Former Apple design leader Abidur Chowdhury, known for his work on the iPhone Air, has joined Hark, a new AI lab founded by Brett Adcock of Figure AI. Hark aims to redefine human-AI interaction by simultaneously developing AI models, hardware, and interfaces. The company believes dedicated AI hardware, not just phone apps, is crucial for the future of AI. Hark plans to release its first AI models this summer and intends to utilize thousands of NVIDIA B200 GPUs to power its ambitious projects.
In education, the Milwaukee School of Engineering (MSOE) launched its Applied AI Integration (A2I2) Process, embedding practical AI skills across all degree programs, from engineering to nursing. Meanwhile, Washington State has enacted new AI laws, requiring companies like OpenAI to disclose when chatbots are not human and implementing stricter rules for minors, prohibiting sexually explicit or manipulative AI interactions.
On the enterprise front, Cyberhaven introduced "Agentic AI Security" to manage the risks posed by autonomous AI systems, or "shadow agents," providing visibility and control over their data access. In the financial sector, the FSOC and US Department of the Treasury initiated an AI Innovation Series, bringing together institutions, tech firms, and regulators to ensure safe and effective AI deployment, viewing it as vital for financial stability.
Google Cloud saw a significant leadership change as Colleen Kapase, former head of its global partner program, departed and was replaced by David Smith, previously of Microsoft. Separately, Fei-Fei Li, co-founder of World Labs, highlighted spatial intelligence as the next major AI frontier, with World Labs developing a "world model" like Marble to understand 3D environments, which is expected to greatly benefit robotics. TSMC Chairman C.C. Wei also weighed in on the US versus China competition in robotics, focusing on AI advancements against hardware manufacturing capabilities.
The utility of AI tools is also under scrutiny, with a 2026 review examining Granola AI, an AI meeting notes tool that records calls and generates summaries, questioning its reliability for complex discussions. In healthcare, a study in NPJ Digital Medicine outlined four essentials for deploying ambient AI scribes at scale, emphasizing ethical design, inclusive development, and contextual validation to mitigate bias and ensure patient privacy.
Key Takeaways
- Hark, founded by Brett Adcock and joined by former Apple designer Abidur Chowdhury, is developing new AI hardware, models, and interfaces, planning to use thousands of NVIDIA B200 GPUs.
- The Milwaukee School of Engineering (MSOE) has integrated practical AI skills into all its degree programs through the Applied AI Integration (A2I2) Process.
- Washington State enacted new AI laws requiring companies like OpenAI to disclose chatbot identity and imposing stricter rules for minors regarding AI interactions.
- Cyberhaven launched "Agentic AI Security" to provide visibility and control over autonomous AI systems ("shadow agents") on endpoints.
- The Financial Stability Oversight Council (FSOC) and US Treasury initiated an AI Innovation Series to promote safe and effective AI deployment in the financial sector.
- David Smith, formerly of Microsoft, replaced Colleen Kapase as the head of Google Cloud's global partner program.
- Fei-Fei Li of World Labs identifies spatial intelligence as the next AI frontier, with World Labs developing a "world model" like Marble for 3D environment understanding, benefiting robotics.
- TSMC Chairman C.C. Wei highlighted the competition between US AI advancements and China's hardware manufacturing in the global robotics race.
- A review of Granola AI, an AI meeting notes tool, questions its reliability for complex discussions despite its ability to generate transcripts and summaries.
- A study outlined four key requirements for deploying ambient AI scribes in healthcare, focusing on ethical design, inclusive development, and contextual validation to ensure safety and mitigate bias.
Ex-Apple Designer Creates Hark for New AI Hardware
A former Apple design leader has launched a new company called Hark. Hark aims to create AI hardware that works closely with AI models and interfaces. The company plans to design AI models, hardware, and interfaces all at the same time, similar to Apple's approach. This move signals a belief that AI needs its own special hardware, not just apps on phones. Hark joins other startups focused on building dedicated AI devices.
Former Apple Designer Abidur Chowdhury Joins Hark for AI Interface
Abidur Chowdhury, a former design lead at Apple known for his work on the iPhone Air, has joined Hark. Hark is an AI lab founded by Brett Adcock, aiming to create a new way for people to interact with AI. Chowdhury believes current devices are not designed for the future of AI. Hark plans to develop AI models, hardware, and interfaces together for a seamless experience. The company expects to release its first AI models this summer.
Figure AI Founder and iPhone Air Designer Create Mystery AI Product
Brett Adcock, founder of Figure AI, has launched a new company called Hark. Hark is developing a physical AI product by combining AI models, software, hardware, and new interfaces. Abidur Chowdhury, a former Apple designer credited with the iPhone Air, is a key hire. Adcock aims to create AI that anticipates user needs and reduces mental workload. Hark has a team of over 45 researchers and engineers and plans to use thousands of NVIDIA B200 GPUs.
