May 17, 2025

AI job shifts challenge effectiveness of worker retraining programs

Worker retraining programs have long been the default policy response to technological disruption in labor markets, but their effectiveness faces significant new challenges in the age of artificial intelligence. As AI threatens to displace workers across multiple sectors simultaneously, policymakers must confront sobering limitations in our ability to retrain large segments of the workforce quickly enough to match the pace of technological change. Understanding these constraints is crucial for developing realistic economic policies that can effectively respond to AI-driven labor market transformation. The historical context: U.S. worker retraining initiatives date back to the Great Depression and have evolved through several...

read May 16, 2025

Pakistan deputy PM faces backlash over fake PAF image in Parliament

Pakistan's Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar has triggered widespread criticism after citing a fake AI-generated newspaper image during a parliamentary speech, falsely attributing praise of Pakistan's air force to the UK's Daily Telegraph. The incident highlights the growing challenge of misinformation during periods of international tension, particularly as Pakistan and India exchange conflicting claims about recent military engagements without providing conclusive evidence to support their assertions. The big picture: A senior Pakistani government official publicly cited a fake AI-generated news clipping as legitimate evidence of international recognition for Pakistan's military capabilities. During a parliamentary session, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign...

read May 16, 2025

Google files reveal concerns over Project Nimbus control in Israel

Google's Project Nimbus contract with Israel is raising serious ethical and legal concerns as internal documents reveal the tech giant knowingly provided powerful cloud technology despite limited ability to monitor its use. The confidential report, obtained by The Intercept, exposes Google's awareness of significant risks in selling advanced cloud computing services to a nation with a controversial human rights record. This revelation comes at a time when tech companies face increasing scrutiny over their government partnerships and the potential weaponization of their technologies. The big picture: Google acknowledged it would have "very limited visibility" into how Israel would use its...

read May 16, 2025

Annual AI on the Lot event expands to 3-day program in Culver City for 2025

The annual AI on the Lot event expands to a three-day format in Culver City for 2025, bringing together entertainment industry leaders to explore artificial intelligence applications in Hollywood. Moving from its previous Downtown L.A. location, this year's program showcases how AI technologies are transforming media production through tech demos, workshops, filmmaker showcases, and screenings - all in a location historically significant to the film industry since the early 20th century. The big picture: The entertainment industry gathering will run from May 28-30 with a significantly expanded format featuring keynote speakers, demonstrations, and practical workshops focused on AI integration in...

read May 16, 2025

Wix unveils AI-powered “Wixel” for visual design no beginner can hold a candle to

Wix introduces Wixel, a new AI-powered visual design platform that aims to democratize professional-grade design tools for users of all skill levels. This launch represents a significant push to make sophisticated design capabilities accessible through artificial intelligence, potentially disrupting the traditional design software market by removing technical barriers that have historically limited non-designers from creating high-quality visuals for business and personal use. The big picture: Wix has released Wixel, a standalone AI-powered design platform that enables users to perform comprehensive visual design tasks regardless of their creative expertise. The platform combines advanced AI models with an intuitive interface to streamline...

read May 16, 2025

AI’s nuclear risk concerns former Google CEO Schmidt

The collision between AI advancement and regulatory struggles has created a precarious landscape, with former Google chairman Eric Schmidt highlighting the dual nature of AI's future. His recent warnings about the geopolitical risks of AI development come at a pivotal moment, as Republicans attempt to block state-level AI regulations while the Trump administration dismantles existing federal guardrails. This power struggle between tech billionaires advocating for AI acceleration and safety advocates pushing for regulatory frameworks reveals the complex tensions shaping how AI will be governed in the coming years. The big picture: Former Google chairman Eric Schmidt frames AI development as...

