AI/News
Turning chaos to clarity: Our intelligent curation system analyzes thousands of sources daily — from blogs and social media chatter to podcasts and research hubs — synthesizing essential insights into plain English you can actually use.
Samsung wants to turn its latest generation of Galaxy smartphones into AI companions
Samsung announced three new Galaxy S25 smartphone models at its Unpacked event, each of which prominently feature artificial intelligence capabilities while maintaining the same price points as previous models. Core specifications and pricing: The Galaxy S25 lineup maintains similar hardware to its predecessors, with notable upgrades limited to a faster processor and enhanced ultrawide camera capabilities. The three models are priced at $800 for the standard version, $1000 for the Plus model, and $1300 for the Ultra variant The smartphones will be available in retail stores starting February 7 Samsung reported a 25% increase in Galaxy S24 sales last year,...
read Jan 22, 2025Google reportedly developed AI tools for the Israeli military
Google's direct collaboration with Israel Defense Forces (IDF) on AI tools has been revealed through internal company documents, contradicting previous public statements about the nature of their work in Israel. Key revelations: Internal documents obtained by the Washington Post show Google's cloud division actively worked with the IDF following Hamas's October 7th attack on Israel and the subsequent ground invasion of Gaza. Google employees rushed to provide AI services to the IDF, competing directly with Amazon for the military's attention Documents reveal multiple instances of Google staff escalating the IDF's requests for AI technology access Internal communications show employees warning...
read Jan 22, 2025Google just announced the ability to chain actions together using Gemini — here’s why that’s a big deal
Google's Gemini AI platform is receiving significant updates coinciding with Samsung's S25 launch, introducing action chaining capabilities and enhanced multimodal features. Key Updates: Gemini's latest improvements focus on interconnected actions and expanded device compatibility, particularly for Samsung's newest phones and Google Pixel devices. Action chaining now enables users to perform sequential tasks across different apps, such as finding restaurants in Google Maps and drafting invitation texts in Messages The feature depends on app-specific extensions, with Google and Samsung apps being among the first to support this functionality Implementation requires developer-written extensions to connect individual apps with Gemini Multimodal Enhancements: Gemini...
read Jan 22, 2025The Galaxy S25 is here: These AI features run on-device, and these in the cloud
Samsung's Galaxy S25 series introduces a mix of on-device and cloud-based AI features, with the company providing clear details about which features require internet connectivity and which can run locally on the device. Core functionality breakdown: Samsung has implemented a diverse array of AI capabilities in the Galaxy S25, with processing requirements varying by feature. Audio Eraser, AI Select, natural language Gallery search, Now Brief/Now Bar, and Routine Suggestions operate entirely on-device Cross-app actions via Gemini Live, Draw Assist, and Sticker Generation require cloud connectivity Call Summary, Read Aloud, and Writing Assist utilize a hybrid approach of both local and...
read Jan 22, 2025A new Liberty Global-EY report plots a path for AI telecom tech to save the planet
The telecom industry giants Liberty Global and EY have released a report outlining how artificial intelligence could potentially reduce network energy consumption, provided the right regulatory framework is established. Key findings and recommendations; The report presents eight key recommendations for implementing AI sustainably in telecommunications networks. Organizations should assess AI's sustainability impact and prioritize AI-driven network optimization The industry needs to transition quickly to renewable energy sources and adopt circular economy practices Companies must develop comprehensive AI governance frameworks that incorporate sustainability metrics Industry-wide standards for sustainable AI implementation, including common environmental impact measurements, should be established Future scenarios; The...
read Jan 22, 2025Samsung’s TV upscaling tech is finally coming to Galaxy S25 phones
Product Overview: Samsung unveiled its latest Galaxy S25 smartphone series at its Unpacked event, introducing ProScaler, an AI-powered display technology that enhances image quality and color accuracy. The lineup includes three models: Galaxy S25, Galaxy S25 Plus, and Galaxy S25 Ultra Devices will be available starting at $799 for the base model Pre-orders have begun, with shipments scheduled for February Technical Innovation: ProScaler represents a significant advancement in mobile display technology, adapting Samsung's TV upscaling capabilities for smartphone use. The technology enhances low-resolution content in real-time, improving video quality (e.g., making 480p content appear closer to 720p) ProScaler requires devices...
