News/Google
Making a habit of Starbucks? Starling Bank launches AI tool that assesses spending routines
Starling Bank has launched an AI-powered spending analysis tool that answers natural language questions about customers' financial habits, such as revealing how much they've spent at specific retailers like McDonald's over any given period. Built with Google Gemini, the "enhanced search" feature automatically categorizes transactions across more than 50 customizable categories and provides personalized spending insights through conversational prompts. How it works: The opt-in AI tool transforms traditional banking data into an interactive financial advisor that responds to everyday questions about spending patterns. Customers can ask questions like "How much did I spend at Amazon last month?" or "How much...
read Jun 9, 2025YouTube creators fight AI music flood with “No AI” playlist labels
YouTube creators are increasingly labeling their background music playlists as "No AI" as artificial intelligence-generated content floods the platform's ambient music space. The trend highlights how AI-generated music has become so pervasive that curators must actively distinguish their human-created content, while some channels exploit AI tools to rapidly produce monetizable playlists without crediting artists or disclosing their methods. What you should know: AI-generated music has infiltrated YouTube's popular background music ecosystem, particularly affecting lo-fi and instrumental playlists that millions use for studying and relaxation. Music influencer Derrick Gee discovered that one popular lo-fi playlist channel used almost entirely AI-generated tracks,...
read Jun 9, 2025Hm, that right? AI companies fail to justify safety claims
AI companies are failing to provide adequate justification for their safety claims based on dangerous capability evaluations, according to a new analysis by researcher Zach Stein-Perlman. Despite OpenAI, Google DeepMind, and Anthropic publishing evaluation reports intended to demonstrate their models' safety, these reports largely fail to explain why their results—which often show strong performance—actually indicate the models aren't dangerous, particularly for biothreat and cyber capabilities. The core problem: Companies consistently fail to bridge the gap between their evaluation results and safety conclusions, often reporting strong model performance while claiming safety without clear reasoning. OpenAI acknowledges that "several of our biology...
read Jun 6, 2025In the Money: Google tests interactive finance charts in AI Mode for stock comparisons
Google has begun testing interactive charts in AI Mode for finance-related queries, allowing users to generate custom graphs that compare stock and mutual fund performance over time. The feature represents an expansion of Google's AI Mode capabilities, which initially launched as a Search Labs experiment earlier this year before becoming available to all US users. What you should know: The interactive charts feature currently focuses exclusively on finance queries and is available only as a Search Labs experiment in the United States. Users can ask questions like "compare the stock performance of blue chip CPG companies in 2024" to generate...
read Jun 6, 2025Generative Engine Optimization rewrites search rules
A fundamental shift is occurring in how information is accessed online as language models replace traditional search engines. Andreessen Horowitz's analysis reveals that after two decades of SEO dominance, we're witnessing the rise of Generative Engine Optimization (GEO) – a paradigm where visibility means appearing in AI-generated answers rather than ranking high on search results pages. With Apple integrating AI-native search engines like Perplexity into Safari, Google's distribution monopoly faces serious challenges, potentially upending the $80+ billion SEO industry and establishing a new era of language model-based search. The big picture: Traditional search engines built on links are giving way...
read Jun 4, 2025AI could make humans more altruistic, DeepMind CEO suggests
Artificial general intelligence (AGI) development is accelerating rapidly, with Google DeepMind's CEO Demis Hassabis forecasting a 50% chance of achieving human-equivalent AI capabilities within the next decade. This potential shift represents one of the most significant technological inflection points in human history, promising solutions to humanity's greatest challenges while simultaneously introducing unprecedented risks that will require careful governance and ethical frameworks to navigate successfully. The big picture: Hassabis believes AGI will arrive incrementally rather than through a sudden breakthrough, giving society time to adapt to increasingly capable AI systems. He defines AGI as AI with cognitive capabilities equivalent to humans...
read Jun 4, 2025Google Drive adds “Catch me up” Gemini AI feature
Google Drive's "Catch me up" feature for Gemini represents a significant advancement in AI-powered document management, offering users a way to quickly understand changes in their files since last viewing them. This productivity-focused update tackles a common pain point for collaborative work, allowing users to stay informed about document edits and comments without manually scanning through files—potentially saving considerable time for teams working across multiple documents. The big picture: Google is enhancing Workspace productivity by using Gemini AI to automatically track and summarize document changes in Google Drive, creating a more intelligent file management experience. The "Catch me up" feature...
read Jun 3, 2025Google launches AI Edge Gallery for offline Android AI
Google's experimental AI Edge Gallery app brings advanced artificial intelligence capabilities directly to Android smartphones without requiring internet connectivity, representing a significant advancement in edge computing and on-device AI processing. This approach addresses growing privacy concerns by keeping sensitive data locally processed rather than sending it to cloud servers, while simultaneously making sophisticated AI models more accessible to mobile users through an open-source framework. The big picture: Google has released an experimental Android application enabling users to run sophisticated AI models directly on their smartphones without an internet connection. The app, called AI Edge Gallery, allows users to download and...
