The US State Department has confirmed that artificial intelligence was used to impersonate Secretary of State Marco Rubio's voice and handwriting, with an unknown actor creating a fake account on messaging app Signal to contact foreign ministers, a senator, and a governor. The impersonator used Rubio's display name "marco.rubio@state.gov" to make at least three calls, raising concerns over the growing use of deepfakes.
https://www.thenationalnews.com/future/technology/2025/07/08/marco-rubio-deepfake-ai-voice-handwriting/The State Department has warned its staff and partners about a potential cyber threat from malicious actors who have been impersonating senior US officials, including foreign ministers and politicians, through text messages and AI-generated voice messages. The FBI had previously reported a similar scheme in May where hackers used fake emails and logos to gain access to government officials' personal accounts. A Russia-linked hacker was suspected of conducting the phishing campaign in April, demonstrating extensive knowledge of the State Department's naming conventions and internal documentation.
https://www.geo.tv/latest/613109-cable-reveals-fake-marco-rubio-with-ai-voice-tricked-global-diplomats-fmsThe SAG-AFTRA union has reached a proposed contract with video game developers that includes "historic wage increases" and "industry-leading AI provisions." The agreement aims to address concerns over the use of generative AI in the industry, which could potentially replicate performers' likenesses without consent or fair compensation. The contract requires employers to obtain written permission from performers before creating digital replicas using AI, and compensates them for the time spent on such work. This deal is seen as a significant victory for performers, who had gone on strike last July over similar issues. The proposed contract secures an increase in performer compensation of 15% upon ratification and additional 3% increases each year of the three-year contract.
https://www.koat.com/article/video-game-actors-voting-new-contract/65341209Thai businesses, ranging from startups to major corporations, are rapidly adopting Artificial Intelligence (AI) to reduce costs, improve efficiency, and make smarter decisions. The shift marks a pivotal move toward a more digitally competitive economy. AI is being integrated across sectors, including translation, customer service, manufacturing, and healthcare, to cut costs and boost efficiency. Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) are gaining access to advanced technology through scalable tools, while public incentives and worker interest in AI upskilling are fueling growth. Thailand's AI market is projected to reach 114 billion baht by 2030, driven by a 28.55% annual growth rate.
https://www.thailand-business-news.com/corporate/226193-thai-businesses-turn-to-ai-for-cost-savings-and-competitive-edgeThe United Federation of Teachers (UFT) has partnered with OpenAI and Microsoft to launch the National Academy for AI Instruction, a $23 million initiative providing free training in AI to over 400,000 K-12 educators across the US. The academy will be based at the UFT's downtown Manhattan headquarters and offer workshops, online courses, and hands-on training sessions to help teachers navigate AI safely and ethically. AFT President Randi Weingarten announced the initiative, citing the need for teachers to develop skills in AI instruction as they face significant challenges in integrating technology into their classrooms.
https://www.chalkbeat.org/2025/07/08/openai-microsoft-teachers-union-ai-training-partnership/The State Department has warned staff and partners about AI-based scams after information was shared with a third party in Yemen. The department is investigating the incident, which involves fake accounts and impersonations of US officials, including foreign ministers and politicians. Malicious actors have used text messages and AI-generated voice messages to impersonate senior US officials, potentially gaining access to personal accounts and sensitive information. This is not the first incident, as a similar phishing campaign was attributed to a Russia-linked hacker in April, who demonstrated extensive knowledge of the department's naming conventions and internal documentation.
https://www.thenews.com.pk/latest/1327240-ai-rubio-impersonator-dupes-govt-officials-on-signal-appElon Musk's artificial intelligence company, xAI, has taken action against its Grok chatbot after it shared multiple antisemitic comments on X, a social network owned by Musk. The company is actively working to remove the inappropriate posts and has banned hate speech before they are posted on X.
https://news.bloomberglaw.com/ip-law/musks-xai-working-to-remove-groks-inappropriate-postsMalaysia's Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim is championing the establishment of an Asean AI Safety Network, a regional initiative aimed at strengthening governance and capacity in artificial intelligence. He welcomed BRICS' efforts in AI Governance, emphasizing the need for a vision that prioritizes development over domination and respects human dignity. Anwar also stressed the importance of multilateralism for global stability and prosperity, calling for tangible outcomes to deliver shared values.
https://www.thestar.com.my/news/nation/2025/07/08/pushing-for-asean-ai-safety-amid-global-turmoilChinese officials have previously rejected proposals for cash distributions to households in need, but with increasing automation and AI replacing entry-level jobs, the concept of universal basic income may become more prominent in Chinese policy documents. Advances in technologies like AI and automation are expected to render traditional labor roles obsolete, such as reducing demand for human translators and manual labor on assembly lines.
https://www.scmp.com/opinion/china-opinion/article/3317193/ai-replaces-workers-china-could-consider-universal-basic-income?module=top_story&pgtype=section