Jun 19, 2025

Minnesota solar firm sues Google for $110M over AI-generated defamation

Wolf River Electric, a Minnesota solar company, is suing Google for $110-210 million in damages after the tech giant's AI Overviews feature allegedly fabricated defamatory claims about the company facing lawsuits for deceptive sales practices. The case represents potentially groundbreaking legal territory as courts grapple with whether AI companies can be held liable for harmful misinformation generated by their large language models. What happened: Google's AI Overviews confidently claimed Wolf River Electric was being sued by Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison for "deceptive sales practices," including lying to customers about savings and tricking homeowners into signing contracts with hidden fees....

read Jun 19, 2025

45.7% of searches are branded—why consistent branding wins

A new report from Ahrefs, a leading SEO analytics platform, reveals that 45.7% of all Google searches in the US are branded searches, meaning they include specific company, product, or brand names. This finding challenges the prevailing focus on AI optimization and generic SEO tactics, suggesting that traditional brand building remains the most critical factor for online business success. What you should know: The data comes from a comprehensive analysis of approximately 150 million US keywords, providing statistically significant insights into search behavior. 45.7% of all Google searches include a brand name, while 36.9% of unique search queries are branded....

read Jun 19, 2025

Google Photos developing AI “Remix” feature to transform videos into artistic styles

Google Photos is developing a "Remix" feature that will use generative AI to transform both photos and videos into different artistic styles, according to code discovered in the latest app version. The feature, internally codenamed "Bluejay," represents Google's entry into the popular AI-powered content remixing trend that has gained traction on social media platforms. What you should know: The Remix feature will offer three distinct style options for video transformation through generative AI. "I'm Feeling Lucky" provides a random style transformation "Subtle Movements" offers more restrained visual changes "Go Wild" delivers dramatic stylistic alterations How it works: Code strings found...

read Jun 19, 2025

North Korean hackers used AI deepfakes to steal $659M in crypto

North Korean hackers from the notorious Lazarus group used AI deepfakes to impersonate company executives during a fake Zoom call, successfully tricking an employee at a cryptocurrency foundation into downloading malware. The sophisticated social engineering attack, orchestrated by the BlueNoroff unit, demonstrates how state-sponsored cybercriminals are weaponizing AI technology to target high-value cryptocurrency assets, with North Korea having stolen at least $659 million in digital currency in 2024 alone. The attack methodology: The hackers initiated contact through Telegram, sending a Calendly link that redirected the victim to a fake Zoom domain under their control.• During the group video call, multiple...

read Jun 19, 2025

Professional dog walking looking better as Harvard study finds AI threatens jobs in creative, white-collar sector

Harvard Business Review researchers have published a comprehensive analysis examining how current AI capabilities are poised to disrupt virtually every sector of the labor market, from creative industries to professional services. The study reveals that existing AI models—and the more advanced, cost-effective versions already in development—pose immediate threats to jobs across writing, design, finance, law, medicine, and academia by delivering comparable quality at dramatically reduced costs. What you should know: AI's disruptive potential extends far beyond theoretical scenarios, targeting both creative and analytical professions with current technology. Creative professionals including writers, designers, photographers, architects, animators, and brand advertisers face direct...

read Jun 19, 2025

Experts split on “vibe coding” as developers trust AI without oversight

"Vibe coding," a term coined by AI researcher Andrej Karpathy four months ago, describes a hands-off approach to AI-assisted programming where developers let AI generate code without constant oversight or manual tweaking. The concept has sparked debate among software engineering experts about the balance between AI autonomy and human understanding in code development, with implications for how developers will work alongside increasingly capable AI systems. What you should know: Vibe coding represents a fundamental shift from traditional AI-assisted programming by encouraging developers to step back and trust AI systems to handle code generation independently. Unlike standard AI-assisted coding, vibe coding...

read Jun 19, 2025

Survey: Claude outranks ChatGPT among tech-savvy AI users, and other findings

PCMag's inaugural survey of generative AI tools reveals surprising preferences among tech-savvy users, with Anthropic's Claude emerging as the top choice for personal use despite being less well-known than industry giants like OpenAI and Google. The comprehensive survey, conducted from February 22 to March 12, 2025, gathered responses from PCMag readers about their experiences with AI chatbots and image generators. The results paint a nuanced picture of AI adoption: while 68% of respondents believe AI will replace human jobs, they rate their personal job security concerns at just 4.2 out of 10. Meanwhile, 91% want government regulation of AI development,...

read Jun 19, 2025

“Learn to code” is nonsense says risk analyst, as computer science grads face 6.1% unemployment

Risk analyst Ian Bremmer declared that "learn to code" has become worse career advice than "get a face tattoo," citing AI's rapid displacement of programming jobs during a recent appearance on "Real Time with Bill Maher." His stark assessment reflects a dramatic reversal in the tech job market, where recent computer science graduates now face higher unemployment rates than those who studied journalism, political science, and English. The unemployment reality: Recent data from the New York Federal Reserve reveals computer science and engineering majors are struggling more than expected in today's job market. Computer science majors face a 6.1% unemployment...

