June 20, 2025 • 9 mins
In this episode, Bob opens with an introduction and discusses SoftBank's ambitious vision for establishing an AI hub in Arizona, focusing on Project Crystal Land and its significant investment and partnerships in the U.S. Bob then compares SoftBank's AI endeavors to the Stargate project, highlighting their potential impact. The conversation shifts to Midjourney's new video generation model and its future plans, followed by an exploration of News Corp's NewsGPT, examining its innovative approach and the concerns it raises among journalists. The episode also covers global safety standards and mental health considerations for content moderators. The episode concludes with a summary of the key topics and a sign-off.
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Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
(00:00):
Could Arizona soon become the world's nextShenzhen, but with robots and artificial
(00:04):
intelligence?
Welcome to The AI News Daily Brief, your go-tofor the latest AI updates.
Today is Friday, June 20th, 2025.
Here’s what you need to know about SoftBank'sambitious vision for a $1 trillion AI hub in
Arizona.
Let’s dive in.
(00:26):
Imagine an industrial complex sprawling acrossArizona, bustling with cutting-edge technology
and robots, all under the umbrella ofartificial intelligence.
This is the vision Masayoshi Son, founder ofSoftBank Group, is pitching.
According to a report from Bloomberg News, Sonplans to create a massive industrial hub that
(00:46):
echoes the scale and innovation of China'sShenzhen, but right here in the United States.
The project, intriguingly codenamed ProjectCrystal Land, aims to bring high-end tech
manufacturing back to the U.S.
and is estimated to require an investment ofone trillion dollars.
Son is reportedly seeking to partner withTaiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company for
(01:09):
this ambitious venture, although it's not yetclear what role they would play or if they’re
even interested.
SoftBank is in talks with U.S.
federal and state officials to discusspotential tax incentives for companies that set
up factories or invest in this industrial park.
Discussions have even reached the U.S.
Secretary of Commerce, Howard Lutnick,underscoring the scale and potential impact of
(01:34):
the project.
While the plans are still in their preliminarystages, the sheer scale of the proposed
commitment is staggering, twice that of theStargate project, which involves a $500 billion
investment to expand data center capacityacross the U.S.
Yet, the feasibility of this Arizona hub hingeson support from both the current administration
(01:56):
and state officials.
In recent months, SoftBank has been on a spreeof major investments, including the acquisition
of U.S.
semiconductor design company Ampere for $6.5billion and a significant investment in OpenAI.
This proposed AI hub in Arizona could be thecrown jewel in their series of bold moves this
(02:17):
year.
Midjourney has just unveiled its first videogeneration model to the public, and it's
already making waves.
The tool allows users to animate images theyupload or create on Midjourney's platform,
offering a fresh spin on how we engage withvisuals.
Picture this (02:35):
you’ve just crafted a stunning image using Midjourney, and now, with a simple
click of an 'animate' button, that static imagecomes to life as a five-second video clip.
It’s like turning a photograph into a shortfilm, right at your fingertips.
Here’s why this matters.
The video generator isn’t just about creatingfun clips—it represents a significant leap in
(02:59):
how accessible and user-friendly AI technologyis becoming.
By making such tools available to the masses,Midjourney is democratizing the creative
process, allowing more people to experiment andinnovate.
According to Midjourney, users can extend theseanimations by up to 21 seconds, giving them
(03:20):
even more room to play with their creations.
The platform offers high and low motionsettings to control how much movement is in the
scene.
David Holz, the founder of Midjourney,describes this release as just 'a stepping
stone' towards more advanced models capable ofreal-time open-world simulations.
That’s quite the ambitious vision, isn’t it?
(03:43):
However, it’s not all smooth sailing.
Midjourney is currently facing legal challengesfrom Disney and Universal, who are concerned
about potential copyright infringements.
They argue that the AI could produceunauthorized copies of their content, opening
up a complex debate about intellectual propertyin the age of AI.
(04:03):
Despite these concerns, the demand for AI videogenerators is apparent, with big names like
Google, OpenAI, and Meta also throwing theirhats into the ring.
