Axios

The world's population is on track to reach 9 billion by 2050. At the same time, global consumption patterns are shifting, with growing demand for protein-rich diets in many regions and greater transparency in developed markets.

• Now more than ever, the world is asking U.S. farmers to produce more while using fewer resources.

OpenAI on Thursday released its most capable model, GPT-5.5, codenamed "Spud," just one week after competitor Anthropic launched its latest model.

Why it matters: AI releases are getting faster, more efficient and more powerful.

AI is no longer just a research tool in Washington, D.C. — it's starting to shape how policymakers form opinions, according to Penta Group data shared exclusively with Axios.

Why it matters: Policymakers are the latest to lean on AI for guidance, signaling its growing role in shaping decisions across markets, consumer behavior and now public policy.

Get on the AI train or get left behind. That messaging from frontier labs about the world-changing nature of AI suggests they're not focused on addressing consumer backlash to the technology.

Why it matters: They may regret that approach when they go public and have to work overtime to turn AI haters into customers.

Economists and analysts say that AI in the long term will make the economy more productive — we'll get more done in less time, and that might even keep inflation in check.

Why it matters: It's a long complicated road to get to that fairy-tale ending. In the short term, AI is actually increasing inflation modestly at a time of more urgent inflationary pressures like war.

Anthropic says it has no way to control or shut down its AI models once they're deployed by the Pentagon, according to a new court filing.

Why it matters: The Pentagon designated Anthropic a supply chain risk, contending the AI firm is inappropriately getting involved in how its technology can be used in sensitive military operations.

Tesla reported an uptick in quarterly revenue and profit, but the costs of pivoting to an AI future are starting to add up.

Why it matters: CEO Elon Musk has directed the company to invest heavily in the development and production of humanoid robots, self-driving cars and AI chips.

House Republicans on Wednesday rolled out two data privacy bills to protect personal and financial data and override state laws.

Why it matters: Congress has been trying to pass a federal data privacy law for years, but fights over preempting state laws keep derailing efforts and are now spilling into AI policy debates.

By 2033, the manufacturing sector is projected to need 3.8 million additional workers, with half of those jobs at risk of remaining unfilled. [1]

Why it's important: These talent shortages are currently slowing America's progress in defense, advanced manufacturing, semiconductor fabrication and energy — creating real risks to national security. [2]

WASHINGTON – Financial help remains out of reach for many Americans, but AI could offer new pathways to close that gap, Rep. Josh Gottheimer (D-N.J.) said at an Axios Live event.

Why it matters: Gaps in financial literacy leave many Americans vulnerable to poor financial decisions. AI could expand access to guidance, improve decision-making and help more people manage their money effectively.

• Axios' Courtenay Brown, Ashley Gold and Neil Irwin hosted conversations with Gottheimer, Rep. Young Kim (R-Calif.) and Operation HOPE CEO John Hope Bryant. The April 21 event was sponsored by FICO.

What they're saying: "A lot of Americans have no access to financial assistance, and it's a huge issue because it leaves some out and they don't get the right advice, or any advice whatsoever," Gottheimer said.

• Bryant said financial literacy "used to be a poor person's issue, now it's a middle-class issue."

Gottheimer pointed out that people with no financial background can use AI to sort through questions that come up throughout life, such as how to invest properly, when to buy a house, etc.

Yes, but: AI could be a "double-edged sword," Kim said.

• "On one end, it provides access and opportunity, but on the other, it could be weaponized by bad actors to target Americans with more sophisticated scams," Kim said.
• Gottheimer said a challenge is to make sure people aren't getting "crazy information" from AI and to ensure that the advice is disclosed as coming from a bot.

Content from the sponsor's segment:

In a View From the Top conversation, Rukiya Kelly, FICO's head of corporate impact and engagement, discussed combating fake financial influencers and AI chatbots spreading misinformation as more consumers turn to social platforms for financial advice.

• "We have to, as credible organizations, reach people where they are," Kelly said. "If they are on those platforms, how do we get our credible information and trustworthy information to that consumer? I would say trust but verify."