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Google Launches WeatherNext 2, an AI‑Powered Forecasting Model

Google Launches WeatherNext 2, an AI‑Powered Forecasting Model

Google has unveiled WeatherNext 2, an AI‑driven weather forecasting system that delivers faster, higher‑resolution predictions by simulating hundreds of possible outcomes in under a minute. Built with a Functional Generative Network and trained on individual variables such as temperature and wind speed, the model claims up to eight‑times faster processing and improved accuracy for 99.9% of variables up to 15 days out. WeatherNext 2 is being integrated across Google Search, Gemini, Pixel Weather, and Maps, with plans for broader API access. The technology aims to give users a richer view of weather uncertainty and supports sectors like renewable energy and emergency services.

Berlin AI Startup Peec AI Secures $21 Million Series A to Power Generative Engine Optimization

Berlin AI Startup Peec AI Secures $21 Million Series A to Power Generative Engine Optimization

Peec AI, a Berlin‑based startup that monitors brand presence in AI‑driven search results, has closed a $21 million Series A led by Singular. The round follows a seed investment from 20VC and brings total backing from Antler, Combination VC, identity.vc and S20. The company reports more than $4 million in annual recurring revenue and a customer base of roughly 1,300 firms, including Axel Springer, Chanel and TUI. With plans to hire dozens of staff, open a New York sales office and expand its GEO (Generative Engine Optimization) platform, Peec AI aims to shape the emerging AI‑search market.

a16z‑Backed Super PAC Targets New York Lawmaker Over AI Safety Bill

a16z‑Backed Super PAC Targets New York Lawmaker Over AI Safety Bill

A political action committee backed by Andreessen Horowitz and OpenAI president Greg Brockman has singled out New York Assembly member Alex Bores as its first target. The PAC, called Leading the Future, was formed with a commitment of more than $100 million to support policymakers who favor a light‑touch approach to AI regulation. Bores, the chief sponsor of New York’s bipartisan RAISE Act, says the group’s tactics are a direct response to his efforts to require large AI labs to adopt safety plans and disclose critical incidents. The clash highlights growing tensions between Silicon Valley and state legislators seeking stronger AI safeguards.

Google Battles Defamation Lawsuit Over AI-Generated Claims

Google Battles Defamation Lawsuit Over AI-Generated Claims

Google has filed a motion to dismiss a defamation lawsuit brought by activist Robby Starbuck, who alleges the company's AI falsely linked him to sexual assault accusations and white nationalist ideology. Starbuck, who previously sued Meta over similar AI-generated allegations, is seeking $15 million in damages. Google argues the claims stem from misuse of developer tools that induce hallucinations and notes that no U.S. court has yet awarded damages for AI defamation. The case highlights growing legal challenges surrounding artificial‑intelligence outputs.

Google Photos' Conversational Editing Disabled in Texas and Illinois Over Biometric Regulations

Google Photos' Conversational Editing Disabled in Texas and Illinois Over Biometric Regulations

Google Photos' new Conversational Editing feature, which lets users edit images via voice or typed prompts, is unavailable to users in Texas and Illinois. The restriction stems from state biometric privacy laws that limit the collection and storage of facial geometry data required by the feature's companion Face Groups function. Both states have previously sued Google over biometric data practices, leading the company to disable the feature in those regions while keeping it active elsewhere in the United States.

Google launches AI-powered WeatherNext 2 forecasting model

Google launches AI-powered WeatherNext 2 forecasting model

Google unveiled WeatherNext 2, an AI-driven weather forecasting system that will be integrated across its consumer and enterprise products, including Search, Maps, Gemini, Pixel phones, Earth Engine, and BigQuery. The new model generates forecasts up to eight times faster than its predecessor and delivers higher accuracy for variables such as temperature and wind. Leveraging a Functional Generative Network, WeatherNext 2 can produce hundreds of possible outcomes in under a minute, enabling hourly predictions up to 15 days ahead. Google is offering early access to customers seeking custom modeling, positioning the technology for use in energy, agriculture, transportation, and other sectors.