read Jun 2, 2025News to Use: Google One subscription tiers and benefits explained
Google One has evolved from a simple cloud storage solution into a comprehensive subscription service that now incorporates Google's latest AI capabilities through tiered plans. The service addresses the limitations of the standard 15GB free storage allocation by offering expanded capacity along with premium features that vary by subscription level. Understanding these tiers has become increasingly important as Google positions AI features as a central component of its subscription strategy, creating distinct value propositions for different user needs. Google One Subscription Tiers and Benefits The storage foundation: Every Google account includes 15GB of free cloud storage shared across Drive, Photos,...
read Jun 2, 2025AI tools exploited by hackers to spread malware
Google DeepMind has achieved a significant breakthrough in the field of computer vision with its development of SIMA (Scalable, Interactive, Multimodal Agent), an AI system that can perceive and interact with 3D environments similarly to how humans do. This innovation marks a crucial step toward creating AI agents that can understand and operate within complex visual spaces, potentially transforming how machines assist humans across various applications from healthcare to robotics. The big picture: SIMA represents the first visual foundation model designed specifically to understand and interact with 3D environments as a human would, establishing a new benchmark for embodied AI...
read Jun 2, 2025Know when to fold ’em: Tech giants advance AI and foldables in latest gear updates
Apple is gearing up for a significant overhaul of its operating system ecosystem, shifting from version numbers to yearly designations while redesigning user interfaces across its product lineup. This move represents one of the most substantial changes to Apple's software strategy in years and comes alongside major AI developments from Android competitors like OnePlus and Samsung's preparation for its next generation of folding devices. These parallel developments highlight how the mobile ecosystem continues to evolve through both interface refinements and emerging AI capabilities. Apple's sweeping OS rebrand: Bloomberg reports that Apple plans to announce a comprehensive redesign of all its...
read Jun 1, 2025TikTokers pose as AI creations in viral Veo 3 trend
The rise of Veo 3 AI has sparked a peculiar social media phenomenon where real humans are deliberately mimicking AI-generated content. Since Google's release of this highly realistic video generation model, TikTok has witnessed an unexpected trend: alongside the flood of AI-created videos, human content creators are now pretending to be AI creations themselves. This reverse mimicry reveals how quickly our relationship with synthetic media is evolving, as the lines between human and artificial content become increasingly blurred. The big picture: Real TikTok users are deliberately posing as Veo 3 AI-generated avatars, creating a meta-layer of content that plays with...
read May 28, 2025AI courses from Google, Microsoft and more boost skills and résumés for free
The race for AI skills is transforming the job market as executives increasingly rely on artificial intelligence for critical business decisions. With 74% of executives trusting AI advice more than family and friends, and 55% working at organizations where AI has already replaced traditional decision-making processes, employers now expect baseline AI literacy from virtually all employees. For professionals looking to quickly enhance their résumés with in-demand AI skills, these seven free courses offer efficient, credential-building opportunities that can be completed in as little as a weekend. 1. AI For Everyone (Coursera) This 4-hour course created by AI pioneer Andrew Ng...
read May 28, 2025Veo 3 brings audio to AI video and tackles the Will Smith Test
Google's Veo 3 represents a significant leap in AI video generation by introducing synchronized audio capabilities, enabling users to create realistic videos with voices, dialog, and sound effects. This advancement marks a notable evolution from the silent AI videos of 2022-2024, though it still exhibits quirks like the infamous "crunchy spaghetti" effect when generating eating sounds. As AI video technology rapidly improves, it raises important questions about the potential for creating increasingly convincing synthetic content of real people. The big picture: Google has launched Veo 3, a groundbreaking AI video synthesis model that generates synchronized audio tracks with eight-second high-definition...
read May 28, 2025Google aims to humanize tech with advanced AI
Google is embarking on an ambitious journey to make artificial intelligence more human-centric, as revealed at its recent I/O conference. The tech giant's vision for artificial general intelligence (AGI) represents a philosophical shift away from purely technical achievements toward technology that amplifies human capabilities, understands physical environments, and preserves individual creativity. This approach signals a potential turning point where AI development prioritizes human connection and personalization rather than pursuing technological advancement for its own sake. The big picture: Google unveiled over 100 new products and technical advances at its I/O conference, positioning itself as a frontrunner in the race toward...
read May 27, 2025Google AI creates lifelike Will Smith double eating virtual spaghetti
Google's Veo 3 marks a significant leap in AI video generation by introducing synchronized audio capabilities, a feature previously absent from major AI video tools. This development enables AI-generated videos to include voices, dialog, and sound effects within eight-second HD clips, significantly advancing the realism of synthetic media. The evolution from the primitive, silent AI videos of 2022-2024 to today's more sophisticated audiovisual creations demonstrates the accelerating development of generative AI technology. The big picture: Google's new Veo 3 AI model represents the first major AI video generator capable of creating synchronized audio tracks alongside video content. The model can...
