United News of Bangladesh

OpenAI, the company behind the phenomenal automated chatbot ChatGPT, launched its next-generation coding agent, Codex, on May 16, 2025. Designed to streamline several fundamental aspects of software programming, Codex will further dynamise the exponentially growing field of automated coding. Let’s look deeper at what Codex is and what it can do. What is Codex? OpenAI Codex is an AI model that translates natural language into computer code. Built on OpenAI 0.3 reasoning model technology and trained on vast codebases, it powers tools like GitHub Copilot, enabling users to write, understand, and automate code tasks across multiple programming languages using plain English instructions. Codex accesses GitHub repositories, collects inspiration from billions of lines of code already stored there, and uses its algorithms to come up with solutions to complex tasks. Development History of OpenAI Codex The invention of the Codex dates back to August 2021, right after OpenAI introduced the GPT-3, a neural prototype trained on text. To tune up the process through which GPT-3 generates results, developers added an extra model of 12 billion parameters and named it Codex. This initial version of Codex could write SQL queries, convert conversations into Python code, and build UI components. Read more: Watch The Skies: World's First AI-dubbed Feature Film to Change The Way of Watching Movies Later, throughout the period 2022 to 2023, Codex continued evolving in smaller versions and got integrated into GPT-4 and ChatGPT Pro. Recently, OpenAI has given Codex its environment and advanced coding functionalities. In doing so, the company has also shifted the reasoning model of Codex from GPT-3 to Codex-1. What Can Codex Do? The new Codex model is apt at executing multiple tasks related to coding. Here is a short glance: Conversational Coding Perhaps one of the most groundbreaking features of Codex is the ability to translate plain English into code. This allows users to instruct the AI with phrases and receive accurate, ready-to-run scripts across a range of programming languages. Developing Software OpenAI’s new code models are transforming the software landscape by allowing developers to generate functional code in seconds. With simple prompts, users can create entire programs without manually writing each line. Read more: Basic to Flagship: Top 5 Official Smartphones Released in Bangladesh in 2025 Analysing Data From spreadsheets to large CSV files, OpenAI’s code tools can now analyse, clean, and visualise data with minimal user input. Journalists, researchers, and business analysts can quickly generate charts or summaries by simply uploading a file and asking questions. Educational Companion for Coding Learners The models serve as a real-time tutor, capable of explaining code line by line, debugging errors, and answering conceptual questions. For students and self-learners, this offers an accessible alternative to traditional learning methods. Accelerating AI-Powered Applications Startups and enterprises alike are leveraging these tools to make prototypes of AI-driven apps without the need for large development teams, cutting costs and speeding up innovation cycles. Common Issues and Concerns on the Rise . Accuracy and Reliability While OpenAI's models can generate functional code with impressive speed, experts caution that the outputs are not always correct or optimal. In complex scenarios, the AI may produce code that looks fine but contains subtle bugs, inefficiencies, or security flaws. Relying on such code without proper review could pose risks, particularly in sensitive applications like healthcare, finance, or cybersecurity. Read more: Best 10 Smartphones Releasing in May 2025 Security and Misuse Risks OpenAI’s code generation capabilities could be exploited to create malicious software. Although safeguards are in place, the potential for misuse remains a real concern. Cybersecurity experts warn that making code generation more public at this scale could empower bad practitioners. Programming Fields As these tools improve, there's a growing debate about the impact on employment. While some argue that AI will complement human developers by automating repetitive tasks, others worry it could eventually reduce demand for entry-level programmers, especially in roles focused on routine coding or bug fixing. Code Licensing Confusion The use of AI-generated code raises legal questions around ownership and licensing. Developers and companies are seeking clarity on how such content can be safely used in commercial products. Skill Dilution Some educators and software veterans fear that easy access to AI-generated code may hinder learning. If new developers rely too heavily on tools like Codex, they may struggle to build a deep understanding of how software works. Over time, this could lead to a generation of coders with limited problem-solving skills or creative confidence. Read more: How Does Fashion Waste Contribute to Environmental Issues? Conclusion OpenAI Codex brings a transformative shift in how we code, making programming faster and more open. While it offers immense potential to streamline development and learning, thoughtful use, ethical oversight, and continued human expertise are essential to harnessing its power responsibly in the evolving tech landscape.

