News/New Launches
AI skin cancer screening debuts at London hospital with iPhone assistance
AI is transforming cancer screening in the UK healthcare system, with a new technology at Chelsea and Westminster Hospital enabling skin cancer checks without doctor intervention. This breakthrough represents a significant shift in how routine medical diagnostics can be streamlined through artificial intelligence, potentially reducing wait times for serious cases while maintaining high diagnostic accuracy in a healthcare system facing increasing referral demands. The big picture: Chelsea and Westminster Hospital has implemented an AI system that can assess suspicious skin lesions and discharge patients with benign cases without requiring specialist review, achieving 99% accuracy in diagnosing non-cancerous conditions. Medical photographers...
read Apr 15, 2025Google tests AI Mode shortcut in Android Search bar, replacing voice and Lens icons
Google is testing a significant UI change to make AI Mode more accessible directly from the Search bar on Android devices. The new design replaces the traditional voice and Lens icons with a prominent AI Mode circle, creating a more streamlined entry point for users to access Google's generative AI capabilities. This update represents Google's ongoing efforts to integrate AI Mode more deeply into its core search experience as the feature continues to expand its availability. The big picture: Google is experimenting with a more prominent placement for AI Mode by integrating it directly into the Search field on Android....
read Apr 15, 2025Deloitte launches 100+ AI agents with Google Cloud to simplify enterprise AI adoption
Deloitte's expanded partnerships with Google Cloud and ServiceNow mark a significant push to accelerate enterprise adoption of agentic AI through turnkey solutions. The collaboration introduces over 100 ready-to-deploy AI agents powered by Google's Gemini and Agentspace models, targeting industries from financial services to government. This strategic alliance addresses a critical market need by providing businesses with structured implementation pathways for agentic AI technologies that promise substantial productivity improvements. The big picture: Deloitte has formed deeper partnerships with Google Cloud and ServiceNow to develop Agent2Agent, an open interoperability protocol enabling communication between AI agents, while launching more than 100 industry-specific AI...
read Apr 14, 2025Hey, Mivi: Indian firm claims first human-like AI assistant with emotional intelligence
Mivi's launch of a human-like AI assistant marks a significant development in the Indian technology landscape, integrating emotional intelligence with advanced language processing capabilities. This AI platform, accessed through specialized earbuds, represents a growing trend toward more personalized and contextually aware voice assistants that can maintain natural conversations. The technology's ability to remember past interactions and understand emotional tones could potentially set a new standard for AI-human interaction in the Indian market. The big picture: Indian tech company Mivi has unveiled what it claims is the world's first truly human-like AI assistant, developed entirely in India and designed to create...
read Apr 14, 2025Bad Weather? Whatever. Samsung’s Galaxy XCover7 Pro brings functionality to harsh environments.
Samsung's latest rugged smartphone, the Galaxy XCover7 Pro, represents a significant evolution in durable mobile technology designed for harsh environments. This 6.6-inch device builds upon Samsung's expertise in creating resilient phones with enhanced features like a 120Hz refresh rate and improved audio capabilities, positioning it as a specialized tool for professionals working in challenging conditions where standard smartphones would fail. The big picture: Samsung has announced the Galaxy XCover7 Pro, a rugged smartphone certified to withstand extreme conditions including drops, temperature fluctuations, and brief underwater submersion. The device features MIL-STD-810H certification and IP68 resistance rating, making it suitable for high-intensity...
read Apr 13, 2025Adobe’s new AI tool extends video clips by 10 seconds in Premiere Pro
Adobe's newly unveiled AI video extension feature for Premiere Pro marks a significant evolution in video editing capabilities, allowing content creators to extend footage beyond its original length through generative AI. Announced at NAB 2025, these updates represent Adobe's continued investment in AI-powered creative tools that reduce technical barriers while expanding creative possibilities. The integration of intelligent media search and translation features alongside video extension signals a comprehensive approach to modernizing video production workflows. The big picture: Adobe has introduced Generative Extend, an AI-powered feature in Premiere Pro that can intelligently add up to 10 seconds of new content to...