The competition is heating up, and it’ll befascinating to see how these technologies
evolve.
News Corp is making a big bet on artificialintelligence tools, but it's sparking a lot of
(04:25):
chatter among journalists.
The company has rolled out an in-houseartificial intelligence program called NewsGPT,
which it describes as a 'powerful tool'.
This program is part of News Corp's explorationinto how artificial intelligence technology can
'enhance our workplaces rather than replacejobs.'
(04:45):
But not everyone’s convinced.
Journalists at three of Rupert Murdoch'sAustralian newspapers—the Australian, the
Courier Mail, and the Daily Telegraph—arevoicing their concerns.
They’ve been through training sessions forNewsGPT and say the tool allows them to channel
the style of another writer, or even createarticles by adopting a certain persona.
(05:08):
There’s also an artificial intelligence toolthat lets them take on the role of an editor to
generate story leads or fresh angles.
The concern here is pretty clear.
Reporters haven’t been given a clearexplanation of what these technologies will
ultimately be used for.
Making matters more uneasy, there’s anotherround of training planned for a tool called
(05:29):
Story Cutter.
This one’s designed to edit and produce copy,which could reduce the need for subeditors.
The Media Entertainment and Arts Alliance isworried these artificial intelligence programs
could threaten jobs and undermine accountablejournalism.
News Corp has certainly been embracingartificial intelligence for a while now.
(05:50):
Back in 2023, the company admitted to producing3,000 localized articles a week using
generative artificial intelligence.
The chief technology officer, Julian Delany,unveiled NewsGPT in March and highlighted it as
a powerful asset.
A spokesperson from News Corp Australia insiststhat the aim is to enhance workplaces, not
(06:12):
replace jobs, and any suggestion otherwise isfalse.
Content moderators, the unsung heroes of ourdigital age, are finally getting some
much-needed attention.
Imagine spending hours sifting through theinternet’s darkest corners, just to keep our
social media feeds safe.
That’s the reality for thousands of workersworldwide, and it’s taking a serious toll on
(06:36):
their mental health.
But there’s hope on the horizon.
A global trade union has just unveiled thefirst-ever set of global safety standards for
content moderators, aiming to protect thesevital but vulnerable workers.
Let’s set the scene.
Picture a content moderator in a bustlingoffice in Austin, Texas, or perhaps in the
(06:57):
Philippines, tasked with reviewing disturbingcontent day in and day out.
It’s a job that demands incredible emotionalresilience, yet it often lacks the necessary
support systems.
According to a recent report, a staggering 81%of these moderators feel their employers aren’t
doing enough to support their mental health.
That’s a big deal, folks.
(07:20):
These new protocols, shared exclusively withTIME, aim to change that.
They include measures like limiting dailyexposure to traumatic content, eliminating
unrealistic quotas, and providinground-the-clock mental health support for at
least two years after leaving the job.
Plus, they advocate for living wages and theright to join a union.
(07:42):
As Christy Hoffman from the UNI Global Unionputs it, 'Exposure to distressing content may
be inherent to moderation, but trauma does nothave to be.'
Now, you might be wondering if tech giants likeMeta, OpenAI, and Google will adopt these
protocols.
That’s the big question.
Historically, these companies have outsourcedcontent moderation, keeping a distance from the
(08:06):
working conditions of these essential workers.
Even after media scrutiny, such as therevealing of poor conditions at a Facebook
facility in Kenya, improvements have been slowto come.
I spoke to a few moderators who work for Metaand TikTok through outsourcing firms like Telus
and Accenture.
Their stories are sobering.
One moderator from the Philippines describedbeing deeply affected by videos of injured
(08:30):
children and the aftermath of disasters.
Another, based in Turkey, earns just over fourdollars an hour and struggles to make ends
meet.
These workers are calling for change,especially for living wages and better mental
health support.
The emotional toll is profound.
As Dr.
Annie Sparrow, a public health expert, notes,'Even short-term exposure to explicit content
(08:56):
can cause tremendous damage.' There’s a realneed for best practices in mental health
protections, and these new protocols might justbe the blueprint we need.
