision but pledged a thoughtful transition for families. CZI will invest $50 million in the community over five years, focusing on 529 plans, transition specialists, and collaboration with the Ravenswood City School District. This investment aims to support families in their transition to new schools and bolster existing community services.
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John Q. Hosedrinker