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California Setting Pace With AI Legislation
California has solidified its leadership in AI regulation following the 2025 legislative session, with Attorney General Rob Bonta building a team of AI specialists to enforce new state laws. The landmark S.B. 53 law sets a precedent for regulating frontier AI model developers, and upcoming compliance deadlines span from 2026 to 2028. Companies nationwide are advised to prepare for California-style regulations targeting transparency, safety, and public infrastructure.

Meta’s Chief AI Scientist Planning Exit
World-renowned AI researcher Yann LeCun will leave Meta in the coming months to start a new company dedicated to world model development, as Meta restructures its AI units and faces criticism for lagging behind top competitors.

Microsoft Leans on OpenAI for Chip Development
Facing tough competition from Google and Amazon, Microsoft will now use OpenAI’s custom AI chips and designs to power its in-house efforts. The strategic move formalizes IP sharing and long-term access, highlighting both the difficulty and cost of building advanced AI semiconductors independently.

AI Models Aren’t Ready For Robotics Primetime
New research from King's College London and Carnegie Mellon University warns that popular AI models currently used in robots are unsafe for real-world use. Tests show these models are prone to discrimination, physical safety failures, and approve commands that could lead to serious harm.

John Hopkins University Expanding Undergraduate Support
With a historic tuition promise, Johns Hopkins is eliminating tuition for undergraduates from families making up to $200,000, and providing full support for those under $100,000. This move simplifies financial aid, increases accessibility, and continues the university’s push to admit students based on merit, not wealth.

Visa and Mastercard Reach Merchant Settlement
The new settlement promises over $200 billion in savings, and empowers merchants to surcharge, select card categories, and benefit from over 25% rate reductions. EPC applauds the far-reaching deal for giving businesses more control and ending what it calls misguided attacks on secure payment infrastructure.

The Secret to Slowing Aging?
Scientists have discovered a unique subset of T helper cells that increase with age and help clear out harmful senescent cells. These immune cells were found in abundance in supercentenarians, suggesting they might play a key role in healthier aging and longer lifespans.

Apple Launches Digital IDs in Apple Wallet
Apple has rolled out its new Digital ID feature for Wallet, allowing any US passport holder to add a secure, private digital form of identification to their iPhone or Apple Watch. The Digital ID can be used at TSA checkpoints in over 250 US airports, with more acceptance options planned for the future.

Swedish Electric and Autonomous Truck Startup Planning SPAC
Einride, the Swedish self-driving and electric trucks startup, announced plans to go public via a SPAC merger with Legato Merger Corp., valuing the company at $1.8 billion. This move follows a $100 million fundraise and is expected to net Einride up to $219 million before redemptions, with the merger set to close in the first half of 2026.