amazon launches google while microsoft expands its platform

Key Takeaways

• Burger King is implementing an AI chatbot named Patty via employee headsets in 500 US restaurants, which monitors politeness and assists with operations, with a full rollout to 7,000 locations by end of 2026.
• The UNC System is piloting a 'Foundational AI Skills Course' at all 17 institutions, partnering with Amazon Web Services, to educate students on AI basics and responsible use.
• Google is offering free Gemini AI training to six million US educators in partnership with ISTE+ASCD, focusing on classroom applications and providing micro-credentials.
• Microsoft is expanding its partnership with the University of Washington, providing more GPUs and Azure credits to address the AI skills gap and develop AI programs for the workforce.
• OpenAI and Figma have integrated OpenAI Codex directly into Figma's platform to convert code into designs, aiming to accelerate product development.
• Financial firms LPL and Orion are integrating Anthropic's Claude AI plug-ins to assist financial advisors with investment analysis, task automation, and personalized client plans.
• The Pentagon is in a dispute with Anthropic over the use of AI in weapons systems, with Anthropic opposing full AI autonomy in lethal decisions.
• Law enforcement agencies are using AI tools from companies like Axon and Flock Safety for evidence analysis, suspect identification, and vehicle tracking to solve criminal cases more efficiently.
• AI is transforming golf practice in Myrtle Beach, with facilities like Mashie Golf Institute using AI for detailed swing analysis and instant feedback.
• WashU professor Alvitta Ottley has joined the UN's Independent International Scientific Panel on AI, a 40-member global body assessing AI's impacts and guiding governance.

Burger King uses AI chatbot Patty to check employee politeness

Burger King is testing a new AI chatbot named Patty, which works through employee headsets. Patty is part of the BK Assistant platform and helps with tasks like preparing food. It also listens to employee interactions with customers to check for politeness, noting words like 'please' and 'thank you.' Managers can use this feedback as a coaching tool. Patty can also answer employee questions about recipes and equipment. The BK Assistant platform will be available in all US restaurants by the end of 2026.

Burger King tests AI headsets for employee coaching and customer service

Burger King is piloting AI-powered headsets in 500 US restaurants. The chatbot, called Patty, helps employees with recipes and alerts managers about low inventory. It also tracks customer interactions, listening for polite phrases like 'welcome' and 'thank you' to help managers coach staff on hospitality. Burger King states Patty is a coaching tool, not an individual performance tracker. The BK Assistant platform, which includes Patty, will be available nationwide later this year.

Burger King's AI chatbot Patty monitors employee friendliness

Burger King has launched its BK Assistant platform, featuring an AI chatbot named Patty that works through employee headsets. Patty helps with tasks like checking inventory and preparing food. It also monitors customer interactions for politeness, noting keywords like 'welcome,' 'please,' and 'thank you.' Burger King says this is a coaching tool for managers to improve service, not to score individual employees. The platform also helps manage menu availability and order accuracy.

Burger King uses AI to monitor employee politeness

Burger King is implementing a new AI management platform called BK Assistant, which includes a chatbot named Patty. Patty operates through employee headsets and monitors customer interactions for politeness, checking for phrases like 'please' and 'thank you.' Managers can use this data as a coaching tool. The BK Assistant also manages inventory, alerts for maintenance, and helps with order accuracy. This system is currently in about 500 restaurants and will expand to all 7,000 locations by year's end.

UNC System offers new AI skills course to students

The UNC System is piloting a new optional 'Foundational AI Skills Course' at all 17 of its institutions. This course aims to teach students the basics of artificial intelligence, its risks, and how it's used in different industries. It consists of six modules covering AI literacy, responsible use in academics, and workforce applications. The program partnered with Amazon Web Services for industry insights. Feedback from the pilot will help refine the course for wider implementation.

UNC faculty discuss AI literacy and academic freedom policies

UNC's Faculty Executive Committee met to discuss integrating artificial intelligence into education and updating academic freedom policies. Vice Provost Jeffrey Bardzell proposed embedding AI literacy into introductory courses and providing faculty with more resources and guidelines. The committee also addressed new classroom recording policies and revisions to the UNC System Code regarding academic freedom. Discussions focused on ensuring faculty and students understand and can responsibly use AI tools.

OpenAI Codex and Figma integrate for faster product development

OpenAI and Figma have enhanced their partnership with a new integration connecting Codex directly to Figma's design platform. This allows users to easily convert code into Figma designs and vice versa, speeding up the product development process. The integration uses the MCP Server to enable seamless transitions between coding and design. This collaboration aims to help teams iterate faster and bring ideas to market more efficiently by bridging the gap between engineers and designers.

