Tools & Platforms
Babylon Bee 1, California 0: Court Strikes Down Law Regulating Election-Related AI Content | American Enterprise Institute
By reducing traditional barriers of content creation, the AI revolution holds the potential to unleash an explosion in creative expression. It also increases the societal risks associated with the spread of misinformation. This tension is the subject of a recent landmark judicial decision, Babylon Bee v Bonta (hat tip to Ajit Pai, whose social media account remains an outstanding follow). The eponymous satirical news site and others challenged California’s AB 2839, which prohibited the dissemination of “materially deceptive” AI-generated audio or video content related to elections. Although the court recognized that the case presented a novel question about “synthetically edited or digitally altered” content, it struck down the law, concluding that the rise of AI does not justify a departure from long-standing First Amendment principles.
AB 2839 was California’s attempt to regulate the use of AI and other digital tools in election-related media. The law defined “materially deceptive” content as audio or visual material that has been intentionally created or altered so that a reasonable viewer would believe it to be an authentic recording. It applied specifically to depictions of candidates, elected officials, election officials, and even voting machines or ballots, where the altered content was “reasonably likely” to harm a candidate’s electoral prospects or undermine public confidence in an election. While the statute carved out exceptions for candidates making deepfakes of themselves and for satire or parody, those exceptions required prominent disclaimers stating that the content had been manipulated.
The court recognized that the electoral context raises the stakes for both parties. Because the law regulated speech on the basis of content, the court applied strict scrutiny: The law is constitutional only if it serves a compelling governmental interest and is the least restrictive means of protecting that interest. On the one hand, the court recognized that the state has a compelling interest in preserving the integrity of its election process. California noted how AI-generated robocalls purporting to be from President Biden encouraged New Hampshire voters not to go to the polls during the 2024 primary. But on the other hand, the Supreme Court has recognized that political speech occupies the “highest rung” of First Amendment protection. That tension is the opinion’s throughline: While elections justify significant regulation, they also demand the most protection for individual speech.
But it ultimately held that California struck the wrong balance. The state argued that the bill was a logical extension of traditional harmful speech regulations such as defamation or fraud. But the court ruled that the law reached much further. It did not limit liability to instances of actual harm, but to any content “reasonably likely” to cause material harm. And importantly, it did not limit recovery to actual candidate victims, but instead allowed any recipient of allegedly deceptive content to sue for damages. This private right of action deputized roving “censorship czars” across the state whose malicious or politically motivated suits risk chilling a broad swath of political expression.
Given this breadth, the court found the law’s safe harbor was insufficient. The law exempted satirical content (such as that produced by the Bee) as long as it carried a disclaimer that the content was digitally manipulated, in accordance with the act’s formatting requirements. But the court found that this compelled disclosure was itself unconstitutional, as it drowned out the plaintiff’s message: “Put simply, a mandatory disclaimer for parody or satire would kill the joke.” This was especially true in contexts such as mobile devices, where the formatting requirements meant the disclaimer would take up the entire screen—a problem that I have discussed elsewhere in the context of Federal Trade Commission disclaimer rules.
Perhaps most importantly, the court recognized the importance of counter-speech and market solutions as alternative remedies to disinformation. It credited crowd-sourced fact-checking such as X’s community notes, and AI tools such as Grok, as scalable solutions already being adopted in the marketplace. And it noted that California could fund AI educational campaigns to raise awareness of the issue or form committees to combat disinformation via counter-speech.
The court’s emphasis on private, speech-based solutions points the way forward for other policymakers wrestling with deepfakes and other AI-generated disinformation concerns. Private, market-driven solutions offer a more constitutionally sound path than empowering the state to police truth and risk chilling protected expression. The AI revolution is likely to disrupt traditional patterns of content creation and dissemination in society. But fundamental First Amendment principles are sufficiently flexible to adapt to these changes, just as they have when presented with earlier disruptive technologies. When presented with problematic speech, the first line of defense is more speech—not censorship. Efforts at the state or federal level to regulate AI-generated content should respect this principle if they are to survive judicial scrutiny.
As the technology sector hurtles into 2025, industry leaders are grappling with a convergence of artificial intelligence advancements that promise to redefine enterprise operations and consumer experiences alike. Cloud computing giants, long the backbone of AI development, are shifting from subsidizing infrastructure to aggressive monetization strategies. Companies like Google, Amazon, and Microsoft are poised to capitalize on their vast data centers, charging premium rates for AI training and deployment services that have until now been offered at a loss to attract developers. This pivot, as highlighted in investor analyses shared on X, could generate billions in new revenue streams while pressuring smaller players to innovate or consolidate.
Meanwhile, the rise of digital banks underscores a broader fintech evolution, where AI-driven personalization and seamless transactions are becoming table stakes. These institutions are rapidly expanding their market share by leveraging machine learning for fraud detection and customer insights, outpacing traditional lenders in agility and cost efficiency. Posts on X from financial experts suggest that this trend will accelerate global adoption, particularly in emerging markets where mobile banking dominates.
