The Rise of AI-Based Mental Health Bots Sparks Ethical Debate

Akshay Gupta, a 30-year-old Indian-origin entrepreneur, was fatally stabbed by fellow Indian Deepak Kandel on a public bus in Austin, Texas, on May 14, according to local police reports. The attack occurred while Gupta was seated at the back of the bus, and Kandel allegedly assaulted him "without provocation". Witnesses noted that approximately 12 passengers were on board during the incident. Police found Gupta's body after receiving emergency calls, and despite attempts to save him, he was pronounced dead at 7:30 PM. Following the stabbing, Kandel exited the bus calmly and fled the scene. Officers apprehended him less than a mile away, where he reportedly claimed he attacked Gupta because the victim resembled his uncle. Kandel has been charged with 1st Degree Murder and is currently held at Travis County Jail. Gupta was known for co-founding the health-tech startup FootBit, aimed at helping seniors improve their mobility, and had a master's degree from Penn State University. He had previously met Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella for his contributions to innovation.

A former FBI agent, Jonathan Buma, has claimed that Russian intelligence attempted to target Tesla CEO Elon Musk for potential blackmail, leveraging his purported interests in sex and drugs. In a documentary aired by German broadcaster ZDF, Buma stated that Musk, along with PayPal co-founder Peter Thiel, came under Russian scrutiny following the outbreak of the war in Ukraine. Buma asserted that Russian spies collected sensitive information that could be used for coercive purposes. He remarked, "Musk’s susceptibility to promiscuous women and drug use, particularly ketamine, were seen as opportunities for exploitation." Buma also noted that Musk’s participation in events such as Burning Man and adult entertainment heightened his vulnerability to espionage tactics. The allegations further suggest that Russian President Vladimir Putin was aware of the alleged blackmail plans, with Buma stating, “The agents would not have gotten involved in the blackmail plot had the Russian president not known about the action and approved it." This follows reports from The Wall Street Journal indicating that Musk and Putin have been in contact since 2022.

Adriana Smith, a Georgia woman declared brain dead, remains on life support to sustain her 22-week pregnancy, drawing significant media attention and raising questions about the implications of the state's anti-abortion laws. Her mother, April Newkirk, detailed the situation, stating, "We want the baby...but the decision should have been left to us – not the state," as Smith's hospitalization followed a diagnosis of blood clots in her brain. According to 11Alive, Georgia’s laws ban abortions after approximately six weeks of pregnancy and emphasize fetal personhood, potentially complicating healthcare decisions for pregnant individuals. Medical experts caution that the baby, named Chance, faces severe health complications, with limited chances of a viable delivery. Steven Ralston from George Washington University noted the grim prospects, while Newkirk expressed her hope for the baby's survival despite potential disabilities. The hospital has not commented widely on Smith’s status, citing privacy laws, but confirmed adherence to legal guidelines, as reported by the Washington Post. Georgia Attorney General Chris Carr clarified that the law does not mandate life support for deceased patients, yet anti-abortion advocates argue the hospital's actions align with the protection of fetal life.