Driving the Day

Today is January 27, 2025, and here are the key policymaker and stakeholder actions on AI you need to know: Some media outlets are asking whether U.S. lawmakers, who already implemented legislation to ban TikTok, might move to ban AI models released by China-based DeepSeek, which has drawn attention for the advanced capabilities of its recently-released models. Bloomberg noted some governors of Democratic-leaning states “have echoed Trump’s bullishness on AI’s potential,” even while Democratic legislators in those states plan to aggressively regulate AI. Across the pond, The Guardian revealed several AI projects being piloted for use in the U.K.’s welfare system were shut down due to “frustrations and false starts.”

In this issue:

• Washington in Focus: Perplexity AI proposed a merger with Tiktok, with the U.S. government owning half of the new company.

• Around the Nation: West Virginia officials want their state to play a role in Stargate, the $500 billion AI infrastructure project announced last week.

• Across the Pond: A think tank report suggests AI-based automation of jobs could increase inequality in the U.K.

• Global Highlights: Iran deployed AI-equipped missiles during military drills.

• Outside Views: Officials from the AI Now Institute suggested implementing AI across critical infrastructures is a national security risk.

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