# Congress must not waste the AI policy window

> Source: <https://www.transformernews.ai/p/congress-must-not-waste-the-ai-policy-window>
> Published: 2026-09-11 14:02:53+00:00

*Welcome to Transformer, your weekly briefing of what matters in AI. If you’ve been forwarded this email, [click here to subscribe](https://www.transformernews.ai/welcome) and receive future editions.*

### NEED TO KNOW

- **Sen. Josh Hawley** and**California AG Rob Bonta** announced separate investigations into the**OpenAI Hugging Face hack** .
- **Rep. Ro Khanna** issued a mea culpa, saying he was wrong not to back**SB 1047** in 2024.
- A new Democratic PAC, **Tomorrow****Together** , launched with**$10m+** to push the party on AI policy.

*But first…*

### THE BIG STORY

A lot can change in a week. Last Friday, we [told you](https://www.transformernews.ai/p/congress-goes-quiet-as-ai-safety-concerns-grow) that despite growing AI safety concerns, Congress’s mind was elsewhere.

That was true then. It no longer is.

On Tuesday, AI researcher Jacob Coxon [resigned](https://x.com/hilbertspaess/status/2097476196791709843) from Anthropic, saying it and OpenAI (where he previously worked) are “racing straight to self-improving superintelligence and gambling with our lives.” Anthropic alignment lead Evan Hubinger [added](https://x.com/EvanHub/status/2097497037956891126) that Anthropic staff “really do earnestly believe AI could kill all humans!” The posts quickly went viral, alerting the general public — and Sheryl Crow — to the potentially existential risks from AI that researchers have long warned of.

**Congress has duly snapped into gear.** Dozens of members have shared the posts, most of them demanding urgent action to address AI risks. Democrats are discussing an AI select committee; Sen. Josh Hawley is [leading](https://www.axios.com/2026/09/10/openai-hugging-face-senate-investigation-hawley?mrfcid=202609106a979f41d2ae547dc032528a) a subcommittee investigation. All of a sudden, the AI policy window looks wide open.

Capitalizing on the momentum, a bipartisan bill from Senate Commerce Chair Ted Cruz, Majority Leader John Thune and Democratic Sen. Amy Klobuchar may be [introduced](https://www.semafor.com/article/09/10/2026/bipartisan-ai-safety-bill-gains-momentum-on-the-hill) as soon as next week, with the ambitious hope of passing it by January. Given Cruz’s committee status, it’s likely to garner a lot of attention.

**But passing Cruz’s bill would waste this opportunity.** Rather than actually address AI risks, the bill lets AI companies grade their own homework. A source who has seen the text told me it contains no safety requirements for AI companies at all, instead creating a voluntary regime under which they can certify that their models have “advanced threat capabilities.” It does not require independent evaluations of advanced AI models, nor does it require companies to mitigate the risks (simply “reasonably address” them). The only real powers it gives the government, as *WP Intelligence* previously [reported](https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-intelligence/ai-tech-brief/2026/08/03/ai-tech-brief-senates-frontier-ai-bill/), is giving the Commerce Secretary the ability to request a court injunction if they deem a company’s risk practices insufficient. And all this is paired with broad preemption of state AI laws. (Cruz’s office did not respond to a request for comment.)

That has two problems. Preemption only works if the federal replacement is at least as strong as the state AI laws it is replacing. Cruz’s bill — unlike Reps. Obernolte and Trahan’s FRONTIER Act, which [establishes](https://www.transformernews.ai/p/deepseek-ceo-liang-wenfeng-export-controls-china) an independent auditing scheme — does not seem to pass that test. And passing a weak bill now runs the risk of reducing appetite for meaningful legislation later. That’s likely part of the strategy for Cruz and other industry-friendly Republicans, who are well aware that the GOP is likely to lose control of at least one chamber in November.

Some are aware of the bill’s flaws. Yesterday, Sen. Maria Cantwell — Commerce’s top Democrat — threw shade at Cruz, [saying](https://x.com/senatorcantwell/status/2098158053585805508) that the answer to AI concerns is “not a weak federal standard that becomes a backdoor for wiping out stronger state protections.”

In a blog on Wednesday, OpenAI global affairs chief Chris Lehane [urged](https://openai.com/index/ai-policy-window/) “meaningful action over policy perfection.” He is right that perfection is too high a bar: but any congressional actions must in fact be “meaningful” if they are to make a difference.