President Donald Trump signed a series of executive orders on Friday aimed at dramatically increasing the U.S. nuclear energy output—by up to four times over the next 25 years—a target energy experts say is highly unlikely. The orders shift key decision-making powers from the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC), the longstanding independent safety body, to the Department of Energy, allowing the energy secretary to fast-track approvals of advanced reactor designs and projects. The move comes amid growing energy demand driven by artificial intelligence and the rapid expansion of data centers, which are putting immense pressure on the nation’s electric grid. Interior Secretary Doug Burgum said, “What we do over the next five years with electricity will shape the next 50,” emphasizing the urgency of energy expansion to maintain a competitive edge with China in AI development. Still, the goal of quadrupling nuclear output is seen as unrealistic. The U.S. has no operational next-generation reactors, and only two new reactors have been built in the past five decades—both plagued by years of delays and massive cost overruns. Currently, the U.S. operates 94 nuclear reactors, providing about 19% of the country’s electricity. Fossil fuels account for around 60%, while renewables contribute about 21%, according to the Energy Information Administration. Trump Promotes Nuclear at Oval Office Ceremony During the signing event in the Oval Office, President Trump, flanked by energy industry leaders, called nuclear power “a hot industry” and pledged large-scale development. Burgum and others argued that excessive regulation has stifled nuclear innovation for decades. “This marks the end of over 50 years of overregulation,” said Burgum, who heads Trump’s new Energy Dominance Council. The orders propose restructuring the NRC to ensure faster project reviews, including setting an 18-month deadline for decisions. They also launch a pilot program to build three experimental reactors by July 4, 2026, and use the Defense Production Act to secure uranium and other critical fuels. Additional directives include evaluating the reopening of closed nuclear plants and locating new reactors on federal and military land. NRC spokesperson Scott Burnell said the agency is reviewing the orders and will comply with White House instructions. Industry Reacts with Optimism Jacob DeWitte, CEO of nuclear company Oklo, demonstrated nuclear efficiency to Trump by holding up a golf ball—symbolizing the amount of uranium needed to power a person’s lifetime energy use. “It doesn’t get any better than that,” he said. “Very exciting indeed,” Trump responded. Although Trump has previously backed fossil fuel expansion, he praised nuclear energy for being safe and clean—though he didn’t mention its climate advantages. Nuclear energy produces no greenhouse gas emissions, but safety advocates note the risks of accidents, attacks, and unresolved nuclear waste storage. The proposed NRC overhaul includes workforce reductions but stops short of removing the current NRC commissioners. The future of the agency’s current chair, David Wright, remains uncertain as his term ends in June. Criticism from Safety Advocates and Former Officials Critics say Trump’s orders could erode critical safety protections. Edwin Lyman of the Union of Concerned Scientists warned that bypassing or weakening the NRC could threaten public safety. “The U.S. nuclear industry will fail if safety isn’t prioritized,” he said. Former NRC Chair Gregory Jaczko was even more blunt, likening the orders to “a guillotine to the nation’s nuclear safety system,” and accused Trump of making the industry more dangerous and unreliable. Push for Innovation Amid Global Competition Nations like Russia, China, and Canada are advancing rapidly in building next-generation reactors. In Canada, the first of four small modular reactors recently began construction. Meanwhile, the U.S. is working to modernize its own approval processes. Isaiah Taylor, CEO of Valar Atomics, said excessive bureaucracy has slowed U.S. progress while global rivals move faster. He welcomed the new mandate for the Department of Energy to accelerate innovation. The NRC is currently evaluating applications for small modular reactors, with plans for some to begin operating in the early 2030s. The agency expects its reviews to be completed in under three years. Tori Shivanandan, COO of California-based Radiant Nuclear, called Trump’s executive orders a “watershed moment” for the U.S. nuclear industry, expressing confidence they will drive the sector’s success.  

