News/AI Implementation
Google expands AI Mode to India as first international market
Google has expanded its AI Mode search experience to India, marking the first international rollout of the advanced AI-powered search tool since its March announcement. This expansion follows the wide US launch at I/O 2025 and represents Google's push to bring more sophisticated AI search capabilities to international markets, starting with one of its largest user bases. What you should know: AI Mode offers significantly more advanced capabilities than traditional Google Search or AI Overviews. The tool is powered by a custom version of Gemini 2.5 and uses a "query fan-out technique that breaks your question into subtopics and issues...
read Jun 24, 2025Newsweek’s AI Impact Summit showcases how 130 leaders implement AI across industries
Newsweek's AI Impact Summit 2025 brought together 130 industry experts and leaders to discuss AI implementation, scaling, and governance across organizations. Google Cloud COO Francis deSouza emphasized that AI will touch every part of companies, requiring strategic workforce development and placing a premium on employee curiosity and experimentation skills. What you should know: The summit focused on demonstrating practical AI value rather than extreme predictions about AI's future impact. Newsweek Contributing Editor Marcus Weldon opened by explaining how AI conversations typically fall into extremes of either saving or ending humanity, with the goal being to "find rational value" without being...
read Jun 24, 2025Maing it personal: Google facilitates AI Mode prompts using your search history
Google is now personalizing AI Mode prompt suggestions based on users' search history to encourage more people to try the feature. This targeted approach replaces the generic prompts previously shown to all users, making the suggestions more relevant and likely to drive engagement with Google's AI-powered search experience. What you should know: The personalized prompts appear under "Based on your Google activity" and refresh each time users visit the "Meet AI Mode" page through various entry points. Previous generic suggestions included prompts about gym offers, mattress comparisons, and staycation ideas that were identical for all users. The new system generates...
read Jun 23, 2025It’s no sweat for AI and satellites as India attempts to map deadly heat at building level
India's government is deploying artificial intelligence and satellite technology to map urban heat vulnerability at the building level, with organizations like SEEDS, a Delhi-based disaster-preparedness nonprofit, and Microsoft developing models that can assess indoor heat risk for individual structures. This granular approach addresses a critical gap in current heat action plans, which fail to target relief efforts to the most vulnerable populations during deadly heat waves that regularly push temperatures above 45°C (113°F). The big picture: Traditional heat action plans operate at city-wide scales, missing crucial variations in heat exposure that can differ by up to 9°C within the same...
read Jun 20, 20257 essential strategies for safe AI implementation in construction
Artificial intelligence is rapidly transforming the construction industry, from streamlining bid processes to automating project planning. However, the technology's complexity and the high-stakes nature of construction projects create unique risks that demand careful consideration. Construction attorneys Christopher Horton, a partner at Smith Currie Oles LLP, and Peyton Aldrich, an associate at the same firm, have observed both the promise and perils of AI adoption across their client base. The construction sector's embrace of AI tools brings particular vulnerabilities—complex contracts, tight deadlines, and significant financial exposure mean that AI errors can cascade into costly mistakes. A misinterpreted contract clause or biased...
read Jun 20, 2025Swiss AI cuts cement emissions by 50% while maintaining strength
Researchers at Switzerland's Paul Scherrer Institute (PSI) have developed an AI framework that can generate low-carbon cement formulations in seconds, potentially cutting CO₂ emissions by up to 50% while maintaining structural performance. This breakthrough addresses one of the world's biggest climate challenges, as cement production accounts for about 8% of global carbon dioxide emissions and humanity consumes more cement than food—around 1.5 kilograms per person daily. How it works: The PSI team built a specialized AI system from the ground up rather than adapting generic models for cement development. Their custom simulation software models how various cement ingredients react during...