That’s it for today’s AI News Daily Brief.
The story of content moderators reminds us ofthe human cost behind our digital safety, and
the new global safety standards could be agame-changer in protecting these workers.
(09:20):
Thanks for tuning in—subscribe to stay updated.
This is Bob, signing off.
Until next time.
Could Arizona soon become the world's nextShenzhen, but with robots and artificial
(00:04):
intelligence?
Welcome to The AI News Daily Brief, your go-tofor the latest AI updates.
Today is Friday, June 20th, 2025.
Here’s what you need to know about SoftBank'sambitious vision for a $1 trillion AI hub in
Arizona.
Let’s dive in.
(00:26):
Imagine an industrial complex sprawling acrossArizona, bustling with cutting-edge technology
and robots, all under the umbrella ofartificial intelligence.
This is the vision Masayoshi Son, founder ofSoftBank Group, is pitching.
According to a report from Bloomberg News, Sonplans to create a massive industrial hub that
(00:46):
echoes the scale and innovation of China'sShenzhen, but right here in the United States.
The project, intriguingly codenamed ProjectCrystal Land, aims to bring high-end tech
manufacturing back to the U.S.
and is estimated to require an investment ofone trillion dollars.
Son is reportedly seeking to partner withTaiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company for
(01:09):
this ambitious venture, although it's not yetclear what role they would play or if they’re
even interested.
SoftBank is in talks with U.S.
federal and state officials to discusspotential tax incentives for companies that set
up factories or invest in this industrial park.
Discussions have even reached the U.S.
Secretary of Commerce, Howard Lutnick,underscoring the scale and potential impact of
(01:34):
the project.
While the plans are still in their preliminarystages, the sheer scale of the proposed
commitment is staggering, twice that of theStargate project, which involves a $500 billion
investment to expand data center capacityacross the U.S.
Yet, the feasibility of this Arizona hub hingeson support from both the current administration
(01:56):
and state officials.
In recent months, SoftBank has been on a spreeof major investments, including the acquisition
of U.S.
semiconductor design company Ampere for $6.5billion and a significant investment in OpenAI.
This proposed AI hub in Arizona could be thecrown jewel in their series of bold moves this
(02:17):
year.
Midjourney has just unveiled its first videogeneration model to the public, and it's
already making waves.
The tool allows users to animate images theyupload or create on Midjourney's platform,
offering a fresh spin on how we engage withvisuals.
Picture this (02:35):
you’ve just crafted a stunning image using Midjourney, and now, with a simple
click of an 'animate' button, that static imagecomes to life as a five-second video clip.
It’s like turning a photograph into a shortfilm, right at your fingertips.
Here’s why this matters.
The video generator isn’t just about creatingfun clips—it represents a significant leap in
(02:59):
how accessible and user-friendly AI technologyis becoming.
By making such tools available to the masses,Midjourney is democratizing the creative
process, allowing more people to experiment andinnovate.
According to Midjourney, users can extend theseanimations by up to 21 seconds, giving them
(03:20):
even more room to play with their creations.
The platform offers high and low motionsettings to control how much movement is in the
scene.
David Holz, the founder of Midjourney,describes this release as just 'a stepping
stone' towards more advanced models capable ofreal-time open-world simulations.
That’s quite the ambitious vision, isn’t it?
(03:43):
However, it’s not all smooth sailing.
Midjourney is currently facing legal challengesfrom Disney and Universal, who are concerned
about potential copyright infringements.
They argue that the AI could produceunauthorized copies of their content, opening
up a complex debate about intellectual propertyin the age of AI.
(04:03):
Despite these concerns, the demand for AI videogenerators is apparent, with big names like
Google, OpenAI, and Meta also throwing theirhats into the ring.
The competition is heating up, and it’ll befascinating to see how these technologies
evolve.
News Corp is making a big bet on artificialintelligence tools, but it's sparking a lot of
(04:25):
chatter among journalists.
The company has rolled out an in-houseartificial intelligence program called NewsGPT,
which it describes as a 'powerful tool'.
