News reporting focused on AI and machine learning, covering the companies behind these technologies, their real-world applications, and the ethical concerns they raise. This includes areas like generative AI (large language models, text-to-image and video), speech tech, and predictive analytics.
Developer Simon Willison built a Mermaid to ASCII tool using Rust code from Grok Build, then discovered a more feature-rich Go library by AlexanderGrooff. He had Claude Fable 5 compile that Go library to WebAssembly to compare the two. The Go version supports colors and offers additional padding controls.
Google announced an update to Google Vids that lets users create custom digital avatars from a selfie and voice recording. The company also brought its multi-modal AI model Gemini Omni to the platform, enabling video creation from text prompts and reference images, along with step-by-step editing. The updates position Vids as a broader video creation tool within Google Workspace, competing with startups like HeyGen and Synthesia.
Anthropic, the AI startup valued at nearly $1 trillion, is urging states to adopt stricter AI regulations beyond the transparency laws it supported in California and New York last year. The company's head of state government relations says self-reporting is no longer sufficient for the most powerful AI systems. Critics accuse Anthropic of regulatory capture, but the company denies the claim.
Google has rebranded its AI note-taking tool NotebookLM as Gemini Notebook, integrating it more deeply into its ecosystem. The company also announced that Google Search will now allow third-party app integrations, starting with Instacart, Canva, and YouTube Music in the US. The updates aim to expand the reach of Google's AI tools.
New York Governor Kathy Hochul announced that her team used artificial intelligence to analyze every rule, regulation, and policy in the state, identifying outdated legislation. The AI review, completed in a couple of months, would have taken five years manually. Hochul plans to eliminate antiquated laws, such as a $25 fee for hunting with a dog.
A new VentureBeat Pulse Research survey of 107 enterprises reveals a significant gap between AI infrastructure spending and the ability to track its economics. Most organizations run AI on hyperscalers and model APIs, but the next dollar is aimed at specialized compute they rarely use today. GPU utilization is at 50% or less for 83% of respondents, and fewer than half rigorously track compute costs. A majority plan to switch or add providers within the year.
The European Union has ordered Google to give rival AI assistants and search engines greater access to Android and Google Search data under the Digital Markets Act. The two decisions, announced Thursday, require Google to provide comparable system features and data access to competitors, potentially reshaping how users interact with Android devices and search services in Europe.
A look inside the growing industry of selling AI tools to police departments. From report-writing software to real-time crime centers, companies are pitching automation as a solution to data overload. Critics warn that these black-box algorithms could erode transparency and accountability in law enforcement.
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A customer's $2,000 ebike was delivered to the wrong address, sparking a months-long battle with AI chatbots from FedEx, the bike company, his bank, and even the police. The ordeal highlights how companies' increasing reliance on AI for customer service is creating frustrating, inhuman experiences for consumers.
Four microreactors achieved criticality by July 4, 2026, meeting a Trump administration goal. While a positive sign for nuclear power, reaching criticality does not mean the reactors are ready to supply electricity. The milestone highlights growing interest in emissions-free energy, but significant hurdles remain before these reactors can connect to the grid.
SambaNova Systems has raised $1 billion at an $11 billion valuation in the first close of its Series F round, led by General Atlantic. The round comes roughly five months after the company's $350 million Series E and launch of its SN50 chip. CEO Rodrigo Liang said additional investors are expected in a second close soon. The company also announced that JPMorganChase has selected SambaNova as an inference infrastructure partner, deepening its ties with Intel through a co-development partnership.
Meta has released Muse Image, a new AI image generator developed by Meta Superintelligence Labs. The tool, internally called Mango, is available for free through the Meta AI app and on Instagram Stories and WhatsApp. It allows users to create cartoonish images, custom ads, and edit photos, with a video generator also in development.