read Jun 20, 2025Google adds song identification to Gemini but clunkily kicks users out of the app
Google has added song identification capabilities to Gemini on Android, allowing users to ask "What song is this?" to trigger the same Song Search interface used by Google Assistant. However, the feature currently launches a separate full-screen interface through the Google app rather than staying within Gemini itself, creating a less seamless experience compared to existing alternatives. How it works: The new feature leverages Google's existing Song Search technology but requires users to leave the Gemini interface. Users can ask Gemini "What song is this?" which then opens the Google app's full-screen listening interface. The tool can identify music from...
read Jun 20, 2025AI delivers the full syrupy stack as IHOP, Applebee’s deploy tech to personalize menu suggestions
Applebee's and IHOP plan to deploy an AI-powered "personalization engine" that will recommend menu items and offer customized deals based on customers' past purchases and similar ordering patterns. The initiative represents Dine Brands' strategy to boost customer loyalty and increase sales through targeted upselling, joining a growing trend of restaurant chains integrating AI technology into their operations. What you should know: The personalization system will analyze customer data to create tailored recommendations and promotional offers. Justin Skelton, chief information officer at Dine Brands (the parent company of both restaurants), says the AI-powered system is designed to boost customer loyalty while...
read Jun 20, 2025Mercedes-Benz wins 2025 AI Impact Award for turning cars into personalized assistants, Knight Rider-style
Mercedes-Benz has won Newsweek's 2025 AI Impact Award in the Best Outcomes, Automotive/Transportation UX Systems category for transforming its vehicles into AI-powered, hyper-personalized assistants. The recognition highlights the company's new MB.OS infotainment system, which debuts with the CLA-Class model and integrates conversational AI, behavioral AI, and agentic AI to create what the company calls "the cleverest car we've ever made." What you should know: Mercedes-Benz's next-generation vehicles represent a fundamental shift from traditional luxury to intelligence-driven experiences. The CLA-Class serves as the company's first software-defined vehicle, featuring the new MB.OS operating system with integrated AI search, customizations, and recommendations. Three...
read Jun 19, 2025Ecolab CDO transforms century-old company with AI-powered revenue solutions
Ecolab Chief Digital Officer Kevin Doyle is transforming the century-old industrial company through a comprehensive digital strategy that combines AI, IoT, and data analytics to serve both internal operations and customers. Under his leadership, Ecolab Digital has developed everything from AI-powered dish machine diagnostics to predictive analytics for waterborne pathogen detection, while creating new subscription-based revenue streams that move beyond the company's traditional chemical and equipment sales model. What you should know: Ecolab Digital represents a strategic merger of the company's commercial digital solutions and IT teams, designed to leverage technology for both internal efficiency and customer differentiation.• The unified...
read Jun 19, 2025Am I hearing this right? AI system detects Parkinson’s disease from…ear wax, with 94% accuracy
Researchers at the American Chemical Society have developed an AI-powered system that can detect Parkinson's disease by analyzing the smell of ear wax with 94% accuracy. The breakthrough could provide an inexpensive, early-detection screening tool for a condition that affects 1.1 million Americans and kills tens of thousands annually, offering hope for earlier intervention when treatments are most effective. How it works: The detection system relies on identifying specific volatile organic compounds in sebum, the oily substance that makes up ear wax. Researchers swabbed the ear canals of 209 participants, more than half of whom had been diagnosed with Parkinson's...
read Jun 19, 2025Google Photos developing AI “Remix” feature to transform videos into artistic styles
Google Photos is developing a "Remix" feature that will use generative AI to transform both photos and videos into different artistic styles, according to code discovered in the latest app version. The feature, internally codenamed "Bluejay," represents Google's entry into the popular AI-powered content remixing trend that has gained traction on social media platforms. What you should know: The Remix feature will offer three distinct style options for video transformation through generative AI. "I'm Feeling Lucky" provides a random style transformation "Subtle Movements" offers more restrained visual changes "Go Wild" delivers dramatic stylistic alterations How it works: Code strings found...
