Texas Governor Abbott blocks funding for more Flock cameras
As backlash grows over Flock's AI surveillance cameras, Texas Governor Greg Abbott has frozen state spending on them. The move came just ahead of the publication of a Texas Tribune investigation that revealed the state spent over $30 million on Flock cameras. That money was primarily raised by tacking a $1 fee onto insurance policies, allegedly to help fight catalytic converter theft. Flock cameras have increasingly drawn ire from across the political spectrum as they've become
Texas Governor Abbott has frozen state spending on Flock cameras, which are AI surveillance systems that use automatic license plate recognition technology. The decision reflects growing bipartisan backlash against the cameras over privacy concerns, with multiple documented cases of police officers misusing the systems and controversies surrounding data-sharing practices, camera placement near playgrounds, and unsecured video feeds. The state had spent over $30 million on the cameras, funded primarily through a $1 fee added to insurance policies, and cities across the country including several in Texas have been canceling their contracts with Flock. Both Democratic and Republican political figures have opposed the cameras, and the backlash has become widespread enough to unify typically divided online communities against the surveillance systems.
One short email a day with the stories that matter. Free. Unsubscribe with one click.
Want to go deeper than the news? Explore live, cohort-based AI courses taught by practitioners.
Browse AI courses on Maven
Nvidia is reportedly preparing to fire Jensen Huang
Nvidia's board is preparing to dismiss CEO Jensen Huang following a report from the New York Times about a second alleged extramarital affair, just days after he admitted to a separate affair with a woman alleged to be a Chinese spy, The Wall Street Journal reports. The second alleged affair was with an executive who reports to him, Nvidia's vice president of health care, Kimberly Powell, according to the Times, saying the two may have been captured on video "being affectionate
Also reported by TechCrunch and Wired AI
Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang resigns amid spy, affair scandals
Jensen Huang at GTC Berlin last month. | Photo: Soeren Stache / picture alliance via Getty Images Nvidia's board has ousted Jensen Huang, its longtime co-founder, president, and CEO, after reports of two extramarital affairs - one with an alleged Chinese spy and one with an Nvidia executive who reported to Huang. A press release published Thursday morning announced Huang's resignation, effective immediately, as current CFO Colette Kress has been appointed interim CEO. Huang has
The unfolding Jensen Huang scandal: a timeline
The affair could have ramifications for national security as the U.S. and China race to develop the most advanced AI infrastructure.
Jensen Huang accused of having another affair, with an Nvidia exec
Jensen Huang, who has come under fire for admitting to an affair with a woman accused of being a Chinese intelligence agent, has been accused of having a separate affair with an Nvidia subordinate.
Congress to call Jensen Huang in to answer for alleged Chinese spy affair
Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang has until the end of the day Wednesday to answer a call from House Republicans for a closed-door briefing on his affair with alleged Chinese spy.
Nvidia is investigating Jensen Huang’s relationship with a Chinese spy
Nvidia has announced that it is opening an investigation into CEO Jensen Huang and his relationship with Megaspeed executive Alice Huang, who was reportedly recruited by China's Ministry of State Security to spy on the company. A statement posted by the board of directors reads: The NVIDIA Board is initiating an independent investigation in light of recent reporting that founder and CEO Jensen Huang has been the target of a foreign intelligence effort. A committee of independe
Also reported by TechCrunch, Wired AI and Data Center Knowledge