google, anthropic and microsoft Updates

The artificial intelligence landscape continues to evolve rapidly, with significant developments across various sectors. In the financial world, Helport AI's platform has successfully doubled pre-approved loan applications for a Michigan brokerage, showcasing AI's impact on mortgage operations and loan officer productivity. Citi is exploring AI's potential for operational efficiency by testing an AI agent that integrates models like Google's Gemini and Anthropic's Claude to streamline complex tasks. Meanwhile, the demand for AI services is driving businesses to plan data center capacity years in advance, with nearly 80% of organizations looking ahead a year or more for their AI data center needs. In public safety, Axon plans to acquire Prepared, an AI-powered emergency communications platform, to accelerate emergency response times. Volusia County Schools are also expanding the use of AI-powered metal detectors in high schools to bolster campus safety. On the regulatory front, California is considering AI safety bills, with some companies like Anthropic supporting them for transparency, while others express concerns about innovation. Europe is working to establish a new AI playbook to enhance global competitiveness, focusing on supportive regulation and aid for small and medium-sized businesses. Microsoft is actively testing new AI features through its Windows AI Labs program, aiming to gather user feedback for future enhancements, with Microsoft Paint being one of the first applications to receive AI-powered updates. The importance of human skills in the AI era is also being highlighted, with experts suggesting that judgment, imagination, and empathy remain key competitive advantages. In the startup world, Gigi AI has pivoted from dating to professional networking, raising $3 million to develop its AI-driven platform for facilitating professional introductions.

Key Takeaways

• Helport AI's platform has doubled pre-approved loan applications for a Michigan brokerage, enhancing mortgage operations.
• Citi is testing an AI agent integrating Google's Gemini and Anthropic's Claude to improve operational efficiency.
• Businesses are planning data center capacity up to five years ahead due to surging AI demand, with nearly 80% looking at least a year out.
• Axon intends to acquire Prepared, an AI 911 platform, to speed up emergency response.
• Volusia County Schools are increasing the deployment of AI metal detectors across high schools for campus safety.
• California is deliberating AI safety legislation, with Anthropic supporting proposed bills for transparency.
• Europe is developing strategies to boost its global AI competitiveness through regulation and support for SMEs.
• Microsoft has launched Windows AI Labs to test experimental AI features in Windows applications, gathering user feedback.
• Human skills like judgment and empathy are identified as crucial competitive advantages in the age of AI.
• Gigi AI, a startup, has raised $3 million to develop its AI-powered professional networking platform.

Damon completes electric motorcycle clay model, nears AI integration

Damon Inc. finished the clay master model for its Hypersport Race electric motorcycle, a major step toward prototype testing. This model visually combines the motorcycle's hardware design with Damon's AI-enabled Damon IO platform. The company aims to revolutionize motorcycling with advanced hardware and its AI cloud platform for better safety and connectivity. The Hypersport Race was developed with Italian firm Engines Engineering and will undergo track testing soon.

Helport AI mortgage platform doubles loans for Michigan brokerage

Helport AI has partnered with Best Life & Co., a leading Michigan eXp Realty team, to use its AI sales platform for mortgage operations. Since July, pre-approved loan applications have doubled, showing significant success. The AI platform aims to boost loan officer productivity through remote agents, real-time guidance, and compliance automation. It addresses issues like slow ramp-up times and inconsistent lead follow-up. This partnership marks Helport AI's expansion into the U.S. mortgage market.

Helport AI mortgage platform doubles loans for Michigan brokerage

Helport AI has partnered with Best Life & Co., a leading Michigan eXp Realty team, to use its AI sales platform for mortgage operations. Since July, pre-approved loan applications have doubled, showing significant success. The AI platform aims to boost loan officer productivity through remote agents, real-time guidance, and compliance automation. It addresses issues like slow ramp-up times and inconsistent lead follow-up. This partnership marks Helport AI's expansion into the U.S. mortgage market.

Axon to acquire AI 911 platform Prepared for faster emergency response

Axon, a public safety technology leader, plans to acquire Prepared, an AI-powered emergency communications platform. Prepared synthesizes 911 call audio, text, video, and GPS data into a single view for over 1,000 agencies. This acquisition will strengthen Axon's ecosystem by connecting emergency response from the initial call to the final resolution. The deal is expected to close in early Q4, enhancing response speed and clarity for public safety.

Helport AI mortgage platform doubles loans for Michigan brokerage

Helport AI has partnered with Best Life & Co., a leading Michigan eXp Realty team, to use its AI sales platform for mortgage operations. Since July, pre-approved loan applications have doubled, showing significant success. The AI platform aims to boost loan officer productivity through remote agents, real-time guidance, and compliance automation. It addresses issues like slow ramp-up times and inconsistent lead follow-up. This partnership marks Helport AI's expansion into the U.S. mortgage market.

Europe needs new AI playbook to compete globally

Europe is falling behind the US and China in AI adoption, with significant differences in progress across EU countries. Leaders at the World Economic Forum identified supportive regulation, aid for small and medium-sized businesses (SMEs), and strong national ecosystems as key to boosting AI use. While the EU has introduced the AI Act and an AI Strategy, more needs to be done to foster innovation and competitiveness. Nordic countries are succeeding by innovating on existing AI models and fostering collaboration.