read May 26, 2025NotebookLM Android app falls short of its AI desktop counterpart
Google's NotebookLM stands out in the AI landscape by offering users control over their information sources, making it uniquely valuable for research and reference tasks. While the tool has gained a devoted following for its ability to help users parse complex documents like insurance quotes and technical manuals, its newly released Android app falls significantly short of the web version's capabilities. This disconnect between platforms highlights the challenges tech companies face when translating feature-rich web applications to mobile environments. The big picture: Google's NotebookLM distinguishes itself from general-purpose AI chatbots by allowing users to specify which sources the AI draws...
read May 26, 2025Deciphering Flipper: AI system DolphinGemma aims to decode dolphin language
Google's quest to decipher dolphin communication marks a significant leap in interspecies understanding, blending cutting-edge AI with decades of marine research. The DolphinGemma project represents the first serious attempt to apply large language model technology to non-human vocalizations, potentially opening new windows into how these highly intelligent marine mammals communicate and paving the way for more meaningful interactions between humans and other species. The big picture: Google has partnered with Georgia Tech and the Wild Dolphin Project to develop DolphinGemma, a large language model specifically designed to analyze and generate dolphin vocalizations. The project leverages 40 years of acoustic data...
read May 24, 2025Google study reveals key to fixing enterprise RAG system failures
Google researchers have introduced a groundbreaking concept called "sufficient context" that addresses one of the most persistent challenges in building reliable AI systems. This new framework helps determine whether language models have enough information to answer queries correctly—a critical capability for enterprise applications where accuracy and reliability can make or break adoption. By distinguishing between sufficient and insufficient context situations, this approach offers developers a more nuanced way to improve retrieval augmented generation (RAG) systems and reduce hallucinations in AI responses. The big picture: Google's research introduces "sufficient context" as a novel framework for making language models more reliable by...
read May 24, 2025AI chatbots exploited for criminal activities, study finds
Researchers have uncovered a significant security vulnerability in AI chatbots that allows users to bypass ethical safeguards through carefully crafted prompts. This "universal jailbreak" technique exploits the fundamental design of AI assistants by framing harmful requests as hypothetical scenarios, causing the AI to prioritize helpfulness over safety protocols. The discovery raises urgent questions about whether current safeguard approaches can effectively prevent misuse of increasingly powerful AI systems. The big picture: Researchers at Ben Gurion University discovered a consistent method to bypass safety guardrails in major AI chatbots including ChatGPT, Gemini, and Claude, enabling users to extract instructions for illegal or...
read May 24, 2025Gemini AI powers smarter automation and camera features in Google Home
Google is expanding Gemini integration across its smart home ecosystem, creating new ways for users to interact with and automate their connected devices. This AI-powered upgrade to Google Home represents a significant shift in how consumers can manage their smart homes, moving from manual setup to conversational creation of complex automations and enhanced camera capabilities that leverage Gemini's intelligence for improved home monitoring and control. The big picture: Google is integrating Gemini AI into Google Home APIs to transform how users interact with their smart home ecosystem, particularly focusing on simplified automation creation and enhanced camera features. The upgrade enables...
read May 24, 2025Surfshark report reveals alarming data collection by AI chatbots
AI-powered chatbots have become essential tools for information gathering and content creation, but they come with significant privacy trade-offs. A new Surfshark analysis reveals striking differences in data collection practices among popular AI services, with some platforms collecting up to 90% of possible data types. This comprehensive examination of AI data collection practices highlights the hidden costs of "free" AI assistance and underscores the importance of privacy awareness when selecting AI tools. The big picture: All 10 popular AI chatbots analyzed by Surfshark collect some form of user data, with the average service collecting 13 out of 35 possible data...
read May 24, 2025Google’s Veo 3 offers realism and speed but faces technical hurdles
Google's Veo 3 represents a significant advancement in AI video generation technology, offering unprecedented realism and audio capabilities for casual creators. While the tool can produce remarkably lifelike 8-second clips complete with dialogue and sound effects in under two minutes, it still faces challenges with prompt interpretation, audio consistency, and complex scene handling. As AI-generated video becomes increasingly indistinguishable from human-made content, Veo 3 raises important questions about the blurring lines between fact and fiction in digital media. The big picture: Google's latest AI video generator, Veo 3, delivers impressive realism but comes with limitations and a substantial price tag...
read May 24, 2025How old jailbreak techniques still work on today’s top AI tools
A vulnerability that was discovered more than seven months ago continues to compromise the safety guardrails of leading AI models, yet major AI companies are showing minimal concern. This security flaw allows anyone to easily manipulate even the most sophisticated AI systems into generating harmful content, from providing instructions for creating chemical weapons to enabling other dangerous activities. The persistence of these vulnerabilities highlights a troubling gap between the rapid advancement of AI capabilities and the industry's commitment to addressing fundamental security risks. The big picture: Researchers at Ben-Gurion University have discovered that major AI systems remain susceptible to jailbreak...
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