The Stack: Tariff Exemptions and AI Shifts

This week has brought major developments in trade tensions and the AI landscape. In today’s MadTech Daily, we also cover DoubleVerify’s threat to sue Check My Ads for alleged defamation, TikTok’s test of ‘Footnotes’, and the news that Temu and Shein have significantly cut their US adspend as trade hostilities escalate.

This week, the Trump administration announced exemptions on smartphones, computers, and various consumer electronics from the next round of US tariffs. The move shields tech companies from the impact of escalating trade tensions, with items like modems, routers, and semiconductors.

On the AI front, Meta has confirmed plans to begin training its AI models on publicly available content from Facebook and Instagram users in the EU, revisiting a strategy it previously paused due to regulatory concerns.

Meanwhile, OpenAI appears to be expanding into the social media space. According to The Verge, the company is working on a prototype social platform centred on ChatGPT’s image generation tools. OpenAI is also facing criticism. Reports suggest the company has reduced the time and rigour of its AI safety testing, raising concerns among researchers and industry experts.

Finally, Australia’s proposed ban on social media access for users under 16 is stirring controversy. YouTube has been granted exemption from the ban, prompting backlash from rival platforms, including TikTok, which called the move “illogical, anti-competitive, and short-sighted.”