Aug 19, 2025

Spotify’s new mixing tool lets users customize playlist transitions

Spotify has launched a new feature that allows Premium users to create custom transitions between playlist songs, arriving just weeks before Apple Music's similar AutoMix feature debuts in iOS 26. The timing suggests Spotify is proactively responding to Apple's AI-powered DJ-like transitions by offering its own take on seamless playlist mixing. What you should know: Spotify's transition feature is now rolling out in beta to Premium subscribers, focusing specifically on playlist customization rather than system-wide functionality. Users can access the feature by selecting a playlist and tapping the new "Mix" option in the toolbar. The tool offers both an "Auto"...

read Aug 19, 2025

Woman’s suicide after ChatGPT therapy shows AI mental health dangers

A 29-year-old woman named Sophie took her own life after using ChatGPT as an AI therapist, according to her mother's account in a New York Times opinion piece. The tragic case highlights critical safety gaps in AI mental health tools, as chatbots lack the professional obligations and emergency intervention capabilities that human therapists possess. What happened: Sophie appeared to be a healthy, outgoing person before developing sudden mood and hormone symptoms that led to her suicide this past winter. Her mother, Laura Reiley, obtained logs showing Sophie had been talking to a ChatGPT-based AI therapist named "Harry" during her crisis....

read Aug 19, 2025

Nvidia develops new B30A chip for China with half the flagship’s power

Nvidia is developing a new AI chip for China based on its latest Blackwell architecture that will outperform the H20 model currently sold there, according to sources familiar with the matter. The move comes as President Trump recently opened the door to allowing more advanced Nvidia chips in China, though regulatory approval remains uncertain amid ongoing tensions over AI technology access. What you should know: The new chip, tentatively called the B30A, will use a single-die design delivering roughly half the computing power of Nvidia's flagship B300 accelerator. A single-die design places all main integrated circuit components on one continuous...

read Aug 19, 2025

99% of UK retailers now have in-house AI teams despite being cautious about full deployment

Nearly all UK retailers now have dedicated AI expertise in-house, with 61% establishing specialized AI leadership teams including Chief AI Officers, according to new research from Monday.com, a workplace management platform. However, despite this widespread adoption, retailers remain cautious about fully automating customer interactions, with 49% believing AI tools aren't yet ready to manage complete customer journeys independently. Why this matters: The retail sector is rapidly building AI capabilities while maintaining human oversight for critical decisions. 99% of UK retail decision-makers report having AI expertise within their businesses. 97% of respondents faced at least one obstacle when adopting AI despite...

read Aug 19, 2025

Adobe unveils Acrobat Studio with AI-powered document workspaces

Adobe has unveiled Acrobat Studio, a comprehensive document management platform that combines familiar PDF tools with advanced artificial intelligence capabilities. This isn't simply another incremental update to Adobe's document software—it represents a fundamental reimagining of how professionals interact with business documents. The platform merges Acrobat Pro's established PDF editing capabilities with Adobe Express design tools and specialized AI assistants, creating what Adobe describes as an integrated workspace for document-heavy workflows. For businesses drowning in contracts, proposals, reports, and client files, Acrobat Studio promises to transform static documents into interactive, searchable knowledge bases. According to Abhigyan Modi, Adobe's senior vice president...

read Aug 19, 2025

Meticulous poaching by Big Tech raids AI startups, leaving zombie companies behind

Big tech companies are systematically dismantling AI startups through talent acquisition deals that leave behind "zombie companies" stripped of their founders and key researchers. These transactions allow tech giants like Meta, Google, Microsoft and Amazon to acquire top AI talent and technology while skirting traditional merger and acquisition regulations, creating a new playbook that threatens Silicon Valley's startup ecosystem. The big picture: Major tech companies are using licensing deals and talent acquisitions as regulatory workarounds to bulk up their AI capabilities without triggering antitrust scrutiny. Companies maintain minority stakes or structure deals as licensing agreements rather than outright acquisitions to...

