The SEC Newgate AI Weekly

AI Controversy Sparks School Lawsuit

A Massachusetts couple, Jennifer and Dale Harris, are suing their son’s high school after he was accused of cheating by using AI for research on a history assignment. The parents argue that while their son used it for research, he did not use it to write the paper. As a result, the student received detention, his grade was affected, and he was denied induction into the National Honor Society (a prestigious cocurricular student organization in the United States). The family claims this has caused "irreparable harm" as the student is applying to elite colleges. They are asking the school to restore his grade and retroactively induct him into the honor society. They also argue that the school lacks clear AI usage policies and are requesting staff training on AI implementation. The school district has not commented, citing ongoing litigation.

AI Revolutionizes Recycling Efforts

Cities are using AI to improve waste management by reducing contamination in recycling and composting streams. In East Lansing, Michigan, AI-equipped recycling trucks photograph non-recyclable items, and the city sends personalised postcards to educate residents, leading to a 20% drop in contamination. Similar efforts in Leduc, Canada, have reduced compost contamination from 68% to 9%. However, privacy concerns have arisen, as AI could expose sensitive information through discarded items. Experts warn of potential risks like identity theft and surveillance, urging cities to carefully manage data collection and protect residents' privacy.

UK Graduates Face Job Crisis

UK graduates are facing unprecedented competition in the job market, with an average of 140 applications for each graduate training position in 2024, a 59% increase from the previous year. This surge is attributed to a slowdown in hiring, particularly in lucrative sectors like IT and consulting, where demand for new graduates has sharply declined. While graduate vacancies have grown slightly overall, many sectors, including finance, are experiencing downturns. As students submit more applications (frequently up to 50 applications to secure a job) they often rely on AI tools for assistance; however, these technologies struggle to produce tailored applications. Experts warn that this intense pressure is creating a challenging environment for graduates, resulting in a higher volume of rejections and added stress.

Google Goes Nuclear for AI

Google has partnered with Kairos Power to utilize small nuclear reactors for powering its AI data centres, with plans to deploy the first reactor this decade and expand by 2035. While the financial details and specific locations for the reactors remain undisclosed, this move highlights a growing trend among tech companies to seek nuclear energy as a reliable, carbon-free power source amid increasing energy demands from AI technologies. Michael Terrell, Google's senior director for energy and climate, emphasized the need for new electricity sources to support AI, while Kairos Power aims to advance nuclear energy commercialization. However, the plans require approval from the US Nuclear Regulatory Commission and local agencies, amidst ongoing debates about the safety and waste management of nuclear power.