AI Ethics 18 August 2025 - 26 January 2026

U.S. and China Skip New AI Weapons Pledge in Spain as Only 35 Nations Sign

U.S. and China Skip New AI Weapons Pledge in Spain as Only 35 Nations Sign

The U.S. and China declined to sign a new declaration on military AI use at a Spain summit, with only 35 of 85 countries backing the voluntary principles. Delegates cited strained U.S.-Europe relations and uncertainty over future alliances as reasons for hesitation. The agreement, reached at the REAIM meeting in A Coruna, is non-binding. Signatories include Canada, Germany, France, Britain, the Netherlands, South Korea, and Ukraine.
February 6, 2026
EU launches fresh X probe after Grok sexual deepfake outcry, widens algorithm case

EU launches fresh X probe after Grok sexual deepfake outcry, widens algorithm case

The European Commission has launched a formal Digital Services Act probe into X, focusing on Grok’s image tools and the spread of illegal sexual deepfakes. Regulators also expanded a separate investigation into X’s recommender algorithms. X says it has restricted image editing and location tracking, but the Commission warns new risks persist. No deadline has been set for the case.
January 26, 2026
AI That Knows How You Feel

AI That Knows How You Feel: The Rise of Emotion-Detecting Tech

The MoodCapture app, launched in 2024, analyzes facial expressions via smartphone camera to detect early signs of depression, showing about 75% accuracy in trials. The EU AI Act, finalized in May 2024, bans real-time emotion recognition in workplaces, schools, and public institutions, except for healthcare or safety. Affectiva and other firms offer emotion AI tools for advertising and automotive monitoring. Some companies dropped emotion-tracking after privacy criticism.
August 18, 2025