google, amazon and openai Updates

Artificial intelligence continues to reshape industries globally, a central theme at the Yahoo Finance Invest conference where leaders discussed AI's impact on business, politics, and the economy. The technology is particularly transforming the retail sector, sparking a significant competition among tech giants. Companies like Google, Amazon, and OpenAI are actively integrating new AI-powered tools into their services to enhance online shopping experiences. For instance, consumers can now purchase Etsy products directly through ChatGPT, and OpenAI has formed a partnership with Walmart. Both Google and Amazon are also bolstering their platforms with AI features, such as Google's Rufus assistant, which has already led to a notable increase in purchases. Affirm CEO Max Levchin observes these shifts, noting AI's profound influence on shopping and the fintech industry.Beyond commerce, AI's reach extends into national security, with the US military currently testing OpenAI's new open-weight models, gpt-oss-120b and gpt-oss-20b. These models operate on secure, air-gapped computers for sensitive data, aligning with the Department of Defense's broader strategy to incorporate generative AI into its operations. OpenAI hopes this release will foster competition and expand its expert community.The professional landscape is also undergoing a significant transformation. AI is creating new avenues for income, as experts in fields like medicine, law, and engineering can now earn money by training AI models, often remotely and with flexible hours through companies like Mercor. However, this development also raises concerns about potential job displacement as AI learns human skills. Thomson Reuters CEO Steve Hasker highlights that generative AI and AI agents are automating tasks traditionally performed by new lawyers or accountants, necessitating a new approach to professional training. Future professionals must learn to validate AI outputs and focus on higher-value work, prompting law schools and firms to adapt their curricula.Financially, AI presents both immense opportunities and considerable risks. In 2025, 418 publicly traded companies, each valued over $1 billion, cited AI as a material risk in their SEC filings. This represents a 46% increase from 2024 and is nine times higher than in 2023, with companies worrying about AI generating biased information, compromising security, or infringing on rights. Despite these warnings, businesses like Take-Two Interactive Software continue to invest in AI for its productivity benefits. Vista Equity Partners CEO Robert Smith, speaking at Yahoo Finance Invest, dismisses AI bubble concerns, asserting that AI will enable enterprise software to take over many services.AI is also making strides in specialized applications. Maven Clinic has introduced AI-powered features to its maternity product, designed to predict and prevent pregnancy risks, potentially reducing NICU stays and C-sections by using data from connected devices and health records. In Mexico, digital fraud surged by 27% in early 2025, with a significant rise in fake identity documents. Kueski's Elizabeth León warns of these advanced threats, emphasizing the need for better cybersecurity education, while Kueski itself employs AI-driven fraud detection.On the geopolitical front, an Nvidia executive at Web Summit 2025 cautioned that US export restrictions on advanced chips to China could impede global AI progress, given China's crucial role in AI development. The US government has confirmed it will not sell cutting-edge AI chips like Blackwell to China. Meanwhile, autonomous vehicle technology continues to advance, with Waymo's self-driving cars now operating on highways in major US cities, utilizing a sensor fusion approach that combines cameras, lidar, and radar to ensure safe navigation.

Key Takeaways

• AI is driving a significant competition among tech giants like Google, Amazon, and OpenAI for dominance in online shopping, with new features allowing purchases directly from platforms like ChatGPT.
• The US military is testing OpenAI's gpt-oss-120b and gpt-oss-20b models on secure, air-gapped systems as part of its strategy to integrate generative AI.
• A growing number of publicly traded companies, specifically 418 firms valued over $1 billion, identified AI as a material risk in their 2025 SEC filings, a 46% increase from 2024.
• New job opportunities are emerging for professionals in fields like medicine and law to train AI models, though concerns about AI-driven job displacement persist.
• Generative AI is reshaping professional training, requiring new entry-level skills focused on validating AI outputs and performing higher-value tasks.
• Nvidia warns that US export restrictions on advanced chips to China could hinder global AI innovation, despite the US government's stance against selling cutting-edge chips like Blackwell to China.
• AI is being applied to improve healthcare outcomes, with Maven Clinic using AI to predict and prevent pregnancy risks, aiming to reduce NICU stays and C-sections.
• Digital fraud, particularly involving fake identity documents, has increased significantly in Mexico, prompting companies like Kueski to deploy AI-driven fraud detection.
• Vista Equity Partners CEO Robert Smith believes AI will enable enterprise software to automate many services, dismissing concerns about an AI bubble.
• Waymo's self-driving cars have expanded operations to highways in multiple US cities, utilizing a sensor fusion approach for safe navigation.

Affirm CEO Max Levchin discusses AI's shopping future

Affirm CEO Max Levchin spoke with Yahoo Finance Executive Editor Brian Sozzi about how artificial intelligence is changing shopping. He also discussed its impact on the fintech industry. Levchin shared his thoughts on the future of humanoid robots and his career path.

Yahoo Finance Invest explores AI crypto and economy

Yahoo Finance is hosting its annual Invest conference in New York City. The event brings together top leaders from business, politics, and finance. They will discuss important topics like artificial intelligence, cryptocurrency, and the broader economic outlook. A liveblog will share real-time updates and key insights from the sessions.

