amazon, google and openai Updates

Amazon's AI assistant, Rufus, is significantly enhancing the online shopping experience, demonstrating robust growth and utility. The generative and agentic AI tool, available on the Amazon Shopping app and website, now offers improved product search, deal finding, and even understands handwritten grocery lists. Following over 50 technical upgrades, Rufus has seen a 149% increase in monthly users and a 210% rise in interactions over the past year, with over 250 million customers engaging with it this year. Shoppers using Rufus are over 60% more likely to make a purchase during their visit. Complementing these efforts, former Amazon leaders Dr Kevin Kahn and Dr Matteo Ruffini launched Albatross, an AI-powered product discovery platform, securing $12.5 million in seed funding to help retailers adapt to customer behavior in real-time. Meanwhile, Google is intensifying its competition with OpenAI's ChatGPT by integrating its new Gemini 3 AI model directly into Google Search through an 'AI mode.' Google leverages its 'full-stack' advantage, controlling everything from AI research and chip development to cloud hosting, which could allow it to move faster and offer competitive pricing. In the academic sphere, the University of Washington launched AI@UW, a new program focused on the responsible use of AI in teaching and research, backed by a $10 million gift from Microsoft pioneer Charles Simonyi and his wife, Lisa Simonyi. Professor Noah Smith will lead this initiative, which includes a SEED-AI grant program and AI literacy courses. IBM Research is also championing open AI infrastructure, collaborating with partners like the University at Albany, providing Spyre AI accelerators and funding for seven research projects to make AI more accessible and efficient. On the financial front, renowned investor Michael Burry, known for his accurate market predictions, is betting against AI stocks such as Palantir and Nvidia, suggesting that 'bubbles' are forming in the market. Palantir's shares dropped 10% on October 30, though CEO Alex Karp has dismissed Burry's short selling. Other financial experts, including Wharton professor Jeremy Siegel and market analyst Bret Jensen, also express concerns about a potential investment bubble in the AI ecosystem. Regulatory efforts are also underway, with Oklahoma State Representative Neil Hays planning to re-file a bill to criminalize the unauthorized use of AI-created deepfakes for advertising. To guide investment professionals, the CFA Institute released 'AI in Asset Management: Tools, Applications, and Frontiers,' emphasizing responsible and ethical AI integration while maintaining human judgment. Finally, cybersecurity company Tanium is enhancing enterprise IT and security with new AI tools, including Tanium Ask for AI-driven workflows and a Tanium AI Agent for ServiceNow, alongside expanding endpoint management to operational technology and mobile devices.

Key Takeaways

• Amazon's Rufus AI assistant experienced a 149% increase in monthly users and a 60% higher likelihood of customers making a purchase.
• Google launched its Gemini 3 AI model directly into Google Search via an 'AI mode,' leveraging its 'full-stack' advantage against OpenAI's ChatGPT.
• Microsoft pioneer Charles Simonyi and his wife, Lisa Simonyi, donated $10 million to the University of Washington to establish the AI@UW program for responsible AI education and research.
• Investor Michael Burry is betting against AI stocks like Palantir and Nvidia, citing concerns about potential market 'bubbles.'
• Albatross, a new AI-powered shopping platform founded by former Amazon leaders, secured $12.5 million in seed funding, bringing its total to $16 million.
• IBM Research is collaborating with partners, including the University at Albany, to build open AI infrastructure, providing Spyre AI accelerators and funding for research projects.
• Oklahoma State Representative Neil Hays plans to re-file a bill to criminalize the unauthorized use of AI-created deepfakes for advertising.
• The CFA Institute released a guide, 'AI in Asset Management,' to help investment professionals responsibly integrate artificial intelligence and machine learning.
• Tanium introduced new AI tools, including Tanium Ask and a Tanium AI Agent for ServiceNow, to enhance IT operations and cybersecurity.
• Financial experts like Jeremy Siegel and Bret Jensen are raising concerns about a potential investment bubble forming in the AI market.

Amazon's Rufus AI Assistant Gets Smarter for Shoppers

Amazon's AI assistant, Rufus, is now much smarter and more helpful for shopping on the Amazon Shopping app and website. It uses generative and agentic AI to provide useful information and product recommendations. Rufus can search for products, add items to carts, find deals, and even understand handwritten grocery lists. Amazon made over 50 technical upgrades, leading to a 149% increase in monthly users and a 60% higher chance of customers buying something.

Amazon Transforms Shopping with Advanced AI Tools

Amazon is using generative and agentic AI to make online shopping faster and easier. The company has used AI for over 25 years, evolving from book recommendations to advanced product discovery. Its AI assistant, Rufus, helps customers find products, compare prices, and add items to their carts. Rufus has seen a 140% increase in monthly users, with over 250 million customers using it this year. Other AI features like Review Highlights and Hear the Highlights also help shoppers make better choices.

Amazon's Rufus AI Assistant Sees Huge User Growth

Amazon's AI assistant, Rufus, has seen a big increase in users and activity. Monthly users jumped by 149% and interactions rose by 210% over the past year. Amazon also added over 50 technical upgrades and new features to make Rufus faster and more useful. Customers who use Rufus while shopping are over 60% more likely to buy something during that trip. This shows Rufus is becoming a very popular shopping tool.

UW Gets 10 Million Dollars for New AI Program

The University of Washington received a 10 million dollar gift from Microsoft pioneer Charles Simonyi and his wife, Lisa Simonyi. This money will launch AI@UW, a new program to lead the responsible use of artificial intelligence in teaching and research. Professor Noah Smith will be the first Vice Provost for Artificial Intelligence. The initiative will create a grant program called SEED-AI, develop AI literacy courses for students, and form an expert network to help faculty. This gift helps UW stay a leader in AI education.