Microsoft has fired an employee who interrupted a speech by CEO Satya Nadella to protest the company's work supplying the Israeli military with technology used for the war in Gaza. Software engineer Joe Lopez could be heard shouting at Nadella in the opening minutes Monday of the tech giant's annual Build developer conference in Seattle before getting escorted out of the room. Lopez later sent a mass email to colleagues disputing the company's claims about how its Azure cloud computing platform is used in Gaza. Lopez's outburst was the first of several pro-Palestinian disruptions at the event that drew thousands of software developers to the Seattle Convention Center. At least three talks by executives were disrupted, the company even briefly cut the audio of one livestreamed event. Protesters also gathered outside the venue. Microsoft has previously fired employees who protested company events over its work in Israel, including at its 50th anniversary party in April. Elon Musk, who's suing Microsoft, is also software giant's special guest in new Grok AI partnership Microsoft acknowledged last week that it provided AI services to the Israeli military for the war in Gaza but said it had found no evidence to date that its Azure platform and AI technologies were used to target or harm people in Gaza. The advocacy group No Azure for Apartheid, led by employees and ex-employees, says Lopez received a termination letter after his Monday protest but couldn't open it. The group also says the company has blocked internal emails that mention words including “Palestine” and “Gaza.” Microsoft confirms supplying AI to Israeli military, denies use in Gaza attacks Microsoft hasn't returned emailed requests for comment about its response to this week's protests. The four-day conference ends Thursday.

OpenAI, the company behind ChatGPT, has enlisted famed designer Jony Ive — best known for his role in creating Apple’s iPhone — to lead a major new AI hardware initiative. As part of this move, OpenAI is acquiring io Products, a company Ive co-founded, in a deal worth approximately $6.5 billion. Ive gained worldwide recognition during his 27 years at Apple, where he played a key role in defining the design of iconic devices like the iPhone, especially in partnership with Steve Jobs. He left Apple in 2019. Now, Ive is stepping into the forefront of the AI era. While OpenAI hasn’t disclosed exactly what the new product will be, analysts speculate it could involve a physical AI interface — possibly something like AI-integrated glasses, a robot, or even a vehicle — that brings generative AI out of the digital realm and into real-world devices. OpenAI CEO Sam Altman has reportedly been collaborating with Ive and his design firm LoveFrom since 2023. In a letter posted on OpenAI’s website, Altman and Ive said their shared vision led to the formation of a new company to develop and manufacture a fresh generation of AI products. That company, io, was officially incorporated in Delaware in late 2023 and registered in California in April 2024. OpenAI already held a 23% stake in io through an earlier partnership and will now acquire full control with a $5 billion equity purchase. Ive will not join OpenAI as a staff member; instead, LoveFrom will remain independent while taking on major creative and design roles for both OpenAI and io. All three entities — OpenAI, LoveFrom, and io — are based in San Francisco. Peter Welinder, a longtime OpenAI executive who has led its robotics and early hardware efforts, will head the new io division. Altman, 40, is clearly aiming to replicate the kind of innovation that resulted from the collaboration between Jobs and Ive. When founding LoveFrom, Ive drew inspiration from Jobs’ belief in crafting products with deep care and humanity. His studio is located in a historically artistic part of San Francisco, once frequented by Beat Generation writers like Jack Kerouac and Allen Ginsberg. OpenAI, just a couple of miles away, was originally launched as a nonprofit focused on safe AI research. Although it’s now deeply invested in commercial products like ChatGPT, it is still overseen by a nonprofit board. Altman recently announced that OpenAI will retain this governance model while exploring ways to better attract capital and pursue acquisitions — steps meant to keep the company competitive while staying true to its original mission. It’s unclear whether Altman’s work with Ive began before or after his brief ousting from OpenAI in late 2023, which happened between io’s incorporation in Delaware and its later establishment in California.

