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Oracle lands $30B annual cloud deal amid “insatiable” demand
Oracle has signed a massive cloud services contract worth $30 billion annually, set to begin generating revenue in fiscal year 2028. The deal represents the latest milestone in Oracle's explosive cloud growth trajectory, with the company experiencing unprecedented demand that executives describe as "insatiable" and unlike anything in the company's history. What you should know: Oracle's cloud business is experiencing triple-digit growth rates, with MultiCloud database revenue up 115% in the most recent quarter. The company's pipeline of committed projects has grown 41% during the quarter to $138 billion, with expectations for more than 100% growth in fiscal 2026. Oracle...
read Jul 2, 2025Case Study: Capital One’s AI agents boost car dealership sales 55%
Capital One has built an agentic AI system for its auto business that mimics the company's own organizational structure, with specialized agents working together like human teams. The approach has delivered impressive results, with dealership clients reporting a 55% improvement in engagement and sales leads, demonstrating how financial institutions can leverage AI to enhance customer service while maintaining rigorous oversight and risk management. What you should know: Capital One began developing its agentic platform 15 months ago, before "agentic became a buzzword," focusing on creating agents that problem-solve alongside customers like human agents do. The company studied how its human...
read Jul 2, 2025D.C. pilots AI platform to enhance government-resident dialogue
Washington, D.C., will pilot a new AI-powered tool called deliberation.io during its upcoming AI Public Listening Session on July 15, developed in partnership with MIT's Governance Lab and Stanford's Digital Economy Lab. The pilot represents Mayor Muriel Bowser's latest effort to advance value-driven AI adoption in the district, with plans to scale the technology for broader community engagement if the trial proves successful. What you should know: The deliberation.io tool is designed to facilitate large-scale dialogue between residents and help city officials gather comprehensive feedback on AI initiatives. The July 15 listening session will invite residents to learn about the...
read Jul 1, 2025Future Sound Awards kicks off with $10K contest for AI-generated music
The Future Sound Awards launched Tuesday as a global competition for AI-generated music, offering $10,000 in prizes to recognize creators using artificial intelligence tools. The contest aims to become the "Grammys of the AI music space" while navigating copyright concerns by requiring all entries to use rights-cleared audio and disqualifying any music containing copyrighted material. What you should know: The awards represent a significant step toward legitimizing AI music creation in an industry grappling with ethical and legal challenges. Entries will be judged on inspiration, process, vocals, lyrics, and beat, along with performance on a dedicated chart powered by SoundCloud....
read Jul 1, 2025Russian disinformation campaign triples AI-generated content in 8 months
A pro-Russia disinformation campaign known as Operation Overload has dramatically scaled up its output using free consumer AI tools, producing nearly triple the content in the past eight months compared to the previous year. The campaign leverages readily available AI image generators, voice cloning technology, and text-to-image tools to create fake videos, manipulated images, and fabricated content targeting global elections, Ukraine, and immigration issues across multiple platforms. The content explosion: Between September 2024 and May 2025, Operation Overload produced 587 unique pieces of content—more than double the 230 pieces created in the entire previous year from July 2023 to June...
read Jul 1, 2025United Launch Alliance, er, launches RocketGPT AI assistant for aerospace operations
United Launch Alliance has quietly launched "RocketGPT," an ITAR-compliant AI assistant built on Microsoft Azure's secure government cloud, alongside its recent Atlas V mission carrying Amazon's Kuiper satellites. The pilot program serves roughly 150 ULA staff across engineering, legal, finance, and proposal teams, positioning the aerospace company to leverage AI for operational efficiency as it transitions from Atlas V to its next-generation Vulcan rocket. What you should know: RocketGPT represents ULA's strategic embrace of AI-enhanced processes while maintaining human oversight and accountability. CEO Tory Bruno described it as a "tool to help with drudgery and tedious, time‑consuming things," from drafting...
read Jul 1, 2025Does AI transform job interviews with fairer, more predictive hiring tools?