read Apr 13, 2025Siemens unveils first industrial foundation model to bridge AI and manufacturing
Siemens has unveiled an industrial foundation model that combines decades of manufacturing expertise with cutting-edge AI capabilities, marking a significant step toward AI-driven industrial transformation. This collaboration with Microsoft creates the first model of its kind for industrial applications, integrating with Siemens' existing digital twin technology and Industrial Copilot tool to potentially reshape how factories operate and address skilled workforce shortages. The big picture: Siemens is positioning itself at the forefront of AI-driven industrial transformation with a new foundation model announced at Hannover Messe 2025, Germany's premier industrial trade show. The company claims its industrial foundation model (IFM) is the...
read Apr 12, 2025Databricks’ TAO system improves AI models without costly labeled data
Databricks' new test-time adaptive optimization (TAO) approach represents a significant advancement in improving large language model performance without the expensive, labor-intensive process of gathering labeled data. This method leverages unlabeled usage data and reinforcement learning to enhance model capabilities during deployment, potentially allowing open-source models to compete with proprietary alternatives at a fraction of the cost. For enterprises seeking specialized AI capabilities without massive training datasets, TAO offers a practical path to improving model performance across diverse business applications. The big picture: Databricks has introduced Test-time Adaptive Optimization (TAO), a novel approach that uses reinforcement learning to improve deployed language...
read Apr 11, 2025NTT Data launches agentic AI services targeting $2 billion revenue by 2027
NTT Data is making an aggressive move into the agentic AI market with a new suite of services that work across major cloud platforms. The company aims to help businesses create their own AI agents, with particular focus on manufacturing, banking, and healthcare sectors. This launch reflects the broader industry shift toward autonomous AI systems, with Gartner forecasting substantial growth in this space and predicting that AI agents will increasingly influence enterprise decision-making in the coming years. The big picture: NTT Data has launched a comprehensive agentic AI service suite designed to work with major cloud platforms, targeting multiple industries...
read Apr 11, 2025Nvidia’s new benchmarking tools help businesses measure AI infrastructure performance
Nvidia's new DGX Cloud Benchmark Recipes offer businesses unprecedented insight into AI infrastructure performance, addressing a critical need as organizations struggle to evaluate hardware capabilities for increasingly complex AI workloads. The tools allow organizations to make data-driven decisions about infrastructure investments by providing real-world performance data on today's most advanced AI models. The big picture: Nvidia has developed performance testing tools called DGX Cloud Benchmark Recipes that help organizations evaluate how their hardware and cloud infrastructure perform when running sophisticated AI models. The toolkit includes both a database of performance results across various GPU configurations and cloud providers, as well...
read Apr 11, 2025OpenAI launches three new voice AI models with bespoke accent and emotion features
OpenAI is expanding its voice AI capabilities with three new proprietary models designed to enhance transcription and text-to-speech functionality. These offerings arrive after the company's previous voice AI controversy with Scarlett Johansson and reflect OpenAI's strategic push into audio AI while addressing potential concerns about voice imitation through user customization options. The big picture: OpenAI has launched three new voice models—gpt-4o-transcribe, gpt-4o-mini-transcribe, and gpt-4o-mini-tts—initially available through its API for developers and on a limited-access demo site called OpenAI.fm. The models are variants of GPT-4o specifically post-trained with additional data for transcription and speech capabilities. These offerings are positioned to replace...
read Apr 11, 2025Adobe demos Next-Gen AI to supercharge marketers
Adobe's annual Sneaks preview at the Adobe Summit offers a fascinating window into potential future products, with nearly half of these experimental innovations eventually becoming actual features. This year's lineup heavily features AI agents designed to streamline marketing and creative workflows, continuing a tradition that previously introduced popular tools like Generative Fill (originally called Project Fast Fill). The big picture: Adobe's 2025 Sneaks showcase reveals seven AI-powered projects aimed at transforming how marketers understand customers, create content, and optimize digital experiences. These innovations build upon Adobe's existing product ecosystem, particularly Experience Platform and Experience Manager. Each project addresses specific pain...
