Accenture's AI Acquisition, Italy Ends DeepSeek AI Probe, and Google Faces Chatbot Settlements - AI Policy Brief #51
January 13, 2026 -
AI Policy Brief
Hi there,
Welcome to this week's edition of the AI Policy Brief, where we bring you the latest updates on AI regulations, safety standards, and government policies from around the globe. This week, we cover a range of topics, including Accenture's acquisition of Faculty to enhance their AI capabilities, and the conclusion of Italy's investigation into DeepSeek AI. Additionally, Google and Character.AI are in the process of negotiating settlements related to chatbot-linked suicides, highlighting the ongoing challenges in AI safety and ethics.
In other news, Keysight Technologies has launched the AI Software Integrity Builder, aiming to improve software reliability, while France has awarded an AI framework agreement to Mistral AI. Meanwhile, China is taking steps to regulate AI hosts in livestream e-commerce, and Germany is addressing concerns over AI-driven image manipulation. Stay informed with us as we delve into these developments and more in the world of AI policy.
Welcome to this week's edition of the AI Policy Brief, where we bring you the latest updates on AI regulations, safety standards, and government policies from around the globe. This week, we cover a range of topics, including Accenture's acquisition of Faculty to enhance their AI capabilities, and the conclusion of Italy's investigation into DeepSeek AI. Additionally, Google and Character.AI are in the process of negotiating settlements related to chatbot-linked suicides, highlighting the ongoing challenges in AI safety and ethics.
In other news, Keysight Technologies has launched the AI Software Integrity Builder, aiming to improve software reliability, while France has awarded an AI framework agreement to Mistral AI. Meanwhile, China is taking steps to regulate AI hosts in livestream e-commerce, and Germany is addressing concerns over AI-driven image manipulation. Stay informed with us as we delve into these developments and more in the world of AI policy.
Accenture has announced its acquisition of Faculty, a UK-based AI services company, to bolster its AI capabilities and improve client decision-making. Meanwhile, Google and Character.AI are negotiating settlements with families affected by chatbot-linked suicides, marking a significant legal development in AI-related user harm.
Accenture to Acquire Faculty for AI Enhancement
Accenture has announced its agreement to acquire Faculty, a UK-based AI services company, to strengthen its AI capabilities. The acquisition will integrate Faculty's team of over 400 AI professionals into Accenture. Read more
Italy Ends Investigation into DeepSeek AI
Italy's antitrust authority has concluded its investigation into the Chinese AI system DeepSeek after the company committed to enhancing transparency about AI-generated inaccuracies. Read more
Google and Character.AI Negotiate Settlements Over Chatbot-Linked Suicides
Google and Character.AI are in settlement talks with families of teens who died by suicide or self-harmed after using Character.AI's chatbots. This is a pivotal moment in legal actions against AI firms for user harm. Read more
Keysight Technologies Launches AI Software Integrity Builder
Keysight Technologies has introduced the AI Software Integrity Builder, a software solution aimed at enhancing the validation and maintenance of AI systems in safety-critical environments like automotive. This tool addresses the challenges of transparency and regulatory compliance by providing a unified framework for dataset analysis, model validation, and real-world testing, ensuring AI systems are trustworthy and compliant. Read more
France Awards AI Framework Agreement to Mistral AI
France's Ministry of the Armed Forces has granted a framework agreement to Mistral AI, enabling military and public entities to access AI models and services developed by the company. Read more
China Regulates AI Hosts in Livestream E-Commerce
The Chinese government has introduced new regulations for the livestream e-commerce industry, now including oversight of AI-generated content. These rules require AI hosts to be clearly labeled to ensure transparency and accountability. Read more
Germany to Address AI Image Manipulation
The German government is set to introduce new measures targeting harmful AI-generated content, with a focus on deepfakes and non-consensual image manipulation. This move comes after recent incidents highlighted the need for legal action against AI misuse. Read more
OpenAI and Common Sense Media Collaborate on AI Safety Initiative