read May 16, 2025

Computex 2025 showcases Asia’s latest tech innovations

Computex 2025 is poised to reveal the roadmap for PC computing's next phase with its early-scheduled May 19-23 run in Taipei. While CES claims the spotlight for broad consumer tech launches, Computex's strategic proximity to Asian manufacturing hubs positions it as the more consequential venue for core PC technology developments. This year's show promises critical hardware announcements with Nvidia's Jensen Huang headlining a major press event that signals the significance of the developments to come. The big picture: Computex 2025 will showcase the next generation of computing hardware with particular emphasis on budget components, AI processing capabilities, and specialized enterprise...

read May 16, 2025

Airtel deploys AI fraud detection system in North India’s Haryana

Airtel's new AI-powered security solution marks a significant advancement in telecom cybersecurity, offering real-time protection against digital fraud across multiple communication platforms. As online scams grow increasingly sophisticated beyond simple OTP fraud schemes, this preventative approach to blocking malicious websites before users can access them represents a shift from reactive to proactive security for millions of mobile and broadband customers. The solution's automatic integration for all Airtel users in Haryana, at no additional cost, signals a potential new standard in telecom security offerings. The big picture: Airtel has launched what it claims is the world's first AI-powered real-time fraud detection...

read May 16, 2025

API gives way to AI: Microsoft phases out Bing Search app programming interfaces

Microsoft's decision to shut down Bing Search APIs in favor of AI-driven alternatives marks a significant shift in how developers will integrate search functionality into their products. This move reflects the tech giant's growing emphasis on AI services, potentially forcing thousands of smaller developers to adapt their applications while larger partners like DuckDuckGo maintain their access. The transition signals an industry-wide trend toward AI-generated responses over traditional link-based search results. The big picture: Microsoft plans to completely decommission Bing Search APIs on August 11, 2025, eliminating a service that developers have used to integrate web search capabilities into their applications....

read May 16, 2025

Edge AI in industrial IoT: Qualcomm and Saudi Arabia’s Aramco Digital partner

Qualcomm and Aramco Digital's new strategic partnership aims to revolutionize Saudi Arabia's industrial landscape by combining Qualcomm's edge AI expertise with Aramco Digital's industrial know-how. The collaboration focuses on developing AI-powered industrial IoT solutions that will enhance efficiency, safety, and sustainability across key sectors. This partnership represents a significant advancement in Saudi Arabia's digital transformation journey, aligning with the country's Vision 2030 initiative to diversify its economy beyond oil. The big picture: Qualcomm Technologies and Saudi Arabia's Aramco Digital have announced plans to collaborate on developing and commercializing edge AI and industrial IoT technologies across Saudi industries. The partnership will...

read May 16, 2025

Tech giants face new bipartisan bill to loosen Pentagon contract control

A bipartisan effort to diversify the Pentagon's AI and cloud computing contracts is gaining momentum in Congress, challenging the current dominance of tech giants in military technology procurement. The proposed legislation aims to create a more competitive landscape for defense contracts, potentially reshaping how the Department of Defense accesses critical technologies while addressing concerns about market concentration and innovation barriers. The big picture: Senators Elizabeth Warren (D-MA) and Eric Schmitt (R-MO) are reintroducing the Protecting AI and Cloud Competition in Defense Act, which targets the concentrated market power of Amazon, Microsoft, and Google in Pentagon cloud and AI contracts. The...

read May 16, 2025

Evernote adds AI-powered transcription for audio, video, and images

Evernote's new AI Transcribe feature represents a significant value addition to the note-taking platform following its difficult transition under Bending Spoons ownership. The multimodal transcription tool, which quickly and accurately converts audio, video, and image files to text, marks a notable technological advancement for the service that has recently faced criticism for staff reductions and price increases. The big picture: Evernote has launched a powerful AI-based transcription tool that works across multiple media formats with impressive speed and accuracy. The feature is available both within the main Evernote application and as a standalone web tool for easy access. Users can...