read Aug 19, 2025

Zoom launches AI virtual receptionist for 24/7 phone support in 6 languages

Receptionists are not going to be receptive to this. Zoom has launched Virtual Agent for Zoom Phone, an AI-powered receptionist that can handle customer calls 24/7 without human intervention. The no-code tool allows companies to replace or supplement traditional receptionists by greeting callers, processing requests, and routing calls autonomously across six languages at launch. What you should know: Virtual Agent operates as a fully automated digital receptionist that promises to reduce missed calls and hold times for businesses. The AI agent can greet callers naturally, process their requests, and initiate next steps without requiring human pickup. Available in English, Spanish,...

read Aug 19, 2025

Withdrawal symptoms: New dating trend “Banksying” uses AI to plan secret breakups

A new dating trend called "Banksying" involves secretly planning a breakup months in advance while slowly withdrawing from the relationship without alerting the partner. Named after the anonymous street artist, this practice has gained traction on social media, with some people even consulting AI tools like ChatGPT for breakup strategies, raising concerns about deceptive relationship behaviors in the digital age. What you should know: Banksying differs from naturally losing interest—it's a deliberate, calculated withdrawal where someone has already decided to end the relationship but keeps their partner completely unaware. The person doing the "Banksying" has plenty of time to adjust...

read Aug 19, 2025

Databricks raises funding at $100B+ valuation as AI demand soars

Databricks is set to raise funding at a valuation exceeding $100 billion, marking a 61% jump from its $62 billion valuation less than a year ago. The analytics firm's rapid valuation increase underscores the intense investor appetite for AI companies, as businesses worldwide rush to harness artificial intelligence capabilities from their data. What you should know: Databricks, a San Francisco-based data analytics company, has signed a term sheet for a Series K funding round but hasn't disclosed the specific amount being raised.• The company serves 15,000 customers, including major enterprises like payments firm Block, energy giant Shell, and electric-vehicle maker...

read Aug 19, 2025

Bubble? No trouble. Altman admits “insane” AI mania while planning trillion-dollar spending

OpenAI CEO Sam Altman has openly acknowledged that artificial intelligence is currently experiencing a bubble, with "insane" valuations and irrational investor behavior driving the market. Despite warning that some investors will get "very burnt," Altman remains committed to aggressive spending on AI infrastructure, with OpenAI planning to invest trillions in datacenter construction as demand outpaces what any single cloud provider can supply. What they're saying: Altman didn't mince words about the current state of AI investment during a recent dinner with reporters. "Are we in a phase where investors as a whole are overexcited about AI? My opinion is yes,"...

read Aug 19, 2025

AI hiring tools employed in 99% of Fortune 500 job applications

Artificial intelligence is rapidly transforming the hiring process, with large language models now capable of handling everything from initial CV screening to final interviews. This shift is creating a complex landscape where both employers and job seekers are adapting to AI-driven recruitment, raising questions about fairness, bias, and the future of human interaction in hiring. What you should know: AI recruitment tools are becoming the norm across major industries, with 99% of Fortune 500 companies already using talent-sifting software. Companies are implementing multi-stage automated processes that can include online assessments, AI-analyzed behavioral tests, and pre-recorded interview responses evaluated by algorithms....

read Aug 19, 2025

The gap between AI promises and reality is creating collective delusion

Three years into the generative AI boom, the technology's most enduring cultural impact may be making people feel like they're losing their minds. From AI chatbots reanimating dead teenagers to billionaires casually discussing covering Earth with data centers, the disconnect between AI's grandiose promises and bizarre reality is creating what feels like a collective societal delusion. The big picture: The AI era has produced a strange mix of useful tools and deeply unsettling applications, leaving many people struggling to process what they're witnessing and uncertain about the technology's true trajectory. What's driving the confusion: AI companies and leaders consistently frame...

