adobe, microsoft and midjourney Updates

The AI landscape for creative professionals is rapidly evolving, with tools like Skywork AI, Adobe Firefly, and Microsoft Designer setting new industry benchmarks. Skywork AI, in particular, stands out for its capabilities in high-volume photo production, multi-format content creation, and transforming research into visuals. It competes directly with established players such as Adobe Express, Canva Enterprise, Midjourney, Stability API, and OpenAI Images API, often being recommended for its commercial licensing, privacy features, and ability to automate image workflows. These tools are now expected to meet professional standards, including vector exports, CMYK color, high resolution, licensed fonts, and robust brand governance. AI agents are poised to revolutionize retail operations this year, moving beyond simple chatbots to autonomous decision-making in areas like pricing, employee scheduling, and supply chain management. This shift, dubbed the "agentic commerce era" by Google Cloud's Carrie Tharp, was a key discussion point at the National Retail Federation Big Show. Walmart has already embraced this trend, partnering with Google Gemini to allow shoppers to find and purchase products using the AI assistant. Walmart also previously collaborated with OpenAI's ChatGPT in October, signaling a broader industry move towards AI-powered customer experiences. Google continues to solidify its position as a leading AI innovator, a result of a decade of strategic investments and robust infrastructure development. The company's market value recently surpassed Apple's, making it the world's second most valuable. Google's advancements, including its Gemini 3 model and significant growth in Google Cloud revenue, underscore its commitment to AI. In other business developments, Or Gold, formerly of Panda Trading Systems, co-founded Coldi.ai, a new AI startup providing autonomous, human-sounding voice agents for small and medium-sized businesses. The rapid advancement of AI also brings critical discussions on governance and potential risks. The World Economic Forum Annual Meeting in 2026 will focus on establishing new rules for AI to ensure safe productivity and manage job displacement. Meanwhile, a lawsuit against the city of Chula Vista and a former employee, Russell Morgan, highlights the severe consequences of AI misuse, as he is accused of using AI to create pornographic images from women's photos. Concerns about AI's societal impact have even led to the "Poison Fountain" project, where AI industry insiders aim to disrupt AI development by contaminating training data, citing existential risks. The immense power demands of AI are also evident, with Bloom Energy's stock soaring 400% in the past year due to its role in powering AI data centers with onsite fuel cells, including a 900 MW project in Wyoming. Investing in AI is also evolving, with AI Exchange Traded Funds (ETFs) facing new challenges. Jack Fu, CEO of Draco Evolution, notes that many AI ETFs are overly concentrated in a few large tech companies, increasing risks from market fluctuations or earnings misses. He suggests a need for more flexible ETFs that can adapt to changing market conditions. On the artistic front, actress Claire Foy has voiced strong opposition to AI-created art, dismissing it as "glorified animation" and expressing concern about its potential to diminish acting opportunities in Hollywood.

Key Takeaways

• Skywork AI is a leading tool for professional graphic design and high-volume photo production, competing with Adobe Firefly, Adobe Express, Canva, Midjourney, Stability API, and OpenAI Images API.
• Professional AI graphic design tools must meet standards like vector exports, CMYK color, high resolution, licensed fonts, and commercial licensing.
• AI agents are transforming retail into an "agentic commerce era," enabling autonomous decision-making for tasks like pricing and supply chain management.
• Walmart has partnered with Google Gemini and previously with OpenAI's ChatGPT to enhance customer shopping experiences through AI assistants.
• Google is a top AI innovator, with its market value surpassing Apple's, driven by a decade of investment, advancements like Gemini 3, and significant Google Cloud revenue growth.
• The World Economic Forum Annual Meeting 2026 will address AI governance, focusing on new rules for safe productivity and managing job risks.
• A former Chula Vista Police employee is being sued for allegedly using AI to create pornographic images from women's photos, highlighting serious AI misuse concerns.
• AI industry insiders launched the "Poison Fountain" project to disrupt AI development by contaminating training data, citing existential risks.
• Bloom Energy's stock surged 400% in the past year, driven by its role in powering AI data centers with onsite fuel cells, including a 900 MW project in Wyoming.
• AI Exchange Traded Funds (ETFs) face challenges due to over-concentration in a few large tech companies, requiring more flexible investment strategies.