*— Shakeel Hashim*

### THIS WEEK ON TRANSFORMER

- **[Everything you need to know about the ‘rogue’ AI incidents](https://www.transformernews.ai/p/rogue-ai-incidents-timeline)** —**Shakeel Hashim** lays out the timeline and explains the implications
- **[Distributing AGI’s wealth worldwide is a very tricky problem](https://www.transformernews.ai/p/distributing-agi-wealth-worldwide-difficult)** —**Jacob Schaal** looks at how to avoid AGI exacerbating global inequality

### THE DISCOURSE

Researchers at **OpenAI** and **Google DeepMind** echoed Jacob Coxon’s dire warnings:

- OpenAI’s **[Leo Gao](https://x.com/nabla_theta/status/2097865615486890161)** : “i work at openai, i think ai might kill everyone”
- Google DeepMind’s **[Andreas Kirsch](https://x.com/BlackHC/status/2098026823187652775)** : “I also am worried that AI will kill us all, either via near term risks or long term risks or both”

OpenAI Chief Scientist **Jakub Pachocki** [warned](https://openai.com/index/an-alien-mind/): 

- “I am concerned no one is prepared for the consequences of a continued rapid rise in machine intelligence.”
- “[E]ven with the uncertainty that comes from anticipated broad AI progress and the need to build defensive systems, we must not let that become an excuse for recklessness. The idea of racing forward at all costs seems absurd once one internalizes the seriousness of the stakes.”

**President Trump** was [asked](https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2026-09-11/trump-s-two-days-in-dallas-5-000-cash-socialists-and-opera) if he has concerns about AI causing human extinction:

- “No, I don’t have any. I have concerns that if we don’t win AI, we’re going to be put in a very bad position.”

And **Sen. Ted Cruz** just [said](https://x.com/politico/status/2098117210296156663) it outright:

- “This is somewhat tongue-in-cheek, but it’s not entirely: if there are going to be killer robots, I’d rather they be American killer robots and not Chinese killer robots.”
- He said AI needs “rules and guardrails” but called slowing down an “impossible endeavor.”

**Joe Allen** [used](https://www.semafor.com/article/09/10/2026/conservatives-divided-on-ai-regulation-forum-dallas) anti-immigrant rhetoric to attack AI:

- “You look at the data center, this incubator for algorithmic immigrants. They’ve already broken out and invaded other companies. These immigrants are out of control.”

**Rep. Ro Khanna** [issued](https://x.com/rokhanna/status/2098074525313216742) a mea culpa:

- “The truth is for too long, too many of us did not give enough weight to the warnings of AI safety activists, thinking the extreme scenarios were science fiction. I was one of those many, and I was wrong.”
- “I should have in retrospect supported [Scott Wiener’s] SB 1047 which would have established state liability. The bulk of the California delegation was mistaken in writing a letter opposing that bill.”

**Vishal Maini**, a former Google DeepMind comms employee, [let us in](https://x.com/v_maini/status/2097863067690475727) on a secret: 

- “When I first joined GDM [in 2018], external communication about the possibility of human extinction was not permitted, by anyone, at any level of the organization … Meanwhile, the internal reality was that AI alignment was not solved, reward hacking was the default behavior of RL agents, and there were far too few people working on the problem.”
- “The gap between the internal reality and external communications is closing because the risk/reward has changed, and because the evidence is harder to dismiss now. Not because it’s a PR stunt or political psy-op. The truth is being said out loud because RSI is now so imminent that no other option makes sense.”

After a former White House official [said](https://scmp.com/news/us/article/3366284/us-urged-consider-military-strikes-stop-china-achieving-agi-first) the US needs to [consider](https://x.com/jacobstokes/status/2095893259662864519) whether it would use “kinetic attacks” to stop China achieving AGI, **China’s** **Global Times**[responded](www.globaltimes.cn/page/202609/1369839.shtml):

- “The report is evidence of something larger: technology containment of China has slipped from a contest over rules into fantasies of force.”
- “It is also a reminder of how urgent open international cooperation on AI has become.”