read May 16, 2025

Google AI chatbot solves advanced math and science problems

Google DeepMind's AlphaEvolve represents a significant advancement in applying large language models to solve complex problems in mathematics and computer science. By combining an LLM's creative capabilities with rigorous evaluation algorithms, this general-purpose AI system has already tackled longstanding mathematical challenges and delivered practical efficiencies for Google's computing infrastructure. Unlike previous AI scientific tools that were custom-built for specific tasks, AlphaEvolve's general-purpose design signals a potential shift toward more versatile AI systems that can generate novel solutions across multiple domains. The big picture: Google DeepMind has created AlphaEvolve, an AI system that uses chatbot models to solve complex problems in...

read May 16, 2025

YouTube’s Gemini AI targets ads to viewers’ favorite video moments

YouTube is leveraging Gemini AI to strategically place video advertisements by identifying the moments when viewers are most engaged. This new ad insertion strategy, called "Peak Points," aims to maximize advertising effectiveness by targeting emotional high points in videos, such as the moments just after a proposal. By placing ads after—rather than during—these pivotal moments, YouTube seeks to balance advertiser needs with viewer experience while potentially reducing the frustration of ads interrupting critical content. The big picture: YouTube has unveiled "Peak Points," a Gemini-powered advertising system that identifies optimal ad placement based on viewer engagement patterns. The system analyzes videos...

read May 16, 2025

NTT DATA expands data centers with 3 major land acquisitions

NTT DATA's global data center expansion marks a significant escalation in the company's infrastructure strategy, securing land across three continents to support nearly a gigawatt of new capacity. This aggressive growth initiative comes amid surging demand for data center capacity driven by AI computing requirements and digital transformation. The $10 billion investment through 2027 positions NTT DATA as a major player in the increasingly competitive global data center market. The big picture: NTT DATA has secured land across seven strategic markets in North America, Europe, and Asia as part of a $10 billion investment plan through 2027, enabling nearly a...

read May 16, 2025

CoreWeave expands AI partnership with OpenAI in $4B deal

OpenAI is deepening its financial commitment to cloud infrastructure provider CoreWeave with a new multi-billion dollar agreement. This expanded partnership represents a significant escalation in OpenAI's computing infrastructure investments as it continues to develop and scale its AI models, including ChatGPT. The deal highlights the massive capital requirements underpinning cutting-edge AI development and the strategic importance of securing long-term computing capacity in the AI arms race. The big picture: Nvidia-backed AI infrastructure company CoreWeave has secured an additional $4 billion commitment from OpenAI in a deal extending through April 2029. Key details: The agreement was revealed in a regulatory filing...

read May 16, 2025

Too much of a good thing? Motorola Razr 2025 impresses, but AI features overwhelm

Motorola's 2025 Razr lineup resurrects an iconic design with impressive hardware innovation but stumbles with its AI implementation. The new foldable phones combine nostalgic appeal with modern technology through spectacular displays, pocket-friendly form factors, and distinctive design elements. While the phones excel in style and usability, Motorola's excessive AI features and limited long-term support policy detract from an otherwise compelling package that might just be the coolest option on the market despite its compromises. The big picture: Motorola has refined its foldable Razr series into stylish, functional devices that balance nostalgia with cutting-edge technology. The 2025 Razr models feature large...

read May 16, 2025

Qualcomm unveils AI-powered Snapdragon 7 Gen 4 chip

Qualcomm's latest Snapdragon 7 Gen 4 chipset marks a significant mid-range processor upgrade, promising substantial performance improvements and bringing generative AI capabilities to more affordable smartphones. Built on a 4nm process, this new platform narrows the gap between mid-range and flagship devices with its upgraded CPU architecture, enhanced graphics capabilities, and expanded AI features. The announcement signals Qualcomm's continued push to democratize advanced mobile technologies beyond premium devices. The big picture: Qualcomm's new Snapdragon 7 Gen 4 mobile platform delivers significant performance upgrades while bringing generative AI capabilities to mid-range smartphones. The 4nm chipset promises 27% faster CPU performance, 30%...

read May 16, 2025

There’s something about You.com. Upgraded platform outperforms OpenAI in research.

