PC manufacturers HP and Lenovo are launching new AI assistants to compete with major tech giants. Lenovo introduced Qira, a personal intelligence tool that summarizes communications and assists with meetings across phones and PCs. HP launched HP IQ to provide a consistent user experience across its devices with features for organizing notes. Both companies aim to create an AI superapp that runs locally on devices with Neural Processing Units to save costs and improve privacy.
Legal experts are debating whether companies should be held responsible for AI harm based on product defects or service conduct. Recent court cases examine how liability applies to AI algorithms by looking at design choices and deployment behavior. The debate centers on whether to focus on defective design and warnings or on the actions of creators and users. Future legal guidance will likely consider both the technical features of AI and the behavior of those responsible for its use.
In the cannabis sector, POSaBIT Systems Corp. is expanding into software for producers alongside its existing point-of-sale technology. Vibe Retail, a New York-based POS company, partnered with ISO Mega Payments to serve independent merchants and producers. This collaboration connects both sides of the cannabis ecosystem in real time. The partnership enables small merchants to manage inventory and promotions, with a full rollout expected in the coming months.
Data analytics firm xyt added AI tools to help clients make faster trading decisions. These tools allow users to answer complex market questions quickly while maintaining transparency and control. In February 2026, xyt became the nominated next generation transaction cost analysis provider for German securities trading bank Steubing AG. Through this partnership, xyt delivers comprehensive analytics across various trading activities including stocks, bonds, and warrants.
Adobe is testing Asset Amplify, a tool designed to create websites tailored to specific audience segments like Gen Z or millennials. The tool is being demoed at the 2026 Adobe Summit conference. Brands upload their own assets and provide prompts describing the target audience to generate customized content. Adobe tested the tool with a fictional luxury car brand to show how it creates different results for different generations.
Adobe also introduced value-based pricing for its AI products instead of traditional subscription models. This policy will measure value based on results like the number of ad campaigns completed by AI agents. Adobe stated that tokens do not equate to value, shifting the focus to quantifiable gains. Adobe unveiled the system on April 20, 2026, as a customizable solution for businesses.
India's Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology proposed continuous watermarks for AI-generated content to improve transparency. The draft amendment requires labels to be clearly visible throughout the duration of videos or images. This update targets Rule 3(3)(a)(ii) of the Information Technology Rules to stop companies from using fleeting or hidden markers. Stakeholders have until May 7 to submit feedback on the proposal.
A study by Nicholas Jennings Hallman and KPMG found that most workers underuse AI assistants by stopping after the first answer. Hallman suggests that users should iterate by asking follow-up questions until they get satisfactory responses. Former IBM CEO Ginni Rometty noted that those who use AI well will replace those who do not. The key is making AI work effectively rather than just asking one question.
Sparq announced that its CTO Derek Perry won the 2026 Artificial Intelligence Excellence Award in Atlanta. The award recognizes outstanding achievements and innovations in the field of artificial intelligence. Perry was selected for his pioneering work in developing AI-driven solutions that transformed various industries. His contributions have been instrumental in advancing AI technologies and their practical applications.
An Oak Ridge panel is studying the effects of AI on jobs and the economy. This is the first part of a series reviewing a unique Oak Ridge program. The panel aims to understand how artificial intelligence influences employment and economic conditions. D. Ray Smith and Carolyn Krause provide reviews of the program discussing these topics.
Key Takeaways
- HP launched HP IQ and Lenovo introduced Qira as new AI assistants to compete with major tech companies.
- Both HP and Lenovo aim to run AI locally on devices with Neural Processing Units to save costs and improve privacy.
- Court cases are currently debating legal responsibility for AI harm based on product defects versus service conduct.
- POSaBIT Systems Corp. expanded into cannabis producer software, partnering with Vibe Retail and ISO Mega Payments.
- xyt became the nominated next generation transaction cost analysis provider for German bank Steubing AG in February 2026.
- Adobe is testing Asset Amplify to create websites tailored to specific audience segments like Gen Z or millennials.
- Adobe introduced value-based pricing for its AI products, measuring value based on results rather than tokens.
- India's Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology proposed continuous watermarks for AI-generated content visible throughout videos.
- Former IBM CEO Ginni Rometty noted that those who use AI well will replace those who do not.
- Sparq CTO Derek Perry won the 2026 Artificial Intelligence Excellence Award for pioneering AI-driven solutions.
HP and Lenovo race for AI control with new assistants
PC makers HP and Lenovo are launching new AI assistants to compete with major tech companies. Lenovo introduced Qira, a personal intelligence tool that works across phones and PCs to summarize communications and assist with meetings. HP launched HP IQ to provide a consistent user experience across its devices with features for organizing notes. Both companies aim to create an AI superapp that runs locally on devices with Neural Processing Units to save costs and improve privacy. However, challenges remain because most users do not own all devices from a single brand, and advanced AI models still require cloud access for complex tasks.
HP and Lenovo race for AI control with new assistants
PC manufacturers HP and Lenovo are developing new AI assistants to compete with industry leaders. Lenovo's Qira replaces existing AI features on PCs and Motorola phones, allowing users to continue projects across devices and receive summaries of their communications. HP's HP IQ offers a universal interface and a notes feature to organize interactions. While running AI locally on devices with NPUs is cheaper and faster than cloud services, it cannot match the capabilities of advanced cloud models. The vision of a unified AI experience faces hurdles because few consumers use only one brand's ecosystem, and many business users prefer storing data in the cloud for security.
