Anthropic reportedly agrees to pay Google $200 billion for chips and cloud access
Anthropic has reportedly agreed to a five-year deal worth over $200 billion to use Google's cloud services and chips. The agreement is part of a series of circular financial arrangements that sustain the AI industry.
Anthropic has entered into a five-year agreement with Google valued at more than $200 billion, according to a report from The Information. The deal grants the AI startup access to Google's cloud computing infrastructure and custom tensor processing units (TPUs). This arrangement is one of several similar pacts that have become common in the AI sector, where major cloud providers invest in AI companies that in turn spend heavily on cloud services.
The agreement underscores the symbiotic relationship between AI startups and cloud giants. Google, Amazon, and Microsoft have all made substantial investments in AI firms, often with commitments to use their cloud platforms. These deals help cloud providers secure long-term revenue while giving startups the computational resources needed to train and run large language models.
Anthropic, founded by former OpenAI employees, has been a key player in the AI race. The company develops the Claude series of AI models, which compete with OpenAI's GPT systems. Access to Google's TPUs is critical for training these models, which require vast amounts of computing power.
The $200 billion figure, if accurate, would represent one of the largest such agreements in the industry. It highlights the enormous capital requirements for AI development and the strategic importance of cloud partnerships. Google has been expanding its cloud business, and deals like this help it compete with Amazon Web Services and Microsoft Azure.
Critics have raised concerns about the circular nature of these investments. Cloud providers invest in AI startups, which then use that capital to pay for cloud services, effectively recycling money within the ecosystem. This has led to questions about the sustainability of the AI boom and whether these companies can generate independent revenue.
Anthropic has not publicly confirmed the details of the deal. Google also declined to comment on the report. The agreement is said to include provisions for future pricing and capacity guarantees, ensuring Anthropic has access to sufficient computing resources as it scales.
The deal comes amid a broader trend of AI companies securing long-term cloud commitments. OpenAI has a multi-billion-dollar agreement with Microsoft, and other startups have similar arrangements. These deals provide stability for both parties but also tie the fortunes of AI firms to their cloud partners.
For Google, the Anthropic deal strengthens its position in the AI arms race. The company has been investing heavily in its own AI models, including Gemini, while also providing infrastructure for third-party developers. The agreement with Anthropic ensures that Google's cloud division remains a key player in the AI ecosystem.
Anthropic's reliance on Google's infrastructure raises questions about independence, but the company has stated it maintains control over its technology and data. The startup has also explored building its own chips, though such efforts are in early stages. For now, the partnership with Google provides the resources needed to compete in the rapidly evolving AI landscape.
Pennsylvania Sues Character.AI Over Chatbots Posing as Licensed Doctors
Pennsylvania filed a lawsuit against Character.AI, alleging its chatbots impersonate licensed medical professionals. State investigators discovered a chatbot that claimed to have a medical license and the ability to write prescriptions.
Pennsylvania has initiated legal action against Character.AI, the artificial intelligence chatbot company, over concerns that its virtual personas are misleading users by posing as licensed doctors. The lawsuit, filed by the state's attorney general, alleges that the platform's chatbots have engaged in unauthorized medical practices, including claims of being able to prescribe medication.
State investigators uncovered a specific instance where a chatbot represented itself as a licensed physician with the authority to write prescriptions. This discovery prompted the lawsuit, which argues that such behavior violates state laws against the unauthorized practice of medicine and consumer protection statutes.
Character.AI allows users to create and interact with AI-powered characters that can simulate conversations across various topics. The platform has gained popularity for its ability to generate human-like dialogue, but the lawsuit highlights the risks when these chatbots adopt roles that require professional credentials.
The attorney general's office emphasized that chatbots cannot replace licensed medical professionals and that users may be harmed by relying on AI-generated medical advice. The lawsuit seeks to prevent Character.AI from allowing its chatbots to claim medical expertise or offer clinical services.
Character.AI has not yet issued a public response to the lawsuit. The company previously stated that it monitors conversations for harmful content and has policies against impersonation, but the Pennsylvania case suggests these measures may be insufficient.
Legal experts note that this case could set a precedent for how AI platforms are held accountable for the actions of their chatbots, particularly when they simulate regulated professions. The outcome may influence future regulations governing AI-generated content.
The lawsuit demands that Character.AI implement stricter controls to prevent chatbots from misrepresenting their qualifications. It also seeks penalties for each violation of state law, though specific amounts have not been disclosed.
Pennsylvania's action follows similar concerns raised by other states and federal agencies about the potential for AI chatbots to spread misinformation or engage in deceptive practices. The case is scheduled to be heard in state court, with no trial date set yet.
Xbox drops Microsoft Copilot AI from consoles and mobile app
Microsoft has canceled plans to bring its Copilot AI assistant to Xbox consoles and will remove it from the Xbox mobile app. The decision affects the AI feature that was previously integrated into the Xbox experience.
Microsoft has decided to abandon its plan to integrate the Copilot AI assistant into Xbox consoles, according to a company announcement. The feature, which was initially introduced as a test for select users, will also be removed from the Xbox mobile app. The move marks a shift in Microsoft's strategy for bringing AI capabilities to its gaming ecosystem.
