June 12, 2025

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Alphabet AI, Walmart Sparky, UAE AI, and AI Security

Recent developments in the AI landscape span across various sectors, highlighting both opportunities and challenges. Alphabet has appointed Koray Kavukcuoglu as its new Chief AI Architect to accelerate AI product development and integration, while Walmart has launched 'Ask Sparky,' an AI-powered shopping assistant, to enhance customer experience. A survey indicates that businesses recognize AI's positive impact but need to invest more in AI training for their workforce. The UAE is leading the Arab world in AI readiness, driven by national AI initiatives and increased course enrollment. In the business world, WPP is actively integrating AI to improve its operations, while Sky News and Dow Jones are discussing the impact of AI on media, emphasizing fair compensation for content used by AI platforms. Concerns are also rising regarding AI security risks, particularly in the Asia-Pacific region, and the need to ensure data quality for AI systems. Copyright issues related to AI are also a concern for artists. Meanwhile, Tennessee is supporting Elon Musk's xAI project, viewing AI development as a competitive imperative. The SASE market is experiencing growth, driven by the adoption of AI security services.

Key Takeaways

  • Alphabet appoints Koray Kavukcuoglu as Chief AI Architect to boost AI product development.
  • Walmart launches 'Ask Sparky,' an AI shopping assistant, to improve customer experience.
  • Businesses acknowledge AI's benefits but need to invest more in AI training.
  • The UAE leads the Arab world in AI readiness due to national initiatives and increased course enrollment.
  • WPP is actively integrating AI to enhance business operations.
  • Sky News and Dow Jones discuss AI's impact on media, advocating for fair compensation for content.
  • AI progress is seen as a top security risk for APAC firms, highlighting data quality concerns.
  • AI copyright concerns are growing for artists, emphasizing the need to protect creative rights.
  • Tennessee supports Elon Musk's xAI project, viewing AI development as a global competition.
  • The SASE market is growing, fueled by the increasing adoption of AI security services.

Alphabet Names DeepMind's Koray Kavukcuoglu as New AI Chief

Alphabet (GOOGL) has appointed Koray Kavukcuoglu, Google DeepMind’s CTO, as its new Chief AI Architect. Kavukcuoglu will help integrate AI technology into more of Alphabet's products. He will report to CEO Sundar Pichai and move to Alphabet's headquarters in California. This move comes as Alphabet faces growing competition in the AI field and aims to monetize its AI investments, with plans to invest $75 billion in AI infrastructure this year.

Google Appoints AI Architect to Speed Up Product Development

Google has named Koray Kavukcuoglu as its new chief AI architect to improve AI product development. Kavukcuoglu, previously Google DeepMind’s CTO, will report directly to CEO Sundar Pichai. He will help Google use its Gemini models to create new products faster. Kavukcuoglu will move from London to Mountain View, California. Google is working to quickly turn its AI capabilities into successful products.

Google Taps Insider to Head AI Product Development

Google has appointed Koray Kavukcuoglu, DeepMind's CTO, as its new chief AI architect. He will lead AI-powered product development and report to CEO Sundar Pichai. Kavukcuoglu will move from London to California and continue as DeepMind's CTO. Google aims to integrate its AI models into products more efficiently. The company faces pressure to show financial gains from its $75 billion AI investments.

Walmart's 'Sparky' Shopping App Uses Artificial Intelligence

Walmart has launched 'Ask Sparky,' an AI-powered shopping assistant in its mobile app. Sparky helps customers find products and get gift ideas. It can provide weather forecasts and suggest items based on customer searches. Walmart plans to improve Sparky to create meal plans and automatically add ingredients to shopping carts. The retailer intends to use agentic AI to make Sparky more helpful and intuitive.

Walmart Introduces New AI Shopping Assistant Called Sparky

Walmart has launched Sparky, a new AI-powered shopping assistant for its e-commerce site and app. Sparky helps customers search for products, compare items, and make informed decisions. It can suggest gifts, recommend outfits, and will soon help with reordering essentials and creating meal plans. A recent report found that many consumers trust AI shopping assistants to choose products within a budget. Speed and time-saving are key priorities for shoppers using these tools.

SASE Market Jumps to $2.6 Billion with AI Security Growth

Global SASE revenue increased by 17% to $2.6 billion in Q1 2025, according to Dell’Oro Group. Single-vendor SASE solutions grew faster at 21% due to easier purchasing and tighter management. Security Service Edge (SSE) revenue rose by 15%, with Palo Alto Networks growing significantly. SD-WAN revenue increased by 21%, while access router spending decreased. Enterprises are consolidating networking and security around SASE platforms, with AI services boosting SSE adoption.

Survey Says It's Time to Train Staff on AI

A new survey shows that business leaders believe AI is improving their companies. Almost 80% of executives say AI tech has led to better results. The survey also highlights the need for training workers on AI tools. While 79% support having an AI strategy leader, only 31% provide AI training. Companies should upskill their workforces to maximize the benefits of AI, including mentoring programs where younger workers teach older workers about AI.

UAE Leads Arab World in AI Readiness, Says Report

The UAE ranks first in the Arab world for AI maturity, according to Coursera's 2025 Global Skills Report. The country's AI initiatives, including a UAE-US AI Campus and mandatory AI classes starting at age four, boosted its ranking. The UAE also saw a 344% increase in AI course enrollment, outpacing regional and global averages. The report highlights the UAE's efforts to build a knowledge-based economy and lead in AI readiness. Globally, the UAE ranks 32nd in AI maturity.

WPP Races to Use AI Before It Hurts Business

This article discusses how WPP is trying to use AI to improve its business. It mentions the need to adapt to technological changes. To read the full article, a subscription is required.

Sky News, Dow Jones CEOs Discuss AI, Media Mistakes, and Press Freedom

David Rhodes of Sky News and Almar Latour of Dow Jones discussed AI's impact on media. They emphasized the need for fair commercial deals with AI platforms to value media content. Latour warned against AI companies taking content without payment, calling them "thugs." They also addressed press freedom, with Latour affirming its presence in the U.S., despite tensions between the media and the government.

AI Progress a Top Security Risk for APAC Firms

Over 65% of companies in Asia-Pacific see rapid AI development as a major security risk. Other concerns include lack of integrity and trustworthiness. Many companies are using generative AI, which needs high-quality data. Ensuring data quality is important for AI systems to make good decisions. While companies are investing in AI security tools, they may be moving too fast and creating vulnerabilities. Malware, ransomware, and phishing are top threats in the region.

AI Copyright Concerns for Artists

This article discusses Björn Ulvaeus's views on artists' copyright in relation to AI. Ulvaeus believes copyright is essential for creators and the creative economy. He has spoken about protecting artists from profit-seeking tech companies. The article also corrects a previous description of the 'Abbatars' in the Voyage show, clarifying that they are not holograms.

Tennessee Rep Supports xAI Project Amid Debate

A Tennessee state representative supports Elon Musk's xAI project in Memphis. Republican Rep. John Gillespie says xAI plans to build at least eight sites in Shelby County. He views AI as a global arms race and supports xAI's goal to win. Mayor Paul Young plans community-based air quality testing near the xAI site. The goal is to protect residents' health and boost the city's economy.

Sources

AI Artificial Intelligence DeepMind Google Alphabet Koray Kavukcuoglu Sundar Pichai AI Product Development AI Integration AI Investments Walmart Sparky AI Shopping Assistant E-commerce SASE Security AI Security AI Training Upskilling UAE AI Readiness WPP Media Copyright xAI Elon Musk Data Quality AI Ethics Gemini Models