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Welcome to The Prompt by Kuro House, your daily AI update. Today, we have five compelling stories on AI and technology shaping the future. Let’s dive right in.
First up, a grim but crucial report on how cryptocurrency is fueling a surge in human trafficking. According to a detailed investigation by WIRED, crypto-funded transactions for human trafficking nearly doubled in 2025. This includes forced labor in scam compounds across Southeast Asia and large-scale sex trafficking rings. Most transactions use stablecoins like Tether and USDC, making the trade harder to detect but also traceable on blockchains. Telegram channels play a central role as marketplaces and escrow services, despite efforts to ban them. While this new visibility offers law enforcement opportunities, experts warn that more resources are urgently needed to disrupt these criminal networks.
Next, a surprising political move from OpenAI’s president, Greg Brockman. WIRED reports Brockman and his wife donated $25 million to a pro-Trump super PAC in 2025, sparking controversy within OpenAI and among the public. Brockman says his donations support AI’s future and humanity’s benefit, even if some employees disagree. He also gave $25 million to a bipartisan AI-focused PAC and plans to donate more this year. The donations highlight the complex intersection of tech leadership, politics, and AI’s societal impact.
In legal tech, The Verge dives deep into AI’s role in arbitration with Bridget McCormack, former Michigan Supreme Court Chief Justice and current CEO of the American Arbitration Association. Her team has launched an AI-assisted arbitration platform focused on documents-only construction disputes. It uses multiple AI agents to parse claims, evidence, and legal frameworks, with humans in the loop to ensure fairness and accuracy. This system aims to make dispute resolution faster, cheaper, and more transparent, with one case already underway. McCormack envisions AI transforming legal processes over the next 10 to 15 years, while acknowledging challenges like bias, hallucinations, and public trust.
On the AI content creation front, ByteDance has launched Seedance 2.0, a next-gen AI video generator. This model can generate 15-second video clips with audio by combining text, images, video, and audio prompts. It handles complex scenes with multiple subjects and real-world physics, like synchronized figure skating routines. Seedance 2.0 is currently available on ByteDance’s Dreamina AI platform and AI assistant Doubao, but its arrival on TikTok remains uncertain amid ownership changes. Users have already shared impressive AI-generated clips featuring cinematic fights and anime-style scenes, raising questions about copyright protections.
Finally, a major funding milestone in AI: Anthropic has raised $30 billion in a Series G round, boosting its valuation to $380 billion. TechCrunch reports the round was led by Singapore’s GIC and Coatue, with investors like Founders Fund and Qatar Investment Authority joining in. This massive influx of capital comes as Anthropic competes with OpenAI, which is reportedly seeking $100 billion in funding itself. Anthropic’s CFO highlighted growing customer demand and plans to build more enterprise-grade AI products.
That’s a wrap on today’s top AI stories. From the dark realities of crypto misuse to groundbreaking AI legal tools and massive funding rounds, the landscape is evolving fast. Stay curious and informed as we continue to track these developments. Thanks for listening to The Prompt by Kuro House. See you tomorrow.
