News-May-05-2026
May 5, 2026 — Daily digest of AI law developments.
Contents
1. New Mexico Seeks $3.7 Billion from Meta as Phase 2 Trial Opens 2. Ball & Buchanan Call for Bipartisan AI Security Action 3. Google DeepMind UK Staff Unionize Amid Military AI Concerns
New Mexico Seeks $3.7 Billion from Meta as Phase 2 Trial Opens
The second phase of New Mexico's landmark child safety case against Meta Platforms began in Santa Fe on May 4, 2026, with the state seeking $3.7 billion in abatement costs and sweeping injunctive relief. The bench trial, expected to last three weeks, will determine whether Meta's actions constitute a public nuisance warranting product changes to Facebook and Instagram. New Mexico Attorney General Raúl Torrez had already prevailed in the first phase in March 2026, when a jury found Meta willfully violated the state's unfair practices act and awarded $375 million. The judge warned prosecutors against "overreach" in the remedies sought, which include extensive changes to how the company delivers its services in New Mexico.[1][2]
See also: Full article | Case page
Ball & Buchanan Call for Bipartisan AI Security Action
Two former White House AI advisers from opposing administrations co-authored a New York Times op-ed on May 4, 2026, calling for bipartisan action on AI security risks. Dean Ball, a former Trump White House AI policy adviser, and Ben Buchanan, who served as President Biden's White House adviser for AI, urged Congress and the executive branch to work together on catastrophic AI risk mitigation. The op-ed recommends tighter export controls on advanced AI chips and mandatory safety audits for frontier AI models. The bipartisan appeal comes as the Trump administration is reportedly considering an executive order to create an AI working group for model vetting.[3]
See also: Full article
Google DeepMind UK Staff Unionize Amid Military AI Concerns
More than 1,000 staff at Google DeepMind's UK-based operations voted to unionize with the Communication Workers Union (CWU) and Unite in April 2026, according to a letter made public May 4. The unionization comes amid ongoing concerns over DeepMind's involvement in a U.S. Department of Defense classified AI contract. Staff cited concerns about the ethical implications of military AI applications and the lack of worker input in decisions about DOD partnerships. The CWU and Unite will represent DeepMind workers in collective bargaining over working conditions, project assignments, and ethical review processes.[4]
See also: Full article | DOD Classified AI Deals
References
- ↑ CNBC — Meta's public nuisance case in New Mexico has billion-dollar consequences
- ↑ Albuquerque Journal — New Mexico seeks $3.7 billion from Meta over alleged social media harms
- ↑ New York Times — This Is What Should Unite the Right and the Left on A.I.
- ↑ Techmeme — UK-based Google DeepMind workers voted to unionize with the CWU and Unite