read Aug 19, 2025

Arm hires Amazon’s AI chip director to build complete processors

Sometimes it's just wise to have an, er, chip on your shoulder. Arm Holdings has hired Rami Sinno, Amazon's AI chip director, to advance its ambitious plans to develop complete chips rather than just chip designs. Sinno previously led development of Amazon's Trainium and Inferentia AI chips, bringing critical expertise as Arm shifts from its traditional licensing model to building full semiconductor solutions. What you should know: This marks a significant strategic pivot for the chip architecture giant, which has historically focused on designing processor blueprints rather than manufacturing complete chips. Until now, Arm has operated by designing core architecture...

read Aug 19, 2025

Nvidia’s 9B parameter AI model offers toggleable reasoning on single GPU

Nvidia has released Nemotron-Nano-9B-v2, a compact 9-billion parameter language model that features toggleable AI reasoning capabilities and achieves top performance in its class on key benchmarks. The model represents Nvidia's entry into the competitive small language model market, offering enterprises a balance between computational efficiency and advanced reasoning capabilities that can run on a single GPU. What you should know: Nemotron-Nano-9B-v2 combines hybrid architecture with user-controllable reasoning to deliver enterprise-ready AI at reduced computational costs. The model was pruned from 12 billion to 9 billion parameters specifically to fit on a single Nvidia A10 GPU, making deployment more accessible for...

read Aug 18, 2025

AI transcription saves Channel Islands doctors, along with those forced to read their handwriting

A Jersey GP practice has become the first on the island to implement Heidi Health, an AI-powered transcription system that records and processes doctor-patient conversations. The technology allows doctors to focus entirely on patient care rather than manual note-taking, while also automating administrative tasks like drafting referral letters. Why this matters: Health Plus, a Jersey medical practice, is pioneering the use of AI transcription technology in Jersey's healthcare system to improve both doctor efficiency and patient experience. Dr. Ed Klaber of Health Plus explains that artificial intelligence will "allow GPs to be more present during appointments, improve communication with patients...

read Aug 18, 2025

Boston sports workers cry foul (ball) as AI-powered self-checkout systems slash income

AI-powered self-checkout systems are transforming concession operations at major Boston sports venues, including Fenway Park and TD Garden, but workers are experiencing significant income losses and reduced hours. The technology represents a broader shift as artificial intelligence moves beyond manufacturing into service industries, fundamentally altering not just job availability but compensation structures and workplace dynamics. What you should know: Sports venues across Boston have deployed AI checkout systems that dramatically reduce staffing needs while boosting sales for operators. Fenway Park installed six Mashgin AI-powered checkout machines in 2023, which use computer vision algorithms to identify products and process payments automatically....

read Aug 18, 2025

Palo Alto Networks forecasts $10.5B revenue from AI-driven cybersecurity demand

Palo Alto Networks forecast fiscal 2026 revenue and profit above Wall Street estimates, driven by growing demand for its AI-powered cybersecurity solutions. The company's strong outlook reflects an AI-driven upgrade cycle as enterprises accelerate cloud adoption and modernize security operations amid a wave of high-profile cyberattacks. Key financial projections: Palo Alto's guidance significantly exceeded analyst expectations across multiple metrics. The company projected annual revenue between $10.48 billion and $10.53 billion, above analysts' average estimate of $10.43 billion. Adjusted profit per share is expected to reach $3.75 to $3.85, surpassing estimates of $3.67 for the fiscal year. First-quarter revenue forecast of...

read Aug 18, 2025

Notion Mail brings AI-powered email management to iPhone

Notion has launched its AI-powered email client, Notion Mail, on iPhone, expanding the platform beyond its initial Mac release from April. The app joins Notion's growing suite of mobile productivity tools and leverages artificial intelligence to automatically organize and personalize email management for users. What you should know: Notion Mail positions itself as "the inbox that thinks like you," using AI to automatically sort and label incoming messages based on user preferences. Users can train the system to recognize which types of emails matter most, though initial setup still requires the Mac version of the app. The app allows users...

