apple, openai and anthropic Updates

CFO confidence is on the rise at the close of 2025, with 86% of finance chiefs expressing optimism about their companies, according to Deloitte's Q4 survey of 200 North American CFOs. Despite this, they anticipate softer demand, leading to lower predictions for revenues and hiring. A significant challenge for these leaders involves demonstrating the tangible value of AI investments and formulating clear AI strategies. This pressure is amplified by the fact that 42% of companies abandon most AI initiatives, primarily due to poor data quality and a lack of "AI-ready data" and data literacy within their organizations. The conversation has shifted from "should we use AI" to "how do we implement it," as highlighted at the Four Corners AI Conference in Durango. In the competitive AI landscape, Apple has notably delayed a significant upgrade to its Siri AI voice assistant until 2026, aiming to prevent customer disappointment. This comes after competitors like OpenAI, Anthropic, and Google launched advanced AI chatbots throughout 2025. Apple, which saw a mixed response to its Apple Intelligence launch in 2024, is now reorganizing its AI leadership, including bringing in S. Subramanya, formerly of Google Gemini, as a new Vice President of AI. The company maintains a distinct strategy, prioritizing on-device AI for user privacy, contrasting with other tech giants' heavy investments in cloud-based AI infrastructure. Meanwhile, Microsoft PowerPoint continues to be a strong alternative to Google Slides for enterprise collaboration, offering its own AI creation features. The responsible use of AI remains a critical discussion point, as evidenced by the Four Corners AI Conference in Durango, which brought together 600 attendees to explore how rural communities can ethically leverage the technology. However, not all AI applications are without controversy. Texas A&M and Texas State University are utilizing AI to rewrite course descriptions and syllabuses, specifically removing content related to diversity, equity, inclusion, gender, and race, a move critics argue controls education and misuses AI. Furthermore, Senators Marsha Blackburn and Richard Blumenthal are raising serious concerns about AI-powered toys with embedded chatbots, warning of potential risks to children's healthy development, privacy, and exposure to inappropriate content. They are questioning companies like Little Learners Toys, Mattel, and Curio Interactive about their safety measures. Beyond ethical considerations, the industry sees rapid advancements in AI security and robotics. Salt Security, for instance, unveiled "12 Months of Innovation" in 2025, releasing monthly API and AI security breakthroughs. These innovations include solutions for finding hidden APIs, securing AI agents, and protecting critical actions, with the company launching the industry's first solution for AI agent actions security in September and Ask Pepper AI for conversational investigation in December. Concurrently, China's robotics industry is experiencing a boom with over 150 manufacturers, though concerns about a "robot bubble" persist due to the robots' current limitations for many human jobs. In education, experts suggest teachers embrace creative teaching methods and varied assessments, such as recorded journals and oral assessments, rather than attempting to "AI-proof" assignments, acknowledging AI's rapid integration into student tools.

Key Takeaways

• CFO confidence is up at the end of 2025, but 86% of companies face pressure to demonstrate the value of AI investments and develop clear AI strategies.
• 42% of companies abandon most AI initiatives due to poor data quality and insufficient data literacy within organizations.
• Apple delayed a major upgrade to its Siri AI voice assistant until 2026 and hired S. Subramanya, formerly of Google Gemini, as a new Vice President of AI.
• OpenAI, Anthropic, and Google launched advanced AI chatbots in 2025, while Apple focuses on on-device AI for user privacy.
• The Four Corners AI Conference in Durango, attended by 600, focused on responsible AI implementation and ethical use in rural communities.
• Texas A&M and Texas State University are using AI to rewrite course content, removing terms related to diversity, equity, inclusion, gender, and race.
• Senators Marsha Blackburn and Richard Blumenthal warn about AI-powered toys, citing risks to children's development, privacy, and exposure to inappropriate content.
• Salt Security released monthly API and AI security innovations in 2025, including an industry-first solution for AI agent actions security and Ask Pepper AI for conversational investigation.
• China's robotics industry is booming with over 150 manufacturers, but faces concerns about a "robot bubble" due to robots not yet being advanced enough for many human jobs.
• Educators are advised to use creative teaching methods like recorded journals and oral assessments, and have students critique AI, rather than trying to "AI-proof" assignments.

Four Corners AI Conference discusses rural AI use

The Four Corners AI Conference took place on Tuesday, December 16, 2025, at Fort Lewis College in Durango. This event, co-hosted by the college and the city, brought together 600 attendees to discuss how rural communities can responsibly use artificial intelligence. Speakers like Durango School District Superintendent Karen Cheser highlighted AI's potential to improve classroom learning and help teachers. Durango City Manager Jos Madri gal noted AI's role in boosting city efficiency but stressed ethical use and data security. Fort Lewis College Professor Tom Miaskiewicz also spoke about AI's evolving efficiency and its potential for innovation.

Durango hosts conference on AI for rural areas

The Four Corners AI Conference was held on Tuesday, December 16, 2025, at Fort Lewis College in Durango. This second annual event, co-hosted by the college and the city, sold out its 600 seats to discuss how rural communities can use AI responsibly. FLC Provost Mario Martinez noted the shift from "should we use AI" to "how do we implement it." Durango School District Superintendent Karen Cheser explained how AI helps teachers and students, making classrooms "more human." City Manager Jos Madri gal discussed AI's use in city operations for efficiency, while emphasizing ethical use and data security.