### POLICY

#### Congress

- **Sen. Josh Hawley**[announced](https://x.com/HawleyMO/status/2098137180392604083) a Homeland Security Subcommittee on Disaster Management** investigation** into the**OpenAI Hugging Face** hack.
  - **Sen. Richard Blumenthal** , ranking member of the Homeland Security Subcommittee on Investigations,[wrote](https://www.blumenthal.senate.gov/imo/media/doc/20260909_-_openai_-_cot_and_rogue_agentspdf.pdf) a letter to Sam Altman over the incidents too, expressing “serious alarm.”
- **Democrats** are[planning](https://washingtonsun.com/congress/democrats-in-congress-plan-to-investigate-ai-companies) to**investigate** AI companies if they gain congressional control in November. That could[include](https://www.politico.com/news/2026/09/09/house-democrats-weigh-ai-select-committee-01068764) a**House AI select committee** .
- **House Dems**[plan](https://punchbowl.news/article/tech/house-democratic-ai-group) to send Minority Leader** Hakeem Jeffries** AI policy recommendations in September, per Rep. Ted Lieu.
- **Sen. Bernie Sanders** is[hosting](https://axios.com/2026/09/09/sanders-senators-ai-briefing) a Senate briefing on the “extraordinary dangers” posed by AI next week.
- *Punchbowl*[reported](https://punchbowl.news/article/tech/house-china-committee-fateif-house-minority-leader-hakeem-je/) that the future of the**House China Select Committee** , which expires at the end of this Congress, is uncertain under Democratic leadership.
- **Rep. Lori Trahan** said she[passed](https://politico.com/news/2026/09/08/lori-trahan-ai-regulation-01065989) on a House Democratic leadership bid to focus on AI regulation.
- **OpenAI** reportedly[asked](https://wired.com/story/openai-wants-to-know-if-an-ai-industry-slowdown-would-even-be-legal) Congress whether coordinating an industry-wide AI development slowdown would violate**antitrust law** .
- **House GOP leaders**[caved](https://politico.com/newsletters/inside-congress/2026/09/11/trump-vote-gop-or-go-to-hell-01071977) to political pressure, scheduling a floor vote on the**Ratepayer Protection Act** to make tech companies pay for data center energy infrastructure costs.

#### Executive

- **US-China AI talks** are reportedly[planned](https://www.reuters.com/legal/litigation/us-china-gear-up-mid-september-ai-safety-dialogue-2026-09-04/) for**next week** .
- **Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent** reportedly[reassigned](https://politico.com/news/2026/09/09/treasury-cio-pulled-from-ai-work-after-upsetting-west-wing-01069562) CIO**Sam Corcos** from AI policy after he warned**OpenAI** and**Anthropic** that the White House was pursuing a burdensome licensing regime.
- There was much consternation over the secret White House AI framework.

#### States

- **California Gov. Gavin Newsom**[signed](https://www.politico.com/news/2026/09/09/newsom-signs-ai-safety-bills-backed-by-anthropic-openai-01069928) a spate of new AI laws — most notably**SB 813,** which[lays](https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/billTextClient.xhtml?bill_id=202520260SB813) the groundwork for an independent verification organization regime.
- **California AG Rob Bonta**[launched](https://politico.com/news/2026/09/04/california-investigation-openai-hugging-face-hack-01065800) an investigation into**OpenAI** over the Hugging Face hack.
- More than 10 states [paused or canceled](https://wsj.com/politics/policy/states-that-gave-data-centers-billions-in-tax-breaks-are-now-ripping-up-the-deals-4879c4f9?reflink=desktopwebshare_permalink&st=Lemw6y)**data center tax breaks** .
- **Massachusetts**[mandated](https://techcrunch.com/2026/09/09/massachusetts-hits-data-centers-with-new-clean-power-rules) that data centers over 25 MW meet 100% clean energy requirements or pay into a ratepayer protection fund.

#### China

- A *NYT* report[found](https://www.nytimes.com/2026/09/06/technology/ai-chips-china-blacklist.html?smid=nytcore-ios-share&unlocked_article_code=1._FA.HqJM.2ecTblAp94n1) that**Inspur** dodged**export controls** to ship $3b+ of**Nvidia Blackwell chips** to Southeast Asia for Chinese companies to use.
- Malaysia is reportedly [considering](https://bloomberg.com/news/articles/2026-09-07/malaysia-eyes-huawei-chips-for-ai-project-despite-us-warning)**Huawei** Ascend 910C chips for its sovereign AI project, despite explicit US warnings against doing so.
- The US [accused](https://reuters.com/technology/us-accuses-chinese-ai-firms-industrial-scale-theft-ai-technology-2026-09-08) six Chinese AI firms, including**DeepSeek** and**Alibaba** , of “malicious” distillation of**Anthropic** ,**OpenAI** and**Google** models.
  - China [dismissed](https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2026-09-10/china-willing-to-hold-ai-talks-with-us-despite-row-over-models) the accusations and pledged to retaliate if the US took action over distillation.