Google has launched a new "AI Mode" in the U.S. as part of its ongoing revamp of search, aiming to reshape how users find information online. Announced at its annual developer conference, the new feature allows users to interact with the search engine conversationally, like speaking with an expert. This move marks a rapid expansion just two and a half months after limited testing via Google's Labs. The company is also integrating its advanced Gemini 2.5 AI model into search algorithms and testing tools like automatic concert ticket purchasing and live video-based search. Google previewed a new pair of Android XR smart glasses—featuring a built-in AI assistant and camera—signaling a return to the smart glasses market. Designed with Gentle Monster and Warby Parker, the glasses will compete with Meta’s Ray-Ban offering. No release date or price was announced. The broader AI push builds on Google's "AI overviews," which now appear atop search results and are used by 1.5 billion people monthly. These summaries have shifted user behavior, leading to longer, more complex queries—but also to a 30% decline in clicks to external websites, per BrightEdge. Elon Musk, who's suing Microsoft, is also software giant's special guest in new Grok AI partnership Despite concerns about misinformation and reduced web traffic, Google is moving forward amid rising competition from AI-powered alternatives like ChatGPT and Perplexity. The company insists this shift strengthens its dominance, with Google still receiving 136 billion monthly visits—far ahead of AI rivals. Upcoming experiments will include AI-assisted booking through Project Mariner, video-based search, and deep topic exploration. A new $250/month "Ultra" subscription tier will offer premium AI tools and 30TB of storage, expanding beyond the current $20/month "Pro" plan. Even Google's own AI admits that AI Mode is likely to increase its influence over online information access—while warning publishers of the potential impact on web traffic. Source: With inputs from agency 

Elon Musk is in a legal fight with Microsoft but made a friendly virtual appearance at the software giant's annual technology showcase to reveal that his Grok artificial intelligence chatbot will now be hosted on Microsoft's data centers. “It’s fantastic to have you at our developer conference,” Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella said to Musk in a pre-recorded video conversation broadcast Monday at Microsoft's Build conference in Seattle. Musk last year sued Microsoft and its close business partner OpenAI in a dispute over Musk's foundational contributions to OpenAI, which Musk helped start. Musk now runs his own AI company, xAI, maker of Grok, a competitor to OpenAI's ChatGPT. OpenAI CEO Sam Altman also spoke with Nadella via live video call earlier at Monday's conference. Musk's deal means that the latest versions of xAI's Grok models will be hosted on Microsoft's Azure cloud computing platform, alongside competing models from OpenAI and other companies, including Facebook parent Meta Platforms, Europe-based AI startups Mistral and Black Forest Labs and Chinese company DeepSeek. Microsoft confirms supplying AI to Israeli military, denies use in Gaza attacks The Grok partnership comes just days after xAI had to fix the chatbot to stop it from repeatedly bringing up South African racial politics and the subject of “white genocide” in public interactions with users of Musk's social media platform X. The company blamed an employee's “unauthorized modification” for the unsolicited commentary, which mirrored South Africa-born Musk's own focus on the topic. Musk didn't address last week's controversy in his chat with Nadella but described honesty as the “best policy” for AI safety. “We have and will make mistakes, but we aspire to correct them very quickly,” Musk said. Nadella was interrupted by protest over Gaza Monday's Build conference also became the latest Microsoft event to be interrupted by a protest over the company's work with the Israeli government. Microsoft has previously fired employees who protested company events, including its 50th anniversary party in April. “Satya, how about you show how Microsoft is killing Palestinians?" a protesting employee shouted in the first minutes of Nadella's introductory talk Monday. "How about you show how Israeli war crimes are powered by Azure?” Nadella continued his presentation as the protesters were escorted out. Microsoft acknowledged last week that it provided AI services to the Israeli military for the war in Gaza but said it has found no evidence to date that its Azure platform and AI technologies were used to target or harm people in Gaza. Microsoft to lay off about 3% of workforce Microsoft didn't immediately return an emailed request for comment about the protest Monday. Microsoft introduces new AI coding agent Microsoft-owned GitHub also used the Seattle gathering to introduce a new AI coding “agent” to help programmers build new software. The company already offers a Copilot coding assistant but the promise of so-called AI agents is that they can do more work on their own on a user's behalf. The updated tool is supposed to work best on tasks of “low-to-medium complexity” in codebases that are already well-tested, handling “boring tasks” while people “focus on the interesting work,” according to Microsoft's announcement. The new tool arrives just a week after Microsoft began laying off hundreds of its own software engineers in Washington's Puget Sound region as part of global cuts of nearly 3% of its total workforce, amounting to about 6,000 workers.