Teachers must get creative with AI in classrooms

Experts say teachers cannot fully stop students from using AI in classrooms, as the technology is rapidly advancing with new gadgets like smartwatches and AI-embedded browsers. Instead of trying to "AI-proof" assignments, instructors should focus on creative teaching methods and varied assessments. Luke Hobson from MIT suggests recorded journals, student interviews, and oral assessments. He also advises having students critique AI to understand its limits. Leon Furze, a Ph.D. candidate, points out that hands-on projects remain largely resistant to AI use.

CFO confidence rises but AI value remains a challenge

CFO confidence is increasing at the end of 2025, according to Deloitte's Q4 survey of 200 CFOs across North America. 36% see the economy as good, and 86% are more optimistic about their companies. However, finance chiefs expect softer demand, lowering predictions for revenues and hiring. Top concerns include the economy, inflation, and internal cost management, with efficiency and productivity now ranking higher than talent issues. This shift highlights the growing pressure on CFOs to show the value of AI investments and develop clear AI strategies for their organizations.

Apple delays major AI updates until 2026

Apple delayed a significant upgrade to its Siri AI voice assistant until 2026, aiming to avoid customer disappointment. While competitors like OpenAI, Anthropic, and Google launched advanced AI chatbots in 2025, Apple's AI efforts have been less public since its mixed-response Apple Intelligence launch in 2024. The company is now reorganizing its AI leadership, including hiring S. Subramanya, formerly of Google Gemini, as a new Vice President of AI. Apple focuses on on-device AI for user privacy, a different strategy from other tech giants who invest heavily in cloud-based AI infrastructure. The upcoming year will be critical for Apple to deliver on its AI promises.

Texas universities use AI to change course content

Texas A&M and Texas State University are using AI to rewrite course descriptions and syllabuses, aiming to remove content related to diversity, equity, inclusion, gender, and race. Texas State University, for example, flagged classes like "Intro to Diversity" for name changes to appear more neutral. Critics, including Chris Gilliard and Emily Bender, argue this move controls education and misuses AI, which lacks true understanding. Faculty members express frustration over losing teaching autonomy and face pressure to comply with these changes. This practice raises concerns about the future of higher education.

Senators warn about dangers of AI powered toys

Senators Marsha Blackburn and Richard Blumenthal are raising serious concerns about AI-powered toys, especially those with embedded chatbots. They warn these toys pose risks to children's healthy development, privacy, and can expose them to inappropriate content or dangerous advice. The senators are questioning companies like Little Learners Toys, Mattel, and Curio Interactive about their safety measures. They want to know about independent testing, safeguards against inappropriate content, and how companies collect and share children's data. Curio Interactive stated they are working to address concerns and prioritize child safety.

Salt Security unveils 12 months of AI and API innovations

Salt Security announced its "12 Months of Innovation" for 2025, releasing new API and AI security breakthroughs every month. The company focused on giving security teams better control and visibility where applications, data, and AI intersect. CEO Roey Eliyahu noted the growing risks as APIs power AI agents and digital businesses. Key innovations included finding hidden APIs, securing AI agents, and protecting critical actions. Salt Security also launched the industry's first solution for AI agent actions security in September and introduced Ask Pepper AI for conversational investigation in December. The company plans to continue investing in securing API and AI systems in 2026.

China's booming robot industry faces bubble concerns

China's robotics industry is growing very quickly, with over 150 manufacturers making robots that can mimic human movement and perform simple tasks. However, concerns are rising about a potential "robot bubble" because these robots are not yet advanced enough for many jobs currently done by people. The Chinese government warns of too many similar products. Lian Jye Su, a tech analyst, explains that China's fast adoption of new technology often leads to many companies competing for small market shares. Despite these concerns, China leads globally in robot manufacturing and use, with robots commonly seen in Beijing.

Best Google Slides alternatives for team projects

This article reviews the top alternatives to Google Slides for online collaboration, focusing on features important for team projects. These tools are judged on their ability to allow real-time co-editing, AI creation features, brand control, and reliable exports. While Google Slides offers strong collaboration and AI design aids, other options provide different strengths. Noteworthy alternatives include Microsoft PowerPoint for enterprise use, Canva for design and AI, Pitch for team workspaces, and Skywork AI for prompt-to-deck creation. Each alternative offers unique benefits for different team needs.

Poor data quality harms AI project success

Many AI projects fail, with 42% of companies abandoning most initiatives, largely due to poor data quality. The problem is not the AI models themselves, but a lack of "AI-ready data" and insufficient data literacy within organizations. Bad data can lead to security breaches, reputational damage, and regulatory fines, as AI quickly amplifies flawed decisions. To succeed, AI needs data with semantic context, built on strong metadata management, governance by design, continuous monitoring, and clear data lineage. Additionally, people must understand the data they are using for AI to be effective.

Sources

• Four Corners AI Conference explores artificial intelligence in rural communities
• Four Corners AI Conference explores artificial intelligence in rural communities
• You Can’t AI-Proof the Classroom, Experts Say. Get Creative Instead.
• CFO confidence rebounds, but delivering AI’s value is the next test in 2026
• Apple punted on AI this year. Next year will be critical
• Texas Universities Use AI To Rewrite How Classes Talk About Race
• Blackburn, Blumenthal raise alarms over AI toys
• Salt Security Outpaces API Security Market with "12 Months of Innovation" in 2025, Delivering a New API and AI Security Breakthrough Every Month
• Does China Have a Robot Bubble?
• Top Slides alternatives for online collaboration
• Why Bad Data Is Dooming Your AI Investments