Donald Trump has appointed David Sacks as the head of artificial intelligence and cryptocurrencies for his second term, emphasizing the importance of these areas for American competitiveness. Sacks, a South African-American tech entrepreneur and former PayPal executive, will lead the Presidential Council of Advisors on Science and Technology. His role includes developing a legal framework for the U.S. cryptocurrency industry and safeguarding online freedom of expression. Sacks' career includes founding Yammer, acquired by Microsoft, and producing the film 'Thank You For Smoking'.

Donald Trump has appointed David Sacks as the 'AI and Cryptocurrency Czar' to guide his second-term policies in these critical areas. Sacks, a key figure in Silicon Valley, is known for his roles in companies like PayPal and Yammer, and his investments through Craft Ventures. He is also involved in the 'All-In Podcast' discussing technology and politics. Trump's decision highlights a focus on securing online freedom and establishing a legal framework for the US cryptocurrency industry.

Donald Trump's second administration is poised to impact the AI industry in the US, with plans to repeal Biden's executive order on AI, which aimed to set a framework for national security and address AI's societal impacts. Trump's team includes both proponents and opponents of AI regulation, such as Elon Musk, who supports regulation to mitigate risks, and JD Vance, who opposes it to foster innovation. The future of the US AI Safety Institute, established under Biden, is uncertain, with potential research gaps if Trump's administration dismantles it. The article highlights the diverse views within Trump's circle and the potential implications for AI policy.

The 'pig butchering' scam is a global financial fraud where victims are tricked into investment schemes, primarily originating from Asia. Meta has taken significant steps to combat this scam by removing over two million accounts linked to it and implementing strategies to counteract cross-border criminal organizations. The scam involves building trust with victims before draining their bank accounts through fake investment opportunities. Meta's efforts include using AI and human expertise to identify malicious content and issuing warnings on its platforms to alert users of suspicious activities.

Sweden has reissued a wartime survival guide, originally from World War II, to prepare its citizens for potential conflicts and disinformation threats. The guide emphasizes psychological and digital defenses, urging citizens to rely on official sources and secure their data. This move comes amid heightened global tensions and follows Sweden's recent NATO membership. Other Nordic countries have similar guides, while in Spain, individuals are independently preparing for potential crises. The article highlights the importance of national readiness in the face of evolving security challenges.

OpenAI's ChatGPT, launched in 2022, has become a significant player in generative AI, with recent updates like GPT-4 and SearchGPT enhancing its capabilities. Despite internal challenges, including leadership changes and legal issues, OpenAI is focused on developing autonomous AI agents, a move echoed by competitors like Google and Microsoft. Experts suggest OpenAI might need to specialize or scale down its models to address industry constraints. Future developments include potential new models like Orion and enhancements to existing products like DALL-E, with discussions on whether to keep ChatGPT generic or expand its functionalities.

OpenAI's ChatGPT, a pioneering generative AI chatbot, has seen significant developments since its launch, including the release of GPT-4 and SearchGPT. The company faces internal challenges, such as leadership changes and legal issues. Looking ahead, OpenAI aims to develop autonomous AI agents and potentially release new models like Orion. Experts suggest OpenAI might need to specialize or reduce model sizes to address resource constraints. The article discusses the potential for ChatGPT to become more specialized, with external knowledge bases reducing AI hallucinations.

Virgin Media O2 has developed an AI chatbot named Daisy designed to engage phone scammers, preventing them from targeting real victims. Daisy, trained with real scammer content, can convincingly mimic a real person, keeping scammers occupied with endless stories and false information. This initiative is part of Virgin Media O2's fraud prevention efforts, as highlighted by Murray Mackenzie, the company's fraud director. The tool is particularly significant given the rising fraud rates in the UK, with elderly individuals being frequent targets.

Satellite images are increasingly used as crucial evidence in war crime investigations in Ukraine, with organizations like Eurojust relying on them to support legal proceedings. These images help establish timelines and verify events, complementing other evidence types. Key providers include Planet Labs, Maxar Technologies, and BlackSky. Despite their utility, challenges such as legal restrictions and potential misinterpretations persist. The International Criminal Court has issued warrants against Russian figures, including Vladimir Putin, for war crimes related to the Ukraine conflict.

Satellite images are increasingly used by lawyers and human rights groups to investigate war crimes in Ukraine, providing key evidence in cases against Russian actions. Eurojust relies on these images for international crime investigations, coordinating a judicial center for evidence exchange. Satellite imagery helps establish timelines and corroborate other evidence, proving crucial in cases like Bucha. Companies like Planet Labs, Maxar Technologies, and BlackSky supply these images, though access is sometimes restricted by legal bodies like the ICC and NATO. Despite challenges, satellite imagery remains vital in prosecuting war crimes, with ongoing trials and international arrest warrants, including those against Vladimir Putin.