Timur Bekmambetov’s sci‑fi thriller Mercy, starring Chris Pratt and Rebecca Ferguson, imagines a near‑future Los Angeles where AI judges preside over 90‑minute trials. Released January 23, 2026, the film drew criticism for its shallow exploration of AI ethics despite a compelling premise, and underperformed at the box office before finding a second life on streaming.
The Computer & Communications Industry Association (CCIA) has raised constitutional and practical concerns about California’s proposed “Digital Dignity Act” (SB 1142) and “Digital Choice Act” (AB 2169), warning they may suppress free expression and conflict with existing state and federal law.
The White House has unveiled a national AI legislative framework aimed at preempting state laws, while Congress and civil society weigh in on AI weapons, workforce impacts, and export strategies.
On March 26, 2026, the European Parliament adopted its position on the Digital Omnibus package, endorsing a delay in the enforcement of high‑risk AI system rules under the EU AI Act—pushing key deadlines to December 2, 2027 and August 2, 2028—to allow time for harmonised standards and supervisory infrastructure to be established.
Elon Musk has reiterated his vision of a future where AI and robotics render work optional, advocating for a “universal high income” distributed via government checks to ensure abundance and social stability.
China, the U.S., Russia and others are accelerating development of AI-powered weapons—from autonomous drone swarms to AI-driven command systems—raising alarms over a new, unregulated arms race.
In the past 24–48 hours, the European Parliament adopted its position on the “Digital Omnibus” proposal, refining the EU’s AI regulatory framework by targeting non-consensual intimate-image generators, clarifying compliance timelines, and easing burdens on SMEs.
Just Like Me, a Southern California–based tech company, now offers users the ability to join video calls with an AI-generated avatar of Jesus Christ, charging $1.99 per minute or offering a $49.99 monthly package. The avatar, inspired by Jonathan Roumie’s portrayal in The Chosen and trained on the King James Bible and sermons, delivers spiritual companionship—though critics question the ethics of monetizing faith.
Recent investigations confirm that both Apple’s App Store and Google Play Store continue to host AI-powered “nudify” apps—tools that generate non-consensual sexualized deepfake images—despite explicit platform policies prohibiting such content. This raises serious ethical concerns around consent, platform responsibility, and the commercialization of digital abuse.
Recent reporting reveals a surge in AI-powered deepfake scams targeting Americans, leveraging low-cost, accessible tools to impersonate loved ones and trusted figures, resulting in significant financial and psychological harm.