As AI moves at breakneck speed, publishers gear up for a clash with Google and Microsoft

“Just Bard it”….not as catchy. Last week Google released its ChatGPT rival, Bard, as the chatbot race heats up (#AI-of-the-tiger). But Google expressed caution with the release, warning “things will go wrong,” and hasn’t integrated Bard into its search engine (unlike Microsoft, which launched a new CGPT-fueled Bing and 365 apps). Google’s cautiousness may be warranted: media publishers are gearing up for a showdown with Microsoft, Google, and OpenAI over their bots, The Wall Street Journal reported.

· Facebook = no longer media’s biggest threat. In 2019, half of Americans got their news from FB, and publishers wanted compensation for lost ad revenue and traffic.

· Now it’s AI bots. As you’ve probably heard, large language models are trained on a massive amount of text data. That includes copyrighted articles from the web.

· Media execs are demanding compensation for use of their content in AI-generated responses. CGPT has been known to plagiarize and tweak human writing.

CGPT feels a connection… Last week OpenAI announced that CGPT can now browse the web to pull info from after 2021 (in some cases). That could pose an existential threat for news outlets. Publishing execs have started examining how much their content has been used to “train” bots, and are said to be exploring legal options, led by the publishing trade group News Media Alliance.

· News Corp. CEO Robert Thomson said, “Clearly, they are using proprietary content — there should be, obviously, some compensation for that.”

· “Fair use” law allows portions of copyrighted material to be used without permission in certain cases (think: news reporting, scholarly reports).

· In the past, techies like Facebook and Microsoft have struck deals to pay publishers for news featured on their platforms. While OpenAI has leaned on fair use, it said it has also paid for rights to certain content.

THE TAKEAWAY

Moving faster than your problems can backfire… Rapid-fire AI releases show that tech titans are taking an “ask for forgiveness, not permission” approach. Industries haven’t yet had time to digest issues that could arise (picture: educators scrambling to detect cheating), from bias to misinformation to copyright infringement. But when issues catch up to the innovation, it could lead to a backlog of problems all at once.

Comments

Cutting Through The Stablecoin Noise—What Credit Unions Actually Need To Know Now

By Ray Birch DOVER, Del.—By any measure, stablecoins have quickly become one of the most talked-about—and least understood—topics in credit union boardrooms. The pressure to “do something” is building, fueled by headlines, fintech momentum and a growing fear of being left behind. But according to InvestiFi CEO Kian Sarreshteh, that urgency may be misplaced. “There’s a lot of FOMO right now,” Sarreshteh said. “If I don’t adopt a stablecoin solution this year, I’m going to be left behind. I would argue pretty strongly that’s very far from the truth.” Instead of rushing to sign up for a Stablecoin pilot, Sarreshteh said credit unions should begin with a more fundamental question: what problem are you actually trying to solve? While stablecoins are often discussed as a potential challenger to traditional payment rails dominated by Visa and Mastercard, he believes that kind of mass-market disruption remains years away—especially in the U.S., where consumers already have fast, convenient opt...

Read Complete Article HERE>»

Senate Banking To Vote Thursday On Landmark Digital Assets Bill

“NCOFCU appreciates the Senate Banking Committee’s continued work during next week’s markup hearing to establish a clear and responsible regulatory framework for digital assets,” said the National Council of Fire Fighter Credit Unions (NCOFCU) leadership. “As lawmakers consider this legislation, it is essential that first responder credit unions are recognized as a vital part of the financial services ecosystem and are not overlooked in the evolving digital asset landscape. Credit unions serving police, fire, EMS, and other emergency personnel must have equitable access to innovation, regulatory clarity, and the tools necessary to continue supporting the financial readiness and resilience of America’s first responders.” Grant Sheehan CEO WASHINGTON—The Senate Banking Committee will vote on the long-awaited CLARITY Act this Thursday, Committee Chairman Tim Scott (R-SC) announced Friday. Tim Scott The announcement marks a potentially major step forward for legislation that would establis...

Read Complete Article HERE>»

The First Social Network

Credit Unions: The Original Social Network Long before likes, follows, shares, and friend requests, people built networks another way: They showed up for each other. That’s essentially how credit unions began. Not as financial corporations, but as human networks built on trust, shared experiences, and mutual support. In many ways, credit unions were the first true social networks. Before Technology Connected People, Communities Did Today’s social platforms promise connection. They help people share ideas, ask questions, organize communities, and support causes. But more than a century ago, credit unions were already doing something remarkably similar — only in person and with real financial stakes involved. Teachers gathered with teachers. Factory workers organized with coworkers. Church members helped fellow congregants. Military personnel supported military families. Firefighters stood beside fellow first responders. Police officers supported the communities and d...

Read Complete Article HERE>»

Meeting Portals - Why Choose MyBoardPacket.com

MyBoardPacket is known as the simplest, most secure, and affordable online board packet solution. A low monthly fee, with no setup fee, no annual contracts, free customer support and unlimited users! We use MyBoardPacket.com here at NCOFCU, and we love it! Exclusive discount of 25% for NCOFCU Members! Additional discounts are granted for small asset size credit unions! Why choose MyBoardPacket over other meeting portals? The Facts: MyBoardPacket was the first secure board portal on the market, starting in 2001. So easy to use that no training is required! However, for your peace of mind, you have unlimited support and training with your very own Trainer, which any Admin can schedule whenever needed. Unlimited users , committees, and meetings from anywhere! On MyBoardPacket everyone is on the same page . Month-to-month subscription – our customers are with MyBoardPacket because they love it, not because they are locked into a lengthy contract! MyBoar...