Google Expands AI‑Powered Flight Deals and Introduces Canvas Travel Planning in Search

Google Expands AI‑Powered Flight Deals and Introduces Canvas Travel Planning in Search

Google is broadening its AI‑driven travel tools in Search. The company is rolling out the Flight Deals feature to more than 200 countries and territories, adding support for over 60 languages. In AI Mode, users can now employ the Canvas side panel to organize trip details, view real‑time flight and hotel data, and receive personalized suggestions for accommodations, restaurants, and activities. Agentic booking capabilities that let users request restaurant reservations and other appointments are also being extended to all U.S. users, with future plans to enable complete flight and hotel bookings within AI Mode.

Google Launches Three AI-Powered Travel Tools to Simplify Trip Planning

Google Launches Three AI-Powered Travel Tools to Simplify Trip Planning

Google has introduced three new AI-driven features aimed at making travel planning faster and more intuitive. The upgrades include Canvas for Travel, an interactive itinerary builder; an expanded AI-powered Flight Deals search that works globally; and broader agentic booking capabilities that let users reserve restaurants, event tickets and appointments directly from Search. Together, these tools blend real‑time data from Google Flights, Hotels, Maps and partner services, allowing users to craft personalized travel plans with fewer clicks and less hassle.

Oracle’s AI Push Stretches Balance Sheet and Raises Credit Concerns

Oracle’s AI Push Stretches Balance Sheet and Raises Credit Concerns

Analysts warn that Oracle’s aggressive investment in artificial intelligence is creating a significant credit risk. The company’s largest customer is a venture‑capital‑backed start‑up, and its debt‑to‑equity ratio has surged to 500%, far above peers such as Amazon and Microsoft. Oracle also carries the lowest cash‑to‑assets ratio among the major hyperscalers. Long‑term data‑center leases tied to OpenAI add roughly $100 billion of off‑balance‑sheet commitments. Recent leadership changes, including the departure of long‑time CEO Safra Catz and the appointment of co‑CEOs Clay Magouyrk and Mike Sicilia, underscore the strategic shift toward AI despite financial strain.

Top Ways to Leverage ChatGPT Revealed in New Guide

Top Ways to Leverage ChatGPT Revealed in New Guide

A recent guide outlines nine practical ways to use ChatGPT, ranging from a powerful search engine to personal styling advice, meal planning, interior design, job hunting, people research, tech troubleshooting, travel planning, and personal guidance. The article emphasizes experimenting with the AI while remaining aware of its limitations, encouraging users to harness its versatility for everyday tasks while double‑checking information.

Jeff Bezos Returns as Co-CEO of AI Startup Project Prometheus

Jeff Bezos Returns as Co-CEO of AI Startup Project Prometheus

Jeff Bezos is re‑entering an operational role for the first time since leaving Amazon, joining as co‑chief executive of the newly funded AI venture Project Prometheus. Backed by a $6.2 billion financing round, the startup aims to develop artificial‑intelligence tools for the physical economy, targeting engineering and manufacturing sectors such as computers, aerospace and automobiles. Bezos will share leadership with Vik Bajaj, a veteran of Google’s life‑sciences division and co‑founder of several AI‑focused companies. Project Prometheus already employs nearly 100 researchers drawn from leading AI labs, including Meta, OpenAI and Google DeepMind.

DeepMind Unveils WeatherNext 2, Boosting AI Weather Forecast Accuracy

DeepMind Unveils WeatherNext 2, Boosting AI Weather Forecast Accuracy

Google's DeepMind has launched WeatherNext 2, an advanced AI weather‑prediction model that delivers faster, higher‑resolution forecasts up to two weeks ahead. The new system improves tropical‑storm track predictions, offers hourly updates, and runs eight times faster than its predecessor, promising more precise decisions for industries such as energy trading. While the model still struggles with outlier rain and snow events, DeepMind says ongoing research will address these gaps as AI continues to reshape meteorology.