Microsoft and UW expand AI partnership to address skills gap

Microsoft is deepening its partnership with the University of Washington (UW) by increasing access to advanced AI computing resources and launching new learning initiatives. This collaboration aims to address Washington's projected job vacancies by equipping students with AI skills. Microsoft is providing more GPUs, Azure credits, and creating internship and research opportunities. The partnership also focuses on developing AI programs for working adults to ensure workforce readiness in the AI-driven economy.

Google offers free Gemini AI training to US educators

Google has partnered with ISTE+ASCD to offer free training on its Gemini AI tools to six million US educators. This initiative aims to boost AI literacy among teachers and higher education faculty. The training modules will cover using Gemini and NotebookLM for classroom applications, such as creating personalized lessons and study materials. Educators completing the program will receive micro-credentials. This effort seeks to support teachers in effectively integrating AI into their teaching practices.

AI golf tools transform practice in Myrtle Beach

Artificial intelligence is revolutionizing golf practice in Myrtle Beach with new tools that provide detailed swing analysis. Facilities like Mashie Golf Institute use AI to identify specific areas for improvement, moving beyond traditional metrics. Apps like GolfFix and smart sensors offer instant feedback on swing mechanics and data tracking. This technology helps reduce guesswork, allowing golfers to practice more effectively and efficiently by providing honest data and checkpoints for every rep.

Pentagon clashes with AI firm Anthropic over weapon use

The Pentagon is in a dispute with AI company Anthropic over the use of artificial intelligence in weapons systems. Anthropic, which won a contract with the Department of Defense (DOD), believes AI should not have full autonomy in lethal decisions. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has given Anthropic until Friday to comply with the DOD's demands for unrestricted AI use or risk contract cancellation. This conflict highlights differing views on AI's role in military applications.

LPL and Orion adopt Anthropic AI for financial advisors

Financial firms LPL and Orion are integrating Anthropic's new AI plug-ins into their advisor workflows. These tools, powered by Anthropic's Claude AI, are designed for wealth management and investment banking. The AI will help advisors analyze client investments, automate tasks like meeting preparation and proposal generation, and personalize client plans based on values. This integration aims to enhance advisor efficiency and client service through advanced AI capabilities.

AI helps detectives solve complex criminal cases

Law enforcement agencies are increasingly using artificial intelligence to solve difficult criminal cases. AI tools help automate tasks like analyzing evidence, identifying suspects through biometrics, and tracking vehicles. Experts like David Ebert and Richard Berk note that AI organizes vast amounts of data, making investigations more efficient and effective. Companies like Axon and Flock Safety provide AI-powered solutions for evidence tagging, facial recognition, and license plate tracking, speeding up the process of finding leads.

WashU professor joins UN panel on artificial intelligence

Alvitta Ottley, a professor at WashU's McKelvey School of Engineering, has been appointed to the United Nations' Independent International Scientific Panel on Artificial Intelligence. She is one of 40 members selected globally to assess AI's economic and social impacts. This panel aims to provide rigorous, independent assessments to guide global decision-making on AI and ensure governance keeps pace with technological advancements. Ottley's research focuses on personalized visualization systems and human-computer interaction.

Sources

• Burger King will use AI to check if employees say ‘please’ and ‘thank you’
• How Burger King's AI headsets are transforming employee interactions
• Meet 'Patty', Burger King's AI chatbot assessing staff's friendliness
• Surveillance With a Smile: Burger King Will Use AI to Track If Employees Say 'Please' and 'Thank You'
• UNC System pilots new optional 'Foundational AI Skills Course'
• Faculty Executive Committee discusses artificial intelligence literacy, academic freedom
• OpenAI Codex and Figma launch seamless code-to-design experience
• Microsoft expands AI partnership with UW to tackle skills gap | ETIH EdTech News
• Google and ISTE+ASCD launch Gemini AI training | ETIH EdTech News
• AI golf training tools are changing how players practice in Myrtle Beach
• ‘Uncanny Valley’: Pentagon vs. ‘Woke’ Anthropic, Agentic vs. Mimetic, and Trump vs. State of the Union
• LPL, Orion add Anthropic's new AI for advisors
• How AI can help detectives crack confounding criminal cases
• Ottley appointed to UN panel on artificial intelligence