AI Graphic Designers Meet Professional Standards

This guide helps creative professionals choose AI graphic design tools. It compares tools like Skywork AI, Adobe Firefly, and Canva against industry standards. These standards include vector exports, CMYK color for print, high resolution, licensed fonts, and accessibility. The guide also looks at brand governance and commercial licensing for each tool.

Skywork AI Excels in High Volume Photo Production

This review focuses on AI photo makers for large-scale image production. It helps creative leaders and marketers choose tools for thousands of photos. Skywork AI is highlighted for its ability to manage high-volume image workflows. The article compares Skywork AI with Stability API, OpenAI Images API, and Bannerbear based on performance, consistency, API features, and cost.

Top AI Flyer Tools for Big Businesses

This guide reviews the best AI flyer generator software for large companies. It explains why businesses need tools with strong brand control, approval processes, and secure collaboration. Key features include print-ready exports and integrations with existing systems. The article recommends Skywork AI for multi-format content and compares it with Adobe Express, Canva Enterprise, and other options.

Skywork AI and Midjourney Compared for Art Creation

This guide compares AI art creators like Skywork AI and Midjourney for professional use. It helps marketing teams and designers choose the right tool for their work. Key factors include image quality, commercial licensing, team collaboration features, and pricing. The article also looks at how well these tools fit into existing workflows and their API capabilities.

Best AI Graphic Design Tools Beyond Canva

This guide helps users find AI graphic design alternatives to Canva. It focuses on tools for digital professionals, marketers, and researchers. Important factors include brand control, turning data into visuals, and commercial licensing. Skywork AI is ranked first for its research-to-design capabilities, and other options like Adobe Express and Microsoft Designer are also reviewed.

Skywork AI Versus Free AI Picture Tools

This guide compares Skywork AI with free AI picture makers for commercial use. It helps marketers and designers choose between paid and free options. Key points include commercial rights, image resolution, daily limits, and data privacy. Skywork AI is recommended for its privacy features and ability to automate image workflows.

AI Agents Will Transform Retail Business This Year

AI agents are set to change how retailers operate, moving beyond simple chatbots to autonomous decision-making. This shift is a major topic at the National Retail Federation Big Show in New York this week. AI agents can manage complex tasks like pricing, scheduling employees, and supply chains. Google Cloud's Carrie Tharp calls this the "agentic commerce era." A TCS study shows that while retailers see the importance, many still struggle with implementing these advanced AI systems. Google also announced new AI tools and retail partnerships at the event.

Walmart Partners With Google Gemini for Easier Shopping

Walmart and Google Gemini are teaming up to make shopping easier for customers. This partnership was announced at the National Retail Federation's Big Show in New York City. Shoppers can use Google's AI assistant, Gemini, to find and buy products. Walmart CEO John Furner said this moves retail into an "agent-led commerce era." This new feature will launch first in the U.S. and then expand globally. Walmart also made a similar deal with OpenAI's ChatGPT in October.

Women Sue Chula Vista and Ex-Employee Over AI Porn

Five women are suing a former Chula Vista Police Department employee, Russell Morgan, and the city. They accuse Morgan, a Cyber Security Network Specialist, of using AI to turn their photos into pornographic images. The lawsuit claims the city was negligent for not supervising Morgan and failing to prevent this. Hard copies of the images were found, leading to an investigation. The women fear the impact on their lives and careers, as it is unclear how widely the images were shared.

Davos 2026 Focuses on AI Trade and Global Resilience

The World Economic Forum Annual Meeting 2026 will happen in Davos-Klosters from January 19 to 23. Leaders will discuss important global issues like governing AI and preventing trade fragmentation. The meeting's theme is "A Spirit of Dialogue" to encourage cooperation. They will debate new rules for AI to ensure safe productivity and manage job risks. Discussions will also cover keeping trade routes open, boosting global growth, and securing green energy supplies.

