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Apple to Power Siri with Custom Google Gemini Model

Apple to Power Siri with Custom Google Gemini Model

Apple is set to enhance Siri by integrating a custom version of Google’s Gemini AI model. The partnership involves Apple paying Google around $1 billion each year for access to the technology, which will run on Apple’s Private Cloud Compute infrastructure. While Gemini will handle many new capabilities, Apple will continue to use its own models for certain Siri functions. The move follows a period of delayed AI feature rollouts and earlier consideration of OpenAI and Anthropic solutions. CEO Tim Cook announced the updated Siri is expected next spring, with openness to further third‑party AI integrations.

Pinterest CEO Highlights Open‑Source AI for Cost‑Effective Visual Services

Pinterest CEO Highlights Open‑Source AI for Cost‑Effective Visual Services

On a recent earnings call, Pinterest chief executive Bill Ready explained how the company is turning to open‑source artificial‑intelligence models to slash costs while preserving performance across its visual‑AI features, including personalized recommendations, multimodal search, ad targeting and the new AI‑powered Pinterest Assistant. Ready said tests show open‑source models delivering comparable results at a fraction of the price of proprietary alternatives, offering what he described as orders‑of‑magnitude cost reductions. The company plans to expand the use of these models, while also exploring agentic commerce options and AI‑curated boards. The announcement came as Pinterest’s stock fell more than 21% after a revenue forecast miss.

Tinder Tests AI-Powered “Chemistry” Feature Accessing Camera Roll Photos

Tinder Tests AI-Powered “Chemistry” Feature Accessing Camera Roll Photos

Tinder is piloting an AI-driven feature called Chemistry that asks users questions and, with permission, scans Camera Roll photos to learn more about their interests and personality. The test is underway in New Zealand and Australia and is described as a major pillar of Tinder’s 2026 product experience. Match Group said the experiment will have a modest negative impact on direct revenue and is part of broader AI efforts, including nudges before potentially offensive messages and photo‑selection assistance. The move comes as Tinder faces declining paying subscribers and a shifting dating market.

Zoe Health App Introduces AI-Powered Food Scoring and Processed-Food Risk Scale

Zoe Health App Introduces AI-Powered Food Scoring and Processed-Food Risk Scale

Zoe Health’s nutrition app combines AI photo logging, a food‑score system, and a processed‑food risk scale to help users understand the impact of their meals. The app’s chatbot, Ziggie, answers nutrition questions using an evidence‑based library, while gamified features reward consistent logging. A paid Plus tier offers personalized scores and blood‑test uploads, and an upcoming membership will add gut‑health testing. Experts note the app’s potential to raise awareness but warn that scoring and risk labels could trigger guilt, especially for people with disordered eating or specific medical conditions.

Google Maps Receives Gemini-Powered AI Upgrade for Drivers

Google Maps Receives Gemini-Powered AI Upgrade for Drivers

Google is integrating its Gemini artificial‑intelligence model into Google Maps, bringing a suite of new driver‑focused features. The upgrade adds conversational voice controls that let users ask for recommendations, report traffic incidents and even add calendar events without leaving the app. Directions become more precise by referencing real‑world landmarks, while proactive alerts warn of road disruptions before a trip starts. A Gemini‑enhanced Lens tool lets drivers identify nearby businesses and receive instant information. The changes roll out on Android and iOS in the coming weeks, with Android Auto slated for later release.

Microsoft Launches Synthetic ‘Magentic Marketplace’ to Test AI Agents, Reveals Weaknesses

Microsoft Launches Synthetic ‘Magentic Marketplace’ to Test AI Agents, Reveals Weaknesses

Microsoft researchers, in partnership with Arizona State University, introduced a synthetic environment called the Magentic Marketplace to evaluate the behavior of AI agents. Early experiments involved hundreds of customer‑side and business‑side agents and tested leading models such as GPT‑4o, GPT‑5 and Gemini‑2.5‑Flash. The study uncovered that the agents struggled with overwhelming option sets, could be manipulated by businesses, and faced challenges collaborating toward shared goals. The open‑source platform aims to help the broader community explore and improve agentic AI capabilities.

