Google Enhances AI Travel While Microsoft Datacenter Faces Scrutiny

Major developments across the artificial intelligence sector unfolded on November 17, 2025, showcasing AI's expanding role from personal travel planning to global infrastructure and ethical considerations. Google significantly enhanced its AI-powered travel tools, introducing new features in Search to simplify trip planning. Users can now leverage Canvas in AI Mode to build detailed itineraries, like a five-day Tokyo trip focusing on ramen and pizza, and refine plans with further questions. The Flight Deals tool, which helps users find real-time bargains, expanded globally to over 200 countries and 60 languages, including a beta rollout in Israel. Google also rolled out agentic booking for restaurant reservations to all US users, with plans to extend this capability to flights and hotels through partnerships with major platforms like Booking.com, Expedia, and Marriott International. Julie Farago, VP of Engineering for Search, confirmed these advancements, noting the flight and hotel booking project is in its early stages. These tools aim to organize existing Google services for a more seamless travel experience. Meanwhile, a public exchange on X saw Elon Musk question Microsoft AI CEO Mustafa Suleyman regarding the construction of Microsoft's Fairwater datacenter in Atlanta. Suleyman had highlighted the datacenter required 15 million labor hours, a figure Musk challenged by asking if they were "doing it right," referencing his own 2024 datacenter build completed in just 19 days, which NVIDIA CEO Jensen Huang praised. Critics suggest labor hours may not be the most effective metric for datacenter scale or efficiency. Beyond these tech giants, AI's impact on education, ethics, and public safety also came into focus. Arizona State University announced substantial investments in AI, with President Michael Crow calling AI the "great equalizer," launching initiatives to prepare students and upskill workers for an AI-driven economy. In the Arab World, Edraak and Crescent Petroleum partnered to launch the "AI for Employment" specialisation, offering four free online courses in Arabic to teach practical AI skills and prompt writing to young people. Ethically, Pope Leo XIV urged healthcare leaders at the Vatican to safeguard human dignity as AI integrates into health systems, warning against potential discrimination or bias. Experts also discussed the subtle dangers of AI in nuclear command systems, emphasizing that while humans will always make launch decisions, over-reliance on potentially unreliable AI data could lead to catastrophic choices. On the security front, FaceOff unveiled its Neuro-Quantum Safe AI Security Framework, designed to protect against quantum computing and AI attacks using neuro-symbolic cognition, quantum-resistant cryptography, and adaptive adversarial learning. In law enforcement, the Honolulu Police Department began a 30-day test of Axon's AI program, Draft One, to assist with report writing by transcribing body camera audio, though advocates expressed concerns about "surveillance creep" due to a lack of state-level AI regulation. Finally, AI is making inroads into diverse fields like sports and finance, with World Boxing evaluating AI for reviewing bouts to improve scoring and restore trust, and Regiment Securities partnering with Moneyball.ai to automate and personalize investment banking operations, aiming to speed up deals and expand investor reach.

Key Takeaways

  • On November 17, 2025, Google launched new AI-powered travel features, including Canvas in AI Mode for itinerary building and expanded Flight Deals globally to over 200 countries and 60 languages.
  • Google's AI Mode now offers agentic booking for restaurant reservations in the US and plans to add flight and hotel booking with partners like Booking.com and Expedia.
  • Elon Musk publicly questioned Microsoft AI CEO Mustafa Suleyman about the 15 million labor hours taken to build Microsoft's Fairwater datacenter, contrasting it with his own 19-day datacenter build praised by NVIDIA CEO Jensen Huang.
  • Arizona State University made significant investments in AI, launching new tools, research, and credentials to prepare students and upskill the workforce for an AI-driven economy.
  • Edraak and Crescent Petroleum launched the "AI for Employment" specialisation, offering four free online Arabic courses to teach practical AI skills to young people in the Arab World.
  • Pope Leo XIV urged healthcare leaders to ensure ethical AI use, safeguarding human dignity and preventing discrimination or bias in health systems.
  • Experts highlighted the subtle dangers of AI in nuclear command systems, warning against human over-reliance on potentially unreliable AI data, rather than rogue AI.
  • FaceOff introduced its Neuro-Quantum Safe AI Security Framework, combining neuro-symbolic cognition, quantum-resistant cryptography, and adaptive adversarial learning to protect against advanced attacks.
  • The Honolulu Police Department began testing Axon's AI program, Draft One, for report writing, raising concerns among advocates about "surveillance creep" due to a lack of AI regulation in Hawai'i.
  • World Boxing is evaluating AI for reviewing bouts to improve scoring and restore trust, while Regiment Securities partnered with Moneyball.ai to automate investment banking operations.