Read Complete Article HERE>»

Just Out! - NCUA Stablecoin Plan Opens Door To Credit Union-Backed Digital Dollar Issuers

ALEXANDRIA, Va.—A sweeping new NCUA proposal to implement the GENIUS Act could open the door for credit union-backed stablecoin issuance, but only through separately licensed subsidiaries operating under an extensive new federal regulatory framework that limits risks to the Share Insurance Fund. The 269-page supplemental proposed rule issued Friday lays out how “permitted payment stablecoin issuers” affiliated with federally insured credit unions would be supervised, examined and regulated by the NCUA, while also establishing rules covering reserves, liquidity, custody, operational risk, cybersecurity, anti-money laundering compliance and disclosure standards. The proposal supplements an earlier February 2026 proposal by the agency focused primarily on licensing and investments in stablecoin issuers. Federally insured credit unions themselves would still be prohibited from directly issuing payment stablecoins under the GENIUS Act. Instead, issuance would have to occur through a separa...

Read Complete Article HERE>»

Syracuse Fire Department Credit Union

p This just in - shared branching is HERE! What's shared branching? If you aren't nearby, you can visit a shared branching location throughout the country to perform a number of actions such as deposits, withdrawals, and loan payments. Traveling and need funds? Need a check while you're out of town? Try shared branching! More information and locations available on our website! https://www.syrfirecu.com/shared-branching/

Read Complete Article HERE>»

Visa, Mastercard Revisions Will Cost Merchants more Than $475 Million Annually, Economist Says

NEW YORK—The two biggest U.S. card networks are preparing revisions to their interchange schedules that at least one research firm says will cost U.S. merchants an estimated $475 million in additional transaction fees. Though Visa Inc. and Mastercard Inc. have historically revised their rate schedules each April and October, “this April is particularly significant,” Callum Godwin, the Atlanta-based chief economist for CMSPI, a United Kingdom-based research firm, told Digital Transactions. The firm’s estimates indicate the changes in Visa’s rates will add up to a net $145 million in additional cost to acquirers. For Mastercard, the impact will net out to $330 million. The networks do not collect interchange. Merchant processors pay in...

Read Complete Article HERE>»

The 10-Year Fixed-Rate Mortgage Worth Bragging About

Sound like anyone we know? “Approximately half of its membership is 50 years old or older, says Star One marketing manager Susanna Fong. The 10-year mortgage is meant to entice those members close to retirement to bring their loans — including the remainder of a 30-year-mortgage — to the credit union.” How Star One’s 14-month-old mortgage product attracts both young professionals and soon-to-be retirees. By Erik Payne creditunions.com For borrowers nearing retirement, desirable mortgage options are limited. Long-term loans can extend into retirement years and cut into savings earmarked for food, travel, and other expenses. Short-term loans can make budgeting difficult for the remaining working years. Star One Credit Union ($7.2B, Sunnyvale, CA) understands that borrowers want to be free of loan obligations before they leave the workforce without breaking the bank to do so. So in January of 2014, the credit union introduced a promotional 10-year fixed-rate mortgage that charges no...

Read Complete Article HERE>»

Vizo Financial and TCT Risk Solutions Announce Strategic Partnership

Vizo Financial and TCT Risk Solutions Announce Strategic Partnership to Enhance Risk Management Offerings Greensboro, N.C. (May 6, 2026) – Vizo Financial and TCT Risk Solutions are pleased to announce a new strategic partnership designed to expand and strengthen risk management solutions for credit unions. This partnership brings together Vizo Financial’s trusted role as a cooperative provider of back-office support, consulting and education with TCT Risk Solutions’ specialized risk management tools, which include credit migration, loan and deposit pricing, CECL, and asset liability modeling. Through this collaboration, Vizo Financial will offer TCT's signature software and advisory capabilities, equipping credit unions with actionable insights to better understand risk, optimize financial performance and make more informed strategic decisions. The partnership aims to help credit unions move beyond reactive risk m...

Read Complete Article HERE>»

IRS Reporting Requirement Has Turned Into Uphill Battle for CUs

It’s in. It’s out. It’s in again. On Thursday, NAFCU, CUNA and more than 100 associations sent a letter to all members of the U.S. House of Representatives and Senate asking them to reject a proposed IRS reporting requirement that credit union trades have been pushing back against since July . The proposed IRS reporting requirement would require financial institutions, including credit unions, to report the inflows and outflows of personal and business accounts, as well as transfers between accounts of the same owner, if it is more than $600 per year. The proposal found new life inside the House version of the budget reconciliation bill after it was rejected in the version approved by the House Ways and Means Committee last month. On Tuesday, Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) said the IRS reporting requirement would be included in the House version of the bill. CUNA, NAFCU and other organizations voiced their objections to the proposal in a joint letter. While the l...

Read Complete Article HERE>»

First-responder Credit Union Newsroom

Search This Blog