University of Washington Leads New AI Education Efforts

The University of Washington launched AI@UW, a new program to guide the college's approach to artificial intelligence. This initiative is supported by a 10 million dollar donation from Charles and Lisa Simonyi, a Microsoft software architect and his wife. Professor Noah Smith will lead AI@UW as the Vice Provost for Artificial Intelligence. The program aims to create a SEED-AI grant program for AI projects, integrate AI literacy into courses, and establish an AI governance committee. UW joins other top schools in this "first wave" of AI-focused academic institutions.

Oklahoma Lawmaker Tries Again to Regulate AI Ads

Oklahoma State Representative Neil Hays plans to re-file a bill to control AI advertisements. This bill would make it a crime to use someone's face or likeness in AI-created content or "deepfake" ads without their clear permission. The bill passed the House in 2024 but did not pass in the Senate. Hays believes this type of law is very important to protect people from misuse of AI technology.

Investor Michael Burry Bets Against AI Stocks Palantir and Nvidia

Famous investor Michael Burry, known for predicting the 2007-2009 housing crash, is betting against AI stocks like Palantir and Nvidia. Burry suggested in October that "bubbles" were forming, and Palantir's shares dropped 10% on October 30. Palantir, a data analytics company, has faced criticism for its data collection practices. Palantir CEO Alex Karp has dismissed Burry's short selling. Some investors are not worried, but the article suggests a potential crash in overvalued AI stocks.

CFA Institute Helps Investors Understand AI

The CFA Institute released a new guide called "AI in Asset Management: Tools, Applications, and Frontiers" to help investment professionals. This resource teaches them how to use artificial intelligence and machine learning in their work. It covers tools, uses, and responsibilities, focusing on balancing new ideas with honesty and ethics. Mona Naqvi from CFA Institute stated that AI is changing how value is created and delivered. The guide offers practical examples for portfolio managers and analysts to use AI responsibly while keeping human judgment central.

IBM and Partners Build Open AI Infrastructure

IBM Research is working with partners to create open infrastructure for artificial intelligence. At the sixth annual AI Hardware Forum, IBM emphasized that AI's future depends on collaboration, not just one company. IBM announced an expanded partnership with the University at Albany, providing them with new product-grade Spyre AI accelerators and funding for seven new research projects. The AI Hardware Center aims to support open-source software like PyTorch and develop advanced hardware like chiplets and 3D stacking. This effort seeks to make AI more accessible and efficient for everyone.

Former Amazon Leaders Launch Albatross AI Shopping Platform

Albatross, a new startup founded by former Amazon leaders Dr Kevin Kahn and Dr Matteo Ruffini, has launched its AI-powered product discovery platform. The Zurich-based company secured 12.5 million dollars in seed funding, bringing its total funding to 16 million dollars. Albatross aims to help retailers instantly adapt to customer behavior online, showing users relevant items they might otherwise miss. Investors like MMC Ventures and Redalpine believe Albatross's real-time AI architecture will change how businesses connect with customers.

Expert Warns AI Market May Be a Bubble

Some financial experts are starting to question the strong growth in the artificial intelligence market. Jeremy Siegel, a finance professor from Wharton, has made observations about the AI ecosystem. Market analyst Bret Jensen also suggests that the "AI narrative" might be showing weaknesses. These experts are raising concerns that the current excitement around AI could be leading to an investment bubble.

Google Unleashes Gemini 3 AI Model in Search

Google is using its "full-stack" advantage to push its new AI model, Gemini 3, against OpenAI's ChatGPT. Google controls everything from AI research and chip development to cloud hosting and integrating AI into its popular services like Search and YouTube. Gemini 3 is now available directly in Google Search through an "AI mode." While OpenAI has a strong brand, Google's complete control over its AI technology allows it to move faster and potentially offer competitive pricing. This move shows Google is serious about leading the AI race.

Tanium Boosts Security and IT with New AI Tools

Tanium, a cybersecurity software company, announced major updates to its AI and security tools at its 10th annual Converge conference. These new features aim to make IT operations and security more autonomous. Tanium Ask uses AI to improve efficiency by integrating AI-driven workflows directly into the platform. A new Tanium AI Agent for ServiceNow can automatically pull real-time device information to help solve issues faster. Tanium also expanded its endpoint management to include operational technology and mobile devices like Macs, iPhones, and iPads. New security tools like Tanium Jump Gate and Tanium HuntIQ further enhance protection and threat detection.

Sources

• Amazon’s next-gen AI assistant for shopping is now even smarter, more capable, and more helpful
• How Amazon is using generative and agentic AI to transform the shopping experience
• Amazon AI Assistant Rufus Sees 149% Jump In Users
• University of Washington lands $10M from billionaire Charles Simonyi to tackle AI in the classroom
• UW joins 'first wave' of colleges focused on AI
• Oklahoma lawmaker plans to re-file AI advertisement regulation bill
• Targeting Palantir and Nvidia: Profits, Prophets and Overvalued AI Stocks
• CFA Institute Equips the Investment Sector to Navigate AI Developments
• Making open infrastructure for AI a reality, together
• Former Amazon leaders launch Albatross AI powered product discovery platform from stealth — Retail Technology Innovation Hub
• AI: The Mother Of All Investment Bubbles
• With Gemini 3, Google is flexing its biggest advantage over OpenAI
• Tanium rolls out agentic AI upgrades, expanded endpoint management and new security tools