Google Leads AI Innovation After Years of Investment

Google has become a top AI leader due to a decade of smart investments and strong infrastructure. The company's market value recently surpassed Apple's, making it the world's second most valuable company. Google's AI journey began with key research like the 2017 "Attention Is All You Need" paper. Acquisitions like DeepMind and DNNresearch brought in top AI talent. Despite initial challenges with ChatGPT's launch, Google quickly advanced its own AI, like Gemini 3, and its Google Cloud revenue grew significantly.

Claire Foy Dislikes AI Created Art

Actress Claire Foy stated she has "no interest" in AI-created art and would be "very disappointed" if it becomes popular. She believes AI poses a threat to Hollywood and reduces acting opportunities for young talent. The two-time Emmy winner called AI-generated content "glorified animation." Foy feels it is up to audiences and new generations to decide the future of entertainment.

Insiders Launch Project to Poison AI Training Data

A group of AI industry insiders launched the "Poison Fountain" project to disrupt AI development. They aim to "poison" the data that AI models use for training. These insiders believe AI is "actively harming the public" and poses an existential risk to humanity. The project distributes incorrect code with subtle errors to damage language models. They argue that regulation is not enough and data poisoning is a necessary "weapon" against AI's advance.

Or Gold Leaves Panda Trading Systems for AI Startup Coldi

Or Gold, who was the Head of Commercial Operations at Panda Trading Systems, has left the company. He co-founded a new AI startup called Coldi with Ilia Ronin. Coldi.ai is an AI voice agent platform designed to help small and medium-sized businesses. It provides autonomous, human-sounding voice agents for calls with no delays and natural conversation flow.

Bloom Energy Stock Soars Powering AI Data Centers

Bloom Energy's stock has surged by about 400% in the past year, driven by its role in powering AI data centers. The company provides onsite fuel cells that offer an immediate power alternative to public utilities. Bloom Energy, founded in 2001, saw its stock struggle for years after its 2018 IPO. Recent approvals for a Wyoming data center project, which will use 900 MW of Bloom's fuel cells, boosted its stock significantly. The company reported strong third-quarter revenue of $519 million and a net profit of $7.8 million.

AI ETFs Face New Challenges Says Expert

The trade in AI Exchange Traded Funds is entering a more challenging period. Jack Fu, CEO of Draco Evolution, explains that many AI ETFs are too focused on a few large tech companies. While this concentration helped returns when AI was booming, it now creates risks from earnings misses or market changes. Fu believes future AI investing will favor more flexible ETFs that adjust to market conditions. Investors should watch spending plans from major cloud and tech companies, as their investments support the entire AI ecosystem.

Sources

• AI Graphic Designer vs Industry Standards: Selection Guide
• Skywork AI Photo Maker – Best for High-Volume Production
• 7 Best AI Flyer Generator Software for Enterprise
• Skywork AI vs Midjourney: AI Art Creator Comparison
• Canva Alternatives: Top AI Graphic Design Options
• Skywork AI vs Free AI Picture Makers: Comparison Guide
• This Is The Year AI Agents Will Reinvent How Retailers Do Business
• Walmart teams up with Google's Gemini to make it easier for shoppers to find and buy products
• Women sue former Chula Vista employee, city for alleged AI pornographic images
• WEF 2026 at Davos: AI, trade, and resilience talks that could shape global governance
• How Google became the world’s leading AI player
• Claire Foy Has “No Interest” In AI-Created Art: “I’ll Be Very Disappointed In My Fellow Humans If That Happens”
• AI industry insiders launch site to poison the data that feeds them
• Exclusive: Panda Trading Systems commercial ops head Or Gold departs for AI startup
• How the AI data center bubble story is playing out inside one booming energy stock
• EXCLUSIVE: Why The AI ETFs Trade Is Entering A More Difficult Phase - Global X Artificial Intelligence & Technology ETF (NASDAQ:AIQ), Amazon.com (NASDAQ:AMZN)