MSOE Integrates Applied AI Across All Degree Programs
The Milwaukee School of Engineering (MSOE) has introduced a new plan called the Applied AI Integration (A2I2) Process. This initiative ensures all MSOE students gain practical skills in artificial intelligence, regardless of their major. The A2I2 framework focuses on foundational knowledge, practical application, critical evaluation, and social responsibility of AI. MSOE aims to prepare graduates for a future where AI impacts every industry by embedding these skills into existing curricula.
MSOE Creates University-Wide Applied AI Curriculum Framework
MSOE has launched a new university-wide framework called the Applied AI Integration (A2I2) Process. This framework sets standards for incorporating AI concepts into all degree programs, including engineering, business, and nursing. Instead of separate AI courses, AI topics are integrated into existing classes. The goal is to equip all graduates with essential AI literacy and practical skills needed for the modern workforce.
Cyberhaven Launches Solution for Agentic AI Security Risks
Cyberhaven has released Agentic AI Security to address the growing risks of autonomous AI systems, known as shadow agents. These AI agents are increasingly used on endpoints and have significant access to data and systems. Cyberhaven's new solution provides visibility, observability, and control over these AI agents. This helps security teams manage AI systems proactively and safely as agentic AI adoption accelerates.
TSMC Chairman Wei Discusses US AI vs China Hardware in Robotics
TSMC Chairman C.C. Wei has sparked a debate about the global robotics race. He discussed whether the US or China has the advantage in developing and commercializing humanoid robots. The discussion highlights the competition between US AI advancements and China's hardware manufacturing capabilities in the robotics sector.
Google Cloud Partner Head Departs; Microsoft Exec Takes Over
Colleen Kapase, the former head of Google Cloud's global partner program, has suddenly left the company. David Smith, Microsoft's former worldwide channel sales head, will replace her. Kapase previously stated that AI is Google's birthright due to its AI-focused infrastructure. Smith's appointment signals a significant leadership change in Google Cloud's partner organization.
Washington State Passes New AI Laws for Misinformation and Minors
Washington State has enacted new laws to regulate artificial intelligence. Governor Bob Ferguson signed two bills requiring companies like OpenAI to provide disclosures for their chatbots. These chatbots must inform users they are not human at the start of conversations and periodically during ongoing chats. The laws also include stricter rules for minors, prohibiting sexually explicit conversations and manipulative engagement techniques.
Spatial Intelligence is Next AI Frontier World Labs Fei-Fei Li Says
Fei-Fei Li, co-founder of World Labs, believes spatial intelligence is the next major area for artificial intelligence. World Labs is developing a 'world model' that can understand 3D environments and physics. Their first model, Marble, was released in November. This technology is expected to significantly benefit robotics companies by providing realistic environments for training and testing robots.
Granola AI Meeting Notes Tool Reviewed for 2026
This 2026 review examines Granola AI, an AI tool designed to take notes during meetings. The article questions its real reliability in handling complex discussions and transforming notes into usable professional documents. It explains how Granola AI works by joining calls, recording audio, and processing it with AI to generate transcripts, summaries, and identify action items. The review simulates a meeting to assess Granola AI's strengths and weaknesses.
Four Essentials for Health Execs Using Ambient AI Scribes
A study published on March 23 in NPJ Digital Medicine outlines four key requirements for healthcare executives deploying ambient AI scribes at scale. These include ethical design, inclusive development with bias mitigation, and contextual validation across different healthcare settings. The research emphasizes the need for careful evaluation and governance to ensure these AI tools are used safely and effectively, addressing concerns like model bias and patient privacy.
FSOC and Treasury Launch AI Innovation Series for Finance
The Financial Stability Oversight Council (FSOC) and the US Department of the Treasury have started the AI Innovation Series. This initiative brings together financial institutions, tech companies, and regulators to explore safe and effective AI deployment in the financial sector. The series aims to identify key AI use cases and develop practical methods for scaling AI responsibly. Officials view AI adoption as necessary for financial stability and economic growth.
Sources
- Ex-Apple Designer Launches Hark to Reimagine AI Hardware
- Meet the former Apple designer building a new AI interface at Hark
- Figure AI Founder and iPhone Air Designer Team Up on AI Mystery Product
- MSOE Unveils Bold Plan to Integrate Applied AI Into All Degree Programs
- MSOE launches university-wide applied AI curriculum framework
- Cyberhaven Closes the AI Security Gap Amid the Meteoric Rise of Agentic AI
- TSMC's Wei draws battle lines between US AI and China's hardware in robotics race
- Google Cloud Partner Program head who said 'AI is Google’s birthright', departs 'suddenly'; Microsoft’s former channel sales head takes over
- Washington passes new AI laws to crack down on misinformation, protect minors
- Spatial intelligence is the next frontier of AI, says World Labs' Fei-Fei Li
- Examen de Granola AI : Est-ce le Meilleur Outil de Prise de Notes IA pour les RĂ©unions ? [2026]
- 4 must-haves for health execs deploying ambient AI scribes at scale
- FSOC and Treasury Launch AI Innovation Series
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