Starlink, a Non-Geostationary Orbit (NGSO) satellite internet provider owned by Elon Musk’s SpaceX, has officially started its operations in Bangladesh. The announcement was made on Tuesday (20 May) in a Facebook post by Faiz Ahmad Taiyeb, Special Assistant to the Chief Adviser. “On Monday (19 May) afternoon, they informed me over a phone call and confirmed the matter this morning on their X handle,” he said. “Initially, Starlink is launching with two packages – Starlink Residence and Residence Lite. The monthly cost is Tk 6,000 for one and Tk 4,200 for the other. A one-time cost of Tk 47,000 will be required for setup equipment,” he added. Faiz Ahmad also said there will be no speed or data limits. Individuals will be able to use unlimited data at speeds of up to 300 Mbps. Customers in Bangladesh can start placing orders from today. “With this, Sir’s (CA's) expectation of launching within 90 days has been fulfilled,” he said. He went on to say, “Although expensive, this creates a sustainable alternative for premium customers to access high-quality and high-speed internet services.” “In addition, companies will have opportunities to expand their business into areas where fibre or high-speed internet services are yet to reach. NGOs, freelancers, and entrepreneurs will benefit from uninterrupted, high-speed internet throughout the year,” said the Special Assistant to the Chief Adviser. BTRC issues licenses to Starlink to operate in Bangladesh The Chief Adviser on Tuesday congratulated all involved as Starlink officially started its operations in Bangladesh, says his Deputy Press Secretary Abul Kalam Azad Majumder. Prof Yunus on February 14 held an extensive video discussion with Elon Musk, the founder of SpaceX, and owner of Tesla and X, to explore future collaboration and to make further progress to introduce Starlink satellite internet service in Bangladesh. On April 28, Chief Adviser Prof Yunus officially approved the license for Starlink to begin operations in Bangladesh, marking a significant step towards improving connectivity, especially in remote and underserved areas. On April 7, Starlink applied to the BTRC for a licence to operate in the country under the regulatory framework titled ‘Guidelines for Non-Geostationary Orbit (NGSO) Satellite Services Operators in Bangladesh’. CA Prof Yunus approves Starlink’s license to operate in Bangladesh On March 25, Prof Yunus directed the relevant authorities to ensure the commercial launch of Starlink’s satellite broadband internet service in Bangladesh within 90 days. In accordance with this guideline, Starlink submitted a formal application along with the applicable fees and required documents. A decision to issue the license was taken in principle during a meeting of the commission on April 21. Starlink becomes a new addition to Bangladesh’s internet landscape, marking the country as the second in South Asia—after Sri Lanka—to host services from the global satellite internet provider.