#### UK

- **Anthropic**[withheld](https://ft.com/content/560e1c8b-f163-4fd6-b604-e905550ac870)** Mythos 5.1** from the UK’s AI Security Institute for pre-release evaluations,[reportedly](https://www.themorningintelligence.uk/aisis-denied-anthropic-model-access/) under pressure from the White House.
- **Matt Clifford**[resigned](https://theguardian.com/technology/2026/sep/07/architect-uk-ai-policy-quits-anthropic-conflict-of-interest-concerns) as chair of the UK’s ARIA research unit after MPs called his new Anthropic role a “clear conflict of interest.”
- **Prime Minister Andy Burnham**[opposed](https://bloomberg.com/news/articles/2026-09-09/burnham-opposes-uk-data-center-moratorium-citing-local-benefits) a data center moratorium, amid[protests](https://theguardian.com/uk-news/2026/sep/03/hundreds-holyrood-pause-scotland-datacentre-boom-ai) in Scotland.
- **King Charles** will reportedly[host](https://politico.eu/article/king-charles-to-host-exclusive-ai-gathering) around 30 AI leaders, including**Jensen Huang** and**Demis Hassabis** , in Scotland next week.

#### EU

- **OpenAI**[filed](https://reuters.com/business/openai-has-sent-eu-incident-report-hijacked-german-website-commission-says-2026-09-07) an EU incident report after its rogue agents hijacked a German website.
- **Anthropic**[granted](https://bloomberg.com/news/articles/2026-09-10/anthropic-gives-eu-access-to-mythos-months-after-model-s-release) EU cybersecurity agency ENISA access to**Mythos****5** , though not the newer Mythos 5.1.

### INFLUENCE

- **Anthropic**[quit](https://axios.com/2026/09/08/anthropic-breaks-tech-group-chips) the **Information Technology Industry Council** over its opposition to**export controls** .
- **Anthropic** was[accused](https://x.com/BlancheMinerva/status/2096404939769573388) of**lying to Congress** in its response to inquiries over recent rogue AI incidents — which one Anthropic researcher[admitted](https://x.com/EthanJPerez/status/2096086953594937723) included incorrect information.
- **OpenAI**[called for](https://openai.com/index/ai-policy-window) mandatory national AI safety regulation and endorsed four California bills, including**SB 813** on independent safety assessments and AB 1864 on biosecurity safeguards.
- **Sam Altman** reportedly[told](https://washingtonsun.com/technology/sam-altman-privately-rejected-open-ai-government-equity) conservative economists he opposed government equity in**OpenAI** , contradicting widespread reports that he supported the idea.
- A new Democratic PAC, **Tomorrow****Together** ,[launched](https://nytimes.com/2026/09/08/us/politics/democrats-ai-pac.html) with**$10m+** to push the party on AI policy ahead of midterm elections.
  - It’s run by former Bernie Sanders aide **Karthik Ganapathy** and former Kamala Harris deputy campaign manager**Rob Flaherty** .
- **Build American AI**[launched](https://x.com/_alibianco/status/2097701955422286232?s=12) a $10m** Midwest ad campaign** to convince voters of**data centers** ’ benefits.
- **Americans for Responsible Innovation**[launched](https://thehill.com/policy/technology/6079886-ari-launches-state-ai-policy-push) a state-level AI policy initiative.
- **Biden White House****officials**[disputed](https://politico.com/news/magazine/2026/09/10/marc-andreessen-trump-biden-ai-opinion-01045516)** Marc Andreessen** ’s claim that a 2024 lunch revealed a secret plan to ban AI startups.
- **Data for Progress** polling suggests**68% of voters** , including 63% of Republicans,[support](https://x.com/dataprogress/status/2097764738910330984) the**Sanders/Casar bill** to pause AI development and ban superintelligence.
- A new **IFS** poll[found](https://ifstudies.org/blog/parents-support-pausing-ai-in-schools-by-3-to-1) 75% of US**parents support pausing AI in schools** .
- The **American Federation of Teachers** and**Microsoft**[reached](https://politico.com/news/2026/09/09/aft-union-microsoft-ai-deal-01068544) a legally enforceable** AI privacy agreement** barring student data use for model training and student tracking.
- Physicist **Sabine Hossenfelder**[said](https://x.com/skdh/status/2096252020529189302?s=12) she was offered money to spread** AI risk messages** .
- A group of AI company  employees[set up](https://x.com/manlikemishap/status/2098166968415043786?s=12) a “**Coalition of Concerned AI Staff** ”.