This program is part of News Corp's explorationinto how artificial intelligence technology can
'enhance our workplaces rather than replacejobs.'
(04:45):
But not everyone’s convinced.
Journalists at three of Rupert Murdoch'sAustralian newspapers—the Australian, the
Courier Mail, and the Daily Telegraph—arevoicing their concerns.
They’ve been through training sessions forNewsGPT and say the tool allows them to channel
the style of another writer, or even createarticles by adopting a certain persona.
(05:08):
There’s also an artificial intelligence toolthat lets them take on the role of an editor to
generate story leads or fresh angles.
The concern here is pretty clear.
Reporters haven’t been given a clearexplanation of what these technologies will
ultimately be used for.
Making matters more uneasy, there’s anotherround of training planned for a tool called
(05:29):
Story Cutter.
This one’s designed to edit and produce copy,which could reduce the need for subeditors.
The Media Entertainment and Arts Alliance isworried these artificial intelligence programs
could threaten jobs and undermine accountablejournalism.
News Corp has certainly been embracingartificial intelligence for a while now.
(05:50):
Back in 2023, the company admitted to producing3,000 localized articles a week using
generative artificial intelligence.
The chief technology officer, Julian Delany,unveiled NewsGPT in March and highlighted it as
a powerful asset.
A spokesperson from News Corp Australia insiststhat the aim is to enhance workplaces, not
(06:12):
replace jobs, and any suggestion otherwise isfalse.
Content moderators, the unsung heroes of ourdigital age, are finally getting some
much-needed attention.
Imagine spending hours sifting through theinternet’s darkest corners, just to keep our
social media feeds safe.
That’s the reality for thousands of workersworldwide, and it’s taking a serious toll on
(06:36):
their mental health.
But there’s hope on the horizon.
A global trade union has just unveiled thefirst-ever set of global safety standards for
content moderators, aiming to protect thesevital but vulnerable workers.
Let’s set the scene.
Picture a content moderator in a bustlingoffice in Austin, Texas, or perhaps in the
(06:57):
Philippines, tasked with reviewing disturbingcontent day in and day out.
It’s a job that demands incredible emotionalresilience, yet it often lacks the necessary
support systems.
According to a recent report, a staggering 81%of these moderators feel their employers aren’t
doing enough to support their mental health.
That’s a big deal, folks.
(07:20):
These new protocols, shared exclusively withTIME, aim to change that.
They include measures like limiting dailyexposure to traumatic content, eliminating
unrealistic quotas, and providinground-the-clock mental health support for at
least two years after leaving the job.
Plus, they advocate for living wages and theright to join a union.
(07:42):
As Christy Hoffman from the UNI Global Unionputs it, 'Exposure to distressing content may
be inherent to moderation, but trauma does nothave to be.'
Now, you might be wondering if tech giants likeMeta, OpenAI, and Google will adopt these
protocols.
That’s the big question.
Historically, these companies have outsourcedcontent moderation, keeping a distance from the
(08:06):
working conditions of these essential workers.
Even after media scrutiny, such as therevealing of poor conditions at a Facebook
facility in Kenya, improvements have been slowto come.
I spoke to a few moderators who work for Metaand TikTok through outsourcing firms like Telus
and Accenture.
Their stories are sobering.
One moderator from the Philippines describedbeing deeply affected by videos of injured
(08:30):
children and the aftermath of disasters.
Another, based in Turkey, earns just over fourdollars an hour and struggles to make ends
meet.
These workers are calling for change,especially for living wages and better mental
health support.
The emotional toll is profound.
As Dr.
Annie Sparrow, a public health expert, notes,'Even short-term exposure to explicit content
(08:56):
can cause tremendous damage.' There’s a realneed for best practices in mental health
protections, and these new protocols might justbe the blueprint we need.
That’s it for today’s AI News Daily Brief.
The story of content moderators reminds us ofthe human cost behind our digital safety, and
the new global safety standards could be agame-changer in protecting these workers.
(09:20):
Thanks for tuning in—subscribe to stay updated.
This is Bob, signing off.
Until next time.
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