YouTube to begin testing a new AI-powered age verification system in the US

YouTube is testing a new age-verification system in the US that uses artificial intelligence to differentiate between adults and minors based on the types of videos they have been watching.

The system will only work when viewers are logged into their accounts, and it will make its age assessments regardless of the birth date a user might have entered upon signing up.

Suppose the system flags a logged-in viewer as being under 18. In that case, YouTube will impose the normal controls and restrictions that the site already uses to prevent minors from accessing inappropriate content online.

Some users are already worried about what it will mean for their privacy and experience on the platform.

The technology is designed to determine whether a viewer is an adult or a minor based on their activity on the platform.

The move is part of a broader push to make social media safer for young people, but some users are already worried about what it will mean for their privacy and experience on the platform.

Reference Sources

1. usnews - YouTube to Begin Testing a New AI-Powered Age Verification System in the U.S.
2. apnews - YouTube to begin testing a new AI-powered age verification system in the U.S.
3. newyorkpost - YouTube to test AI-powered age verification system for US users
4. thestarmy - YouTube to begin testing a new AI-powered age verification system in the US
5. cnnen - YouTube will start using AI to guess your age. If its wrong, youll have to prove it

Saudi Arabia's Video Game Market Booms with over 2.4 Million Consoles Imported in Two Years

(Source: Saudi Press Agency)

Saudi Arabia's video game sector has seen significant growth in the past two years, with imports of video game consoles reaching over 2.4 million units in 2024 and 2025, according to data from the Zakat, the country’s tax and customs authority.

In 2024, over 1.7 million units were imported, while 684,489 units have been imported so far in 2025.

China, Japan, and the United States were the top suppliers.

The Saudi Internet report 2024 from the Communications, Space and Technology Commission highlighted significant improvements in the digital infrastructure, including an 88% improvement in response time for popular video games.

The report also detailed usage trends, showing that smart devices are the most used platform (24.2% of users), followed closely by PlayStation (23.8%).

PlayStation is the dominant platform for the 10-19 age group, while smart devices are preferred by older demographics.

Whiteout survival, Roblox, and Subway Surfers were the most downloaded mobile games.

The Esports World Cup, which is being held in Riyadh from July 7 to August 24, reinforces the kingdom's growing role as a global gaming Hub.

The event features over 2,000 players from more than 100 countries competing for prizes exceeding $70 million, Solidifying Saudi Arabia's position in the global gaming and Esports scene.

Reference Sources

1. aawsat - Saudi Arabia's Video Game Market Booms with over 2.4 Million Consoles Imported in Two Years

China is making gains in the race for AI dominance

(Source: Shutterstock)

China's prioritization of AI as a strategic sector for the past two decades has helped create a vibrant AI ecosphere and narrow the technological gap with the United States, long the global leader in AI innovation.

Beijing is producing increasingly cutting-edge large language models and spreading free, open-source models around the world.

It is on track to achieve its goal of an AI industry worth $100 billion by 2030.

However, experts stress that China's race to surpass the U.S. in AI leadership involves much more than the short-term sprint to develop the best models.

The true contest will be spreading AI technology throughout various sectors of the economy.

Each country's ability to run AI systems, known as compute power, will be a significant factor, as will its decisions on how to regulate emerging technologies.

Beijing regulates primarily to control content, so models do not produce politically sensitive information.

Yet this censorship requirement has not slowed China's AI innovation, as some experts predicted.

In 2023, China's AI models were estimated to be three years behind those in the U.S. Today, it's "more like a six- to 12-month gap," says Helen Toner, an expert in U.S. and Chinese AI policy at Georgetown's Center for Security and Emerging Technology.

Reference Sources

1. csmonitor - How China is making gains in the race for AI dominance

The CommonWealth English daily news digest is a service curated by CommonWealth English team with the help of AI tools.

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