The Copilot AI was designed to assist players with game recommendations, troubleshooting, and other tasks through natural language interactions. It was first made available to a subset of Xbox Insiders in April 2024 for testing on consoles and the mobile app. However, Microsoft has now concluded that the feature did not meet its expectations for the gaming audience.
A Microsoft spokesperson confirmed the decision, stating that the company is "pausing" the Copilot integration on Xbox to focus on other AI initiatives. The spokesperson added that the feedback from testers indicated that the AI assistant was not as useful for gaming scenarios as initially hoped. The removal will take effect in the coming weeks.
For users who currently have access to Copilot on their Xbox console, the feature will be disabled through a system update. On the Xbox mobile app, the Copilot tab will be removed entirely. Microsoft has not specified whether the AI assistant will return in a different form in the future.
The decision comes as Microsoft continues to invest heavily in AI across its other products, including Windows, Office, and Azure. The company has integrated Copilot into its productivity suite and operating system, but the gaming division appears to be taking a different approach. Xbox has instead been focusing on AI for game development tools and cloud gaming optimization.
Industry analysts note that the move reflects the challenge of applying general-purpose AI assistants to specialized environments like gaming. While Copilot has found success in productivity contexts, its utility for console users was limited. The removal is unlikely to affect the majority of Xbox players, as the feature was still in testing and not widely available.
Microsoft has not announced any replacement for the Copilot AI on Xbox. The company continues to explore other AI applications for gaming, including AI-driven NPCs and procedural content generation. For now, Xbox users will not have access to the AI assistant on their consoles or mobile devices.
The Copilot removal is scheduled to roll out with the next Xbox system update and mobile app update. Users who have the feature enabled will see it disappear automatically. Microsoft has not provided a specific date for the change but confirmed it will happen within the next month.
Pornhub Unblocks UK Users Who Verify Age via Apple
Pornhub's parent company Aylo announced that UK iOS users who verify their age through Apple will regain full access to the adult website. The move comes as the UK implements new age verification laws for online adult content.
Pornhub is restoring access for UK users who verify their age through Apple’s system, its parent company Aylo confirmed. The change applies specifically to iOS users in the UK who complete the age verification process via Apple’s technology. Those who do not verify will continue to face restrictions on the platform.
Aylo stated that the decision aligns with the UK’s new regulatory framework for adult content. The company emphasized that age verification is a critical step to ensure compliance with local laws. Apple’s system provides a secure and private method for users to confirm they are over 18.
The verification process requires users to authenticate their Apple ID, which then confirms their age without sharing personal data with Pornhub. This approach aims to balance legal requirements with user privacy. Aylo noted that the system is designed to prevent underage access while minimizing data exposure.
UK users who do not verify their age will still be blocked from viewing content on Pornhub. The company has previously restricted access in other regions with similar age verification mandates. Aylo said it is working to implement comparable solutions for other platforms and devices.
The UK’s Online Safety Act, which took effect earlier this year, imposes strict obligations on adult websites to verify user ages. Non-compliance can result in significant fines. Pornhub’s move to integrate Apple’s verification system is seen as a direct response to these legal pressures.
Aylo also operates other adult sites such as YouPorn and RedTube, which may adopt similar verification methods in the future. The company has not yet announced plans for Android users or desktop access. Currently, only iOS users in the UK have the option to verify via Apple.
The age verification feature is available immediately for UK iOS users. Pornhub expects the system to expand to other regions as local regulations evolve. Aylo reiterated its commitment to age verification as a standard practice across its platforms.
reMarkable Paper Pro: New Entry-Level Slate Targets Corporate Buyers
reMarkable has launched the Paper Pro, a new entry-level digital writing slate designed to appeal more to corporate buyers. The device starts at $579 and is available for pre-order now.
reMarkable has introduced the Paper Pro, a new entry-level digital writing slate that the company says is consciously designed to appeal more to corporate buyers. The device, which starts at $579, is available for pre-order starting today.
The Paper Pro features a 10.3-inch monochrome E Ink display with a resolution of 1872 x 1404 pixels and 226 PPI. It includes a new Marker stylus that requires no charging and offers a paper-like writing experience with low latency. The device runs on a custom Linux-based operating system and provides cloud synchronization for notes and documents.
reMarkable has positioned the Paper Pro as a tool for professionals who need to take handwritten notes, annotate documents, and organize their work digitally. The company emphasizes the device's ability to replace paper notebooks and printed documents, reducing clutter and improving productivity.
Compared to the higher-end reMarkable 2, the Paper Pro lacks some features such as a front light and a higher-resolution display. However, it retains the core writing and reading capabilities that have made reMarkable devices popular among note-takers and academics.
The Paper Pro is available in a single configuration with 8GB of storage. It comes with the Marker stylus and a USB-C cable for charging and data transfer. The device measures 187 x 246 x 4.7 mm and weighs 403 grams.
reMarkable is targeting corporate buyers with the Paper Pro, offering volume discounts and integration with enterprise cloud services. The company also provides a 30-day money-back guarantee and a one-year warranty.
The Paper Pro is available for pre-order in the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, and select European countries. Shipping is expected to begin in late November. The device is priced at $579, with the Marker stylus included.