Sony AI Unveils FHIBE, a Global Benchmark for Fair and Ethical AI

Sony AI Unveils FHIBE, a Global Benchmark for Fair and Ethical AI

Sony AI has introduced the Fair Human-Centric Image Benchmark (FHIBE), the first publicly available, consent‑based image dataset designed to evaluate bias across computer‑vision tasks. The dataset features nearly 2,000 volunteers from more than 80 countries, each providing consent for their images and demographic annotations. FHIBE reveals existing biases in current AI models, such as poorer accuracy for certain pronoun groups and stereotypical associations based on ancestry or gender. Sony AI positions FHIBE as a tool for diagnosing and mitigating bias, supporting more equitable AI development.

Disagree Bot AI Chatbot Challenges Conventional Agreeable Design

Disagree Bot AI Chatbot Challenges Conventional Agreeable Design

Disagree Bot, an AI chatbot created by Duke University professor Brinnae Bent, is engineered to push back against user statements rather than agree. Developed as a class assignment, the bot serves as an educational tool for students to explore system vulnerabilities and practice social‑engineering techniques. Unlike mainstream chatbots such as ChatGPT and Gemini, Disagree Bot delivers reasoned counter‑arguments while remaining respectful. Its design highlights concerns about overly agreeable, "sycophantic" AI and demonstrates a potential path toward more critical, balanced conversational agents.

Google Unveils Project Suncatcher to Deploy AI Chips on Low‑Earth‑Orbit Satellites

Google Unveils Project Suncatcher to Deploy AI Chips on Low‑Earth‑Orbit Satellites

Google announced Project Suncatcher, a moonshot initiative to explore placing its Tensor Processing Units (TPUs) on solar‑powered satellite constellations in low‑Earth orbit. The goal is to scale machine‑learning compute in space by creating swarms of satellites equipped with AI accelerators for tasks such as training, content generation, synthetic speech, vision, and predictive modeling. Google’s senior director Travis Beals highlighted growing AI demand as a driver, while CEO Sundar Pichai noted early tests show TPUs can survive intense radiation, though thermal management and on‑orbit reliability remain challenges.

Google Maps Adds Gemini AI for Hands-Free, Voice-First Navigation

Google Maps Adds Gemini AI for Hands-Free, Voice-First Navigation

Google is integrating its Gemini conversational AI into Maps, enabling drivers to interact with the app using natural voice commands. The update lets users ask complex, context‑aware questions about routes, parking, vegan restaurants and EV charger availability without touching the screen. Gemini can also add real‑time safety alerts, share ETAs, and provide landmark‑based directions that reference nearby businesses. Additional features include proactive traffic alerts, an upgraded Lens experience for on‑the‑spot place information, and wider rollout across Android and iOS devices in the United States.

AI-Driven Browser Wars Reshape the Web Landscape

AI-Driven Browser Wars Reshape the Web Landscape

Tech companies are racing to embed artificial intelligence into web browsers, challenging Google Chrome's long-held dominance. OpenAI launched an AI‑first browser that integrates ChatGPT directly into tabbed browsing, while Microsoft, Mozilla, and newer entrants such as Perplexity and The Browser Company are adding AI features to Edge, Firefox and their own products. The competition promises smarter browsing, automated tasks, and deeper personalization, but also raises concerns about data privacy, security and the future of the open web. As AI becomes a core browser capability, the next wave of browser wars could redefine how users interact with the internet.

SoftBank and OpenAI Form 50-50 Joint Venture in Japan to Offer "Crystal Intelligence" Enterprise AI Solution

SoftBank and OpenAI Form 50-50 Joint Venture in Japan to Offer "Crystal Intelligence" Enterprise AI Solution

SoftBank and OpenAI have launched a 50-50 joint venture called SB OAI Japan to localize and sell OpenAI's enterprise AI technologies to Japanese companies. The partnership’s first customer is SoftBank itself, which will deploy the new "Crystal intelligence" packaged solution across its businesses. SoftBank reports that all its employees are actively using AI and that it has created 2.5 million custom ChatGPT instances for internal use. The joint venture aims to combine OpenAI’s enterprise offerings with SoftBank’s local implementation and support, helping Japanese firms boost productivity and management efficiency.