Humans&, a startup that believes AI should empower people, not replace them, has reportedly raised a $480 million seed round at a $4.48 billion valuation.

“Our children cannot be used as lab rats for Big Tech to experiment on,” Senator Steve Padilla said. He just introduced a bill to ban AI chatbots in toys until safety regulations are developed.  

In 2026, here's what you can expect from the AI industry: new architectures, smaller models, world models, reliable agents, physical AI, and products designed for real-world use.

Trump signed an AI executive order targeting state laws and promising one national rulebook. Critics warn it could trigger court battles and prolong uncertainty for startups while Congress debates federal rules.

Most AI benchmarks measure intelligence and instruction-following rather than psychological safety. Humane Bench evaluates models based on core principles of human flourishing, prioritizing well-being, and respecting user attention.

Leaked documents reveal how much OpenAI paid Microsoft under a revenue-share agreement. They also indicate inference costs.

SB 243 is designed to protect children and vulnerable users from harms associated with use of AI companion chatbots.

“The OpenAI Files,” an archival project from the Midas Project and the Tech Oversight Project, are a “collection of documented concerns with governance practices, leadership integrity, and organizational culture at OpenAI.”