read Jun 19, 2025AI avatars help Chinese 7-hour livestreamer generate $7.65M in sales
Chinese livestreamer Luo Yonghao and his co-host generated $7.65 million in sales during a seven-hour session using AI avatars of themselves on Baidu's e-commerce platform. The digital human performance outpaced Luo's previous personal livestream, signaling a potential shift in how AI-powered virtual influencers could reshape China's massive e-commerce livestreaming industry. What you should know: The AI avatars were built using Baidu's generative AI model, which learned from five years of video content to replicate Luo's jokes and presentation style. Luo, who has 24.7 million followers on ByteDance's Douyin platform, started livestreaming in April 2020 to pay off debts from his...
read Jun 19, 2025Eye in the stinky sky: AI drones detect methane leaks ahead of 2026 EPA rules
Percepto, a company specializing in autonomous inspection technology, has launched an AI-powered emission detection system that uses autonomous drones to identify methane leaks in real-time across major US oil-producing regions. The technology addresses growing regulatory pressure and operational challenges by making emissions tracking faster and more cost-effective for energy operators, particularly as new EPA rules take effect in 2026. How it works: The system combines autonomous drones with AI-powered analysis to detect methane emissions without human intervention. Drones fly scheduled missions capturing Optical Gas Imaging (OGI) video footage across oil and gas facilities. Percepto's AI algorithm analyzes the footage in...
read Jun 19, 2025Deep cuts, not deepfakes: China’s $13.9M AI project brings classic martial arts cinema back to life
China's film industry has launched an ambitious AI-powered initiative to restore 100 classic kung fu films and produce "A Better Tomorrow: Cyber Border," billed as the world's first fully AI-produced animated feature film. The Kung Fu Film Heritage Project, unveiled at the Shanghai International Film Festival, represents a major effort to digitally resurrect martial arts cinema legends while positioning Chinese studios at the forefront of AI-driven filmmaking. What you should know: The restoration project will use artificial intelligence to enhance image quality, sound, and production values of landmark martial arts films while preserving their original storytelling and aesthetic. Titles slated...
read Jun 18, 2025No man is an island, but AI can be. Sensay creates world’s first AI government in the Philippines.
Sensay, a creator of AI-powered digital replicas, has purchased a real island off the Philippines coast and established what it claims is the world's first AI-powered government. The company has appointed historical figures like Roman Emperor Marcus Aurelius as president and Winston Churchill as prime minister to run "Sensay Island," positioning this as a demonstration of AI's potential in governance free from political partisanship. What you should know: The AI government consists entirely of digital replicas of historical figures, each trained on their respective writings, philosophies, and speeches. Marcus Aurelius serves as Head of State, with Winston Churchill as Prime...
read Jun 18, 2025SandboxAQ releases 5.2M synthetic molecules to accelerate AI drug discovery
SandboxAQ, an AI startup spun out of Google and backed by Nvidia, has released a massive dataset of 5.2 million synthetic molecular structures designed to accelerate drug discovery by predicting how pharmaceutical compounds bind to proteins. This computational approach could dramatically reduce the time and cost of identifying promising drug candidates by using AI to simulate what traditionally required extensive laboratory experiments. What you should know: The dataset represents a breakthrough in computational drug discovery, combining traditional scientific computing with modern AI capabilities. SandboxAQ generated the synthetic molecules using Nvidia's chips and existing experimental data, creating three-dimensional molecular structures that...
read Jun 18, 2025Google Meet adds AI-generated backgrounds powered by Gemini. Here’s how to partake.