You.com's latest AI research platform represents a significant leap in enterprise AI capabilities, with its ARI Enterprise system demonstrating superior performance over competitors including OpenAI. This upgraded platform delivers impressive accuracy scores on independent benchmarks while offering deeper research capabilities and integration with corporate data systems—positioning You.com as a serious contender in the increasingly competitive market for enterprise-grade AI research tools. The big picture: You.com has launched ARI Enterprise, claiming its Advanced Research & Insights platform outperforms OpenAI's comparable offerings in 76% of head-to-head tests while achieving industry-leading 80% accuracy on the FRAMES benchmark. The FRAMES benchmark, co-developed by Harvard,...

read May 16, 2025

AI’s impact on new graduates’ careers is nothing to fear, says Temple University alum

In a world where AI capabilities are rapidly expanding, human connection remains an irreplaceable asset—particularly for those with liberal arts training. Temple University alumnus Steven Levy recently delivered a commencement address to the College of Liberal Arts that cuts through AI anxiety with a simple yet profound message: being human is a competitive advantage that no algorithm can replicate. His perspective offers a refreshing counterpoint to tech determinism, positioning liberal arts graduates as uniquely equipped to thrive in an AI-augmented world through their mastery of distinctly human qualities. The big picture: As artificial intelligence reshapes career landscapes, Levy argues that...

read May 16, 2025

AI-powered Box agents automate document management tasks

The simply named company "Box" is joining the competitive race to develop AI agents, introducing a new suite of autonomous tools designed to tackle enterprise content management challenges. These Box AI Agents aim to transform how organizations handle information by automating document summarization, information retrieval, and cross-platform integration, positioning Box to capitalize on the growing enterprise demand for AI-powered workflow solutions. The big picture: Box is launching AI Agents as part of its content management platform to help enterprise customers organize and retrieve critical information across their digital ecosystems. The agents are designed to reduce time spent on mundane tasks like...

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AI startup Cartwheel secures $10M for character animation tools

Cartwheel AI has released its first public tools for 3D character animation after securing $10 million in new funding led by Craft Ventures. The startup, founded in 2023 by OpenAI alum Andrew Carr and Google Creative Lab veteran Jonathan Jarvis, aims to revolutionize animation production by dramatically accelerating workflows while maintaining creative control. The technology's emergence from a year-long beta test with 8,000 professional animators signals a potentially significant shift in how animation is created across entertainment and digital media. The big picture: Animation startup Cartwheel has launched AI-driven 3D character animation tools to the public after raising $10 million...

read May 16, 2025

Study: AI models in groups have peer pressure, just like people

Large language models are now independently developing social norms and biases when interacting in groups, according to new research published in Science Advances. This emergent property mimics how human societies develop shared conventions, suggesting AI systems might naturally form their own social structures even without explicit programming for group behavior. The discovery raises important implications for both AI safety and our understanding of how social dynamics emerge in artificial intelligence systems. The big picture: Researchers have demonstrated that large language models (LLMs) can spontaneously develop social norms and collective biases when interacting in groups, similar to how humans form social...

read May 16, 2025

Salesforce unveils flexible pricing for AI tools

Salesforce's new pay-per-action AI pricing model marks a significant evolution in enterprise software economics, offering businesses a more flexible way to pay for artificial intelligence capabilities. By introducing consumption-based pricing alongside options to reallocate traditional subscription spending toward AI tools, the company is adapting to the maturing AI market where organizations increasingly demand transparent, predictable costs tied directly to value received rather than flat subscription fees. The big picture: Salesforce is introducing a new consumption-based pricing model for its AI agents, charging customers approximately 10 cents per "action" performed by these automated tools. Key details: The pricing change specifically targets...

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