Courts debate legal responsibility for AI harm
Legal experts are discussing whether companies should be held responsible for AI harm based on product defects or service conduct. Recent court cases examine how liability should apply to AI algorithms and tools by looking at design choices and deployment behavior. The debate centers on whether to focus on defective design and warnings or on the actions of creators and users. Future legal guidance will likely consider both the technical features of AI and the behavior of those responsible for its use. This nuanced approach is essential for companies developing and deploying AI systems.
AI tools enter cannabis sales and payment systems
POSaBIT Systems Corp. is expanding into software for cannabis producers alongside its existing point-of-sale technology. Vibe Retail, a New York-based POS company, partnered with ISO Mega Payments to serve independent merchants and producers. This collaboration connects both sides of the cannabis ecosystem in real time. POSaBIT Brands will drive growth for the new venture. Vibe Retail's deal with Mega Payments allows the latter to act as an independent sales organization for Vibe's technology. The partnership enables small merchants to manage inventory and promotions, with a full rollout expected in the coming months.
Data firm xyt adds AI tools for better client decisions
Data analytics firm xyt launched new AI capabilities to help clients make faster trading decisions. These tools allow users to answer complex market questions quickly while maintaining transparency and control. The system aims to turn high-quality data into actionable insights and automate tasks like data extraction and query writing. In February 2026, xyt became the nominated next generation transaction cost analysis provider for German securities trading bank Steubing AG. Through this partnership, xyt delivers comprehensive analytics across various trading activities including stocks, bonds, and warrants.
Adobe creates custom websites for specific audience groups
Adobe is testing Asset Amplify, a tool designed to create websites tailored to specific audience segments like Gen Z or millennials. The tool is being demoed at the 2026 Adobe Summit conference. Brands upload their own assets and provide prompts describing the target audience to generate customized content. Adobe tested the tool with a fictional luxury car brand to show how it creates different results for different generations. The system builds on Adobe's focus on understanding specific audience niches rather than creating broad, generalized assets.
India ministry demands clearer AI content labels
India's Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology proposed continuous watermarks for AI-generated content to improve transparency. The draft amendment requires labels to be clearly visible throughout the duration of videos or images. This update targets Rule 3(3)(a)(ii) of the Information Technology Rules to stop companies from using fleeting or hidden markers. Social media platforms like Instagram, X, and YouTube must ensure labels are visible in a visual display. Stakeholders have until May 7 to submit feedback on the proposal. The move addresses frustration with previous rules where watermarks appeared for only a fraction of a second.
Adobe introduces value-based pricing for AI products
Adobe plans to use outcome-based pricing for its new CX Enterprise AI product suite instead of traditional subscription models. This policy will measure value based on results like the number of ad campaigns completed by AI agents. Adobe stated that tokens do not equate to value, shifting the focus to quantifiable gains. Outcome-based pricing was pioneered by firms charging for completed interactions rather than processed tokens. This model requires vendors to prove their AI delivers measurable benefits and involves complex contracts. Adobe unveiled the system on April 20, 2026, as a customizable solution for businesses.
Experts advise users to iterate with AI for best results
A study by Nicholas Jennings Hallman and KPMG found that most workers underuse AI assistants by stopping after the first answer. Hallman suggests that users should iterate by asking follow-up questions until they get satisfactory responses. He advises giving AI assistants enough context to dig deeper into tasks. Voice interaction is less efficient for most work but useful for learning topics while driving. Former IBM CEO Ginni Rometty noted that those who use AI well will replace those who do not. The key is making AI work effectively rather than just asking one question.
Sparq CTO Derek Perry wins AI excellence award
Sparq announced that its CTO Derek Perry won the 2026 Artificial Intelligence Excellence Award in Atlanta. The award recognizes outstanding achievements and innovations in the field of artificial intelligence. Perry was selected for his pioneering work in developing AI-driven solutions that transformed various industries. His contributions have been instrumental in advancing AI technologies and their practical applications. Sparq is proud to have Perry as part of its leadership team driving the company's mission to revolutionize business operations through cutting-edge AI solutions.
Oak Ridge panel studies AI effects on jobs and economy
A panel at Oak Ridge is exploring the impact of AI on jobs and the economy. This is the first part of a series reviewing a unique Oak Ridge program. D. Ray Smith provides the review of the program discussing these topics. Carolyn Krause provides a review of the unique Oak Ridge program. The panel aims to understand how artificial intelligence influences employment and economic conditions.
Sources
- HP and Lenovo Are Vying for AI Dominance. Maybe They Should Just Stick to Hardware
- HP and Lenovo Are Vying for AI Dominance. Maybe They Should Just Stick to Hardware
- Built to Blame: The Product-Service Divide and Emerging Liability for AI-Inflicted Harm
- AI Comes to Cannabis POS, And Vibe Enlists Mega to Target Independent Sellers
- xyt launches new AI-powered capabilities to enhance client decision making
- Adobe’s new AI experiment can whip up a website custom designed for Gen Z
- Disappointed by compliance to AI rules, Meity proposes 'continuous' watermarks
- Adobe Plans Outcome-Based Pricing for New AI Product Suite
- Commentary: Don’t let AI get away without helping you
- Sparq CTO Derek Perry Wins 2026 Artificial Intelligence Excellence Award
- Oak Ridge panel explores AI's impact on jobs, economy
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