Agentic AI Emerges as the Core Disruptor in Enterprise Strategy
Agentic AI, characterized by autonomous systems capable of independent decision-making with minimal human oversight, is emerging as a pivotal force in 2025’s tech ecosystem. According to a recent report from McKinsey, these intelligent agents are set to transform complex problem-solving in sectors like manufacturing and logistics, enabling real-time adaptations that boost efficiency by up to 30%. The report emphasizes how agentic models integrate with existing workflows, reducing latency and human error in high-stakes environments.
This innovation extends beyond theory, with practical applications in decentralized finance (DeFi) where AI agents could automate trading and risk assessment, potentially creating billion-dollar market caps for specialized protocols. Insights from crypto analysts on X point to a fusion of AI and blockchain that might spark the next wave of financial innovation, though such predictions remain speculative amid regulatory uncertainties.
The Intersection of AI and Edge Computing Redefines Real-Time Processing
Edge computing’s marriage with AI is another cornerstone of 2025 trends, promising to shift data processing from centralized clouds to device-level operations for faster, more secure outcomes. As detailed in posts from tech firms like Icetea Software on X, this synergy enables real-time decision-making in industries such as autonomous vehicles and smart manufacturing, where reduced latency is critical. For instance, combining AI with edge tech could cut response times in IoT networks by half, facilitating applications from predictive maintenance to personalized retail experiences.
Sustainability also plays a key role here, as businesses integrate AI to optimize energy use in data-heavy operations. McKinsey’s outlook, echoed in various X discussions, notes that companies investing in these trends—such as Tesla in electric vehicles and Amazon in cloud services— are seeing accelerated revenue growth and market dominance, with innovation management becoming a differentiator for long-term success.
Multimodal AI and Domestic Silicon Push Boundaries of Accessibility
Advancements in multimodal AI, which processes text, images, and audio simultaneously, are expanding the technology’s reach into strategic planning and creative fields. X posts from AI news channels like SA News Channel highlight integrations with 5G and blockchain that enhance AI’s role in multilingual generative tasks, making tools more inclusive for global users. This could democratize access to sophisticated AI, though challenges in data privacy persist.
On the hardware front, a ramp-up in domestic semiconductor production, particularly from firms like Huawei, is anticipated to alleviate supply chain bottlenecks. Reports shared on X suggest shipments of hundreds of thousands of advanced chips in 2025, bolstering AI infrastructure amid geopolitical tensions. This development, as analyzed in McKinsey’s trends report, underscores the need for enterprises to adapt swiftly to these shifts or risk obsolescence.
AI in DeFi and On-Chain Transformations Signal Broader Economic Shifts
The transformation of DeFi through AI agents represents a speculative yet potent trend, with on-chain trading evolving into automated, agent-driven ecosystems. Crypto influencers on X, such as Miles Deutscher, forecast multiple agents achieving billion-dollar valuations, driven by enhanced efficiency in decentralized markets. This could reshape investment landscapes, though volatility and regulatory hurdles temper enthusiasm.
Broader business innovation management, fueled by AI and digital transformation, is yielding tangible benefits like improved customer satisfaction and market share. Examples from Amazon’s cloud dominance and Tesla’s EV revolution, as cited in SA News Channel posts on X, illustrate how these trends are not isolated but interconnected, paving the way for a more resilient tech economy in 2025.
In summary, while these trends offer immense potential, industry insiders must navigate ethical considerations and integration challenges to fully harness them. As cloud monetization ramps up and agentic systems proliferate, the tech sector’s trajectory appears set for unprecedented growth, contingent on adaptive strategies and collaborative innovation.
Tools & Platforms
Is AI Threatening Your Job Security? Tips to Safeguard Your Career in the Age of Automation
Key Takeaways
- AI is rapidly automating roles in customer service, data entry, programming, content creation, and analysis-heavy jobs across finance, law, and medicine.
- The most at-risk jobs are those with repetitive, rules-based, or entry-level tasks.
- Human-centric skills like judgment, empathy, and creativity remain in demand.
The rapid rise of artificial intelligence (AI) is reshaping the workplace faster than most people realize. What started with automating back-office tasks and customer service roles has now expanded into programming, legal research, financial analysis, and even creative fields such as writing and design. Experts predict that by 2030, up to 30% of U.S. jobs could be automated, with as many as 300 million jobs globally at risk because of AI and related technologies.
As AI tools become smarter and more accessible, the line between human and machine work is blurring—and the pressure to adapt is mounting. If you’ve noticed your workflow getting “smarter” or your company talking more about efficiency than expertise, you’re not imagining things. The age of AI-driven disruption has arrived, and it’s rewriting the rules of the workplace worldwide.
Which Jobs Are Most At Risk from AI?
The first wave of AI automation swept through customer service, data entry, and routine administrative work, said Dima Gutzeit, CEO of LeapXpert, a New York-based tech vendor that provides modern business communication tools with AI capabilities.