read Apr 10, 2025Deloitte launches Zora AI platform to automate finance and business tasks
It's Zora the Financial Explora! Deloitte launches Zora AI, a new agentic platform that can autonomously complete tasks across finance, human capital, supply chain, and other business functions. This latest development reflects the growing enterprise adoption of agentic AI, with PwC estimating that generative AI could contribute up to $4.4 trillion annually to global GDP by 2030. The Nvidia-powered platform aims to facilitate collaboration between AI agents and human employees while maintaining ethical safeguards through Deloitte's Trustworthy AI principles. The big picture: Deloitte's Zora AI platform offers specialized digital agents that can work autonomously across multiple business functions while integrating...
read Apr 10, 2025Voia unveils AI-powered VFX platform to democratize professional filmmaking
AI startup Voia has emerged from stealth mode with a new visual effects platform that aims to democratize high-end filmmaking through AI-powered automation. Founded in 2022 by tech veterans and bolstered by Hollywood expertise, the company has developed a comprehensive VFX pipeline that makes professional-quality visual effects more accessible to creators at various budget levels while still serving high-end filmmakers with advanced creative tools. The big picture: Voia is building an AI-enhanced VFX platform designed to make professional-quality visual effects more accessible while giving high-end filmmakers greater creative freedom. "We have built this for artists, by artists," says CEO Avner...
read Apr 10, 2025Text Support: Verizon launches AI text assistant to help small businesses automate customer service
Verizon is expanding its small business offerings with a new AI-powered text messaging solution designed to automate customer interactions. The Verizon Business Assistant uses generative AI to provide instant responses to common customer inquiries, continuously learn from interactions, and seamlessly escalate complex questions to human representatives when needed. This development represents the telecom industry's growing integration of AI into customer service operations, as carriers seek to provide small businesses with accessible tools to improve efficiency and customer engagement. The big picture: Verizon's new Business Assistant targets small businesses looking to leverage AI for customer service automation while addressing the challenge...
read Apr 10, 2025Adobe shifts to AI agents with 10 new tools to transform customer experiences
Adobe is pivoting from its initial generative AI focus on image creation tools to an agent-based strategy, launching 10 specialized AI agents and a new orchestration platform designed to personalize customer experiences. The company's shift comes as enterprise clients move beyond exploring creative AI tools toward embracing autonomous agents that can transform how businesses engage with customers. Adobe's dual approach of introducing both agent technology and enhanced personalization features aims to help organizations scale their digital experience delivery while maintaining brand consistency. The big picture: Adobe has unveiled 10 specialized agents on its Experience Platform alongside a new orchestration tool...
read Apr 10, 2025MacWhisper 12 brings first-ever on-device speaker recognition to Mac transcription
MacWhisper 12 introduces a groundbreaking advancement in AI transcription technology with its new automatic speaker recognition feature that works entirely on-device. This development represents a significant milestone for content creators, journalists, and professionals who rely on accurate transcription, as it addresses one of the most challenging aspects of audio-to-text conversion while maintaining privacy and security through local processing. The big picture: MacWhisper 12 has become the first Mac application to offer automatic speaker recognition that works entirely on-device, solving a major challenge in transcription technology. The app can now automatically detect different speakers in audio files, group their speech, and...
read Apr 10, 2025BBB-iotech: Startup uses living neurons to build AI hardware that could slash energy use
Biological computing emerges as a potentially transformative approach to AI hardware with the debut of Biological Black Box's (BBB) Bionode platform. The Baltimore-founded startup has developed technology that integrates lab-grown neurons with traditional processors, positioning biological computing as a complementary technology to traditional GPUs rather than a replacement. This innovation could address critical challenges in AI development including energy consumption, processing efficiency, and model adaptation capabilities—representing a significant shift in how artificial intelligence systems may be built in the future. The big picture: BBB's Bionode platform uses living neurons grown from human stem cells and rat-derived cells to act as...
