Anthropic Claude Beats OpenAI, Meta Invests $1B+ in AI

Several industries are actively integrating AI, leading to both advancements and concerns. In the travel sector, Delta Air Lines is increasing its use of AI for setting flight prices, aiming for nearly 20% of domestic flights by year's end, raising questions about fairness and transparency, prompting a US Transportation Secretary investigation into potential personalized pricing. Other travel companies like Hertz and Marriott are also leveraging AI for tasks like damage assessment and room upgrades. Meanwhile, San Jose Police Department used AI to translate Chief Paul Joseph's voice into Spanish, aiming to build community trust by easing fears about immigration enforcement. In AI development, Anthropic is offering its AI products to the U.S. government for just $1, showcasing Claude Opus 4.1 with 74.5% accuracy, outperforming models from OpenAI and Google in certain tests, while competing for government contracts. Meta is also heavily investing in AI, offering substantial compensation packages, including stock options potentially worth over a billion dollars, to recruit top AI experts from companies like Apple and OpenAI. Tavily secured $25 million to connect AI agents to the internet, enabling companies like Groq and MongoDB to extract insights from various sources. Dell Technologies is undergoing reorganization, including sales team layoffs, driven by its expanding AI business. AGY launched L-HDI glass fiber for AI hardware, enhancing stability and reliability in AI integrated circuit packaging. NIST is creating AI security guidance based on its Cybersecurity Framework to help professionals manage AI's impact and secure AI systems. However, AI's deployment also raises concerns, as companies like Hertz and Airbnb face scrutiny for using AI to charge customers for minor or fabricated damage, highlighting the need for consumer protection and transparency.

Key Takeaways

• Delta Air Lines is expanding its use of AI for flight pricing, aiming for 20% of domestic flights by year-end, sparking concerns about personalized pricing.
• The US Transportation Secretary is investigating airlines' use of AI for potential unfair ticket pricing based on personal data.
• San Jose Police Department used AI to translate the police chief's voice into Spanish to build trust within the community.
• Anthropic is offering its AI products to the US government for $1 to secure government contracts, showcasing Claude Opus 4.1's high accuracy.
• Meta is investing heavily in AI, offering top AI experts compensation packages potentially exceeding a billion dollars in stock options.
• Tavily raised $25 million to connect AI agents to the internet, facilitating data extraction for companies like Groq and MongoDB.
• Dell Technologies is cutting sales roles as part of a reorganization driven by its growing AI business.
• AGY launched L-HDI glass fiber for AI hardware, enhancing stability and reliability in AI integrated circuit packaging.
• NIST is developing AI security guidance based on its Cybersecurity Framework to help professionals manage AI's impact.
• Companies like Hertz and Airbnb are facing scrutiny for using AI to charge customers for minor or fabricated damage, raising consumer protection concerns.

Airlines use AI to decide flight and hotel prices raising loyalty concerns

Delta Air Lines is increasing its use of AI to set flight prices, causing some customers to question their loyalty. Delta plans to use AI for nearly 20 percent of domestic flights by the end of the year. Other travel companies like Hertz and Marriott are also using AI for damage assessment and room upgrades. Some worry AI pricing could be based on personal information, leading to unfair charges. Lawmakers are considering banning the use of AI to set prices based on personal data.

US investigates AI use for personalized flight ticket prices

US Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy is concerned about airlines using AI to set personalized ticket prices. He promised to investigate any airline using AI to charge different prices based on personal information. Delta Air Lines stated they do not use AI to set individual prices. Some lawmakers are pushing to ban companies from using AI to set prices based on personal data. Dynamic pricing, which changes based on demand and other factors, has been used by airlines for decades.

Experts warn AI airline pricing lacks fairness and transparency

Northeastern University experts are warning that using AI to set flight prices could harm consumers. They say AI pricing might reduce transparency and allow companies to exploit travelers. Delta Air Lines faced scrutiny for planning to use AI to set ticket prices. Some worry this could lead to personalized pricing based on customer data. Experts say transparency is key, as customers need to understand how AI sets prices to make informed decisions.

AI pricing raises concerns about fairness for consumers

Delta Air Lines plans to use AI to set prices, raising concerns about personalized pricing. Some worry that AI could allow sellers to charge customers based on their personal data. This could lead to consumers paying more than they should. Experts say that consumers need more privacy protection to prevent unfair pricing. While AI could lower prices for some, the main concern is that companies will use it to increase profits.

San Jose police use AI to translate message for community trust

The San Jose Police Department (SJPD) released an AI-generated video of Chief Paul Joseph speaking Spanish. The goal is to ease fears about immigration enforcement in the community. The AI translated Chief Joseph's voice into Spanish after listening to hours of his English speech. Chief Joseph says language should not be a barrier to building trust. Some community members believe a Spanish-speaking officer would be more effective.

