Spain Regulates AI Deepfakes, OpenAI's New VP, and Nigeria's AI Bill - AI Policy Brief #52
January 20, 2026 -
AI Policy Brief
Hi there,
Welcome to this week's edition of the AI Policy Brief, your go-to source for the latest developments in AI regulations, safety standards, and compliance requirements worldwide. This week, we're covering a range of topics from new legislative measures to corporate partnerships aimed at enhancing AI governance. Notably, Spain has introduced regulations concerning AI deepfakes and image consent, marking a significant step in addressing privacy concerns in the digital age.
In other news, Ann O'Leary has joined OpenAI as the Vice President of Global Policy, bringing her expertise to the forefront of AI policy-making. Meanwhile, Nigeria is set to implement a new AI regulation bill, reflecting the growing global emphasis on establishing robust frameworks for AI technologies. Stay tuned as we delve into these stories and more, providing you with the insights you need to stay informed in the rapidly evolving world of AI.
Welcome to this week's edition of the AI Policy Brief, your go-to source for the latest developments in AI regulations, safety standards, and compliance requirements worldwide. This week, we're covering a range of topics from new legislative measures to corporate partnerships aimed at enhancing AI governance. Notably, Spain has introduced regulations concerning AI deepfakes and image consent, marking a significant step in addressing privacy concerns in the digital age.
In other news, Ann O'Leary has joined OpenAI as the Vice President of Global Policy, bringing her expertise to the forefront of AI policy-making. Meanwhile, Nigeria is set to implement a new AI regulation bill, reflecting the growing global emphasis on establishing robust frameworks for AI technologies. Stay tuned as we delve into these stories and more, providing you with the insights you need to stay informed in the rapidly evolving world of AI.
Spain Regulates AI Deepfakes and Image Consent
The Spanish government has passed a bill to address AI deepfakes, setting a minimum age of 16 for image consent and restricting unauthorized image use. Read more
Ann O'Leary Joins OpenAI as VP of Global Policy
Ann O'Leary has been appointed as Vice President of Global Policy at OpenAI, bringing her experience from government and policy litigation. Read more
Nigeria to Implement AI Regulation Bill
Nigeria is set to pass the National Digital Economy and E-Governance Bill, which aims to regulate AI usage by establishing enforceable standards and overseeing data and algorithmic systems, especially in high-risk sectors. Read more
AI Funding Tied to Governance by 2026
Research from Ramsey Theory Capital suggests that over 60% of enterprises will connect AI funding approvals to governance maturity by 2026, as global AI regulation influences budgets and operations. Read more
Google Addresses Concerns Over AI Shopping Protocol
A consumer watchdog has raised concerns about Google's new AI shopping protocol, suggesting it might lead to unfair pricing practices. Google has denied these claims, asserting transparency in their pricing methods. Read more
Anthropic Partners with Python Software Foundation for Security
Anthropic has announced a partnership with the Python Software Foundation, committing $1.5 million to improve security in the Python ecosystem. Read more
US Senators Question Tech Giants on Deepfake Policies
U.S. senators have reached out to leaders of major tech companies, including X, Meta, and Alphabet, seeking information on their measures against sexualized deepfakes. The inquiry focuses on the companies' strategies to combat nonconsensual AI-generated content. Read more
Nvidia H200 Chip Exports to China Approved with Conditions
The Trump administration has approved the export of Nvidia's H200 chips to China, with conditions to ensure national security, sparking debate over its implications. Read more
IBM Introduces AI-Ready Sovereign Core Software
On January 15, 2026, IBM announced the launch of IBM Sovereign Core, a software designed to help organizations manage AI-ready sovereign environments, addressing digital sovereignty needs. Read more
Google Seeks Dismissal of Penske Media Lawsuit Over AI Summaries
Google has asked a US federal judge to dismiss a lawsuit from Penske Media Corp, which claims that AI-generated summaries in search results unlawfully divert traffic from media websites. Read more
Taiwan to Invest $250 Billion in US Semiconductor Manufacturing
Taiwan is set to invest $250 billion in the US semiconductor industry as part of a trade deal announced by the Trump administration. This move aims to boost domestic semiconductor production and address concerns over foreign supply chain reliance. Read more
Compliagence Unveils AI Compliance Platform
Compliagence has launched an AI-native compliance platform to aid businesses in navigating evolving AI regulations. The platform provides real-time monitoring and regulatory intelligence to clarify compliance requirements. Read more
Germany Urges Action on AI-Generated Holocaust Images
The German government and Holocaust memorial institutions have urged social media platforms to stop the spread of AI-generated images that misrepresent the Holocaust, calling for clear labeling and removal of such content. Read more
San Diego County to Regulate AI Data Centers
The San Diego County Board of Supervisors has approved an initiative to regulate AI data centers, aiming to address concerns about their energy consumption and potential impact on utility rates. Read more
Trump Administration Urges Tech Firms to Invest in Power Plants
The Trump Administration is encouraging tech companies to invest $15 billion in new power generation capacity for the PJM electricity grid, despite potential non-necessity for their data centers. This proposal is under review by PJM and has been met with skepticism. Read more