Artificial intelligence is quietly transforming one of business's most critical processes: job interviews. While companies have long struggled with inconsistent hiring decisions, unconscious bias, and poor candidate experiences, AI-powered interview tools now offer a path toward more objective, predictive, and fair recruitment processes. The stakes are significant. Poor hiring decisions cost companies an average of $240,000 per executive-level mistake, while biased interview processes expose organizations to legal risks and damage employer branding. Traditional interviews, research shows, have roughly the same predictive power as flipping a coin when it comes to identifying top performers. However, emerging AI interview platforms are changing...
read Jul 1, 2025Senate votes 99-1 to reject 10-year AI regulation ban
The U.S. Senate voted 99-1 on Tuesday to remove a provision from President Trump's budget bill that would have banned states from regulating artificial intelligence for the next 10 years. The last-minute elimination came after intense opposition from advocacy groups, lawmakers, and nearly 80,000 Americans who viewed the moratorium as dangerous federal overreach that would have left consumers without protection while offering no federal AI safeguards in return. What you should know: The defeated provision would have created a complete regulatory vacuum around AI at both state and federal levels. The ban offered no federal protections to replace state-level oversight,...
read Jul 1, 2025Meta launches superintelligence labs with $14.3B Scale AI investment
Meta has announced a major restructuring of its AI division, creating Meta Superintelligence Labs dedicated to developing AI systems that surpass human capabilities. CEO Mark Zuckerberg described this initiative as "the beginning of a new era for humanity," positioning Meta to intensify competition with OpenAI, Google, and Anthropic in the race toward artificial general intelligence. Leadership changes: Meta has appointed high-profile executives to lead the new superintelligence division. Alexandr Wang, former CEO of data-labeling startup Scale AI, becomes Meta's Chief AI Officer following Meta's $14.3 billion investment in Scale AI earlier this month. Nat Friedman, former GitHub CEO, will co-lead...
read Jul 1, 2025On our own: Companies with AI sovereignty see 70% better returns
A comprehensive study of over 2,000 executives from the world's largest companies has revealed a striking pattern in artificial intelligence success. Organizations that maintain sovereignty over their AI systems and data infrastructure are 70% more likely to achieve exceptional returns on their AI investments compared to companies that rely on external platforms. This finding emerges from research encompassing enterprises with combined revenues exceeding $48 trillion, spanning regions from the United States and Europe to Japan and the UAE. The results suggest that as AI becomes increasingly central to business operations, the question of who controls the underlying technology and data...
read Jul 1, 2025Contradiction as AI band hits 500K Spotify streams though listeners find it “soulless”
An AI-generated band called The Velvet Sundown has reached over 500,000 listens on Spotify despite not actually existing, with everything from their classic rock-inspired tracks to their Instagram photos appearing to be artificially created. This milestone highlights the growing sophistication of AI music generation and raises fundamental questions about authenticity in creative expression, as listeners grapple with whether machine-generated content can deliver the same emotional connection as human artistry. What you should know: The Velvet Sundown presents itself as a real band online but appears to be entirely AI-generated, from music to promotional materials. The band's sound is described as...
read Jul 1, 2025Harvard study finds AI out of alignment…with successful executive business forecasting
A new Harvard Business Review study reveals that executives who used generative AI to make business predictions performed significantly worse than those who relied on traditional methods. This finding challenges the widespread assumption that AI tools automatically improve decision-making quality, particularly in high-stakes business scenarios where nuanced judgment is crucial. What you should know: The research specifically examined how generative AI affects executive-level forecasting and strategic decision-making, moving beyond previous studies that focused on routine tasks. While earlier research demonstrated AI's effectiveness for simple or repetitive work, this study tackled more complex cognitive challenges that require strategic thinking and contextual...