2025 has just passed its first quarter and has already stunned the world with amazing smartphones unique in design, features, and performance. However, not all of these smartphones are yet official in Bangladesh. Whether you are looking for a basic, mid-range, or high-end smartphone, the official devices offer a range of benefits. Here is a detailed overview of the top 5 official smartphones introduced in Bangladesh in 2025, ranging from entry-level to flagship. 5 Best Official Smartphones Launched in Bangladesh in 2025 . Xiaomi Redmi A5 4G Xiaomi’s budget-friendly smartphone, the Xiaomi Redmi A5 4G, officially launched on March 21, 2025. With a dimensional measurement of 6.76 inches by 3.06 inches by 0.33 inches, the phone weighs 193g. Among notable features, the phone offers a 6.88-inch IPS LCD display that has a visual resolution of 720 x 1640 pixels, a pixel density of 260 ppi, a brightness of 450 nits, and a peak brightness of 450 nits. The phone uses a Unisoc T7250 chipset, a Mali-G57 MP1 GPU, up to 6GB of RAM, and a maximum of 128GB of internal storage. The primary camera module comprises a 32MP wide lens, while the secondary lens is an 8MP shooter. For battery, the phone uses a 5200 mAh cell, which comes with a 15W charger. The phone’s price starts at BDT 10,000. Read more: Xiaomi Redmi Turbo 4 Pro Review: Can It Survive the Competition? Tecno Camon 40 Pro The Tecno Camon 40 Pro has created a buzz among the mid-range segment by offering outstanding features at a mid-range price. The phone is 164.44 mm by 74.32 mm by 7.31 mm and weighs 179g. It features IP68/IP69 protection and Corning Gorilla Glass 7i on the front. The front is a 6.78-inch AMOLED display with a 144Hz refresh rate and 1080 x 2436 resolution. The rear houses a 50MP wide and 8MP ultrawide camera setup, while the front sports a 50MP selfie lens. Powered by the 4nm Dimensity 7300 chip and Mali-G615 MC2 GPU, it runs Android 15 with HIOS 15, offering 8GB and 256GB storage. The 5200mAh battery supports 45W fast charging, reaching 50% in 23 minutes. Colour options include Emerald Lake Green, Galaxy Black, and Glacier White. The phone is priced at BDT 27,999. Read more: vivo iQoo Z10 Turbo Review: Is It the Mid-Range Beast You Are Looking For? realme 14 realme launched its mid-range device, the realme 14, on May 6, 2025. The phone measures 6.42 inches by 2.98 inches by 0.31 inches in dimensions and weighs 196g. Apart from a glass protection on the front, the phone offers an IP68/IP69-rated water and dust resistance support that allows for 30 min of submersion under 2.5 m of water. The display is a 6.67-inch AMOLED panel that responds to touch at a 120 Hz refresh rate, renders visuals at a 1080 x 2400 pixel resolution, distributes graphics at a 395 ppi pixel density, and brightens to a maximum of 2000 nits. Streamlining its performance, the phone boasts a 4nm Qualcomm Snapdragon 6 Gen 4 CPU, an Adreno 810 GPU, 12 GB of RAM, up to 512GB of internal storage, and a 6000 mAh battery. For shooters, the phone offers a 50MP wide primary lens and a 16MP secondary lens. The phone’s price starts at BDT 41,999. Read more: Motorola Edge 60 Pro Review: Know the Pros and Cons vivo V50 A higher mid-ranger in the list, the vivo V50 launched on February 25, 2025. The phone comes in two variants, distinct in colours, weights, and sizes. The black variant of the phone measures 163.29 mm by 76.72 mm by 7.39 mm and weighs 189g, while the blue variant measures 163.29 mm by 76.72 mm by 7.67 mm in dimensions and weighs 199g. The black’s rear panel and the frame is made of plastic, while the blue’s rear uses a glass panel. The display of the vivo V50 is a 6.77-inch AMOLED panel with a refresh rate of 120 Hz, a resolution of 2392 × 1080 pixels, a brightness of 4500 nits, and a pixel density of 387 PPI. The phone features a 4nm Snapdragon 7 Gen 3 processor, an Adreno 720 GPU, up to 12GB of RAM, and 512GB of internal storage. Users will get a 50MP wide sensor, a 50MP ultrawide primary camera, and a 50MP lens for the secondary camera. As for the power supply, a 6000 mAh battery comes with the phone. The phone is priced at BDT 62,999 excluding VAT. Read more: OnePlus Nord 5: What We Know So Far Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra The latest addition to Samsung’s S series flagships, the Samsung Galaxy S25, launched on February 3, 2025. The phone has introduced a 6.41-inch by 3.06-inch by 0.32-inch titanium frame with a Corning Gorilla Armor 