Google Meet has quietly rolled out one of its most engaging new features: AI-generated backgrounds powered by Gemini, Google's advanced artificial intelligence assistant. This capability transforms the standard video conferencing experience by letting users create custom, unique backgrounds through simple text prompts rather than choosing from the same tired selection of conference rooms and coffee shops that everyone else uses. For professionals spending significant portions of their workday in virtual meetings, this represents more than just visual novelty. Custom AI backgrounds offer a way to maintain professional presentation standards while adding personality to remote interactions. Rather than cycling through Google...
read Jun 17, 2025Max rolls out AI-powered video previews to improve content discovery
Max is rolling out AI-powered autoplaying video previews that will automatically select "standout" scenes from its library of shows and movies. The feature represents a significant shift in how streaming platforms curate content discovery, with Warner Bros. Discovery betting that AI can dramatically reduce the manual effort required to create engaging previews while improving user experience. What you should know: The video previews are launching to US users now, with the AI-assisted clip selection coming in the "coming weeks." Users will see previews when hovering over content, similar to Netflix's interface. Max will include options to turn off audio or...
read Jun 17, 2025What is meow for “feed me”? AI systems decode cat vocalizations with 96% accuracy
The dream of Dr. Dolittle—talking to animals—has captivated humans for generations. Now artificial intelligence is making that fantasy surprisingly real, at least for one of humanity's most beloved companions: house cats. Advanced machine learning systems are decoding the complex vocalizations that cats have developed over 12,000 years of domestication, revealing a sophisticated communication system far richer than previously understood. This technological breakthrough represents more than just novelty—it's opening new markets in pet technology, advancing our understanding of animal cognition, and demonstrating AI's capacity to bridge communication gaps in unexpected ways. From smartphone apps that translate meows in real-time to research...
read Jun 17, 2025Developer gives failed $699 Humane AI Pin a glow-up, transforms it into custom AI assistant platform
A 29-year-old developer has successfully created PenumbraOS, a custom operating system that transforms the failed Humane AI Pin into a functional development platform for AI assistants. Adam Gastineau's 400-hour project represents one of the most ambitious attempts to salvage the $699 wearable device after Humane shut down its core functionality and was acquired by HP in February 2025. What you should know: Gastineau has effectively turned the AI Pin into "a normal Android device" capable of running custom applications and connecting directly to AI services. His system enables the pin to make direct WebSocket connections to OpenAI's real-time API, processing...
read Jun 16, 2025AI is pushing leaders to embrace hybrid intelligence over AI-only optimization
Artificial intelligence is forcing leaders to rediscover the humanistic elements of leadership that have been overshadowed by decades of optimization-focused management, according to a new analysis of how AI is reshaping organizational priorities. Rather than replacing human capabilities, AI's advancement is creating an opportunity for leaders to embrace "hybrid intelligence"—the strategic combination of human wisdom and artificial capabilities that amplifies both performance and meaning. The big picture: Modern organizations have fallen into an "optimization trap" where quantifiable metrics dominate decision-making while humanistic elements like trust, creativity, and empathy are relegated to the background. • Stanford's 2024 AI Index Report shows...
read Jun 13, 2025Booking.com measures AI’s 16% productivity boost across 3,000 developers
Booking.com attracts over 500 million monthly visitors and processes more than a billion annual bookings, cementing its position as a dominant force in online travel. However, maintaining this market leadership in an increasingly competitive landscape requires more than just scale—it demands rapid software innovation and delivery capabilities. The Amsterdam-based travel giant is betting heavily on artificial intelligence to accelerate its 3,000-person engineering organization. Rather than simply adopting AI tools and hoping for the best, Booking.com has developed a sophisticated measurement framework to quantify exactly how generative AI impacts developer productivity, satisfaction, and code quality. "We're very excited about GenAI because...
read Jun 13, 2025POVs from the other side: Google DeepMind and Aronofsky’s AI film visualizes the impossible
Darren Aronofsky has unveiled "Ancestra," the first short film from his new partnership with Google DeepMind to create generative AI-powered cinema. The 8-minute film, directed by Eliza McNitt and premiering at the Tribeca Festival, uses AI to visualize previously impossible narratives, including sequences inside a woman's womb inspired by McNitt's own life-threatening birth complications. What you should know: "Ancestra" represents a groundbreaking fusion of traditional filmmaking and generative AI technology, involving over 200 artists and technologists. McNitt trained AI models on her own baby pictures and family photos taken by her late father to generate a newborn infant whose story...
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