read Jul 1, 2025US colleges launch AI programs as job demand soars 323%
Colleges across the United States are rapidly integrating artificial intelligence training into their curricula as employers increasingly demand AI skills for positions outside the technology sector. This shift reflects a broader transformation in the job market, where AI literacy is becoming essential for roles in healthcare, hospitality, media, and other industries, prompting educational institutions to adapt their programs to meet evolving workforce demands. What you should know: The demand for AI skills in job postings has surged dramatically, with non-tech employers leading the charge. Online job postings mentioning generative AI as a desired skill grew 323% last year, reaching over...
read Jul 1, 2025AI microscope gets $2.3M to automate livestock parasite testing
Appalachian State University researchers have developed an AI-driven robotic microscope designed to automate fecal egg counting for livestock parasite detection, securing $2.3 million in funding from NCInnovation, a state program that supports commercializing research discoveries. The technology aims to reduce the time and cost of parasite testing while improving accuracy, potentially benefiting North Carolina's billion-dollar agricultural industry by preventing livestock deaths and reducing unnecessary treatments. How it works: The system combines three key technologies to automate a traditionally tedious manual process. A robotic microscope automatically moves around fecal samples and generates multiple images, creating large datasets for analysis. AI algorithms...
read Jul 1, 2025Microsoft signs 5-year Premier League deal to showcase AI to millions
Microsoft has signed a five-year cloud computing deal with the Premier League, positioning the tech giant to showcase its AI capabilities to millions of soccer fans worldwide. The strategic partnership will migrate the world's most-watched soccer league's core technology infrastructure to Microsoft's Azure platform while integrating AI-powered chatbots across the Premier League's digital properties. What you should know: The comprehensive partnership transforms how the Premier League delivers digital experiences to its global fanbase. The Premier League will migrate its "core technology infrastructure" to Microsoft's Azure cloud-computing service over the five-year term. Microsoft's AI services will power chatbots integrated into the...
read Jul 1, 2025DoJ approves HPE’s $14B Juniper acquisition with wireless asset divestitures
The U.S. Department of Justice has approved Hewlett Packard Enterprise's $14 billion acquisition of Juniper Networks after reaching a settlement agreement that requires significant divestitures from HPE. The deal, which strengthens HPE's position in AI infrastructure and networking, will proceed under strict conditions designed to preserve competition in the enterprise wireless LAN market. What you should know: HPE must divest key wireless networking assets and license critical software to maintain market competition. HPE will sell its Instant On WLAN campus and branch network switching business, including all related assets, intellectual property, R&D personnel, and customer relationships to a DoJ-approved buyer...
read Jul 1, 2025Senate bill cuts renewable energy tax credits as AI drives power demand
The US Senate passed a budget bill that would eliminate tax credits for wind and solar projects after 2027, potentially jeopardizing hundreds of planned renewable energy projects nationwide. This aggressive rollback comes as artificial intelligence and data centers are driving unprecedented electricity demand, making the timing particularly problematic for grid stability and energy security. What you should know: The Senate bill forces an end to wind and solar tax credits for projects placed in service after 2027, creating immediate uncertainty for the clean energy pipeline. According to energy NGO E2, around $15.5 billion in clean energy investment has already been...
read Jul 1, 2025Decades out, Napster relaunches as AI companion service with photorealistic avatars for $19/month
Napster has relaunched as an AI company offering "Napster Companions"—AI-generated agents with distinct personalities that users can chat with via video interfaces. The rebranded platform, owned by a Florida company that purchased the Napster name for $207 million in March, represents yet another reinvention of the once-famous file-sharing brand, this time targeting the growing market for personalized AI assistants. What you should know: The AI companions are designed to provide expertise across various domains, from cooking and finance to health and software development. Users pay $19 monthly or $219 annually for access, with the annual plan including a "Napster View"—a...