read Aug 18, 2025

GPT-5 disappoints users with “cold” responses as OpenAI restores older models

OpenAI's GPT-5 has disappointed power users and developers who found the model to be "cold," less capable than expected, and failing to deliver the dramatic improvements CEO Sam Altman had promised. The lukewarm reception has forced OpenAI to backtrack on design choices and restore access to previous model versions, raising questions about whether the company can justify its projected half-trillion-dollar valuation amid growing concerns about an AI bubble. What you should know: GPT-5's release has been marked by widespread user dissatisfaction and performance concerns that fall short of OpenAI's ambitious promises. Users complained about the model's "cold" and formal demeanor...

read Aug 18, 2025

Not WWE: AMD’s new 64-core “Threadripper” 9980X offers local AI alternative for $5K

AMD has launched its Ryzen Threadripper 9000 Series workstation processors, featuring the 32-core Threadripper 9970X ($2,499) and 64-core Threadripper 9980X ($4,999). The processors target enterprise developers building AI applications locally, offering a cost-effective alternative to cloud-based solutions while addressing security concerns and providing the computational power needed for large language models and intensive development work. What you should know: These workstations bridge the performance gap between consumer PCs and enterprise servers, specifically designed for AI development, STEM applications, and content creation. The Threadripper 9970X delivers 32 cores and 64 threads, while the flagship 9980X offers 64 cores and 128 threads...

read Aug 18, 2025

Data center vacancy hits 2.3% as AI triggers $1T investment surge

The North American data center sector has reached a "critical tipping point" with vacancy rates hitting record lows of 2.3% despite surging development, according to JLL's midyear 2025 report. JLL, a global commercial real estate firm, forecasts up to $1 trillion in North American data center investment from 2025-2030, driven by AI demand and cloud expansion that's forcing operators to completely rethink their strategies. What you should know: Power access, not physical space, has become the primary bottleneck constraining data center growth across North America. Grid connections now take four years on average, while commercial electricity rates have risen nearly...

read Aug 18, 2025

Eufy S350 4K security camera drops to $99 with AI tracking

Anker is offering its eufy S350 Security Indoor Camera at $99.99, down from its usual $140 price tag, marking a 29% discount that saves buyers $40. The camera stands out with its dual-camera setup featuring both 4K wide-angle and 2K telephoto lenses, delivering 8x hybrid zoom capabilities and 360-degree pan-and-tilt coverage for comprehensive home monitoring. Key features: The S350 combines superior imaging technology with intelligent tracking capabilities for enhanced home security. The dual-camera system provides 4K UHD resolution with an impressive 8x hybrid zoom, allowing users to capture detailed footage from various distances. Complete 360-degree pan and tilt functionality eliminates...

read Aug 18, 2025

Venture capital is AI startups. The rest is just details.

The venture capital landscape has undergone a seismic shift that's fundamentally changing how startups get valued and funded. According to fresh data from Carta, a cap table management platform that tracks startup equity, the top 1% of AI-powered companies now command valuations 3-10 times higher than traditional software businesses at identical stages. This isn't simply a hot market phenomenon. The data reveals something unprecedented: winner-take-all economics—where market leaders capture disproportionate value—has completely taken over venture capital, creating two distinct universes for startup funding. The staggering numbers The valuation gaps between good companies and exceptional ones have reached historic proportions. Seed...

read Aug 18, 2025

WhatsApp tests AI writing assistant with 5 tone options for messages

WhatsApp has started testing "Writing Help," an AI-powered feature that suggests message improvements based on user-selected tones, currently available to iOS beta testers through TestFlight. The tool represents Meta's latest push to integrate AI assistance across its messaging platforms, offering users five different tone options to refine their messages before sending them. How it works: Writing Help activates when users enable Private Processing in app settings and begin typing a short phrase in the chat input field. The sticker icon in the chat bar transforms into a pen symbol, indicating AI assistance is available for writing suggestions. Users can tap...

read