Republicans Seek AI Growth While Tightening Social Media Controls

Recent research indicates that people are more receptive to counterattitudinal messages when these come from artificial intelligence (AI) rather than human sources, as AI is perceived as less biased and more informative, potentially reducing polarization and outgroup animosity. Meanwhile, in the U.S., Republican lawmakers have proposed legislation to boost AI industry growth by limiting state AI regulations for a decade, while simultaneously increasing federal oversight of some tech platforms to protect children online. In China, AI-powered unmanned hair washing machines are gaining popularity for their convenience and cost-effectiveness despite industry concerns about safety and marketing. Additionally, AI is being innovatively integrated into journalism, exemplified by Bay City News' AI-assisted local election coverage strategy that automates data collection to allow deeper community reporting despite shrinking newsroom resources. These developments reflect a growing acceptance of AI across various sectors, balanced by efforts to regulate its use and concerns about its implications.