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Microsoft Adds Optional “Ask Copilot” Box to Windows 11 Taskbar

Microsoft’s latest Windows 11 preview introduces an optional “Ask Copilot” box that replaces the traditional taskbar search field. The new box lets users type queries that are handled by the Copilot AI, while still offering a way to access classic Windows Search. The feature includes quick‑access icons for Copilot Vision and voice commands, and it is disabled by default, requiring users to enable it through Settings > Personalization > Taskbar > Ask Copilot. Microsoft emphasizes that the AI uses existing Windows APIs and does not gain additional access to personal files.

Anthropic Finds LLMs’ Self‑Introspection Highly Unreliable

Anthropic’s recent tests reveal that even its most advanced language models, Opus 4 and Opus 4.1, struggle to reliably identify internally injected concepts. The models correctly recognized the injected “thought” only about 20 percent of the time, and performance improved modestly to 42 percent in a follow‑up query. Results varied sharply depending on which internal layer the concept was introduced, and the introspective ability proved brittle across repeated trials. While researchers note that the models display some functional awareness of internal states, they emphasize that the capability is far from dependable and remains poorly understood.

ChatGPT Voice Mode Brings Hands-Free Conversational AI to Users

OpenAI's ChatGPT now includes a Voice Mode that lets users talk to the chatbot and hear spoken replies, creating a natural back‑and‑forth conversation. The feature works across mobile, desktop and web apps, with a standard voice option for all users and an advanced voice option for paid subscribers that leverages multimodal capabilities. Voice Mode supports hands‑free interaction, language practice, real‑world visual queries, and accessibility needs, making the AI assistant easier to use in everyday situations such as driving, cooking or brainstorming ideas.

OpenAI Signs $38 Billion Deal With Amazon

Tech, Policy, and Health: AI‑Driven Education, Real Estate, and Medical Breakthroughs Amid a Federal Shutdown

A week of headlines highlights the ripple effects of a prolonged government shutdown on federal workers, the rise of AI‑generated content from Grokipedia to real‑estate videos, a pioneering pig‑kidney transplant, and controversy surrounding a tech‑focused private school that relies on software as the primary teacher. While families grapple with unpaid benefits and inflated expectations, innovators push AI into new domains and scientists extend organ‑transplant longevity, underscoring both the promise and perils of rapid technological adoption.

Why Copy‑Pasting AI Answers Can Be Rude and How to Use AI Responsibly

Sharing a chatbot’s response without context can be seen as disrespectful, especially when a colleague or friend is seeking personal insight. The practice mirrors the older “Let Me Google That For You” gag, now updated to “Let Me ChatGPT That For You.” Experts like Alex Martsinovich warn that sending AI‑generated text without attribution or consent breaches etiquette and risks spreading inaccuracies. Journalists treat AI as a research aid, verifying sources before citing. The consensus: use AI as a tool, not a shortcut, and always add your own perspective and due diligence.

Google Pulls Gemma Model from AI Studio After Senator’s Complaint

Google announced that it is removing the open‑source Gemma AI model from its AI Studio platform following a complaint from Senator Marsha Blackburn. Blackburn claimed the model generated false sexual‑misconduct allegations against her after a hearing on AI‑generated defamation. Google said the decision aims to reduce hallucinations and limit non‑developer tinkering, while still offering Gemma through its API and downloadable files for local use.

Perplexity Shopping AI Assistant Offers Personalized Product Discovery

Perplexity Shopping, an AI‑powered shopping assistant built into the Perplexity AI platform, helps users locate and purchase items through natural‑language queries. Launched in 2024 by founders Aravind Srinivas, Denis Yarats, Johnny Ho, and Andy Konwinski, the tool provides product suggestions, price comparisons, reviews, images, and a Snap to Shop feature that matches uploaded photos to online listings. It operates on a free tier and a Pro tier priced at $20 a month, the latter unlocking advanced models, one‑click purchasing, and order tracking. While praised for convenience and personalized recommendations, the service still faces limitations such as incomplete retailer coverage and certain features locked behind the paid subscription.

AI Industry Fueled by FOMO Amid Massive Spending and Uncertain Returns

Big‑tech firms such as Amazon, Google, Microsoft and Meta are pouring record capital into artificial‑intelligence initiatives, promising ever‑larger budgets. Meanwhile, AI‑focused companies like OpenAI are generating impressive revenue while simultaneously burning through billions in expenses. Investors are questioning whether the surge of spending will translate into solid returns, citing capacity constraints, high compute costs and the risk of a bubble. Executives acknowledge both the hype and the financial challenges, leaving the market to watch closely for signs of sustainable growth versus speculative over‑investment.

Japanese IP Groups Demand OpenAI Halt Use of Their Content in AI Training

The Content Overseas Distribution Association (CODA), representing Japanese intellectual‑property owners such as Studio Ghibli, Bandai Namco and Square Enix, has sent a formal letter to OpenAI urging the company to stop using its members’ works to train the Sora 2 image‑generation model. CODA argues that the replication process involved in machine learning may constitute copyright infringement and that the opt‑out policy offered by OpenAI could violate Japanese law. The association is seeking a sincere response and an immediate cessation of any further use of its members’ content for training purposes.

OpenAI signs massive AI compute deal with Amazon - Ars Technica

Dia AI Browser Integrates Arc’s Popular Features After Atlassian Acquisition

The AI‑driven web browser Dia is incorporating several of Arc’s most‑liked functionalities, such as a sidebar mode, vertical tabs and picture‑in‑picture support for video calls. The move follows Dia’s purchase by Atlassian, which will also enable deeper integration with tools like Jira and Linear. Company leadership notes that Dia’s architecture is better suited for AI, speed and security, while retaining the user‑experience innovations that made Arc a cult favorite. The strategy aims to blend Arc’s experimental strengths with a more streamlined, AI‑native platform.