Engadget News + Next Trump admin planning to use AI to write federal regs, people are uninstalling TikTok, and Google agreed to a settlement in voice assistant privacy lawsuit
Jan 27, 2026
They discuss plans to use Google Gemini to draft federal regulations and the debate over quality and staffing. They cover TikTok’s recent technical outages, a wave of U.S. uninstalls, and the rise of Upscrolled as an alternative. They report on Google agreeing to a $68 million settlement over its voice assistant mishearing wake words.
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AI Drafting For Safety Rules
- The Trump administration plans to use Google Gemini to draft Department of Transportation regulations, treating AI as a primary drafting tool.
- Experts warn that AI can generate many words but may not produce high-quality, reliable safety rules for transportation.
Treat AI Rulemaking As A Careful Pilot
- Approach implementing AI in rulemaking with skepticism and oversight.
- Pilot experiments should include legal review and strong quality controls before broad rollout.
High Stakes For AI-Generated Regulations
- DOT rules cover critical areas like aircraft safety, hazardous materials, and driver qualifications.
- Relying on error-prone AI for these high-stakes rules raises concerns about safety and regulatory quality.