Apple designer develops ChatGPT speaker as Google pushes AI agents

Key Takeaways

• AI is accelerating cyberattacks by automating LinkedIn data gathering for personalized reconnaissance, increasing security risks for organizations.
• Former Apple designer Jony Ive is working on a screenless ChatGPT smart speaker, facing skepticism due to past failures of similar AI hardware like Humane AI Pin and Rabbit R1.
• An "agentic arms race" is underway in Silicon Valley, with companies like OpenAI and Google developing AI agents for autonomous tasks, such as OpenClaw.
• Microsoft's new gaming head, Asha Sharma, has "no tolerance for bad AI" in game development, prioritizing human creativity.
• U.S. stocks declined as investors sold off companies perceived as AI losers, with CrowdStrike and AppLovin experiencing losses due to AI competition concerns.
• Traditional media training is adapting to AI's influence, focusing on helping spokespeople maintain authenticity against generic AI-generated responses.
• Samsung showcased AI-powered Bespoke AI appliances and Dacor brand at KBIS 2026, including smart storage and refrigerators with AI Vision and Bixby.
• A 2026 AI Powered Digital Marketing & Content Creation Bundle offers training on using AI tools like ChatGPT and Canva to automate content production and reduce burnout.
• The University of Michigan hosted its first AI Hackathon, where students developed AI tools, including DopaMine, for improving the college experience.
• Experts believe AI will transform human job roles rather than make workers obsolete, citing historical patterns of technology altering work.

AI makes cyberattacks faster using LinkedIn data

Cybercriminals can now use AI to quickly gather information from LinkedIn profiles to create personalized attacks. This process, once manual and time-consuming, is now automated, lowering the skills and cost needed for reconnaissance. Attackers can generate tailored messages and materials rapidly, making an employee's online presence a part of an organization's security risk. Defenders must adapt their strategies to account for this increased external visibility.

AI accelerates cyberattacks using LinkedIn data

Artificial intelligence is speeding up cyberattacks by making it easier to gather information from LinkedIn profiles. This AI-driven approach turns public data into intelligence that attackers can use for personalized reconnaissance and attacks. The process is now faster and requires fewer skills, meaning an employee's digital footprint can become a security risk for their company. Security measures need to evolve to address this advanced threat.

Jony Ive's AI speaker faces skepticism

Former Apple designer Sir Jony Ive is reportedly working on a screenless ChatGPT smart speaker. However, recent failures of similar AI hardware like the Humane AI Pin and Rabbit R1 raise doubts about its success. These devices struggled with usability, battery life, and offering clear advantages over smartphones. The article questions whether this new device can overcome these challenges and truly be a breakthrough in standalone AI hardware.

AI agents spark Silicon Valley frenzy

Silicon Valley is experiencing a surge of excitement around AI agents, which can perform tasks autonomously. Projects like OpenClaw, which allows AI agents to manage files and send messages, have gained rapid popularity. This has led to an 'agentic arms race' among major AI companies like OpenAI and Google. While the potential is huge, cybersecurity risks and the need for technical expertise remain significant hurdles for widespread adoption.

New Microsoft gaming chief rejects 'bad AI'

Asha Sharma, the new head of Microsoft's gaming division, has stated she has 'no tolerance for bad AI' in game development. While acknowledging AI's role in gaming, she emphasized that great stories are created by humans. Sharma, who previously led Microsoft's CoreAI Product group, has limited direct experience in the video game industry. Her stance suggests a focus on human creativity over potentially soulless AI-generated content in Microsoft's games.

Media training needs AI focus

Traditional media training is becoming outdated as AI influences how spokespeople communicate. AI can make responses sound generic and less credible, which reporters are starting to notice. New AI training methods focus on practical exercises like comparing AI-generated answers to human ones, practicing specificity, developing opinion discipline, and normalizing natural language. This helps spokespeople maintain their unique voice and expertise in an AI-saturated media landscape.

Samsung showcases AI kitchen tech at KBIS 2026

Samsung is highlighting its AI-powered kitchen innovations at KBIS 2026, featuring its Bespoke AI appliances and premium Dacor brand. The company is showcasing smart storage solutions, including new wine dispensers and integrated 'hidden kitchen' designs. Bespoke AI refrigerators use AI Vision and Bixby voice control for enhanced convenience. Samsung also emphasized its commitment to reliability and quality for its connected kitchen ecosystem.

AI marketing bundle offers huge savings

A new bundle of AI-powered digital marketing and content creation courses is available at a significant discount. The 2026 AI Powered Digital Marketing & Content Creation Bundle teaches users how to leverage AI tools like ChatGPT and Canva for blogs, social media, and more. It covers practical skills such as prompt engineering and building scalable content workflows. This bundle aims to help creators and marketers reduce burnout and save time by automating content production.

Stocks fall amid tariffs and AI stock sell-off

U.S. stocks declined as President Trump increased tariffs and investors sold off companies perceived as AI losers. The S&P 500, Dow Jones, and Nasdaq all saw drops. Trump's new 15% tariffs add to global economic uncertainty. Additionally, companies like CrowdStrike and AppLovin experienced significant losses due to concerns about AI competition. Investors are also wary of major tech companies' spending on AI chips, impacting their future profitability.

Michigan hosts first AI Hackathon

The University of Michigan's Ross School of Business and College of Engineering collaborated for their first AI Hackathon. Over 250 students participated, focusing on using AI to improve the college experience and well-being in education. Teams developed AI agent demos, marketing plans, and budgets. The winning team, DopaMine, created an AI tool to help students manage their to-do lists by accessing their calendars and other data.

Will AI make human workers obsolete?

Experts Ritu Agarwal and Rick Smith from Johns Hopkins Carey Business School discuss the impact of AI on the workforce. While acknowledging AI's revolutionary nature, they argue it won't make human workers obsolete but will change their roles. They suggest that new technologies have historically altered work without eliminating jobs. The experts also note that attributing job losses solely to AI is complex, with other economic factors at play.

Sources

• From LinkedIn to Tailored Attack in 30 Minutes: How AI Accelerates Target Profiling for Cybercrime
• From LinkedIn to Tailored Attack in 30 Minutes: How AI Accelerates Target Profiling for Cybercrime
• Even with iPhone designer Sir Jony Ive behind it, I’m not convinced a ChatGPT smart speaker is the AI breakthrough we’re waiting for
• AI's "centaur phase" consumes Silicon Valley
• New Microsoft gaming chief has "no tolerance for bad AI"
• Your standard media training deck is obsolete: The rise of AI training
• Samsung Highlights Bespoke AI and Dacor Kitchen Appliance Innovations at KBIS 2026
• Beat creative burnout: Get this AI content and marketing bundle for just $25
• Stocks drop after Trump ramps up new tariffs and investors dump potential AI losers
• Ross School of Business and College of Engineering collaborate for first-ever AI Hackathon
• Will artificial intelligence make human workers obsolete?