read Jun 19, 2025

AI avatars help Chinese 7-hour livestreamer generate $7.65M in sales

Chinese livestreamer Luo Yonghao and his co-host generated $7.65 million in sales during a seven-hour session using AI avatars of themselves on Baidu's e-commerce platform. The digital human performance outpaced Luo's previous personal livestream, signaling a potential shift in how AI-powered virtual influencers could reshape China's massive e-commerce livestreaming industry. What you should know: The AI avatars were built using Baidu's generative AI model, which learned from five years of video content to replicate Luo's jokes and presentation style. Luo, who has 24.7 million followers on ByteDance's Douyin platform, started livestreaming in April 2020 to pay off debts from his...

read Jun 19, 2025

License to snoop, snipe? Plaud AI sells 1M voice recorders as workplace privacy debates intensify

Plaud AI has sold over one million of its voice-recording devices that use artificial intelligence to transcribe and summarize conversations in real-time. The wearable gadgets, priced at $159 each, are positioning themselves as productivity tools for corporate executives and professionals, but they're raising significant questions about workplace privacy and recording ethics as they prepare to hit Best Buy shelves this August. What you should know: Plaud offers two AI-powered recording devices designed to streamline workplace note-taking and meeting documentation. The Plaud Note slips into a phone case or shirt pocket, while the smaller Note Pin can be worn as a...

read Jun 19, 2025

Google launches Search Live for real-time voice conversations with AI

Google has launched Search Live, a new voice chat feature that enables real-time conversations with Google Search through AI Mode. The feature allows users to have back-and-forth verbal exchanges with Google's search tools, similar to experiences offered by Gemini Live or ChatGPT's Advanced Voice Mode, marking Google's push to make search interactions more conversational and intuitive. How to access it: Search Live is currently available through Google Labs' AI Mode signup for US users only. Once enrolled, a Live icon appears under the Search bar in the Google app for Android and iOS as the leftmost option. Users can tap...

read Jun 19, 2025

Eye in the stinky sky: AI drones detect methane leaks ahead of 2026 EPA rules

Percepto, a company specializing in autonomous inspection technology, has launched an AI-powered emission detection system that uses autonomous drones to identify methane leaks in real-time across major US oil-producing regions. The technology addresses growing regulatory pressure and operational challenges by making emissions tracking faster and more cost-effective for energy operators, particularly as new EPA rules take effect in 2026. How it works: The system combines autonomous drones with AI-powered analysis to detect methane emissions without human intervention. Drones fly scheduled missions capturing Optical Gas Imaging (OGI) video footage across oil and gas facilities. Percepto's AI algorithm analyzes the footage in...

read Jun 19, 2025

Always on-call? Microsoft study finds workers face 271 daily messages in “infinite workday”

The modern workplace has developed a peculiar problem: work never actually ends. Microsoft's latest research reveals a troubling reality where the traditional 9-to-5 workday has morphed into an always-on digital treadmill that leaves employees exhausted and organizations less productive than ever. The tech giant's new report, "Breaking down the infinite workday," analyzes how millions of people use Microsoft 365 products like Outlook, Teams, and Office applications. The findings paint a stark picture of professional life in 2025—one where workers juggle 271 daily messages across email and chat platforms, attend meetings during their most productive hours, and check email well past...

read Jun 19, 2025

White House AI czar: China now just 2 years behind US chip design

White House AI and crypto czar David Sacks warned that China has become highly skilled at circumventing US semiconductor export controls and is now only about two years behind American chip design capabilities. His comments highlight growing concerns about the effectiveness of current trade restrictions and China's rapid technological advancement despite ongoing sanctions. What you should know: Sacks pointed to specific examples demonstrating China's ability to work around US restrictions and continue advancing its technology sector. Huawei Technologies, the Chinese telecommunications giant hit with extensive US export controls, is rapidly closing the gap with international competitors. DeepSeek's breakthrough AI model...

read Jun 19, 2025

Snapchat launches AI ad tools to challenge Google and Meta dominance

Snapchat has launched Smart Campaign Solution, an AI-powered advertising suite designed to compete with Google's Performance Max and Meta's Advantage+ tools. The platform is targeting advertisers who are frustrated with returns from Meta and Google, positioning itself as a credible alternative rather than trying to beat the tech giants outright. The big picture: Snap believes it doesn't need to surpass Meta and Google entirely—it just needs to give enough underwhelmed advertisers a compelling reason to diversify their ad spending. Chief business officer Ajit Mohan argues that Meta and Google have become "the equivalent of broadcast television; you can't get fired...

read Jun 19, 2025

Deep cuts, not deepfakes: China’s $13.9M AI project brings classic martial arts cinema back to life

China's film industry has launched an ambitious AI-powered initiative to restore 100 classic kung fu films and produce "A Better Tomorrow: Cyber Border," billed as the world's first fully AI-produced animated feature film. The Kung Fu Film Heritage Project, unveiled at the Shanghai International Film Festival, represents a major effort to digitally resurrect martial arts cinema legends while positioning Chinese studios at the forefront of AI-driven filmmaking. What you should know: The restoration project will use artificial intelligence to enhance image quality, sound, and production values of landmark martial arts films while preserving their original storytelling and aesthetic. Titles slated...