2 on the front and a Gorilla Glass Victus 2 on the rear surface. Combined with this strong structure that weighs 218g, IP68 water and dust protection has made the phone durable and long-lasting. As for display, the phone offers an LTPO AMOLED panel that responds to touch at a 120Hz refresh rate, produces visuals at a 1440 x 3120 resolution, and shines at a brightness up to 2600 nits. On the rear, the primary camera panel houses a 200MP wide, 10MP telephoto, 50MP periscope telephoto, and a 50MP ultrawide lens, while the selfie shooter on the front is a 12MP wide lens. In the performance segment, the Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra offers a 3nm Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite processor, an Adreno 830 GPU, up to 1TB of RAM, and a 5000mAh battery. The phone’s price starts at BDT 236,999. Read more: Best 10 Smartphones Releasing in May 2025 Conclusion From flagship powerhouses like the Galaxy S25 Ultra to budget kings like the Redmi A5 4G, 2025’s official smartphone releases in Bangladesh have brought innovation across all price points. With powerful chipsets, high-refresh displays, massive batteries, and advanced cameras, these 5 smartphones, ranging from entry-level to high-end, cater to the needs of users looking for phones under different price segments. However, these prices are subject to change.

House Republicans caught the tech industry by surprise and sparked backlash from state governments after inserting a provision into their flagship tax bill that would block state and local regulation of artificial intelligence for the next ten years. This short but impactful addition, included in the House Energy and Commerce Committee’s broad legislative package, represents a significant victory for the AI industry. Tech companies have long pushed for consistent, minimal regulation as they advance technologies they claim will revolutionize society. Despite its potential scope, the measure faces an uncertain future in the Senate, where procedural constraints may prevent its inclusion in the final version of the GOP bill. “I’m not sure it’ll survive the Byrd Rule,” said Senator John Cornyn, R-Texas, referring to the requirement that all elements of a budget reconciliation bill must primarily relate to fiscal matters rather than broader policy initiatives. “That sounds to me like a policy change. I’m not going to speculate what the parliamentarian is going to do but I think it is unlikely to make it,” Cornyn said. Senators in both parties have expressed an interest in artificial intelligence and believe that Congress should take the lead in regulating the technology. But while lawmakers have introduced scores of bills, including some bipartisan efforts, that would impact artificial intelligence, few have seen any meaningful advancement in the deeply divided Congress. RobinRafan named Best Content Creator of 2025 at Kidlon-Powered 4th BIFA Awards An exception is a bipartisan bill expected to be signed into law by President Donald Trump next week that would enact stricter penalties on the distribution of intimate “revenge porn” images, both real and AI-generated, without a person’s consent. “AI doesn’t understand state borders, so it is extraordinarily important for the federal government to be the one that sets interstate commerce. It’s in our Constitution. You can’t have a patchwork of 50 states,” said Sen. Bernie Moreno, an Ohio Republican. But Moreno said he was unsure if the House’s proposed ban could make it through Senate procedure. The AI provision in the bill states that “no state or political subdivision may enforce any law or regulation regulating artificial intelligence models, artificial intelligence systems, or automated decision systems.” The language could bar regulations on systems ranging from popular commercial models like ChatGPT to those that help make decisions about who gets hired or finds housing. State regulations on AI’s usage in business, research, public utilities, educational settings and government would be banned. The congressional pushback against state-led AI regulation is part of a broader move led by the Trump administration to do away with policies and business approaches that have sought to limit AI’s harms and pervasive bias. Half of all U.S. states so far have enacted legislation regulating AI deepfakes in political campaigns, according to a tracker from the watchdog organization Public Citizen. Most of those laws were