Google Search AI helps plan and book travel

On November 17, 2025, Google launched new AI-powered features in Search to simplify travel planning. These tools help users build itineraries with Canvas in AI Mode, find flight deals, and book reservations. Flight Deals expanded globally to over 200 countries and 60 languages. Agentic AI now books restaurants in the US, with future plans to book flights and hotels directly through partners like Booking.com and Expedia. Julie Farago, VP of Engineering for Search, highlighted these updates.

Google AI Mode visualizes travel plans

On November 17, 2025, Google launched new AI Mode features to help users plan travel. Users can describe a trip, and AI Mode will create a detailed plan in its Canvas tool. This plan includes flight and hotel options, plus suggested activities. Users can refine plans with more questions. Agentic booking for restaurants is now available for all US users, and Google plans to add flight and hotel booking with partners like Expedia soon.

Google expands AI travel tools globally

On November 17, 2025, Google expanded its AI-powered travel features in Search. The Flight Deals tool is now available globally in over 200 countries and 60 languages, helping users find affordable flights. Google also added the Canvas tool to AI Mode, allowing users to create detailed travel plans on desktop in the US. Additionally, AI Mode now offers agentic booking for restaurant reservations to more users, with plans to add flight and hotel booking in the future.

Google AI creates travel plans and deals

On November 17, 2025, Google launched new AI travel features, including an expanded Canvas tool. Canvas uses AI to create detailed, day-by-day travel itineraries based on user requests, like a five-day Tokyo trip for ramen and pizza. The new Flight Deals feature finds flights based on text prompts. Google's AI Mode also helps find and book dinner reservations through services like Google Maps and OpenTable. These tools aim to organize existing Google services for easier travel planning.

Google plans AI flight and hotel booking

On November 17, 2025, Google announced it is developing an agentic tool for booking flights and hotels. This new feature aims to make AI Mode a complete travel hub where users can plan and book trips. Users will describe their needs to compare flights and hotels, then quickly complete bookings with partners. Julie Farago, VP of engineering for Travel and Local on Google Search, confirmed the project is in early stages. Google is working with major partners like Booking.com, Expedia, and Marriott International.

Google launches AI Flight Deals in Israel

On November 17, 2025, Google launched its AI-powered Flight Deals tool in Israel through Google Flights. This tool helps flexible travelers find real-time bargains by simply describing their desired trip in Hebrew. Flight Deals uses advanced AI to understand requests and connect to data from hundreds of airlines and booking sites. Google is rolling out the beta tool to all users in Israel over the next two days, with no sign-up needed.

Google AI Mode expands booking features

Google introduced new tools and expanded existing ones in its AI Mode. The beta for Flight Deals is now available. Google also added a new Canvas feature to AI Mode. This Canvas tool provides an organized space for users to build plans or projects. It can also help plan trips by suggesting destinations, hotels, and bookings.

Edraak and Crescent Petroleum launch AI skills

On November 17, 2025, Edraak and Crescent Petroleum expanded their Career Compass Pathway with a new AI Skill-Building Specialisation called AI for Employment. This program offers four online courses in Arabic to teach practical AI skills and applications across different industries. It aims to prepare young people in the Arab World for future jobs, as AI reshapes the workforce. Participants will learn to use AI productivity tools and write better AI prompts. Those who complete the free courses will receive a certificate.

Crescent Petroleum Edraak boost Arab youth AI

On November 17, 2025, Crescent Petroleum and Edraak partnered to launch the AI for Employment specialisation. This program offers four free online courses in Arabic to teach young people practical AI skills. It aims to prepare Arab youth for a changing job market where AI is becoming crucial. Students will learn to use AI tools and write effective AI prompts. This initiative builds on their successful Career Compass Pathway, which has already trained 1.3 million young people in business skills.

Pope urges ethical AI in healthcare

On November 17, 2025, Pope Leo XIV spoke at the 9th Seminar on Ethics in Health Management in the Vatican. He urged healthcare leaders to safeguard human dignity as AI and technology integrate into health systems. The Pope warned that AI could lead to subtle discrimination or bias if misused for economic or political gain. He emphasized that technological progress must not reduce people to mere data or statistics. Instead, health professionals should adopt a broad ethical vision guided by solidarity and human contact.