Vista Equity CEO Robert Smith on AI software

Vista Equity Partners CEO Robert Smith spoke with Julie Hyman at Yahoo Finance Invest. He discussed how artificial intelligence affects his company's work. Smith also shared his views on AI bubble worries. He believes AI will allow enterprise software to take over many services.

Professionals can earn money training AI models

Artificial intelligence is creating new job opportunities for professionals. Experts in fields like medicine, law, and engineering can earn money by training AI models. This work involves teaching AI human skills and knowledge, often remotely and with flexible hours. Companies like Mercor offer high-paying roles for these specialized tasks. However, there is a concern that helping AI learn could eventually make these human jobs unnecessary.

AI changes how new professionals learn and work

Thomson Reuters CEO Steve Hasker says artificial intelligence requires a new way of training knowledge professionals. Generative AI and AI agents are automating many tasks once done by new lawyers or accountants. This means entry-level workers need to learn how to validate AI outputs and focus on higher-value work. Law schools and firms must adapt their training to prepare future leaders with human wisdom and expertise. Thomson Reuters is also rethinking its tools and services to support these changes.

Maven Clinic adds AI features to maternity care

Maven Clinic has added new AI-powered features to its maternity product. These new tools help predict and prevent pregnancy risks, leading to fewer NICU stays and C-sections. The platform uses data from connected devices and health records to identify early warning signs for conditions like gestational diabetes and preeclampsia. Maven's enhanced program also provides personalized support for families with babies in the NICU. This innovation aims to give every family a safer pregnancy journey.

US military tests OpenAI's new AI models

OpenAI's new open-weight models, gpt-oss-120b and gpt-oss-20b, are now being tested by the US military. These models will run on secure, air-gapped computers for sensitive data. While some believe OpenAI's tools are not yet as advanced as competitors, their availability is a welcome option for defense contractors like Lilt. The Department of Defense plans to use generative AI in its operations. OpenAI hopes releasing these models will increase competition and grow its expert community.

Companies warn of AI risks in SEC filings

Many companies are now listing artificial intelligence as a major risk in their SEC filings. In 2025, 418 publicly traded companies worth over $1 billion cited AI as a material risk. This is a 46% increase from 2024 and nine times more than in 2023. Companies worry about AI producing biased information, compromising security, or infringing on rights. Despite these warnings, businesses like Take-Two Interactive Software continue to invest in AI for its productivity benefits.

Tech giants battle for AI shopping future

A major competition is starting among tech giants like Google, Amazon, and OpenAI for the future of online shopping. These companies are adding new AI-powered tools to their services to help people shop. For example, users can now buy Etsy products directly from ChatGPT, and OpenAI is partnering with Walmart. Google and Amazon are also enhancing their platforms with AI features like the Rufus assistant, which has significantly boosted purchases. This battle aims to control how consumers use AI to make purchases online.

Kueski warns of rising AI fraud in Mexico

Digital fraud in Mexico jumped 27% in early 2025, with a huge increase in fake identity documents. Kueski's Elizabeth León warns about these advanced threats, especially before the El Buen Fin shopping event. She emphasizes the need for better cybersecurity education in Mexico and a balance between financial inclusion and user protection. Kueski uses AI-driven fraud detection and machine learning to monitor activity. The company also offers KueskiPay to help customers shop online more safely.

Nvidia executive warns on China chip restrictions

An Nvidia executive spoke at Web Summit 2025 about the impact of US export restrictions on advanced chips to China. He emphasized China's significant role in artificial intelligence development. The executive warned that excluding China could hinder global progress and innovation in AI. The US government confirmed it will not sell cutting-edge AI chips like Blackwell to China.

Waymo self-driving cars now operate on highways

Waymo's autonomous vehicles are now driving on highways in the San Francisco Bay Area, Phoenix, and Los Angeles. This move goes against Elon Musk's earlier prediction about the limitations of lidar and radar technology. Waymo uses a sensor fusion approach, combining cameras, lidar, and radar, to create detailed 3D maps and ensure safe driving. The company plans to gradually expand its freeway service to more cities, including Austin and Atlanta. This marks a big step for Waymo's self-driving technology.

Sources

• AI could transform the shopping experience: Affirm CEO weighs in
• Yahoo Finance Invest liveblog: Exclusive conversations on AI, crypto, and the economy
• Vista Equity CEO: AI will let enterprise software 'eat services'
• Get Paid to Train AI: The New Side Hustle for Professionals
• AI requires a rethink of the apprenticeship model for knowledge professionals 
• Maven Clinic Adds AI-Enabled Population Health Capabilities to Maternity Product
• OpenAI’s Open-Weight Models Are Coming to the US Military
• The new AI warnings popping up in SEC filings
• A battle is brewing over the future of online shopping
• Kueski Warns on AI Security as Mexico’s Digital Fraud Climbs
• Nvidia's another top executive 'misses' China, says: Half the world's computer engineers who are ... - The Times of India
• Defying Elon Musk’s Prediction From 3 Months Ago, Waymo Cars Begin Operating On Highways