Nvidia H200 Chip Production Halted Due to China Blockade
Suppliers of parts for Nvidia's H200 chips have stopped production after Chinese customs officials blocked shipments of the AI processors. This development underscores the ongoing U.S.-China tensions over technology. Read more
Shaperon Secures ¥730 Million in Series B Funding
Shaperon, a compliance AI platform provider, has raised ¥730 million in its Series B funding round to enhance its AI solutions for regulated industries. Read more
WhatsApp Allows Chatbots in Brazil Despite Ban
WhatsApp will permit AI providers to offer chatbots in Brazil, following an order from Brazil's competition regulator. This decision exempts Brazilian users from a policy banning third-party chatbots, effective January 15, 2026. Read more
New Mexico Proposes AI Accountability Act
On January 15, 2026, New Mexico Attorney General Raúl Torrez and State Representative Linda Serrato introduced the Artificial Intelligence Accountability Act to regulate generative AI and synthetic media, focusing on transparency and civil liabilities. Read more
Everkind and Conformance AI Collaborate on AI Safety
Everkind, a mental wellness company, has partnered with Conformance AI to enhance the safety and quality oversight of its AI products, focusing on AI Journaling and SMS chat experiences. Read more
US Chip Tariff's Limited Impact on South Korean Firms
South Korea's Trade Minister announced that the new US tariff on advanced computing chips will have a limited immediate impact on South Korean companies, as memory chips are currently excluded. Read more
IAB Introduces AI Transparency Framework
The IAB has launched a new framework to address consumer skepticism towards AI-generated advertising, focusing on transparency and disclosure to build trust. Read more
European Commission Allocates €307 Million for AI and Tech
The European Commission has announced funding of €307.3 million under the Horizon Europe Work Programme to boost digital innovation and competitiveness, focusing on trustworthy AI services and digital technologies. Read more
California AG Orders xAI to Stop Deepfakes
The California Attorney General has issued a cease-and-desist order to xAI, demanding the company stop creating nonconsensual deepfake content. This follows reports of misuse of their chatbot, Grok, for generating inappropriate material. Read more
European Council Approves AI Gigafactories Regulation
The European Council has adopted an amendment to facilitate the creation of AI gigafactories in Europe, aiming to boost AI infrastructure and competitiveness. Read more
Signal Co-Founder Launches Privacy-Focused AI Service
Moxie Marlinspike, co-founder of Signal, has launched Confer, an AI service prioritizing user privacy by not storing conversations or using them for advertising. Read more
US FTC Investigates Big Tech Hiring Practices in AI
The US Federal Trade Commission is investigating how big tech companies are hiring employees from startups rather than acquiring the companies, focusing on the impact on the AI sector. Read more
Washington State Proposes AI Regulations for Child Protection
Washington state lawmakers are considering new AI regulations to protect children and require disclosures for AI-generated content. The legislation includes bills for AI detection tools and guidelines for AI interactions with minors. Read more
G42 Introduces AI Sovereignty Framework
The UAE-based company G42 has launched its Digital Embassies and Greenshield framework to help governments deploy AI securely while retaining data control. Read more
Exiger Unveils Free AI Tool for Detecting Forced Labor
On January 20, 2026, Exiger launched a free AI tool called forcedlabor.ai at the World Economic Forum in Davos. The tool helps users identify links to state-sponsored forced labor in supply chains. Read more
UK Lawmakers Call for AI Stress Tests in Finance
A group of UK lawmakers has recommended AI-specific stress tests for financial firms to manage risks associated with artificial intelligence. The report emphasizes the need for clearer consumer protection guidelines by the Financial Conduct Authority by 2026. Read more
Thomson Reuters Forms AI Alliance with Major Tech Firms
Thomson Reuters has announced the creation of the Trust in AI Alliance with Anthropic, Google Cloud, and OpenAI to establish standards for responsible AI systems. Read more
New York Life Partners with Norm Ai for Compliance Solutions
New York Life has partnered with Norm Ai to enhance its compliance operations through AI-driven tools. The collaboration focuses on aligning these tools with operational workflows to improve compliance program effectiveness. Read more
US and Israel Form AI and Tech Partnership
The United States and Israel have announced a Strategic Partnership to enhance cooperation in AI and critical technologies, focusing on joint research and development. Read more
US Imposes Tariff on Nvidia AI Chips to China
The US government has imposed a 25% tariff on advanced AI semiconductors, including Nvidia's H200 chips, exported to China. This decision aims to bolster the US chip industry while managing foreign supply chain dependencies. Read more
Elon Musk Sues OpenAI and Microsoft for Up to $134 Billion
Elon Musk is seeking damages from OpenAI and Microsoft, alleging he was defrauded when OpenAI transitioned from its nonprofit mission. The lawsuit claims Musk deserves compensation for his early contributions. Read more
Google Seeks Delay on Data Sharing Order Amid Monopoly Appeal
Google has requested a US judge to delay an order that mandates data sharing with competitors, as it appeals a ruling declaring its monopoly in online search illegal. The company cites concerns over exposing trade secrets. Read more
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