Now, he said, even roles in software development, content creation, finance, law, and medicine are being reshaped by code-writing engines, AI copywriters, and data-crunching models. Entry-level and repetitive positions are especially vulnerable, as AI excels at handling foundational tasks that once helped early-career professionals gain a foothold.
A June 2025 study by the Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas argued that most claims for what AI will do are “speculative” at this point. Indeed, many—including the World Economic Forum—have argued that the jobs AI produces will far outnumber those it renders redundant—170 million versus 90 million, respectively.
Nevertheless, the jobs most at risk from language-modeling AI include clerks, administrative assistants, and certain teaching positions. The telltale signs your job could be next? Your daily workflow starts to feel more software-driven, tools gain “AI-powered” features, and management talks about “co-pilots” and “automated insights.” If your responsibilities are becoming more about overseeing software than applying your unique skills, it’s time to take action.
While AI is rapidly transforming the workplace, experts agree that the best way to stay relevant is to focus on the qualities that make us uniquely human.
Here are some strategies to avoid being replaced by AI:
1. Demonstrate Your Humanity
AI can process data, but it can’t replicate judgment, empathy, or ethical decision-making. “What sets you apart isn’t your ability to process data—it’s your ability to interpret it, communicate it, and act on it,” Gutzeit told Investopedia. Employers are increasingly valuing creativity and abilities that remain stubbornly human, like relationship-building and nuanced communication.
2. Become an AI Power User
Don’t just fear the new tools, master them. Learn how to use AI platforms relevant to your field, from prompt engineering in content creation to AI-driven analytics in finance. The fastest learners today will be tomorrow’s leaders. Experiment with AI, critique its output, and figure out how to make it work for you.
3. Automate the Repetitive, Focus on the Unique
Identify the mechanical parts of your job and automate them, freeing up time for higher-value work.
“Strip the mechanical from your day so you can invest in the interpersonal-relationships, storytelling, negotiation,” Gutzeit said. The more you focus on tasks AI can’t do, the more secure your position becomes.
4. Upskill Continuously
Stay ahead by regularly updating your technical and soft skills. Pair AI literacy with human-centric strengths: Combine analytics with storytelling, or prompt engineering with leadership. The best opportunities will go to those who can bridge the gap between algorithmic speed and human nuance.
5. Watch Industry Trends and Pivot Early
Monitor which roles and industries are being automated, and be proactive about moving into areas where human expertise is still essential. Look for companies that use AI to amplify, and not replace, human value.
“Professionals who understand that partnership create more value than either humans or machines can deliver alone,” Gutzeit said.
The Bottom Line
AI isn’t just coming for your job; it’s already transforming the workforce. But the future belongs to those who adapt early, master new tools, and double down on the skills that make us human. It’s important to stay curious, proactive, and relentlessly focused on value. You can turn the AI revolution into an opportunity instead of a threat.
Coming to light after operating secretly since 2024, the company raised $30 million in a Series A round led by Kushner’s Affinity Partners and Gil’s Gil Capital, with backing from prominent investors like Coinbase CEO Brian Armstrong, Stripe founder Patrick Collison and LinkedIn co-founder Reid Hoffman. Brain Co. aims to bridge the gap between large language models like GPT-5 and their practical application in organizations.
The venture began in February 2024 when Kushner, Gil, and former Mexican Foreign Minister Luis Videgaray met to address challenges large organizations face in integrating AI tools. Kushner, seeking to expand Affinity’s AI investments, connected with Gil, a former Google and Twitter executive turned venture capitalist, through his brother, Josh Kushner.
Videgaray, who met Kushner during Trump’s 2016 campaign, also joined. Brain Co. has secured deals with major clients like Sotheby’s, owned by Israeli-French businessman Patrick Drahi and Warburg Pincus, alongside government agencies, energy firms, healthcare systems and hospitality chains.
With 40 employees, Brain Co. collaborates with OpenAI to develop tailored applications. A recent MIT study cited by Forbes found that 95% of generative AI pilot programs failed in surveyed organizations, highlighting the gap Brain Co. targets.
CEO Clemens Mewald, a former AI expert at Google and Databricks, explained, “So far, we haven’t seen a reason to only double down on one sector. Actually, it turns out that at the technology level and the AI capability level, a lot of the use cases look very similar.”
He noted similarities between processing building permits and insurance claims, both requiring document analysis and rule-based recommendations, areas where Brain Co. is active.
Kushner, who founded Affinity Partners after leaving the White House, said, We’re living through a once-in-a-generation platform shift,” Kushner said in a press release. “After speaking with Elad, we realized we could build a bridge between Silicon Valley’s best AI talent and the world’s most important institutions to drive global impact.”
Affinity manages over $4.8 billion, primarily from Saudi, Qatari and UAE funds. In September 2024, Brain Co. acquired Serene AI, bringing in experienced founders. While Kushner will serve as an active board member, Gil said he will primarily operate through Affinity.
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