Generative AI backlash, AI funding race, Gemini 3 Flash, AI governance...

Larian Studios’ admission that it uses generative AI for concept art and placeholder text ignited a firestorm among fans and writers, prompting accusations of “AI hysteria” and concerns over job security. The studio’s CEO Swen Vincke defended the practice, insisting that no AI‑generated assets will ship in the final game and that human creators remain essential. The controversy highlights a broader industry tension as developers grapple with balancing creative efficiency and community expectations. Wccftech Wccftech

Merriam‑Webster named “slop” the 2025 word of the year, defining it as low‑quality digital content churned out by artificial intelligence at scale. The designation reflects growing fatigue with AI‑generated noise flooding feeds, from fake news videos to junky AI‑written books, and signals a cultural pushback against unchecked generative output. Linguists note the term captures the unease that AI creativity often sacrifices substance for volume. Computer World TechSpot

Anthropic’s automated system recently suspended a Swiss cybersecurity firm’s entire account, erasing 80 % of its projects until the client paid for reinstatement. The incident underscores the emerging governance gap where AI providers can unilaterally cut off critical services without transparent recourse, prompting CIOs to demand contractual safeguards. Analysts warn that such “silent shutdowns” could become a systemic risk for enterprises reliant on third‑party AI platforms. Computer World

The Information reports that OpenAI is courting a multibillion‑dollar investment from Amazon, potentially tying its next‑generation models to Amazon’s Trainium AI chips. This financing, combined with a recent $1 billion infusion from Disney, widens the gap between OpenAI and rivals such as Google and Meta, whose funding pipelines are comparatively thinner. Industry observers see the deal as a strategic move to secure compute resources while cementing Amazon’s stake in the AI ecosystem. The Information TechCrunch

Google unveiled Gemini 3 Flash, a faster, more capable successor to its prior models, delivering a three‑fold jump in the Humanity’s Last Exam benchmark. The new model is now the default in the Gemini app and accessible via the Gemini API, Vertex AI, and the Antigravity IDE, signaling Google’s push to democratize high‑performance generative AI. Early benchmarks suggest the Flash variant narrows the gap with the larger Gemini 3 Pro while consuming fewer resources. Ars Technica TechCrunch

A new study highlighted that AI workloads in 2025 consumed as much electricity as the global bottled‑water market and emitted carbon comparable to a major metropolis, raising concerns about sustainability. Researchers point to opaque data‑center reporting as a barrier to accurate accounting, urging firms to disclose energy usage tied to AI services. The findings add pressure on cloud providers to improve the efficiency of AI‑specific hardware. The Verge

An analysis by CodeRabbit, reported by DevOps.com, found that code generated with AI assistants introduced significantly more defects across logic, security, and performance categories than human‑written code. The study examined 470 open‑source pull requests, revealing a consistent pattern of quality degradation when developers rely heavily on autocomplete‑style tools. Experts recommend tighter integration of testing pipelines to mitigate these risks. DevOps.com

Wccftech uncovered a benchmark of AMD’s upcoming Ryzen AI 7 445, a 6‑core/12‑thread “Gorgon Point” processor featuring a 2+4 core configuration and integrated Radeon 840M iGPU. The leak suggests AMD is targeting budget‑friendly AI workloads, expanding its portfolio beyond high‑end data‑center chips. Industry analysts anticipate the SKU will compete directly with entry‑level offerings from Intel and Nvidia. Wccftech

Micron’s quarterly outlook shows soaring demand for high‑bandwidth memory, a critical component for AI accelerators, propelling the stock up 165 % year‑to‑date. With AI models growing in size, the supply chain for HBM is tightening, and Micron, alongside Samsung and SK Hynix, stands to benefit from sustained capacity shortages. Investors are watching whether Micron can scale production fast enough to meet the projected multi‑year AI boom. The Information

The Register reports that Purdue University will require all undergraduates to demonstrate an “AI working competency” before they can earn a degree. The new criterion reflects a broader academic shift toward embedding AI literacy into core curricula, ensuring graduates can navigate AI‑augmented workplaces. Faculty anticipate the policy will drive new courses and interdisciplinary projects across engineering and liberal arts. The Register