passed within the last year, as incidents in democratic elections around the globe in 2024 highlighted the threat of lifelike AI audio clips, videos and images to deceive voters. California state Sen. Scott Wiener called the Republican proposal “truly gross” in a social media post. Wiener, a San Francisco Democrat, authored landmark legislation last year that would have created first-in-the-nation safety measures for advanced artificial intelligence models. The bill was vetoed by California Gov. Gavin Newsom, a fellow San Francisco Democrat. “Congress is incapable of meaningful AI regulation to protect the public. It is, however, quite capable of failing to act while also banning states from acting,” Wiener wrote. A bipartisan group of dozens of state attorneys general also sent a letter to Congress on Friday opposing the bill. “AI brings real promise, but also real danger, and South Carolina has been doing the hard work to protect our citizens,” said South Carolina Attorney General Alan Wilson, a Republican, in a statement. “Now, instead of stepping up with real solutions, Congress wants to tie our hands and push a one-size-fits-all mandate from Washington without a clear direction. That’s not leadership, that’s federal overreach.” As the debate unfolds, AI industry leaders are pressing ahead on research while competing with rivals to develop the best — and most widely used —AI systems. They have pushed federal lawmakers for uniform and unintrusive rules on the technology, saying they need to move quickly on the latest models to compete with Chinese firms. Sam Altman, the CEO of ChatGPT maker OpenAI, testified in a Senate hearing last week that a “patchwork” of AI regulations “would be quite burdensome and significantly impair our ability to do what we need to do.” “One federal framework, that is light touch, that we can understand and that lets us move with the speed that this moment calls for seems important and fine,” Altman told Sen. Cynthia Lummis, a Wyoming Republican. And Sen. Ted Cruz floated the idea of a 10-year “learning period” for AI at the same hearing, which included three other tech company executives. “Would you support a 10-year learning period on states issuing comprehensive AI regulation, or some form of federal preemption to create an even playing field for AI developers and employers?” asked the Texas Republican. Altman responded that he was “not sure what a 10-year learning period means, but I think having one federal approach focused on light touch and an even playing field sounds great to me.”        

Content creator RobinRafan was honored with the Best Content Creator of 2025 award at the Kidlon-Powered 4th BIFA Awards, held yesterday night at the BCFCC Hall of Fame.  The award was given by  Asif Ahmed, Acting General Manager of Pan Pacific Sonargaon Hotel, alongside veteran actor Azizul Hakim, in recognition of RobinRafan’s creative contributions across digital platforms. RobinRafan, also known as Obidur Rahman, creates content across various niches including technology, AI, and VFX, and has also been praised for raising social awareness through his work. He remains active on platforms such as Facebook, YouTube, TikTok, and Instagram, where his diverse content has garnered a large following and widespread engagement. The event saw the presence of numerous well-known figures from the entertainment industry. Among the attendees were Rojina, Porimoni, Tanjin Tisha, Safa Kabir, Afran Nisho, Siyam, Mamnun Hasan Emon, Shahiduzzaman Selim, and Tariq Anam Khan, making it a night full of star power. Outside the venue, a large crowd gathered to witness the arrival of celebrities on the red carpet.  The evening also featured a fashion show by Nirob and Apu Biswas, as well as dance performances by Prarthona Fardin Dighi and Barisha Haque. Several other well-known personalities were recognized during the ceremony, including Afran Nisho, Siyam Ahmed, Mamnun Hasan Emon, Singer Imran, Kona, Tanjin Tisha, Mehazabien Chowdhury, and Chanchal Chowdhury. Speaking at the event, Kidlon's Managing Director, Antu Kareem, remarked that the organization values the efforts of individuals making significant contributions in their respective fields and aims to continue organizing such events to encourage and highlight impactful work. The 4th BIFA Awards marked a gathering of talent and achievement, with RobinRafan’s recognition highlighting the evolving landscape of content creation in Bangladesh.