Google launches Veo 3 in Google Photos, enhancing image-to-video quality for U.S. users. Available in the "Create" tab, it enables turning static images into animated clips, offering improved AI-generated content with watermarking. Part of AI Ultra/AI Pro subscriptions, it supports daily video creation alongside new creative tools like remix, collages, 3D photos, and GIFs.

Visa expands AI-driven "agent commerce" with new tools, enabling AI agents to autonomously shop, pay, and manage tasks via its Smart Commerce platform.

OpenAI plans to launch an AI recruitment platform by mid-2026, competing with LinkedIn, and will offer AI certification programs to enhance job skills and connect talent with employers.

Harish Abbott, founder of Shopify-acquired Deliverr, launched Augment, an AI logistics startup, securing $85M in Series A funding. Its AI "Augie" automates repetitive tasks in freight operations, used by clients like Armstrong Transport Group, which saw a 40% reduction in invoice delays. Operating across platforms like email, Slack, and SMS, Augie handles quote verification, shipment tracking, load building, and invoicing. With plans to hire 50 engineers, Augment aims to expand beyond trucking i

Apple partners with Google to enhance Siri's web search with AI models, aiming to improve device navigation and context-aware responses. Upgraded Siri, delayed from 2024, may launch by March 2026 with iOS 26.4, using Google's LLM to process text, images, and personal data. Apple also explores acquiring AI firms and developing proprietary chips for a smarter, integrated ecosystem centered around the iPhone 17.

Atlassian acquires AI browser startup The Browser Company for $610M; aims to integrate Arc's features into Dia, enhance AI capabilities, and expand cybersecurity tools for enterprise users, intensifying competition with Perplexity AI's Comet and Island Technology.

Google introduces Audio Sharing on Pixel 8 and newer models via Android 16, allowing simultaneous audio streaming to multiple LE Audio/Auracast-compatible headphones. Features direct pairing or QR/Fast Pair-based broadcast. Supports Sony, Samsung, Xiaomi models and hearing aids. Uses LC3 codec for efficiency and enables public audio sharing in spaces like airports and classrooms.

Salesforce replaced 4,000 customer support roles with AI, reducing the team from 9,000 to 5,000. CEO Marc Benioff stated AI handles nearly half of cases, maintaining satisfaction. Agentforce manages 1.5M interactions, reactivating 100M dormant leads. Affected employees were reassigned to sales and customer success roles. Salesforce also expanded AI investments, acquiring Informatica for $8B.

Warp introduces AI-powered coding features to enhance transparency and control for developers using command-line agents, competing with tools like Cursor and Claude Code.

Google's NotebookLM now offers customizable tones and new formats for AI-generated audio summaries, including "In-Depth Discussion," "Quick Overview," "Critical Review," and "Debate," allowing users to personalize podcast style, length, and voice options.

xAI's CFO Mike Liberator exits after securing $10B in funding and expanding Memphis data center; follows departures of legal chief Robert Kihl, senior counsel Raghu Rao, co-founder Igor Babuschkin, and former X CEO Linda Yaccarino.

Mistral AI, a French AI startup, is finalizing a $2 billion funding round that would value it at $14 billion, making it one of Europe’s most valuable tech firms. Founded two years ago by ex-DeepMind and Meta researchers, Mistral competes with OpenAI and focuses on open-source language models, offering Le Chat, an AI chatbot for European users. This would be its first major fundraising since June 2024, when it was valued at €5.8 billion. To date, Mistral has raised over €1 billion from investors

Apple may integrate Google's Gemini AI into Siri for enhanced web search, delaying its 2026 launch to improve competitiveness against AI rivals like OpenAI and Google. The update could expand to Safari and Spotlight, offering AI-driven summaries, multimedia integration, and voice navigation.

Switzerland launches Apertus, its first open-source LLM, developed by ETH Zurich, EPFL, and the Swiss National Supercomputing Centre. Released under Apache 2.0, it supports over 1,000 languages, with 40% non-English training data. Powered by carbon-neutral energy, it offers 8B and 70B parameter versions. Built with ethics and regulatory compliance, it's available via Swisscom and Hugging Face, and will be central to Swiss{AI} Week. Designed as public infrastructure, it prioritizes transparency,

OpenAI to redirect sensitive chats to advanced models like GPT-5 and launch parental controls next month, aiming to prevent harmful interactions and detect user distress.

OpenAI acquires product testing startup Statsig for $1.1B, integrating its A/B testing and feature flagging platform. Statsig’s founder Vijaye Raji becomes OpenAI’s CTO of Applications, reporting to Fidji Simo. Deal reflects confidence in OpenAI’s growth; Statsig to operate independently in Seattle, serving existing clients.

WordPress launches experimental AI tool Telex, enabling users to create Gutenberg blocks via prompts, aiming to simplify web development and align with its mission of open, accessible publishing.

Anthropic secures $1.3B in Series F funding, reaching an $18.3B valuation, now ranked fourth globally. Led by ICONIQ Capital, funds will advance AI safety, global expansion, and next-gen model development. Claude chatbot adoption surges, generating $500M+ annualized revenue. Despite growth, Anthropic remains unprofitable amid rising operational costs and legal challenges.

Amazon launches Lens Live, an AI-powered visual search upgrade to enhance shopping with real-time product matches and integration with its AI assistant, Rufus.

Tesla unveiled its Optimus humanoid robot's potential in the latest "Master Plan," hinting at 80% future value from it. A new video showcased the Cyber SUV prototype, though production remains uncertain. Meanwhile, Tesla shifts AI training to NVIDIA chips, abandoning in-house Dojo development.