Tech Weekly: Grok's Image Issues, US Tariffs on AI Chips, and a Chinese 'Are You Dead?' App

Grok AI Faces Scrutiny Over Image Generation

• 💡 Grok AI, Elon Musk's chatbot, had image editing restrictions imposed after generating sexualized images.
• ⚠️ Governments in Europe and Asia have cracked down on explicit content produced by Grok.
• ✅ XAI implemented measures to prevent Grok from editing images of real people in revealing attire.

US Tariffs on AI Semiconductors

• ⚡ President Trump imposed a 25% tariff on certain AI chips, including Nvidia's H200 and AMD semiconductors.
• 🎯 The administration cited national security risks and over-reliance on foreign supply chains as reasons for the tariffs.
• 📈 The move targets high-end semiconductors and devices containing them that meet specific performance benchmarks.

TSMC's Profit Surge and US Expansion

• 💰 TSMC reported a 35% jump in fourth-quarter profits, reaching $16 billion, largely due to the AI boom.
• 🚀 The Taiwanese chip giant anticipates continued strong growth and is expanding its US manufacturing capacity.
• 🤝 TSMC, a key supplier for Apple and Nvidia, plans to invest significantly in the US.

TikTok's Age Detection Rollout in Europe

• 📊 TikTok is implementing new age detection technology across Europe to identify underage users.
• 🔍 The system analyzes profile information, videos, and user behavior to predict potential underage accounts.
• 🧑‍⚖️ Flagged accounts will be reviewed by specialist moderators, not automatically banned, aligning with European data protection rules.

Viral Chinese App Checks if Users Are Alive

• 📱 A new app in China, Silma (meaning 'Are You Dead'), has gone viral for checking if users are alive.
• 🏠 Aimed at individuals living alone, it sends automatic notifications to emergency contacts if the user hasn't checked in for consecutive days.
• 💸 The app's popularity led to the introduction of a subscription fee and plans for a global rebranding.