read Jan 22, 2025Microsoft launches $5M AI grant program to drive positive social change in Washington state
Microsoft is launching a $5 million grant program called AI for Good Open Call to support AI innovation projects addressing social and scientific challenges in Washington state. Program overview: Microsoft's AI for Good Open Call will provide grants and collaborative opportunities with Microsoft AI scientists to organizations working on sustainability, public health, education, or human rights initiatives in Washington state. The program is open to nonprofits, academic institutions, researchers, startups, and businesses either based in Washington or benefiting the state's residents Selected projects must demonstrate potential for creating unique, scalable solutions to major challenges Applicants need to have clean, accurate,...
read Jan 22, 2025The most exciting reasons you should consider upgrading to a new Samsung Galaxy S25 smartphone
At its Unpacked event, Samsung announced several key AI features for its new Galaxy S25 smartphone series, integrating Google Gemini and introducing personalized AI capabilities to enhance user experience. Major features overview: Samsung's Galaxy S25 series introduces five significant AI-powered capabilities that combine personalized user experiences with Google Gemini integration. The phones feature a Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite processor and run on One UI 7, transforming them into AI companions Context-aware suggestions help users navigate their devices more intuitively Natural language processing enables easier control of phone settings and photo management Google Gemini integration: Samsung has deeply embedded Google's AI...
read Jan 22, 2025The top features of Samsung’s new Galaxy S25 Ultra
The Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra introduces significant enterprise-focused features including enhanced display technology, advanced security measures, and AI capabilities, positioning it as a leading choice for business users. Core hardware improvements: Samsung's partnership with Corning has yielded notable advances in display technology and processing power. The new Gorilla Glass Armor 2 display maintains anti-reflective properties while reducing screen repairs by 60% The device features a custom version of Qualcomm's Snapdragon 8 Elite processor, developed specifically for Samsung The durable display design demonstrates particular resilience to scratches, making it ideal for intensive business use S Pen functionality: While some Bluetooth features...
read Jan 22, 2025Google enhances Circle to Search with AI Overviews, new features
Google's Circle to Search feature is receiving significant updates including AI-powered summaries and streamlined actions for contact information and web links. Core updates: Circle to Search, a tool that enables users to initiate Google searches by highlighting screen content, now incorporates AI Overviews and one-tap functionality for common actions. The feature allows users to activate searches by long-pressing the navigation pill or home button and then circling, scribbling, or tapping on screen content AI Overviews will now provide AI-generated summaries alongside traditional search results New one-tap actions enable immediate interaction with phone numbers, email addresses, and URLs Technical enhancements: The...
read Jan 22, 2025Galaxy S25 phones impress but feel too familiar to this journalist
Samsung has unveiled its Galaxy S25 series smartphones, featuring minimal design changes but significant AI-powered software improvements across three models: the S25, S25 Plus, and S25 Ultra. Design evolution: The Galaxy S25 Ultra receives subtle refinements to better align with its smaller siblings while maintaining its distinct premium position. Flat titanium sides replace the previous convex design Rounded corners eliminate the sharp edges of prior models New unified camera lens design with thick bezels across all models Slightly larger 6.9-inch display with reduced bezels Hardware specifications: The entire lineup maintains largely similar hardware to previous generations, with select improvements. All...
read Jan 22, 2025NVIDIA’s Omniverse: How OpenUSD workflows advance physical AI for robotics and vehicles
Core innovation: NVIDIA recently unveiled Cosmos, a platform of generative world foundation models designed to accelerate the development of physical AI systems through advanced simulation and synthetic data generation. The platform includes state-of-the-art models, tokenizers, guardrails, and video processing capabilities specifically built for physical AI applications Cosmos enables the creation of detailed virtual environments that incorporate real-world physics, spatial relationships, and cause-and-effect principles The technology is particularly focused on applications in robotics, autonomous vehicles, and vision AI systems Technical capabilities: When integrated with NVIDIA Omniverse and powered by OpenUSD, Cosmos creates a powerful synthetic data generation engine for AI development....