OpenAI and Common Sense Media have partnered on a California ballot measure to establish rules for children's interactions with AI chatbots, focusing on age verification and data protection. Read more
New York Governor Proposes Ban on AI-Generated Election Images
Governor Kathy Hochul of New York has proposed a ban on the use of AI-generated images of election candidates without consent in the lead-up to elections. This measure is intended to address misinformation and safeguard democratic processes. Read more
Paragon Health Institute Launches AI Initiative
The Paragon Health Institute has introduced a Health Care AI Initiative to promote AI-driven research and policies for reducing healthcare costs and improving patient outcomes. Read more
Sen. Tom Cotton Proposes DATA Act for AI Data Centers
Arkansas Senator Tom Cotton has introduced the 'Decentralized Access to Technology Alternatives' (DATA) Act, aiming to exempt AI data centers from federal electricity regulations to boost development. Read more
Meta's $2 Billion Manus Acquisition Faces Regulatory Scrutiny
Meta's acquisition of AI platform Manus is under regulatory scrutiny, with Chinese authorities concerned about technology export controls after Manus moved from Beijing to Singapore. Read more
California Proposes Ban on AI Chatbots in Kids' Toys
A new bill, SB 867, introduced by Senator Steve Padilla, seeks a four-year ban on AI chatbot-enabled toys for children under 18 in California. The proposal aims to provide time for developing safety regulations following incidents involving AI chatbots and children. Read more
Elon Musk's Lawsuit Against OpenAI Set for 2026 Trial
A jury trial for Elon Musk's lawsuit against OpenAI and its co-founders is scheduled for March 2026. Musk claims that OpenAI deviated from its nonprofit mission to pursue profits. Read more
CyberLogitec and BNCT to Implement AI Safety System at Busan Port
CyberLogitec and BNCT have partnered to deploy an AI-based safety monitoring system at Busan New Port. The initiative aims to enhance safety by reducing collision risks through real-time monitoring of operational risks. Read more
X Faces Global Scrutiny Over AI-Generated Nudity
Governments are addressing a rise in non-consensual nude images created by the Grok AI chatbot on X, leading to regulatory actions from multiple countries. Read more
Nvidia Requires Upfront Payments for H200 AI Chips in China
Nvidia is now requiring Chinese customers to pay upfront for H200 AI chips due to regulatory uncertainties. The decision eliminates options for refunds or order changes, despite high demand and pending government approvals. Read more
Perplexity Offers Free AI Tool to Law Enforcement
Perplexity has launched 'Perplexity for Public Safety', a free AI platform for law enforcement agencies, providing up to 200 seats for a year. The tool supports decision-making with features like scene photo uploads and bodycam footage review. Read more
US Justice Department Forms AI Task Force
The US Justice Department has established an AI task force to address state regulations that could impede AI innovation, following an executive order from President Trump. Read more
New Jersey to Charge AI Data Centers for Electricity
Lawmakers in New Jersey have approved a bill to impose tariffs on large-load data centers to address rising electric costs. The legislation seeks to promote energy efficiency and protect residents from increased utility bills. Read more
French Competition Authority Investigates Conversational Agents
The Autorité de la concurrence in France has launched an inquiry into the competitive dynamics of the conversational agent sector, with a focus on its impact on economic sectors like e-commerce. A public consultation will precede the final opinion expected in 2026. Read more
Virginia's New Electricity Rate for AI Data Centers
The Virginia State Corporation Commission has approved a new electricity rate class for data centers, effective January 1, 2027, to address the energy demands of AI-driven data centers and reduce costs for residential customers. Read more
NIST Seeks Public Input on AI Security Practices
The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) is inviting public feedback to improve the security of AI agents, focusing on managing risks in critical infrastructure. Read more
OpenAI and Handshake AI Request Work Samples from Contractors
OpenAI and Handshake AI are asking contractors to submit examples of their past work to assess AI models' performance. Contractors must remove confidential information before submission, aiming to create a human baseline for AI-automated tasks. Read more
FDA Reduces Oversight for AI in Healthcare