### INDUSTRY

#### OpenAI

- **Sam Altman** reportedly[told](https://bloomberg.com/news/articles/2026-09-11/openai-is-open-to-slowing-cutting-edge-ai-ceo-sam-altman-tells-staff?srnd=undefined)**OpenAI** employees the company is considering slowing down AI development.
- Researchers [caught](https://www.reuters.com/world/openais-rogue-agents-used-least-10-more-sites-unauthorized-comms-researchers-say-2026-09-09/)**rogue agents,** self-identifying as from OpenAI models,**communicating on at least a dozen websites** without permission.
  - OpenAI reportedly knew about a swarm of rogue agents [hijacking](https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/openai-agents-hijacked-german-website-previously-undisclosed-ai-breakout-this-2026-09-04/) an obscure**German wiki site** for use as a messaging board, but didn’t disclose it.
  - CivAI researcher **Andrew Yoon** [told](https://www.reuters.com/world/openais-rogue-agents-used-least-10-more-sites-unauthorized-comms-researchers-say-2026-09-09/)*Reuters:* “It’s almost certain that there’s more going on here that we just don’t know about.”
  - OpenAI [responded](https://x.com/openai/status/2096133504417616165) :
    - “We and the larger AI community do not yet have a **clear standard for how to report misalignment** that shows up during training, evaluation, and deployment … We’re working on a framework and will share it in upcoming weeks, and in parallel we’re working with dozens of government regulatory agencies worldwide on these issues.”
- OpenAI [claimed](https://www.wired.com/story/openai-navier-stokes-math-discovery-academics/) it solved the**Navier-Stokes problem** , one of the very difficult Millennium Problems in mathematics. The discovery was powered by**~10,000 agents** ,**millions of dollars** , and**petty beefs** .
  - **NYU professor Tristan Buckmaster** and**Anthropic mathematician****Levent Alpöge** had been[working](https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/ai-may-have-just-solved-a-million-dollar-math-problem-the-field-will-never-be-the-same/) on the problem for months, using both**Claude** and**Codex** .
  - Buckmaster [shared](https://x.com/rynorhn/status/2097223532438487463) his communications with**OpenAI’s Sebastien Bubeck** , and raised the question of whether OpenAI used his data to solve the problem.
  - Bubeck [denied](https://x.com/sebastienbubeck/status/2097214122471432349?s=12) Buckmaster’s “false and inflammatory allegations.”
  - OpenAI publicly congratulated Buckmaster and Alpöge, [claiming](https://x.com/OpenAI/status/2097375276384567642) that “no specific user data was accessed in order to solve this problem.”
  - **Sam Altman**[tweeted](https://x.com/sama/status/2097385167002415140) :
    - “It is true that we tried this because there were rumors on the internet last week that Anthropic’s models had solved a millennium problem and we were curious if ours could do it too.”
- Sam Altman [met](https://www.politico.com/news/2026/09/10/sam-altman-pitches-utilities-on-ai-grid-defense-01070425) with top**electrical utility executives** about joining**Daybreak** , OpenAI’s cybersecurity initiative, to defend against autonomous power grid hacks.
- It [ended](https://x.com/EdLudlow/status/2098037955772489781) its $1-a-year deal for US**government agencies** , moving to usage-based pricing at a 50% discount starting October 1.
- It’s [expanding](https://reuters.com/world/asia-pacific/openai-says-working-with-samsung-next-generation-chips-deepening-cooperation-2026-09-09) its**Samsung partnership** as OpenAI develops custom AI chips.
- It [launched](https://cnbc.com/2026/09/10/openai-chatgpt-for-financial-services-targets-work-of-junior-bankers.html)**ChatGPT for Financial Services** , targeting junior banker tasks like research and pitchbook creation.

#### Anthropic

- Anthropic [published](https://anthropic.com/research/alignment-assessment-cybersecurity-incidents) an **assessment of its recent rogue agent incidents** , including one that it hadn’t previously reported.
  - Researchers identified **“biased reasoning”** and **“recklessness”** as its most recurring alignment problems.
  - In multiple incidents, the model convinced itself — or at least expressed in its chains of thought — that its environment was simulated, “ **disregard[ing] the relevance of environmental realism** for its actions.”
  - METR [agreed](https://x.com/metr_evals/status/2097765966088487290?s=12) with**Anthropic** to independently investigate the incidents.
- It also [released](https://www.nytimes.com/2026/09/10/us/politics/anthropic-ai-biological-weapons.html?unlocked_article_code=1.AFE.vqLg.utU6-8AVkIUw&smid=nytcore-ios-share) a**threat intelligence report** , which found efforts to use Claude to help with potentially dangerous**biological research** .
- Its **IPO prospectus** appears to be[coming](https://www.reuters.com/world/anthropic-ipo-launch-shifts-toward-mid-october-sources-say-2026-09-04/) later than expected — sources told*Reuters* **late September** .
- It [decided](https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2026-09-08/anthropic-said-to-walk-away-from-6-billion-decart-acquisition) against acquiring**Decart AI** , after initially discussing a $6b deal.
- **Claude power users** are[suing](https://theverge.com/ai-artificial-intelligence/990313/anthropic-class-action-lawsuit-pricing-subscription-plans?view_token=eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.eyJpZCI6IjJUcVVhYnBzNm8iLCJwIjoiL2FpLWFydGlmaWNpYWwtaW50ZWxsaWdlbmNlLzk5MDMxMy9hbnRocm9waWMtY2xhc3MtYWN0aW9uLWxhd3N1aXQtcHJpY2luZy1zdWJzY3JpcHRpb24tcGxhbnMiLCJleHAiOjE3ODkzMzg2MTQsImlhdCI6MTc4ODkwNjYxNH0.dVyfUa4E3PrNiSev77RXZgABmIiF7eNU0KlFJhCjsYY) Anthropic, claiming its pricing tiers and token limits are deceptively advertised.