read Jan 22, 2025AI in marketing: How agents enhance customer journeys in retail
The NVIDIA AI Podcast featured Firsthand co-CEO Jon Heller discussing how AI-powered brand agents are transforming digital marketing and customer experiences in retail. Key innovations: AI agents from Firsthand act as digital guides that leverage a company's knowledge base to assist customers throughout their shopping journey, from product discovery to purchase completion. These Brand Agents can maintain context across different customer touchpoints, creating a more cohesive and personalized experience The technology extends beyond basic chat functionality to incorporate various AI capabilities that enhance customer interactions The system turns marketing interactions into valuable customer research data, generating new insights into consumer...
read Jan 22, 2025AI and Netflix push Wall Street to new heights
Netflix's strong quarterly performance and significant AI investments drove U.S. stock market gains, with major indexes rising across the board and tech stocks leading the surge. Market Overview: The U.S. stock market demonstrated broad-based strength, with the S&P 500 rising 0.5%, the Dow Jones Industrial Average gaining 0.2%, and the Nasdaq Composite advancing 1%. Netflix emerged as a standout performer, jumping 13% after reporting the addition of 19 million new subscribers The streaming platform's success was partly attributed to its expansion into live events, including NFL games and boxing matches Netflix also announced plans to increase subscription prices following stronger-than-expected...
read Jan 22, 2025Japanese firms will struggle to follow SoftBank in going all-in with Trump’s AI plans
SoftBank CEO Masayoshi Son's recent meetings with Donald Trump demonstrate a bold strategy of large investment announcements in U.S. artificial intelligence initiatives, setting a precedent that may be difficult for other Japanese companies to follow. The big picture: SoftBank's approach of making ambitious investment pledges, including a $100 billion U.S. investment commitment and a $500 billion AI infrastructure venture called Stargate with OpenAI and Oracle, represents a distinct departure from traditional Japanese corporate practices. Son has met with Trump twice since the November presidential election, positioning SoftBank as a key ally in U.S. technology development The Stargate venture's specific funding...
read Jan 22, 2025AI risks and Trump’s trade plans take center stage at Davos
Key focus areas: The World Economic Forum (WEF) in Davos, Switzerland centers on UN Chief António Guterres' keynote address, artificial intelligence developments, and Trump's trade policies. UN Secretary-General António Guterres is scheduled to deliver a keynote speech focusing on climate action The forum will examine economic prospects for major powers including China and Russia Donald Trump's proposed trade tariffs and their potential impact on global commerce will be discussed AI investments and developments: Trump announced a significant joint venture for artificial intelligence infrastructure development in the United States. A partnership between Oracle, SoftBank, and OpenAI plans to invest up to...
read Jan 22, 2025Hugging Face teams with FriendliAI to supercharge AI model deployment
Hugging Face and FriendliAI have formed a strategic partnership to enhance AI model deployment capabilities through the Hugging Face Hub, offering developers streamlined access to high-performance inference infrastructure. Partnership overview: The collaboration integrates FriendliAI Endpoints directly into the Hugging Face Hub, providing users with advanced GPU-based inference capabilities and simplified model deployment options. FriendliAI holds the top ranking as the fastest GPU-based generative AI inference provider according to Artificial Analysis The company's technology stack includes continuous batching, native quantization, and advanced autoscaling features The integration allows for seamless deployment of both open-source and custom generative AI models Key deployment features:...
read Jan 22, 2025Gartner projects waning hype for GenAI in IT — but not a decline in spending
Generative AI and IT infrastructure spending are projected to drive global IT expenditure to $5.61 trillion by 2025, according to new Gartner forecasts, representing a 9.8% increase from 2024. Market dynamics and spending patterns: The IT sector is experiencing significant shifts in investment priorities, particularly in areas supporting artificial intelligence capabilities. Data center systems, devices, and software segments are forecasted for double-digit growth in 2025, driven primarily by necessary hardware upgrades to support AI capabilities IT services companies and cloud providers (hyperscalers) are expected to dominate spending, accounting for over 70% of expenditure in 2025 Spending on AI-optimized servers is...
