Apple Vision Pro Update, Google AI Overviews Complaint, OpenAI Partnership

The technology sector is experiencing a significant shift as artificial intelligence becomes a central focus for companies across various industries. Businesses are increasing their digital budgets, with a substantial portion now allocated to AI and generative AI, sometimes at the expense of other critical tech areas like cloud platforms and data management. This trend is prompting a reevaluation of investment strategies to ensure balanced technological development. In the realm of AI development, startups are increasingly prioritizing the collection of their own high-quality, proprietary data over web scraping or manual annotation to gain a competitive edge. The California Institute of Artificial Intelligence has launched the world's first AI-created curriculum, aiming to make AI literacy as common as computer literacy. Meanwhile, established tech giants are also making moves: Apple has updated its Vision Pro headset with a more powerful processor and improved battery life amidst growing competition in the mixed-reality market. Google faces a challenge from Italian publishers who have filed a complaint regarding its AI Overviews feature, arguing it significantly reduces website traffic and advertising revenue. In the financial sector, private equity firms are now scrutinizing a company's AI readiness during due diligence, focusing on practical applications that can quickly enhance earnings. Banks, from large institutions to smaller ones, are exploring AI to improve services and regain control over innovation, though many still struggle to see measurable results. Walmart's stock saw a record jump following the announcement of a partnership with OpenAI, enabling ChatGPT users to shop for Walmart products directly within the chatbot, a move that could boost OpenAI's revenue. EY is offering guidance on deploying physical AI, which integrates intelligence into real-world systems like robots and autonomous vehicles, emphasizing large-scale deployment for growth. Zendesk is enhancing its sales strategy by integrating Gong's Revenue AI platform for strategic visibility and real-time customer insights. For individuals looking to enter the AI field, a Google veteran suggests building real-world experience and demonstrating proficiency with tools like large language models.

Key Takeaways

• Companies are significantly increasing digital budgets, with AI and generative AI receiving the largest share of investment, potentially impacting funding for other technologies.
• AI startups are focusing on collecting proprietary data, such as manual filming of daily activities, to train specialized AI vision models and gain a competitive advantage.
• The California Institute of Artificial Intelligence has launched 'The Dawn Directive,' the first educational curriculum entirely created by an AI system.
• Apple has released an updated Vision Pro headset featuring a more powerful M5 processor and improved battery life.
• Italian news publishers have filed a complaint against Google, alleging that its AI Overviews feature acts as a 'traffic killer' and harms media diversity.
• Private equity firms are evaluating a company's AI readiness during due diligence, looking for practical use cases that can quickly boost earnings.
• Walmart's stock reached a record high after announcing a partnership with OpenAI that allows ChatGPT users to shop for Walmart products directly within the chatbot.
• EY is promoting the adoption of physical AI, which embeds intelligence into real-world systems, for sustainable business growth.
• Zendesk has selected Gong's Revenue AI platform to enhance its go-to-market strategy and accelerate revenue growth.
• A Google veteran advises aspiring AI professionals to gain real-world experience and demonstrate the ability to effectively use tools like large language models.

Software companies must adopt AI to stay competitive

Software companies face a major shift as AI becomes essential for survival. New AI-native startups are rapidly growing by building their entire operations around AI. Established companies must reinvent their products and operations to keep up. This transformation is crucial for remaining competitive in the evolving software industry. Companies that adapt can capture significant value and define the future of software.

Digital budgets rise but AI investment may starve other tech

Companies are increasing their digital budgets, but most of the investment is going towards AI and generative AI. Deloitte's 2025 tech value survey shows AI investments are significantly higher than other technologies like cloud platforms or data management. This trend could lead to underfunding other crucial tech areas. To succeed, businesses may need to increase overall digital budgets or rebalance their investments to support all necessary technologies.

EY offers blueprint for using physical AI for growth

EY's Raj Sharma provides a blueprint for businesses to use physical AI, which embeds intelligence into real-world systems like robots and autonomous vehicles. The key is moving from small pilot projects to large-scale deployment for sustainable growth. This requires a strong data framework, navigating new regulations, and enhancing employee skills. Companies that successfully integrate physical AI can gain significant benefits and lead innovation.

Private equity firms evaluate AI readiness in due diligence

Private equity firms are increasingly assessing a company's readiness for artificial intelligence during due diligence. They look for practical AI use cases that can quickly boost earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortization (EBITDA). Key factors include data quality and accessibility, robust technology infrastructure, skilled talent, strong governance, and a culture open to AI-driven changes. Incorporating these findings into post-close plans helps drive early financial gains.