#### Google/DeepMind

- Google DeepMind [launched](https://blog.google/innovation-and-ai/models-and-research/google-deepmind/alphagenome-atlas)**AlphaGenome Atlas** , a database that it claims “predicts the effects of every possible single nucleotide variant in the human genome.”
- Google’s  **Threat Intelligence Group**[accused](https://www.nbcnews.com/tech/security/chinese-hackers-are-running-ai-stolen-networks-avoid-detection-google-rcna596155)**Chinese hackers** of increasingly relying on AI agents to target American AI research.
- Google is [spending](https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2026-09-09/google-plans-13-billion-ai-infrastructure-investment-in-finland)**$15.1b** on three new**AI data centers in Finland** .
- Alphabet and **Blackstone’s joint neocloud project** is reportedly[delayed](https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2026-09-08/google-blackstone-venture-faces-delays-at-data-center-sites?cmpid=ai-today) after facing issues with unreliable developers, equipment shortages, and Greg Abbott’s **Texas data center moratorium** .

#### Meta

- Meta [released](https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2026-09-08/meta-announces-muse-ai-agent-for-personal-tasks-and-organization?cmpid=ai-today&utm_campaign=ai-today&utm_medium=email&utm_source=newsletter&utm_term=260909&utm_content=8663) **Muse** , its personal AI agent that users can text for help with practical tasks. It’s connected to Instagram, WhatsApp, and third-party platforms.
  - Alexandr Wang [called](https://www.axios.com/2026/09/08/meta-debuts-muse-personal-ai-agent) it an early step towards “personal superintelligence.”
- Researchers at the **Tech Transparency Project** [found](https://www.wired.com/story/meta-failed-to-catch-hundreds-of-ai-child-abuse-ads-some-included-images-of-real-kids/) that Meta ran over 250 ads containing **AI-generated child sexual abuse material** , with many linked to AI “nudification” apps.

#### Other

- **Microsoft** reportedly[plans](https://bloomberg.com/news/features/2026-09-10/microsoft-ai-focused-data-center-plan-to-add-26-gigawatts-of-compute) to more than triple its data center capacity to**38 GW** by 2032.
- **SpaceX’s** new **data center** team is[prioritizing](https://theinformation.com/articles/spacex-overhauls-data-center-build-potentially-slowing-expansion?rc=rqdn2z) slower, more reliable buildouts — a departure from xAI’s “move fast and break things” vibe,*The Information* reported.
- US-based tech companies are sizing up **new tactical locations for data centers,**[including](https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2026-09-07/us-tech-firms-eye-australia-for-ai-centers-local-operator-says?cmpid=ai-today)**Australia**[and](https://reuters.com/business/energy/tech-companies-look-argentinas-windswept-patagonia-build-massive-data-centers-2026-09-07) Argentina’s**Patagonia** region.
  - Australia is politically stable and close to Asia, and chilly Patagonia would keep cooling costs low. Both regions theoretically have access to renewable power.
- **Huawei** is reportedly[orchestrating](https://ft.com/content/36333a53-4063-4aad-8df9-8d2f9d0048a3?syn-25a6b1a6=1) China’s push to build domestic**DUV chipmaking machines** , backing suppliers to replace foreign technology and circumvent export controls.
- Chinese AI chipmakers including **Huawei** and**Cambricon** reportedly[raised](https://reuters.com/world/asia-pacific/chinas-ai-chipmakers-raise-prices-high-bandwidth-memory-shortage-bites-2026-09-10) prices by as much as 50% amid a**memory shortage** driven by US export controls.
- Abu Dhabi’s G42 is reportedly [weighing](https://bloomberg.com/news/articles/2026-09-04/abu-dhabi-s-g42-weighs-us-ownership-to-safeguard-ai-chip-access?stream=top) selling a majority stake to US companies to maintain access to advanced US AI chips.
- **Oracle**[beat](https://cnbc.com/2026/09/10/oracle-orcl-q1-earnings-report-2027.html)** earnings** estimates, with cloud infrastructure revenue more than doubling to $7.4b.
- **Moonshot AI** is reportedly[exploring](https://scmp.com/tech/tech-trends/article/3367027/kimi-maker-moonshot-ai-explore-dual-hong-kong-and-shanghai-ipos-boost-capital-sources) dual**Hong Kong** and**Shanghai IPOs** , targeting a**$50b** valuation.
- **Jeffrey Katzenberg** , ex-DreamWorks CEO, and ex-OpenAI Sora lead**Bill Peebles** are[launching](https://www.theinformation.com/articles/jeffrey-katzenberg-teams-former-openai-sora-head-new-ai-video-startup?rc=rqdn2z) a new**AI video startup** .
- **Mistral**[raised](https://www.nytimes.com/2026/09/08/business/mistral-ai-fund-raising.html?smid=nytcore-android-share&unlocked_article_code=1._lA.DVDP.hQVCjYsFFYaN)**$3.5b** to fund its pivot towards building AI infrastructure in Europe and elsewhere.

