AI Radar: ChatGPT 4.5, AI Child Pornography and China Restrictions – What Happened in the Last 24 Hours

The world of AI never stops. While we sleep, new models are being launched, regulations are being introduced, and applications – both positive and negative – are appearing on the global stage. In the last 24 hours, we’ve seen major announcements from OpenAI, alarming criminal cases in Europe, and regulatory moves in China that could shape the future of the industry.

Let's understand what is happening and what the implications of these movements are for the innovation ecosystem and for us, entrepreneurs and professionals who work with technology.

OpenAI Releases ChatGPT 4.5: More Natural and Emotionally Subtle Conversations

OpenAI has just released ChatGPT 4.5, which it describes as its most informed model yet. According to the company, the new model has broader and more up-to-date knowledge compared to its predecessors, as well as a “more refined personality.”

According to Sam Altman, CEO of OpenAI, ChatGPT 4.5 features better writing skills and an improved ability to recognize patterns and establish connections, making conversations more natural. The company highlights that this model is particularly effective for tasks such as writing, programming and practical problem-solving.

Interestingly, OpenAI is keen to point out that ChatGPT 4.5 is not considered a “frontier model” and may not perform as well as o1 or o3-mini. However, it represents the company’s largest LLM (Large Language Model), with a computational efficiency 10 times greater than GPT-4.

The new model is now available for Pro users and, in the coming weeks, will be released for Plus, Team, Enterprise and Edu subscribers, according to Terra information.

The Dark Side of AI: Europe Arrests 25 People for Artificially Generated Child Pornography

While we celebrate the advances in AI, we also need to address its risks and misuses. Europol, the European Union’s police service, has revealed a deeply troubling case: 25 people have been arrested for generating and distributing child pornography created exclusively with generative AI tools.

The investigation began last November, after the identification of an individual who produced this type of illegal content and sold it online. Authorities warn that such content promotes the objectification and sexualization of children, representing a serious threat to society.

The case has already prompted discussions in the European Union about the implementation of specific legislation to curb this type of crime. According to Europol, a considerable part of the illegal material recently identified was produced with artificial intelligence, which highlights a new and complex challenge for security authorities, as reported by Hardware.com.br.

This case perfectly illustrates why I have been arguing for years that we need to discuss not only the benefits, but also the ethical and social risks of AI. Powerful technologies demand commensurate responsibility.

Chinese universities restrict students' use of AI

In China, universities are implementing restrictions on students' use of AI, seeking a balance between harnessing the technology's efficiency and preserving academic originality.

Shanghai’s Fudan University introduced regulations in late November that ban the use of AI in various stages of undergraduate dissertation writing. Recent studies have revealed that a significant portion of students were using AI inappropriately in their academic work.

The new regulations state that the use of AI tools can only occur with the consent of academic supervisors. The objective is clear: to seek a balance between technological innovation and academic integrity, according to information from Poder360.

This issue of using AI in education is something I have been discussing extensively in my lectures on the future of education and neo-universities. As the founder of the first neo-university in Brazil, Sirius, I have seen first-hand the challenges of integrating AI into educational processes without compromising students’ actual learning.

Brazilian fintech bets on AI to accelerate “banking 2.0”

Meanwhile, in Brazil, O-Bainc, a fintech created by Englishman Mark Fisher, intends to use artificial intelligence to revolutionize credit analysis and include an audience previously excluded from the traditional financial system.

The company is seeking to establish commercial agreements with financial institutions to implement an analysis model that uses AI to process alternative databases. The difference lies in the system's ability to analyze behaviors and payment patterns to approve credit requests, going beyond conventional criteria.

This approach has the potential to significantly transform access to credit in the country, especially for those traditionally left out of the conventional banking system, as reported by State.

I am enthusiastic about this type of AI application. In my career supporting thousands of startups, I have always argued that technology should serve as a tool for inclusion and not for increasing inequalities. Fintechs that use AI to democratize access to financial services represent exactly the type of innovation with a positive social impact that we need in Brazil.

Nvidia may face new AI trade restrictions in China

On the geopolitical front, tensions between the US and China in the technology space continue to escalate. Investors are being warned to prepare for “possible significant new restrictions” that the US government could impose on exports of AI chips to China.

These restrictions would mainly affect Nvidia models that can still be sold in the Chinese market. The implications of these actions reflect an increasingly stringent stance by the US government regarding the export of technology to countries considered strategic adversaries.

The global technology industry must closely monitor these developments, as the situation could result in rising component prices and a reconfiguration of international trade alliances, according to a report by Economic Value.

What can we learn from these events?

The events of the last 24 hours clearly show us that AI development is occurring on multiple fronts simultaneously:

• Technological advancement: Models like ChatGPT 4.5 continue to evolve in capability and refinement
• Ethical and criminal challenges: AI-generated child pornography case in Europe highlights serious risks
• Regulation: Chinese universities show a trend towards control in educational use
• Innovative applications: Brazilian fintechs demonstrate the potential for positive impact of technology
• Geopolitics: Nvidia's restrictions reinforce how AI has become a central piece in the dispute between powers

For us, entrepreneurs and leaders of the Brazilian innovation ecosystem, these movements bring both opportunities and warnings. We need to be aware of technological advances without losing sight of ethical, regulatory and social issues.

Implications for the Brazilian innovation ecosystem

Brazil finds itself in an interesting position in this scenario. On the one hand, we have the opportunity to learn from international mistakes and successes. On the other hand, we need to develop our own approach to AI, considering our socioeconomic and cultural particularities.

I see three priority paths for entrepreneurs and leaders who want to position themselves strategically:

1. Investing in AI solutions with social impact: Following O-Bainc's example, identify areas where AI can solve structural Brazilian problems in education, health, security and financial inclusion.
2. Develop expertise in AI ethics and governance: The European case shows that there is huge demand for solutions that guarantee the ethical and safe use of these technologies.
3. Preparing for a scenario of increased regulation: The Chinese and European experiences indicate a global trend towards greater control over AI applications.

In my mentoring sessions with technology startups, I have emphasized that the competitive edge will increasingly lie in the combination of technical capacity and ethical vision. It is not enough to develop the best AI; it is necessary to develop the most responsible AI that is aligned with fundamental human values.

Conclusion: navigating complex waters

The events of the last 24 hours in the world of AI perfectly illustrate the moment of accelerated transformation that we are living in. As entrepreneurs and innovation leaders, we need to develop an expanded capacity for analysis that goes beyond purely technological aspects.

The real competitive advantage will be in the hands of those who can navigate these complex waters, understanding both the transformative potential of technology and its risks and limitations.

In my work as a mentor and consultant for startups, I have seen how this holistic view makes all the difference between companies that simply use AI and those that truly transform markets with it. If your company or initiative seeks to position itself strategically in this new scenario, we can talk about how to build a solid innovation strategy that combines cutting-edge technology with social responsibility.

The future of AI will be written by those who understand that it is, above all, a human tool – and as such, it should serve purposes that elevate us as a society, not divide or harm us.