AP Technology SummaryBrief at 12:06 a.m. EST

What to know about the clash between the Pentagon and Anthropic over military’s AI use

WASHINGTON (AP) — A high-stakes dispute over how the U.S. military uses artificial intelligence has led the Pentagon to cancel its contract with rising AI star Anthropic. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth declared Anthropic a supply chain risk, a step that could jeopardize its business with other defense contractors as well. Anthropic says it plans to challenge the designation in court in a legal battle could have huge implications on the balance of power in Big Tech as well as the guardrails set up to prevent artificial intelligence from being misused.

Trump’s Medicaid work mandates are meant to save money. But first states will have to spend millions

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (AP) — New Medicaid work requirements signed into law by President Donald Trump are meant to save money. But states first will have to spend millions of dollars to implement them. An Associated Press analysis finds that states are projected to spend over $1 billion on technology improvements and additional staff needed to carry out the requirements. The Medicaid changes were included in Trump’s big tax-cut law passed by Congress last year. States are still waiting on federal rules to provide further guidance. But they face a time crunch because the Medicaid work requirements are supposed to be enforced next January.

Trump orders US agencies to stop using Anthropic technology in clash over AI safety

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump has ordered all U.S. agencies to stop using Anthropic technology after the company’s unusually public dispute with the Pentagon over artificial intelligence safety. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth also said Friday he was designating Anthropic as a supply chain risk, a move that could prevent U.S. military vendors from working with the company. Trump’s comments Friday came just before the Pentagon’s deadline for Anthropic to allow unrestricted military use of its AI technology or face consequences. Anthropic says it will challenge the supply risk designation in court.

Growing more complex by the day: How should journalists govern use of AI in their products?

Journalists at the investigative outlet ProPublica have pledged to strike if negotiations for a contract don’t take a turn — in what is believed would be the first such job action in the news industry where a dispute over how to deal with artificial intelligence is the chief sticking point. The episode reflects some turmoil in the industry, where many journalists are seeking assurances that they won’t lose jobs because of AI. Meanwhile, advances in the technology are moving so fast there’s a reluctance among news companies to make agreements they fear will be obsolete quickly. There’s also a hot debate over whether to reveal AI use to readers.

AI song generator startups Suno and Udio angered the music industry. Now they’re hoping to join it

CAMBRIDGE, Mass. (AP) — AI music platforms Suno and Udio were sued by major record labels in 2024 for allegedly exploiting the recorded works of professional musicians. Since then, the pair have strived to make peace with the industry through settlements and licensing deals. While many professional musicians remain skeptical of the budding AI music industry, some artists, like Christopher “Topher” Townsend, already are embracing the technology and creating hit new tracks and digital extensions of themselves.

OpenAI gets $110 billion in funding from a trio of tech powerhouses, led by Amazon

ChatGPT maker OpenAI has received $110 billion in investments from Amazon, SoftBank and Nvidia, putting the technology company’s pre-money valuation at $730 billion. OpenAI co-founder and CEO Sam Altman said in a statement on Friday that Amazon is investing $50 billion, while Nvidia and SoftBank are each investing $30 billion. Other investors are anticipated to join as the funding round progresses. Amazon will start with an initial $15 billion investment and will invest another $35 billion in the coming months when certain conditions are met.

One Tech Tip: Unspoken group chat rules you’re probably ignoring, but shouldn’t

Group chats now run much of daily life, and etiquette experts say a few simple habits keep them sane. In the latest One Tech Tip, The Associated Press shares tips from etiquette experts at Debrett’s on how to avoid annoying others. Think before you post, and match your message to the group’s purpose. In a practical chat, stay on task. In a social chat, light posts can fit. Keep messages short. Assume work chats can be forwarded. Use emoji carefully. In big groups, do not reply to everything. Mute noisy chats, and leave if needed.

Burger King is testing AI headsets that will know if employees say ‘welcome’ or ‘thank you’

Burger King is testing AI-powered headsets that can recite recipes, alert managers when inventories are low and even track how friendly employees are to customers. Burger King’s parent Restaurant Brands International said Thursday it’s currently testing the headsets in 500 U.S. restaurants. The system collects data on restaurant operations and shares it via “Patty,” a voice that talks to employees through their headsets. If the drink machine is low on Diet Coke, Patty will tell the store’s manager. The headsets can also track when employees say words like “welcome” and “thank you.” Burger King says it’s using Patty as a coaching tool, not a tracker of individual employees.

Fintech company Block lays off 4,000 of its 10,000 staff, citing gains from AI

BANGKOK (AP) — Shares in the financial technology company Block have soared more than 20% in after-hours trading after its CEO announced it was laying off more than 4,000 of its 10,000 some employees due to efficiency gains from artificial intelligence. Jack Dorsey said that a “significantly smaller team, using the tools we’re building, can do more and do it better.” Block’s shares had ended up 5% Thursday at $54.53, but shot up to nearly $69 in after-hours trading. The mobile payments services provider reported its fourth quarter gross profit jumped 24% from a year earlier in the last quarter.

Young woman says she was on social media ‘all day long’ as a child in landmark addiction trial

LOS ANGELES (AP) — A 20-year-old woman is seeking to hold social media companies responsible for harms to children who use their platforms. She began using the platforms as a young child and claims her early use of social media addicted her to the technology and exacerbated depression and suicidal thoughts. Meta and YouTube are the two remaining defendants in the case, which TikTok and Snap settled. The woman, who has been identified by her first name, Kaley, and initials, KGM, has testified before a jury in the unprecedented case, saying she was on social media “all day long” as a child.