Elon Musk questions Microsoft AI datacenter

On November 17, 2025, Elon Musk publicly questioned Microsoft AI CEO Mustafa Suleyman on X. Suleyman had bragged that Microsoft's Fairwater datacenter in Atlanta took 15 million labor hours to build, more than the Empire State Building. Musk responded by asking if they were "doing it right." This comes after Musk himself built a datacenter in just 19 days in 2024, earning praise from NVIDIA CEO Jensen Huang. Critics suggest that labor hours might not be the best way to measure a datacenter's scale or efficiency.

FaceOff launches new AI security framework

FaceOff unveiled its Neuro-Quantum Safe AI Security Framework to protect against quantum computing and AI attacks. This framework combines neuro-symbolic cognition, quantum-resistant cryptography, and adaptive adversarial learning. Neuro-Cognitive Shielding acts like a human brain to detect deepfakes and anomalies. The Quantum-Safe Cryptographic Spine uses Kyber-based Post-Quantum Cryptography and self-evolving Adversarial Neural Cryptography for unbreakable encryption. Neuro-Adaptive Behavioral Defense secures identity and decision-making, while Neuro-Quantum Safe TAPE protects historical data. A Human-in-the-Loop system ensures ethical oversight.

Honolulu police test AI for reports

On November 17, 2025, the Honolulu Police Department began a 30-day test of Axon's AI program, Draft One, for writing reports. This tool will auto-transcribe body camera audio to help summarize report narratives. Interim Chief Rade Vanic plans to get public input before a full rollout. However, advocates like Liam Chinn fear "surveillance creep" due to a lack of state laws regulating police AI use. While other states like California are passing laws, Hawai i lawmakers are not currently prioritizing AI legislation for law enforcement.

ASU invests in AI for education

On November 17, 2025, Arizona State University announced its significant investment in artificial intelligence. ASU President Michael Crow calls AI the "great equalizer" and the university is adapting quickly. ASU launched various initiatives to prepare students for an AI-driven economy. These efforts include new tools, research, and credentials designed to upskill current workers. The goal is to ensure both students and the workforce stay current with the fast-changing job market.

AI and nuclear weapons a subtle danger

On November 17, 2025, experts discussed the subtle dangers of AI in nuclear command systems. While military leaders are interested in AI for its data processing speed, officials like Gen. Anthony Cotton confirm humans will always make nuclear launch decisions. The US and China even issued a joint statement on this. However, the real concern is not rogue AI, but humans relying too much on AI for critical decisions. Experts worry that AI could provide unreliable data, potentially pushing human leaders toward catastrophic choices.

World Boxing considers AI for scoring

On November 17, 2025, World Boxing's outgoing president, Boris van der Vorst, announced the organization is evaluating using Artificial Intelligence to review bouts. This move aims to fix the sport's controversial scoring system and restore trust among fans and boxers. Improving scoring is a key step for World Boxing to gain full recognition from the International Olympic Committee for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics. The organization also recently introduced a ranking system to ensure top boxers meet later in tournaments.

Regiment Securities partners with Moneyball.ai

On November 17, 2025, Regiment Securities and Moneyball.ai announced a partnership to bring AI to investment banking. Moneyball.ai's AI Investment Banker will automate and personalize Regiment Securities' operations, speeding up deals and expanding investor reach. This collaboration helps Regiment connect accredited investors with growth companies more efficiently. Julia Whippo, CEO of Moneyball.ai, stated their goal is to make investor relationships more productive. Michael Cavanaugh, CEO of Regiment Securities, praised Moneyball.ai's technology and understanding of finance.

Sources

NOTE:

This news brief was generated using AI technology (including, but not limited to, Google Gemini API, Llama, Grok, and Mistral) from aggregated news articles, with minimal to no human editing/review. It is provided for informational purposes only and may contain inaccuracies or biases. This is not financial, investment, or professional advice. If you have any questions or concerns, please verify all information with the linked original articles in the Sources section below.

Google AI Travel Planning Flight Booking Hotel Booking Restaurant Booking AI Mode Canvas Tool Flight Deals Agentic AI Global Expansion AI Skills Training AI in Education Workforce Development Ethical AI AI in Healthcare AI Datacenters AI Security Quantum Computing Law Enforcement AI Police Report Automation AI in Military Nuclear Command Systems AI in Sports AI in Finance Investment Banking Deepfake Detection AI Bias Human Dignity Microsoft Axon Edraak Crescent Petroleum Arizona State University World Boxing Moneyball.ai Regiment Securities

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