Hold on Tight—Congress Plans to Freeze AI Rules for 10 Years!

Is Congress about to hit the brakes on AI regulation for a decade? Buckle up—this week’s AI roller-coaster has everything from billion-dollar bets to courtroom showdowns.

⚙️ WHAT’S NEXT

“Congress Might Block State AI Laws for a Decade”
A new GOP-backed proposal could bar states and localities from regulating AI systems for ten years—fueling fears of unchecked development and hampering grassroots protections.
Read more techcrunch.com

“$1.39 Billion Floods Into AI Agents”
On-chain activity tied to AI jumped 86% in 2025, driving a staggering $1.39 billion in venture funding as investors rush to back autonomous software agents.
Read more cryptorank.io

“The Week’s 10 Biggest Funding Rounds”
From enterprise search to healthcare automation, Joanna Glasner rounds up the top ten AI financings—showcasing how VCs are doubling down on bold new startups.
Read more news.crunchbase.com

“Calls for Australia-Wide Crackdown on AI-Altered Real-Estate Ads”
NSW proposes heavy fines for undisclosed AI image tweaks in rental listings, aiming to curb misleading ads and protect tenants from digital deception.
Read more theguardian.com

 🤖AI IN ACTION

• India Maps Urban Heat Vulnerability to the Building Level
  Researchers fuse satellite imagery, GIS tools, and AI models to pinpoint heat-risk down to each structure—guiding relief efforts for Delhi’s most vulnerable communities.
  wired.com

  AP Police Aim to Be First AI-Powered State Force
  Andhra Pradesh plans an AI-driven “Police Operating System” to detect crime patterns, fingerprint matches, and evidence workflows—targeting four pilot use-cases by year-end.
  timesofindia.indiatimes.com

  WEF MINDS Programme Showcases 18 Real-World AI Wins
  Winners from healthcare to energy prove AI’s impact today: from train-schedule optimization to expanded diagnostic access—no prototypes, just scale-up solutions.
  weforum.org

🎥 AI REEL

John Oliver on “AI Slop”

Last Week Tonight’s John Oliver skewered low-quality AI content, quipping “we’re drowning in AI slop” as he dissected viral cat tales and fruit-human mashups.

🌟 AI OF THE WEEK

Sony aibo Stealth Edition

Sony’s lovable robot pup just got a ninja upgrade: an AI-powered “quiet walking” mode that cuts paw-pat noise by around 5 dB and a new dance routine generator so your home companion can bust moves on command. Perfect for sneaking past the kitchen for one more snack without waking the whole house. instagram.com

📊 INDUSTRY SNAPSHOT

• Anthropic’s Economic Futures Program launches to study AI’s labor-market impact and shape policy ahead of widespread automation. pymnts.com

• $1.39 B Funding Frenzy highlights surging investor faith in autonomous software agents. cryptorank.io

• Federal Pause on State AI Laws threatens to freeze local regulations for a decade. techcrunch.com

• Australia Eyes Tough Penalties for undisclosed AI-enhanced real-estate ads. theguardian.com

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