Artificial intelligence continues to catalyze massive investments in infrastructure, yet simultaneously highlights serious ethical shortcomings in its practical application, as demonstrated by recent cases of digital fraud.
What happened
SoftBank has announced its intention to invest up to €75 billion in France to build data centers, aiming to develop and operate up to 5 gigawatts of additional capacity TechCrunch AI. This massive commitment underscores the growing demand for computing power to train and run artificial intelligence models, positioning France as a strategic hub for European AI infrastructure.
In stark contrast to this infrastructural momentum, the dark side of generative AI has manifested with the emergence of "AI grifters" who use AI-generated personas, often resembling Black individuals, to promote dubious quality products on platforms like TikTok Shop The Verge AI. These digital avatars are employed in deceptive marketing campaigns, raising critical questions about ethical AI and authenticity.
Within this context of rapid expansion and ethical dilemmas, some voices stand out for taking a more "traditional" approach to web development. An example is Craig Campbell, a former Meta engineer, who chose to invest in an "old school" website (Past Maps) rather than chasing AI funding, demonstrating that innovation doesn't necessarily have to come through artificial intelligence The Verge AI.
Why it matters
SoftBank's investment in France is a clear signal of the global acceleration in the race for AI infrastructure. This is not just about technology but also about digital sovereignty and Europe's capacity to compete in the global AI landscape. The availability of high-capacity data centers is crucial for developing large language models (LLMs) and other critical AI applications, directly influencing innovation and the creation of skilled jobs in the tech sector.
On the other hand, the misuse of generative AI to create fake profiles for commercial purposes represents a growing threat to online trust and consumer protection. These cases highlight the ease with which technology can be manipulated for deceptive ends, negatively impacting public perception of AI and its acceptance. The creation of racialized "deepfakes" for marketing raises profound issues of algorithmic bias and the social responsibility of platforms.
The choice of figures like Craig Campbell to pursue alternative paths to mainstream AI suggests a rethinking of technology's intrinsic value. Not every problem requires an AI solution, and a more human-centric approach can lead to sustainable and meaningful innovations, often with lower costs and ethical risks. This approach challenges the dominant narrative that views AI as the sole path to progress.
The HDAI perspective
These developments paint a complex picture of the current artificial intelligence landscape. On one hand, we witness an infrastructural arms race promising to unlock new technological frontiers. On the other, we are confronted with the stark reality of irresponsible use that erodes trust and perpetuates discrimination. For Human Driven AI, the central question is not whether to invest in AI, but how to do so ethically and sustainably.
It is imperative that infrastructural growth is accompanied by robust AI governance and a concrete commitment to ethics from the design phase. Events like the HDAI Summit 2026 in Pompeii will be crucial to discuss how to balance innovation with responsibility, ensuring that AI is a tool for the common good and not a vehicle for fraud or misinformation. Transparency, accountability, and bias mitigation must be at the core of every AI development strategy, both at the corporate and regulatory levels.
What to watch
It will be essential to monitor how regulatory authorities, particularly in Europe with the EU AI Act, respond to these new forms of generative AI abuse. Concurrently, the expansion of data centers in Europe could lead to a debate on data sovereignty and the need to ensure that infrastructure is used in a manner consistent with the continent's ethical and democratic values.