AP Technology SummaryBrief at 1:02 a.m. EDT

Cryptocurrency and AI industries tested their influence in Illinois. It didn't go that well

WASHINGTON (AP) — The artificial intelligence and cryptocurrency industries have suffered a setback as they try to reshape the midterm elections and establish themselves as power players in American politics. AI and crypto groups poured millions of dollars into Illinois' Democratic primaries to push candidates who favor lighter regulation, but they often lost. The industry super PACs ran ad campaigns that barely mentioned technology, highlighting other issues to avoid backlash. But they still became a lightning rod. Crypto-backed Fairshake spent more than $10 million against Lt. Gov. Juliana Stratton, but she won the Democratic nomination to succeed Sen. Dick Durbin. In House races, sometimes different AI groups ended up fighting each other.

An AI-rendered Val Kilmer will posthumously appear in a new film

NEW YORK (AP) — A year after the actor’s death, a generative AI version of Val Kilmer will co-star in an independent film. It's one of the boldest uses yet of artificial intelligence in moviemaking. First Line Films announced Wednesday that Kilmer has posthumously joined the cast of a film titled “As Deep as the Grave.” The producers said that before his death, Kilmer had signed on to perform in the movie but was unable to do due to his health. Kilmer’s estate gave permission for his digital replication, and is being compensated for it. Kilmer died last April from pneumonia at the age of 65.

Nvidia’s DLSS 5 is the (glossy) subject of memes and backlash from gamers

Video game fans are responding with criticism and comedy to Nvidia's latest version of its AI technology that boost performance and graphics. DLSS, Nvidia's image enhancement technology was initially used to upscale resolution. Its fifth iteration will use generative AI to reach a “dramatic leap in visual realism,” Nvidia's CEO Jensen Huang said. Many found the hyper-realistic and glossy images undermine the artistic intent of the game designers or have a general uncanny feeling, featuring hallmarks of AI-generated imagery. Some responded to the sample imagery from Nvidia with memes and jokes on social media, poking fun at the technology that will launch in the fall.

Iran’s internet blackout silences voices at home as diaspora creators fill the void

NEW YORK (AP) — Iranian American social media creators are helping lead the online conversation about the war in Iran. Their content is geared toward the surging demand in the U.S. for information about the war and Iran’s history. Some say they want to share more perspectives from people within the country. But a government-imposed digital blackout has made it hard for Iranians to communicate with the outside world. Creators and experts say the outsized influence of the Iranian diaspora has exacerbated deep rifts about the future of Iran.

Nvidia CEO heralds ‘inference inflection’ as next phase of AI boom, backed by $1 trillion in orders

Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang on Monday elaborated on his vision for keeping his company at the forefront of the artificial intelligence boom that he predicted will produce a $1 trillion backlog in orders within the next year. Sporting his signature black leather jacket, Huang spent two hours sauntering across a stage in a packed arena in San Jose, California, explaining how Nvidia’s processors became indispensable AI components and highlighting the products that he believes will keep the company in the catbird’s seat. To hammer home his point, Huang said Nvidia will be grappling with a $1 trillion backlog in AI chip orders, doubling his estimate from a year ago.

Amazon offers 1-hour and 3-hour deliveries for US customers willing to pay an extra charge

NEW YORK (AP) — Amazon says it has started offering faster U.S. deliveries of selected products for a fee. The e-commerce colossus said Tuesday that customers in more than 2,000 cities, towns and suburban areas can now get orders from among 90,000 items delivered in three hours. They include pantry staples, clothing, over-the-counter medications, cleaning supplies and electronics. The charge is $4.99 for Amazon Prime members and $14.99 for nonmembers. One-hour delivery slots also are available in hundreds of places, including major metropolitan areas like Los Angeles, Chicago and Washington, and smaller cities such as Des Moines, Iowa and Boise, Idaho. Amazon says Prime members will get charged $9.99 for the one-hour service, which costs nonmembers $19.99, Amazon said

Iran-linked hackers take aim at US and other targets, raising risk of cyberattacks during war

WASHINGTON (AP) — Pro-Iranian hackers are targeting sites in the Middle East and starting to stretch into the United States during the war. Hackers supporting Iran claimed responsibility for a significant cyberattack against a U.S. medical device company. They've also tried to penetrate cameras in Middle Eastern countries to improve Iran's missile targeting and targeted data centers in the region. National security and cybersecurity experts say Iran's government will look to leverage its cyber capabilities against the military dominance of the United States. American ports, waste water treatment plans and power stations are among the most likely targets.

Lawyers in landmark social media addiction trial make final appeals to the jury

LOS ANGELES (AP) — After about a month of hearing from addiction experts, therapists, platform engineers and executives, including Mark Zuckerberg, a jury has heard closing arguments before heading to the deliberation room to decide whether social media companies should be liable for harms caused to children using their platforms. Closing statements in the trial began Thursday at the Spring Street Courthouse in Los Angeles. Lawyers representing the plaintiff, a 20-year-old woman, and those representing the two defendants, Meta and Google-owned YouTube, made their respective cases to the jurors.

Cambodia drafts its first law targeting online scam centers

SIEM REAP, Cambodia (AP) — Cambodia has drafted its first law to crack down on online scam centers that fuel fraud and forced labor. Officials said Friday the Cabinet approved tough penalties for people who run tech fraud sites. The information minister calls it a key tool against scams and money laundering. The law sets five to 10 years in prison and big fines for organizers. It adds longer terms for trafficking, violence or deaths tied to escape attempts. A senior minister says raids since July have targeted 250 sites and shut about 200. Parliament needs to approve the bill but experts doubt crackdowns alone will break protection networks.

One Tech Tip: How do you use an f-stop?

Film photography is making a comeback, and but analog cameras are not as easy to use as digital ones. For One Tech Tip, AP photojournalist George Walker IV explains the basics for beginners. He says shooting on film helps you learn photography basics because every shot matters. You'll need film but beginners should consider using black and white instead of color because it's more forgiving. Pay attention to the ISO number, or film speed. If you need a camera, there's a thriving secondhand market for vintage cameras. Film needs to be loaded by hand. Analog photographers using manual cameras need to master using shutter speed and f-stops.