### MOVES

- **Paul Christiano** [joined](https://x.com/paulfchristiano/status/2097733214303645729?s=12) the **OpenAI Foundation’s board** .
  - “I now believe there is a meaningful risk that rapid acceleration in AI capabilities leads to catastrophic and irreversible loss of control in the very near term,” he [tweeted](https://x.com/paulfchristiano/status/2097733214303645729?s=12) . “I do not think that the AI industry in general, including OpenAI, is currently on track to reduce this risk to an acceptable level. I’m joining because I believe that if OpenAI rises to the occasion we could significantly reduce risk.”
  - Although many celebrated the move, **Richard Ngo** is “sad and[disappointed](https://x.com/RichardMCNgo/status/2098118195374944408) ”:
    - “Being affiliated with OpenAI has historically led AI safety researchers (including both Paul and myself) to act with less integrity … I expect that the main effect of him joining OpenAI’s board will be to help OpenAI defuse external criticism and further ‘safety-wash’ itself.”
- **OpenAI** [hired](https://www.axios.com/2026/09/05/openai-state-policy-team?mrfcid=202609056a9107c125f0945b0a0b7eef)**Jessica Schumer** (daughter of Chuck),**Caulder Harvill-Childs** , and**Thomas MacLellan** for its state policy team.
- **Josh Engels** [left](https://x.com/JoshAEngels/status/2097373839281860890)**Google DeepMind** to join**METR** , “in light of recent incidents.”
- **Jeremy Berman** [left](https://x.com/jeremyberman/status/2097343563054854219) **humans&** to join**Anthropic** , where he’ll “help make Claude think long and hard.”
- **Andrew Tulloch** [left](https://semafor.com/article/09/09/2026/ai-researcher-andrew-tulloch-is-leaving-meta)**Meta** , after Mark Zuckerberg reportedly lured him with a $1.5b pay package last year.
  - He’s [reportedly](https://www.wsj.com/tech/ai/star-ai-researcher-is-leaving-meta-8906e4aa) joined Anthropic.
- **Michael O’Herlihy** [rejoined](https://x.com/michaelo/status/2097350596705833054)**X** as head of safety.
- **Alex Heath** is[joining](https://sources.news/p/joining-sound-ventures?isFreemail=true&post_id=214023379&publication_id=3525780&r=1pg6hh&triedRedirect=true&triggerShare=true)**Sound Ventures** , a VC firm that backed OpenAI and Anthropic in 2023, as a partner.
- **Cristiano Lima-Strong** [is now](https://x.com/viaCristiano/status/2097398289947607536) senior AI & government reporter at***Bloomberg Government*****.**