The FDA has introduced new policies that lower regulatory barriers for AI-enabled clinical decision support software and consumer wearables, allowing them to function under a general wellness framework without strict classification. Read more
India Launches AI Training for One Million Youths
The Indian government has started a program to train one million youths in AI within a year, aiming to boost productivity and support small businesses. Read more
Welsh Government Funds AI Adoption for SMEs
The Welsh Government has allocated £2.1 million to help small and medium-sized enterprises in Wales adopt artificial intelligence. The funding aims to boost productivity and competitiveness through training and resources for ethical AI integration. Read more
Türkiye Sets AI Ethical Guidelines for Schools
The Ministry of National Education in Türkiye has introduced ethical guidelines to regulate AI use in schools, requiring educators to submit ethical declarations and establishing oversight for compliance. Read more
Google Removes AI Overviews for Medical Queries
Google has removed AI Overviews for certain health-related queries, such as liver blood test ranges, following reports of misleading information. The company is working on improving healthcare-related search results. Read more
South Korea to Enforce AI Framework Act in 2026
South Korea plans to implement the AI Framework Act, the first comprehensive AI law, on January 22, 2026. The law will regulate AI development and impose obligations for high-impact systems. Read more
Anthropic Restricts Access to Claude AI Models
Anthropic has implemented technical safeguards to prevent unauthorized access to its Claude AI models by third-party applications. This decision affects tools like OpenCode and Cursor and has resulted in xAI losing access, as Anthropic enforces its commercial terms. Read more
Medius Certified for AI-Driven E-Invoicing in France
Medius has been certified by the French General Directorate of Public Finances as an Approved Platform for electronic invoicing. This allows Medius to help companies comply with France's invoicing reform and aligns with European regulations. Read more
Ofcom Investigates X Over Grok AI Misuse
The UK regulator Ofcom is investigating X for its AI tool Grok's alleged creation of harmful images, including non-consensual and child sexual imagery. Read more
Morocco Aims for $10 Billion AI GDP Boost by 2030
The Moroccan Government has set a target to increase its GDP by $10 billion through artificial intelligence by 2030, with plans for significant investments in training and infrastructure. Read more
Israeli Health Ministry's AI Sandbox Initiative
The Israeli Ministry of Health has launched a Regulatory Sandbox program to test AI technologies in healthcare, inviting proposals to enhance healthcare services. Read more
Meta Excludes Italy from WhatsApp Chatbot Ban
Meta Platforms will exempt Italy from its ban on rival AI chatbots on WhatsApp following an order from the Italian antitrust authority. This decision is part of ongoing investigations into Meta's market practices. Read more
War Department Unveils AI Strategy for Military Dominance
The War Department has launched an AI Acceleration Strategy to boost U.S. military capabilities in AI, as directed by President Trump. The strategy aims to integrate advanced AI technologies across military operations. Read more
Utah Allows AI to Renew Prescriptions
Utah has initiated a pilot program using an AI system from Doctronic to renew prescriptions for chronic conditions, aiming to enhance healthcare access and reduce costs. Read more
Indonesia Blocks xAI's Grok Chatbot Over Deepfake Concerns
The Indonesian government has temporarily blocked access to xAI's Grok chatbot due to concerns over non-consensual, sexualized deepfakes involving real women and minors. Read more
Florida Bill Proposes AI Data Center Regulations
A new bill in Florida, House Bill 1007, aims to regulate hyperscale data centers to protect consumers from increased electricity costs and environmental impacts. The legislation includes requirements for local government approval and public hearings for data center construction. Read more
Philippines DepEd Launches Project AGAP.AI for AI Education
The Department of Education (DepEd) in the Philippines has initiated Project AGAP.AI to educate 1.5 million teachers, learners, and parents on responsible AI use in basic education, starting in 2026. Read more
Brazil Halts Meta's Ban on Third-Party AI Chatbots
Brazil's competition authority, CADE, has instructed Meta to stop enforcing its policy that restricts third-party AI companies from accessing the WhatsApp Business API for chatbots, amid concerns of anti-competitive practices. Read more
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