AI Governance Alliance offers 9 plays for responsible AI

The AI Governance Alliance has released a new playbook with nine actionable strategies to help organizations implement AI responsibly. This guide addresses internal barriers and external challenges in AI governance, aiming to build stakeholder trust. The playbook emphasizes turning AI principles into practice through public-private partnerships and international cooperation. Leaders are urged to move beyond compliance and foster adaptive governance frameworks that encourage innovation while protecting society.

Microsoft Windows AI Lab tests new experimental features

Microsoft has launched Windows AI Labs, a new program to test experimental AI features within Windows applications. This initiative allows select users early access to new AI functionalities, providing valuable feedback to Microsoft. The program aims to accelerate the validation of novel AI ideas and assess customer interest and market fit. Microsoft Paint is among the first apps to receive these new AI-powered features.

Microsoft launches Windows AI Labs for testing new features

Microsoft has introduced Windows AI Labs, a pilot program offering early access to experimental AI features in Windows applications. This initiative allows select users to test new AI functionalities and provide feedback before a wider release. The program aims to foster innovation and enhance AI capabilities within the Windows ecosystem. Microsoft plans to gradually expand the program based on user input and feature development.

Human skills are key competitive advantage in AI era

As AI becomes mainstream, businesses face a dilemma between its promised efficiency and fears of eroding human creativity and trust. Experts suggest that while AI offers powerful tools, unique human skills like judgment, imagination, and empathy remain the true competitive advantage. Leaders should use AI as infrastructure, invest in human development, and implement responsible governance. By amplifying humanity with AI, organizations can build lasting trust and innovation.

Baylor ProSales symposium explores AI's impact on sales

Baylor University's ProSales program celebrated its 40th anniversary with a symposium on how artificial intelligence will affect sales. Scholars from seven countries discussed AI's potential to improve efficiency in repetitive tasks and enhance customer segmentation. While AI can boost productivity, experts noted its limitations in empathy and the potential for algorithmic bias. Students are already using AI tools to develop practical sales skills, highlighting AI's growing role in the industry.

California considers AI safety bills amid industry pushback

California Governor Gavin Newsom faces critical decisions on AI safety legislation, including Senate Bill 53. This bill would require advanced AI companies to implement safety frameworks, protect whistleblowers, and allow public reporting of safety incidents. While some AI companies like Anthropic support the bill for promoting transparency, others, like the Software and Information Industry Association, urge vetoes, citing potential impacts on innovation. The governor's stance could significantly shape AI regulation in the state and nationally.

Citi trials AI agent for enhanced operational efficiency

Citi is testing a new AI 'agent' feature within its proprietary platform to improve operational efficiency. Developed over two years, this feature allows users to perform multiple tasks with a single prompt by accessing various company systems. The platform integrates models like Google's Gemini and Anthropic's Claude. This advancement aims to streamline tasks such as client research, profile compilation, and document translation, enhancing user capabilities.

AI demand drives businesses to plan data centers years ahead

The increasing demand for AI services is causing businesses to plan their data center capacity up to five years in advance. A recent report found that nearly 80% of organizations consider their AI data center needs a year ahead due to rising AI workloads. Enterprises are deploying generative AI at high rates, making data center space more competitive. Many are turning to colocation services to supplement storage and performance needs as they navigate the growing demand.

Gigi AI startup pivots from dating to professional networking

Clara Gold's startup Gigi has shifted from developing an AI-powered dating app to creating a professional networking platform to rival LinkedIn. Gigi uses AI and calendar access to identify strong professional connections and facilitate introductions. The platform recently raised $3 million, bringing its total funding to $8 million, to hire engineers and cover AI costs. Gigi aims to help users build meaningful professional relationships beyond simple connections.

Volusia schools expand AI metal detectors for campus safety

Volusia County Schools are increasing the use of AI-powered metal detectors across their high schools to enhance campus safety. These detectors can identify specific items, distinguishing everyday objects from potential threats, unlike traditional metal detectors. Atlantic High School was the first to implement the technology, with four of the ten high schools now equipped. The district plans to install them in all ten high schools by the end of the school year and may expand to middle schools.

Sources

• Damon Successfully Completes HyperSport Race Clay Modelling, Progressing Toward Combining Its AI-Enabled Platform with Advanced Hardware Design
• Pre-Approved Loans Double: Helport AI's Platform Transforms Mortgage Sales at Leading Michigan Brokerage
• Helport AI Partners With Best Life & Co. to Drive AI-Powered Sales Transformation in Mortgage Industry
• Axon to acquire AI-powered 911 communications company Prepared, strengthening the public safety ecosystem from call to closure
• Helport AI Partners With Best Life & Co. to Drive AI-Powered Sales Transformation in Mortgage Industry
• A new AI playbook in Europe: What's needed to win in the AI race?
• Research finds 9 essential plays to govern AI responsibly
• Microsoft’s Windows AI Lab is a new way to test experimental features
• Microsoft launches Windows AI Labs for testing experimental AI features - The Times of India
• AI Will Reshape Business. But The Competitive Advantage Is Still Human
• Baylor ProSales analyzes AI at 40th anniversary symposium
• If California Gov. Gavin Newsom doesn’t sign these AI bills, be afraid
• Citi Integrates Advanced AI Features to Enhance Operational Efficiency
• Data center crunch leads businesses to play the long game
• Why this startup founder scrapped her dating app to build a LinkedIn rival powered by AI
• Volusia schools add AI metal detectors to more campuses