read Jun 19, 2025

Apple plans AI-powered chip design tools to superpower productivity

Apple is exploring the use of generative artificial intelligence to accelerate the design of its custom chips, according to remarks from its senior vice president of hardware technologies, Johny Srouji. The move signals Apple's commitment to leveraging cutting-edge tools to maintain its competitive edge in chip development, as the company continues expanding its custom silicon across its entire product lineup. What you should know: Srouji outlined Apple's interest in AI-powered chip design during a speech in Belgium, where he was receiving an award from Imec, a leading semiconductor research organization.• "Generative AI techniques have a high potential in getting more...

read Jun 19, 2025

AI lacks art of the deal? Stanford study finds AI agents with weaker negotiation skills lose millions

A new Stanford study reveals that AI agents have wildly different negotiation skills, with weaker agents consistently losing money to stronger ones in automated transactions. The research highlights critical risks as companies increasingly deploy AI agents for everything from retail purchases to supply chain negotiations, potentially creating unfair advantages for those with superior technology. What you should know: The study found that AI agent negotiations create "an inherently imbalanced game" where capability gaps lead to significant financial losses.• Buyers using weaker agents paid around 2% more in retail price negotiations compared to scenarios with equally capable agents.• Weaker seller agents...

read Jun 19, 2025

Tech giants spend $9.25B on database deals as AI battle shifts to infrastructure

Major tech companies are racing to acquire database companies, with Snowflake's $250 million purchase of Crunchy Data, Databricks' $1 billion Neon acquisition, and Salesforce's $8 billion Informatica deal all happening within weeks of each other. This shift signals that the AI infrastructure battle is moving from flashy large language models to the foundational database layer, where companies need AI-ready data served fast, resiliently, and at scale. The big picture: The AI race has evolved beyond building sophisticated models to controlling the data infrastructure that powers intelligent applications, as companies realize that databases are now the front line of enterprise AI...

read Jun 19, 2025

Meta in talks to hire former GitHub CEO Nat Friedman for AI push

Meta is in talks to hire former GitHub CEO Nat Friedman to join the company's artificial intelligence efforts, according to a report from The Information. The social media giant is also discussing bringing on Daniel Gross, Friedman's partner in investment fund NFDG, and potentially acquiring a partial stake in their fund as part of a broader push to strengthen its AI capabilities. What you should know: Meta's recruitment efforts target two prominent figures in the tech investment world who could bolster the company's AI development. Nat Friedman previously served as CEO of GitHub, a popular platform where software developers store...

read Jun 19, 2025

Why AI researchers are ditching mega-models for Minsky’s multi-agent approach

Marvin Minsky's 1986 book "The Society of Mind" is finding new relevance in 2025 as AI researchers increasingly embrace modular, multi-agent approaches over monolithic large language models. The theory, which proposes that intelligence emerges from collections of simple "agents" rather than a single unified system, now maps directly onto current AI architectures like Mixture-of-Experts models and multi-agent frameworks such as HuggingGPT and AutoGen. Why this matters: As the AI field hits the limits of scaling single massive models, Minsky's vision offers a blueprint for building more robust, scalable, and aligned AI systems through modularity and internal oversight mechanisms. The core...

read Jun 19, 2025

3 ways Cisco is betting big on AI to simplify network management

Cisco's annual user conference delivered a clear strategic message this year: the networking giant is betting big on artificial intelligence to transform how businesses manage their digital infrastructure. At Cisco Live 2025, the company unveiled a comprehensive vision for helping organizations become "AI-ready" by embedding intelligence into networking, security, and observability systems. The announcements signal Cisco's response to mounting competitive pressure and customer demands for simpler, smarter infrastructure management. After years of criticism for having a fragmented, complex product portfolio, Cisco is positioning itself as the company that can help businesses navigate the dual challenge of adopting AI while securing...

read Jun 18, 2025

Globant launches 5 AI agents to automate full-funnel marketing workflows

Globant, a digital transformation company, has launched FUSION, a comprehensive suite of five AI agents designed to automate and optimize marketing workflows from initial strategy through final campaign execution. Unveiled at the Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity, the platform represents a significant shift toward AI-powered marketing operations that promise to deliver measurable business outcomes rather than just technological novelty. The announcement comes as marketing departments increasingly struggle with the complexity of managing campaigns across multiple channels while maintaining brand consistency and measuring performance. Traditional marketing workflows often involve disconnected tools and manual processes that slow execution and create inconsistencies....

read Jun 18, 2025

AI orchestration from on high helps companies manage multiple disconnected AI systems

As artificial intelligence applications multiply across enterprises, a new challenge emerges: managing the chaos of disconnected AI systems. Companies that began with a single chatbot or automated workflow now find themselves juggling multiple AI agents, each operating in isolation. This fragmentation creates inefficiencies, inconsistencies, and missed opportunities for AI systems to work together effectively. The solution lies in AI orchestration—a systematic approach to coordinating multiple AI agents and applications within a unified framework. Think of it as a conductor directing an orchestra, ensuring each AI system plays its part at the right time and in harmony with others. For businesses...

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