California Institute of AI launches world's first AI-created curriculum

The California Institute of Artificial Intelligence (CIAI) has launched 'The Dawn Directive,' the first educational curriculum entirely created by an AI system from MindHYVE.ai. This 18-course program, delivered via the ArthurAI Virtual Learning Platform, aims to make AI literacy as common as computer literacy. It covers AI literacy, fluency, applications, ethics, and future skills, preparing individuals for an AI-driven world. The initiative seeks to close the global AI fluency gap and ensure widespread readiness for AI advancements.

Apple updates Vision Pro headset amid rising competition

Apple has released an updated version of its Vision Pro mixed-reality headset, despite initial consumer demand concerns. The new model features a more powerful M5 processor and improved battery life. This upgrade comes as competition in the mixed-reality market intensifies. Apple continues to invest in its spatial computing ambitions with this latest iteration of the high-priced headset.

Banks can use AI to improve services and regain control

Banks of all sizes are exploring artificial intelligence, but many struggle to see measurable results. While large banks like JPMorgan Chase are advancing, smaller institutions face challenges with infrastructure and talent. AI can help smaller banks gain digital responsiveness and larger banks achieve agility. Mid-sized banks can use AI to overcome vendor limitations and regain control over innovation. The key is moving beyond basic automation to front-office innovation.

Google veteran shares top tip for breaking into AI

Patrick Leung, who worked on Google Duplex, advises that building real-world experience is the best way to enter the AI field. He suggests seeking AI and machine learning opportunities in your current job or building applicable projects. Leung notes that with tools like large language models (LLMs), the barrier to entry is lower than ever. Demonstrating the ability to effectively use LLMs is increasingly valuable for finding AI-related jobs.

Italian publishers sue Google over AI Overviews impact

Italian news publishers have filed a complaint against Google, calling its AI Overviews feature a 'traffic killer.' They argue that these AI-generated summaries violate regulations and harm media diversity by reducing website traffic and advertising revenue. The publishers are urging the European Commission to investigate Google under the EU Digital Services Act. Similar concerns have been raised in other EU countries regarding the impact of AI Overviews and AI Mode on news outlets.

Firm linked to Trump Jr. advertised AI event with Treasury

A firm with Donald Trump Jr. on its board, 1789 Capital, advertised an 'Inaugural U.S. Treasury A.I. Summit' featuring Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent. After inquiries, the event's name was changed to 'AI Summit on American Prosperity.' Sources state Trump Jr. is not involved in the event itself. The hosting group was co-founded by a donor to JD Vance. The Treasury Department initially confirmed Bessent's attendance but later noted he might skip it.

Zendesk selects Gong Revenue AI to boost sales

Zendesk has chosen Gong's Revenue AI platform to enhance its go-to-market strategy and accelerate revenue growth. Gong's platform will provide Zendesk with strategic visibility, AI-powered coaching, and real-time customer insights. This partnership aims to increase win rates, reduce customer churn, and improve sales productivity. Zendesk expects Gong's capabilities to support its new AI product suite and drive predictable revenue.

AI startups collect their own data for competitive edge

AI startups are increasingly collecting their own data rather than relying on web scraping or low-paid annotators. Companies like Turing Labs are hiring freelancers for manual data collection, such as filming daily activities, to train specialized AI vision models. This focus on high-quality, proprietary data is seen as a competitive advantage. Startups believe that the quality of data, not just quantity, is crucial for AI performance and building strong defenses against competitors.

Walmart stock jumps on OpenAI partnership

Walmart's stock reached a record high after announcing a partnership with OpenAI, allowing ChatGPT users to shop for Walmart products directly within the chatbot. This deal could boost OpenAI's revenue and reduce its debt, potentially easing concerns about an AI bubble on Wall Street. The partnership demonstrates AI's potential for tangible returns on investment and may encourage other retailers to explore similar integrations with ChatGPT.

Sources

• The AI-centric imperative: Navigating the next software frontier
• Digital budgets are rising, but investment strategies may need a recalibration
• From pilots to powering sustainable growth: the C-suite blueprint for physical AI
• Artificial intelligence-ready or not?
• California Institute of Artificial Intelligence (CIAI) Unveils "The Dawn Directive" -- The World's First AI-Created Curriculum for Global AI Fluency
• Apple upgrades Vision Pro headset as competition heats up
• How Banks of Every Size Can Put AI to Work, and Take Back Control
• I pivoted into AI at Google in the 2010s. Here's my top tip for breaking into the field, now it's easier than ever.
• Italian news publishers demand investigation into Google’s AI Overviews
• Trump Jr.-linked firm advertised ‘Treasury’ conference on AI that the government wasn’t in on
• Zendesk Selects Gong Revenue AI Platform to Accelerate its Go-to-Market Transformation as it Introduces New AI Offerings
• Why AI startups are taking data into their own hands
• Walmart Stock Hit Record Highs on OpenAI Deal. What Message Does That Send About the Business of AI?