read Jul 1, 2025Grammarly acquires confidently-named “Superhuman” for $1B to build AI productivity suite
Grammarly has acquired email efficiency tool Superhuman as part of its push to build an AI-powered productivity suite and diversify beyond grammar correction. The acquisition follows Grammarly's recent $1 billion funding round from General Catalyst, providing the resources to expand into a comprehensive workplace productivity platform. Key deal details: Superhuman was valued at $825 million in 2021 and currently generates about $35 million in annual revenue. Financial terms of the acquisition were not disclosed by either San Francisco-based company. Superhuman CEO Rahul Vohra will join Grammarly along with over 100 employees, while continuing to run the Superhuman product and brand....
read Jul 1, 2025Microsoft’s AI diagnostic system outperforms doctors 4x on complex cases
Microsoft's AI Diagnostic Orchestrator (MAI-DxO) achieved an 85% diagnostic accuracy rate on complex medical cases from the New England Journal of Medicine, more than four times higher than the 20% mean accuracy of human physicians tested. The system demonstrates how AI could enhance healthcare by improving diagnostic precision while reducing costs, though Microsoft emphasizes it's designed to assist rather than replace doctors. How it works: MAI-DxO transforms large language models into a collaborative diagnostic system that mimics real clinical reasoning processes. The system works with multiple advanced AI models including GPT, Llama, Claude, Gemini, Grok, and DeepSeek, creating what Microsoft...
read Jul 1, 2025Former Google and Meta engineers launch $3M AI travel assistant
Airial Travel has launched a public beta of its AI-powered platform that automates the entire trip-planning process, from initial brainstorming to final booking. Founded by former engineers from Google, Meta, and Waymo, the company has raised $3 million in seed funding and aims to eliminate the tedious hours typically spent researching and planning vacations. How it works: Airial uses natural language processing to understand travel goals and preferences, then generates customized itineraries based on user input. Users can describe their travel ambitions in conversational language, such as "I'm taking two weeks off of work in October, and want to travel...
read Jul 1, 2025AdventHealth’s AI voice tool automates patient notes, slashing physician burnout by 86%
AdventHealth has successfully deployed DAX Copilot, an AI-powered ambient voice technology from Nuance Communications (a Microsoft subsidiary), across its 100,000-caregiver healthcare network to combat physician burnout through automated medical documentation. The implementation, which earned the organization a 2025 CIO 100 Award, demonstrates how strategic AI deployment can address the documentation burden that contributes to burnout among nearly half of US physicians. What you should know: The ambient voice system records patient conversations and automatically generates medical notes, allowing physicians to focus on patient care rather than documentation. Nearly 2,000 physicians and advanced practice providers now use the technology across AdventHealth's...
read Jul 1, 2025Cloudflare now blocks AI crawlers by default and launches pay-per-scrape program
Cloudflare has switched to blocking AI crawlers by default for its customers and launched a Pay Per Crawl program that lets website owners charge AI companies for scraping access. The move represents a significant shift from the previous free-for-all approach to AI data collection, potentially forcing major AI companies to negotiate and pay for content access rather than scraping without permission. What you should know: Over 1 million Cloudflare customer websites had already activated the company's AI-bot-blocking tools before this default change took effect. Cloudflare can identify even "shadow" scrapers that aren't publicly disclosed by AI companies, using behavioral analysis,...
read Jul 1, 2025Who’d have thought? Mental health experts warn against using AI during psychedelic trips
A growing number of people are turning to AI chatbots like ChatGPT as "trip sitters" to guide them through psychedelic experiences, seeking an affordable alternative to expensive professional psychedelic-assisted therapy. Mental health experts warn this practice is dangerous, as AI lacks the nuanced therapeutic skills necessary for safe psychedelic supervision and may reinforce harmful delusions during vulnerable psychological states. What you should know: The trend combines two popular cultural movements—using AI for therapy and using psychedelics for mental health treatment—but creates potentially serious risks. Legal psychedelic-assisted therapy sessions in Oregon cost between $1,500 and $3,200 per session, making AI supervision...
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