read Apr 9, 2025New joint venture Teranexa brings AI-powered Smart City solutions to municipalities
Direct Digital Holdings and Green Tea Technology are combining their expertise to launch Teranexa, a new joint venture aimed at helping cities implement AI solutions for smarter operations and improved constituent services. The partnership merges Direct Digital Holdings' data monetization capabilities with Green Tea Technology's IT deployment expertise to offer comprehensive "Smart City as a Service" AI platforms through established industry leaders like IBM and HPE. This collaboration represents a significant development in how municipalities can address operational challenges through unified, AI-driven infrastructure solutions. The big picture: Teranexa aims to transform how cities operate by providing AI enablement platforms that...
read Apr 9, 2025Digg returns: Original founder and Reddit co-creator team up to fix toxic social media
So dig this, the early internet community pioneer Digg is making a comeback under the leadership of its original founder Kevin Rose and Reddit co-founder Alexis Ohanian. This relaunch focuses on fostering genuine human connection in an increasingly hostile online environment, attempting to create a social platform that prioritizes meaningful community interactions over engagement metrics that drive outrage. At a time when many social networks struggle with toxic discourse, this revival represents a significant attempt to reimagine what social media could be. The big picture: Digg, which pioneered content voting mechanisms before Reddit, is being relaunched with a fresh approach...
read Apr 9, 2025Microsoft’s new AI agents all but take business trips, automating sales tasks from research to closing deals
Microsoft's latest AI tools are set to transform sales operations by automating research, outreach, and even closing deals for low-impact leads. These new autonomous agents represent a significant evolution in how sales teams interact with customer data, potentially helping companies close more deals while reducing mundane administrative work. The strategic expansion of Microsoft's AI agent ecosystem into sales functions signals the company's broader vision of AI-assisted workplaces across industries. The big picture: Microsoft has unveiled Sales Agent and Sales Chat, two new AI tools designed to automate sales processes and help teams close deals faster without manually navigating CRM systems....
read Apr 8, 2025Arch Gateway serves up AI proxy server to simplify intelligent agent development
Arch Gateway introduces a sophisticated proxy server designed specifically for AI-powered applications, addressing fundamental challenges in building intelligent agents. Created by Envoy Proxy contributors, this tool tackles the complex infrastructure requirements that emerge when developing systems that interact with large language models (LLMs). Its architecture centralizes critical functions like routing, security enforcement, and observability that are essential for reliable and efficient agentic applications. The big picture: Arch Gateway serves as a dedicated middleware layer for AI applications, handling complex infrastructure challenges so developers can focus on building intelligent agents. Built by Envoy Proxy contributors, the system recognizes that effective prompt...
read Apr 8, 2025Scholium AI agent speeds up academic research with instant papers and citations
Scholium emerges as a new solution in the AI research assistant landscape, addressing the time-consuming challenge of finding credible academic sources. This personal research agent streamlines the scholarly research process by quickly identifying relevant papers, generating concise summaries, and creating properly formatted citations—potentially saving researchers significant time that would otherwise be spent sorting through unreliable search results. The big picture: Scholium functions as an AI agent specifically designed to connect researchers with relevant scholarly papers instantly, eliminating the need for manual searches through academic databases. The tool currently interfaces with the arXiv database, providing immediate access to scholarly publications based...
read Apr 8, 2025Do you see what I see? Google’s Gemini adds screen-aware AI to transform Android experience
Google's Gemini is advancing the Android user experience with innovative screen-aware AI capabilities that essentially turn the assistant into an interactive visual companion. Scheduled to roll out to Gemini Advanced subscribers later this month, these features represent a significant shift in how users interact with their devices, moving beyond simple voice commands to contextual visual understanding. This evolution positions Gemini as a more intuitive assistant that can respond to what users see rather than just what they say. The big picture: Google is enhancing Gemini with screen-sharing functionality that allows users to ask questions about content visible on their Android...
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