read Jan 22, 2025Clay, a secret weapon of Anthropic and OpenAI, closes new fundraise at $1.3B valuation
Clay, a New York-based startup focused on sales intelligence and growth tools, has reached a $1.3 billion valuation following a new $40 million investment led by Meritech. The transformation story: After years of pursuing broader ambitions in programming accessibility, Clay found its niche by focusing exclusively on go-to-market intelligence tools. CEO Kareem Amin made the pivotal decision to narrow the company's focus from a general-purpose software platform to specialized sales intelligence tools The strategic shift resulted in losing some early team members but led to rapid customer adoption and revenue growth Clay's revenue reached approximately $30 million in 2024, having...
read Jan 22, 2025Pentagon official boasts of AI’s ability to enhance killing
The Pentagon's chief digital and AI officer has revealed that artificial intelligence is being used to accelerate military targeting and response capabilities. Key disclosure: The Pentagon is actively implementing AI technology to speed up its military "kill chain" process, which involves identifying, tracking, and engaging targets. Radha Plumb, the Pentagon's chief digital and AI officer, explicitly stated that AI is being used to increase the speed of military response operations The "kill chain" process consists of six specific steps: find, fix, track, target, engage, and assess This systematic approach enables military planners to organize and deploy forces for combat operations...
read Jan 22, 2025Good news for knowledge workers: AI augments rather than replaces workers, new survey finds
The key context: Examining several real-world case studies across different industries demonstrates how AI adoption tends to augment rather than replace human workers. Historical precedent from the legal industry shows that OCR technology, while automating document review, actually increased demand for lawyers by making legal services more accessible and affordable AT&T's automation of switchboard operations initially eliminated specific roles but ultimately generated new industries and job opportunities through cheaper, more widespread communication Education transformation: AI is reshaping teaching methods while maintaining the irreplaceable human elements of education. An AI teaching clone was developed to provide 24/7 student support and handle...
read Jan 22, 2025AI and trade dominate Davos 2025 World Economic Forum
The big picture: The World Economic Forum's 2025 gathering in Davos focuses on global trade tensions, artificial intelligence developments, and climate policy amidst shifting geopolitical dynamics. Key developments: U.N. Secretary-General António Guterres leads discussions on climate change response, while tech and infrastructure investments take center stage. Trump's fossil fuel expansion plans stand in direct opposition to Guterres' climate advocacy efforts A landmark $500 billion AI infrastructure investment, dubbed the Stargate project, brings together Oracle, SoftBank and OpenAI The project aims to develop data centers and power generation facilities in Texas to support growing AI computing demands AI advancement and safety...
read Jan 22, 2025AI startup Rapport enables anyone to bring branded AI avatars to life with ChatGPT
Rapport Studio is a new cloud-based platform that enables users to create branded AI avatars and animate them with ChatGPT and other AI models. Core functionality: Rapport Studio allows businesses and creators to develop customized digital characters that can be voice-driven and branded according to their specific needs. Users can design and deploy AI-powered digital avatars with custom branding elements The platform integrates with ChatGPT and other AI models to animate these characters Custom demos can be created and published quickly through the cloud-based interface Platform details: Rapport Studio operates as a self-service platform focused on accessibility and scalability. The...
read Jan 22, 2025McKinsey and C3 partner to accelerate AI adoption in manufacturing, energy and finance
McKinsey and C3 AI have formed a strategic alliance to help enterprises accelerate their AI transformations, combining McKinsey's QuantumBlack AI practice with C3 AI's enterprise software capabilities. Partnership overview: McKinsey and C3 AI announced their collaboration at Davos, aiming to deliver enterprise-scale AI solutions across multiple industries. The alliance merges QuantumBlack's technical expertise and industry deployment experience with C3 AI's enterprise and agentic AI software applications The partnership focuses on addressing complex business challenges, from supply chain optimization to asset performance management QuantumBlack, acquired by McKinsey 10 years ago, brings extensive experience in AI technologies, tools, and IP development Key...
read