San Jose police use AI to deliver immigration message in Spanish

San Jose Police Chief Paul Joseph used AI to translate his voice into Spanish for a message to residents. The message assures residents that the police department does not enforce immigration laws. The goal is to encourage people to report crimes without fear of immigration consequences. Some community members question why a Spanish-speaking person wasn't used instead of AI. The mayor supports the use of AI to break down language barriers.

Unpublished report reveals AI safety test results

A government report on AI safety testing was not published due to concerns about conflicting with the new administration. The report detailed how AI researchers tested cutting-edge language models for weaknesses. They found 139 ways the systems could misbehave, like spreading misinformation or leaking data. The researchers also found issues with a government standard for testing AI systems. Some believe publishing the report would have helped companies improve their AI systems.

NIST creates AI security guidance based on cybersecurity framework

The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) is creating AI security guidance for cybersecurity professionals. The guidance will build on NIST's existing Cybersecurity Framework. NIST aims to help professionals manage the impact of AI on their work. The project focuses on securing AI systems, addressing the use of AI in cyberattacks, and using AI to improve cybersecurity. NIST will publish a draft of the AI profile for public comment.

ScanTech AI hires DeMeakey Williams as sales SVP

ScanTech AI Systems Inc. hired DeMeakey Williams, Sr. as Senior Vice President of Sales, Business Development, and Investor Relations in April 2025. Williams has experience in growing revenue and securing government contracts. He will focus on growth and expanding ScanTech AI's brand. ScanTech AI provides AI-powered CT screening systems for security. Their scanners are used in airports, seaports, and other facilities to detect hazardous materials.

Anthropic offers AI products to US government for just $1

Anthropic is offering its AI products to the U.S. government for $1 to gain government contracts. Anthropic released Claude Opus 4.1 with 74.5% accuracy, beating models from OpenAI and Google. OpenAI is also competing for government contracts by open-sourcing models. Anthropic's low pricing shows confidence in its technology and aims for government validation and stable revenue.

Tavily gets $25M to connect AI agents to the internet

Tavily, a startup that connects AI agents to the web, raised $25 million. The company helps AI agents find information online while following company policies. Tavily's tools allow companies like Groq and MongoDB to search and extract insights from public and private sources. Tavily was founded by Rotem Weiss, who created the open-source project GPT Researcher. The company aims to connect the next billion AI agents to the web.

Meta spends big to recruit top AI experts

Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg is offering large compensation packages to attract AI experts. Meta is hiring talent from companies like Apple and OpenAI. The company wants to build top AI products. Some AI experts have received offers worth over a billion dollars in stock options. Meta is recruiting AI prodigies like Alexandr Wang, Matt Deitke, and Shengjia Zhao.

Dell layoffs impact sales team amid AI shift

Dell Technologies has cut sales roles, including its 'new logo' acquisitions team. This is part of a larger reorganization driven by its growing AI business.

AGY releases new glass fiber for AI hardware

AGY, a US glass fiber manufacturer, launched L-HDI glass fiber for AI hardware. L-HDI is designed for advanced packaging and chip packaging in AI systems. The product completes AGY's AI-focused glass fiber portfolio. L-HDI provides stability and reliability for AI integrated circuit packaging. AGY's glass fiber products are used in components like optical transceivers and high-speed routers.

AI used to charge customers for minor or fake damage

Companies are using AI to charge customers for minor or made-up damage. Hertz rental cars uses UVeye to scan returned vehicles for damage. Customers are being charged for trivial or non-existent damage. Airbnb customers have also been wrongly accused of causing damage. Companies have an advantage because they control the information and can ignore customer complaints.

Sources

• Who gets cheap flights and hotel upgrades? AI will decide.
• US lawmakers criticise possible AI use in personalised flight ticket prices
• AI-powered airline pricing raises red flags over fairness and transparency, Northeastern experts say
• The Issue With AI-Powered Pricing
• San Jose police using AI to translate Chief Joseph's voice into Spanish to build trust
• San Jose police chief uses AI to assure residents the department does not enforce immigration laws
• Inside the Biden Administration’s Unpublished Report on AI Safety
• NIST seeks to avoid reinventing the wheel with AI security guidance
• ScanTech AI Appoints DeMeakey Williams, Sr. as SVP of Sales
• Anthropic Offers AI Products to U.S. Government for $1, Outpacing Competitors with 74.5% Accuracy
• Tavily raises $25M to connect AI agents to the web
• These AI experts are getting offered boatloads of cash by Zuckerberg
• Dell layoffs hit sales and ‘new logo’ team amid AI-driven shift
• AGY Launches New L-HDI Glass Fiber, Completing AI-Centric Product Portfolio
• Non-AI Businesses Now Use Artificial Intelligence To Charge Customers For Minor Or Made-Up Damage