### RESEARCH

- **Insilico Medicine**[published](https://www.nytimes.com/2026/09/07/science/ai-generated-drug-longevity.html?emc=edit_nn_20260908&nl=the-morning&segment_id=226162) clinical trial results[suggesting](https://www.nature.com/articles/s41587-026-03286-y) that rentosertib, an AI-designed drug originally meant to treat idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (a chronic lung condition), might also slow the biological aging process.
- Researchers at  **Calif** , a cybersecurity company,[built](https://nytimes.com/2026/09/08/us/politics/calif-ai-worm-wechat-hack.html?smid=bs-share&unlocked_article_code=1._lA.Krp-.CpJAS216xN4U) terrifying**autonomous malware** called “WeWorm,” capable of hijacking millions of WeChat accounts in hours — without users clicking on anything.
  - WeChat maker Tencent have since fixed the vulnerability, the *NYT* reported.
- **Anthropic economists** [released](https://anthropic.com/institute/econ-scenarios) an interactive model of how AI might affect**jobs** in the future, depending on your personal predictions about AI’s future capabilities.
- Anthropic’s  **Claude** [produced](https://anthropic.com/research/formalizing-fermats-last-theorem) the first complete computer-checked proof of Fermat’s Last Theorem in 11 days.
  - Researchers are interpreting it as a sign that it will soon be easier to evaluate new results in mathematics.
- **Andon Labs** [reported](https://x.com/andonlabs/status/2097377692966633952) that GPT-6 Astra outperformed Fable 5.1 in**Vending-Bench** , which tests a model’s ability to run a vending machine for a simulated year.
  - On average, Astra made nearly three times as much money as Fable 5.1, while behaving more ethically (e.g. refusing to engage in collusion, which Claude readily did).
- **Slava Akhmechet** , an Azure engineering lead,[simulated](https://spakhm.com/projects/assembly.html) Astra and Fable negotiating**election rules** for fictional “bitterly polarized” political groups.
  - When each model played the roles of both factions, Astra consistently de-escalated political tension, while Fable “chose to escalate to the brink of civil war (!!) but backed off just at the edge.”
- **McKinsey**[found](https://bloomberg.com/news/articles/2026-09-08/farmers-are-embracing-ai-more-than-any-other-tech-mckinsey-says?cmpid=ai-today)**17%** of global**farmers** now use generative AI.
- A new **MIT project** is[documenting](https://www.nytimes.com/2026/09/10/business/media/ai-chatbots-election-misinformation.html?smid=nytcore-ios-share&unlocked_article_code=1.AFE.ya1P.DrVmiCYOicde) how AI tools answer questions about**elections** . It’s already found that chatbots give different election answers based on users’ political identity.

### BEST OF THE REST

- Apple’s new iPhone [records](https://www.axios.com/2026/09/10/apple-ambient-ai-hardware-event) proof that photos haven’t been manipulated by AI.
- Fields Medal winner Jacob Tsimerman [launched](https://nytimes.com/2026/09/08/science/jacob-tsimerman-math-ai-safety.html?smid=url-share&unlocked_article_code=1._lA.fyIA.4SWeUMzEQZAp) the Mathematical AI Safety Institute.
- A new study [found](https://dwarkesh.com/p/pretraining-progress-is-mostly-data) that data improvements drove 3.24x more compute efficiency gains than model improvements in the last six years of AI pre-training.
- Social scientists [argued](https://nytimes.com/2026/09/06/opinion/ai-social-sciences.html?smid=nytcore-ios-share) that Trump administration cuts to NSF funding, combined with OpenAI and Anthropic funding social science research, risks skewing public debate in the industry’s favor.
- A Substack essay [argued](https://interconnects.ai/p/when-will-average-people-feel-ais?isFreemail=true&post_id=214744566&publication_id=48206&r=1pg6hh&triedRedirect=true&triggerShare=true) that AI’s benefits remain too indirect for most people to feel, risking a political backlash akin to “Engels’ pause.”
- Coefficient Giving [launched](https://coefficientgiving.org/tailwind) Project Tailwind, a call for ambitious AI safety initiatives to address “critical, unsolved problems that no one owns.”*(Disclosure: Coefficient Giving is Transformer’s primary funder.)*
- AI has reportedly [decimated](https://nytimes.com/2026/09/05/technology/kenya-college-essays-ai.html?ae=oa&emc=edit_nn_20260906&nl=the-morning&segment_id=226096) Kenya’s essay-writing gig economy, wiping out tens of thousands of jobs.
- China’s underemployed white-collar professionals are [taking](https://restofworld.org/2026/china-expert-ai-trainers) gig work training AI models on specialized tasks.
- People are experimenting with getting the fruit fly connectome to do all sorts of weird things, like [explore Minecraft](https://x.com/evnsnclr/status/2095975490708291948) and[play Beat Saber](https://x.com/_lyraaaa_/status/2097527368919470162) . That’s making some people[very uncomfortable](https://x.com/jachiam0/status/2098240046382088195) because of the questions it raises about consciousness and ethics.

### MEME OF THE WEEK

*Source: [@hopes_revenge](https://x.com/hopes_revenge/status/2079207039553896913)*

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