Scientific American. AI Arms Race. July 2025

 

AI Arms Race

Talk of an AI arms race is heating up with Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg’s announcement that Meta will be consolidating its AI teams into its new Superintelligence Labs. This reorganization comes as Meta’s AI models have been falling behind those of competitors. Zuckerberg has been splashing out huge sums to lure star AI experts from rivals like OpenAI, DeepMind, and Anthropic. Though poached employees were rumored to have received $100-million signing bonuses, TechCrunch reported that no such bonuses were given, though the new hires did receive “hefty multimillion-dollar pay packages.” Meta even spent $14.3 billion for a large stake in data startup Scale AI to bring its CEO, Alexandr Wang, on board as Meta’s chief AI officer. 

 

Meta’s rivals aren’t standing still. OpenAI, Anthropic, and xAI have been raising fresh funding. In China, AI companies enjoy significant state backing, and Zhipu AI has been securing government AI contracts in numerous countries. The strategy, according to an OpenAI post, is to “lock Chinese systems and standards into emerging markets before U.S. or European rivals can, while showcasing a ‘responsible, transparent and audit-ready’ Chinese AI alternative.” The U.S. Commerce Department added firms like Zhipu and others to export blacklists, cutting off access to critical U.S. components for AI development. Meanwhile, the Pentagon is actively courting top U.S. AI firms to use frontier AI models to streamline military logistics, improve healthcare for service members and bolster cyber defense. Tech execs have even joined the ranks of a new Army Reserve unit called Detachment 201 (the “Executive Innovation Corps”), with officers from Meta, OpenAI and Palantir serving as reserve lieutenant colonels to lend their expertise to military AI projects. 

 

If this arms race talk is giving you flashbacks to the 1980s, then here’s a video from an AI-generated YouTube channel that features AI-generated 80s-style tunes along with AI-generated images that resemble a version of the 1980s somewhere else in the multiverse. Apparently, AI is also racing to take over YouTube. 

 

For the latest in tech, follow me on X, Instagram and Bluesky @denibechard.

 

—Deni Ellis Béchard, Senior Reporter, Technology

 

Haitian Diaspora Leadership Summit (HDLS). Manaus, Brazil, from July 10 to 13, 2025.

Haitian Diaspora Leadership Summit (HDLS)—a three-day global conference dedicated to uniting leaders from Haitian communities around the world. This important gathering will take place in Manaus, Brazil, from July 10 to 13, 2025.            The Summit’s primary goal is to foster meaningful dialogue, share insights, and identify common priorities across the diverse regions that host members of the Haitian diaspora. At the center of this effort is the creation of a Board of Representatives of the Haitian Diaspora—a formal body that will serve as a unified voice for our global community. This board will engage with national and international institutions to address critical issues, advocate for Haitian interests, and contribute to shaping a brighter future for generations to come.  Haitians around the world have shown remarkable resilience, determination, and leadership. From the Americas to Europe, Africa, and Asia, members of the diaspora play a vital role in advancing Haiti's economic, social, and cultural life while making meaningful contributions in their host countries.    Despite its strength and influence, the Haitian diaspora continues to face challenges that limit its collective impact. The HDLS aims to confront these challenges by creating a coordinated and representative international structure that amplifies the voice and agency of Haitians at home and abroad. Through this united effort, we can accelerate Haiti’s development and build a legacy that honors our shared heritage.    To ensure a transparent, inclusive, and participatory process, we will host five online pre-summit roundtables every Sunday in June, starting June 1 st. These sessions will provide an opportunity to shape the summit agenda and lay the groundwork for establishing the Board of Representatives.    In recognition of your leadership and your continued dedication to Haitian communities worldwide, we would be honored by your participation. Your presence at the Summit will be a powerful statement of unity, vision, and commitment to the future of Haiti and its diaspora.    Thank you in advance for your consideration.    To learn more about the Summit and to register, please visit www.hdlsummit.org.    We look forward to welcoming you to Manaus this July.    Sincerely,      The HDLS Planning Committee     REGISTER NOW