July 19, 2025

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AI is making waves across various sectors, from Hollywood to business schools and even drug discovery. In Hollywood, debates are ongoing about AI's role in filmmaking, with concerns about job losses and the impact on human artistry. Groups like the Motion Picture Sound Editors are banning AI-generated sound from awards consideration, while others explore AI's potential in areas like voice refinement and film production. Screenwriters, like Billy Ray, are worried about AI eroding storytelling, even after the Writers Guild of America secured some protections. On the academic front, American University and other business schools are launching AI and business analytics programs to equip students with future-ready skills. These programs aim to integrate AI learning with diverse fields like STEM, arts, and policy. In the realm of drug discovery, companies like Recursion are using AI to accelerate the process, with Recursion's AI-designed drug candidate, REC-3565, now in phase I trials. Meanwhile, Google is enhancing its AI capabilities with the Gemini 2.5 Pro model, offering advanced features like reasoning, math explanation, and code writing for paying customers. They're also introducing a call feature powered by Duplex. Perplexity is challenging Google with its AI-powered Comet browser, offering features like AI-driven summaries and task automation. In finance, Virturo Broker has launched an AI trading suite for wealthy clients, providing tools for fast execution and portfolio management. Finally, the data center market, dominated by giants like Amazon, Microsoft, and Google, is seeing rapid growth, with companies focusing on protecting their AI, energy, and cooling advancements through patents and trade secrets. Even tools like ChatGPT are being explored for their utility, with writers finding them helpful for tasks like memo writing and checklist creation, while also noting the need for educators to understand AI's impact.

Key Takeaways

  • Hollywood is grappling with AI's impact on filmmaking, sparking debates about job security and artistic integrity.
  • The Motion Picture Sound Editors are banning AI-generated sound from awards consideration.
  • Recursion has an AI-designed cancer drug, REC-3565, in phase I clinical trials.
  • American University and other business schools are launching AI and business analytics programs.
  • Google is enhancing its AI Mode with the Gemini 2.5 Pro model, offering advanced features to paying subscribers.
  • Google is adding a call feature powered by Duplex, where AI calls businesses for you to get information.
  • Perplexity's Comet browser challenges Google by integrating AI-powered search and task automation.
  • Virturo Broker launched an AI trading suite for wealthy clients, featuring tools for execution and risk management.
  • Amazon, Microsoft, and Google are leading the $1 trillion data center market, protecting AI advancements with patents.
  • ChatGPT is being used by writers for tasks like memo writing, highlighting the need for educators to understand AI's role.

AI in Hollywood awards shows sparks debate over human artistry

Hollywood is debating the use of AI in filmmaking, especially regarding awards. The use of AI to refine actor's voices in 'The Brutalist' caused controversy. Some groups like the Motion Picture Sound Editors are banning AI-generated sound from consideration. Others worry about fairly evaluating AI use, as technology evolves rapidly. Unions like SAG-AFTRA are struggling to address AI's impact, while some studios boldly explore AI's potential.

Can AI solve cancer? The search for AI-designed drugs

Drug discovery is a slow process, but AI could speed things up. Peter Ray, a drug designer at Recursion, is working on a cancer drug using AI. Recursion and other startups are using AI to find new drug targets and design molecules. Recursion has a drug candidate, REC-3565, designed using AI that is now in phase I trials. While no AI-designed drugs are on the market yet, companies are hopeful AI can make drug discovery faster and cheaper.

AI screenwriting: Hollywood writers fear job losses and bad movies

Hollywood screenwriters are worried about AI taking their jobs. Screenwriter Billy Ray is concerned that AI will erode storytelling and put writers out of work. The Writers Guild of America won some protections in 2023, but Ray believes more firewalls are needed. Studios are exploring AI, potentially leading to chaos and bad movies. Ray says the public has a right to know if they are watching something written by a human.

Hollywood's AI civil war: Will machines take over filmmaking?

Hollywood is in the middle of an AI revolution, with startups like Asteria exploring AI's potential in filmmaking. Natasha Lyonne and Bryn Mooser are developing 'Uncanny Valley,' an AI film. AI is being used in various ways, from generating images to saving costs. However, a countermovement is rising, with concerns about the impact on artistry and jobs. The debate continues whether AI will lead to innovation or the demise of traditional filmmaking.

American University launches AI and business analytics programs

American University's Kogod School of Business is launching new AI and business analytics programs. These include an undergraduate major and minor, a master's degree, and certificate programs. The programs aim to combine AI learning with other fields of study. They are designed for business students and those in STEM, arts, policy, and education. The university has also invested in AI courses, partnerships, and a research institute.

Business schools teach AI, sustainability, and global skills

Business schools are changing their programs to include AI, sustainability, and global skills. AI is being integrated into business courses, with specialized degree tracks and hands-on labs. Sustainability is also a focus, with new majors and projects that address climate change. Programs are also building cross-border readiness through international business degrees and study abroad opportunities. Schools worldwide are adapting to prepare students for the future of business.

Google's AI Mode gets smarter with Gemini and new call feature

Google is improving its AI Mode in search with the Gemini 2.5 Pro AI model. Subscribers in the U.S. can use Gemini 2.5 Pro for tough questions and Deep Search for research. Gemini 2.5 Pro can reason, explain math, and write code. Google is also adding a call feature powered by Duplex, where AI calls businesses for you to get information. Advanced AI Mode tools are for paying customers.

Virturo Broker launches AI trading suite for wealthy clients

Virturo Broker launched its AI-powered trading suite at the London Investor Summit. The suite includes the MarketFlow engine for fast execution and RiskGuard tools for portfolio management. Virturo offers trading in CFDs, Forex, and cryptocurrencies. They offer five account tiers with different benefits and a learning academy. The platform aims to provide institutional-grade tools and personalized guidance to all investors.

AI in data centers: Protecting patents and trade secrets

The global data center market is growing fast, reaching $1 trillion by 2034. Companies like Amazon, Microsoft, and Google are leading the way. They are using patents and trade secrets to protect their AI, energy, and cooling advancements.

AI news roundup: Akka, IBM, OutSystems launch new AI tools

This week in AI news, Akka launched an Agentic AI Platform for adaptive workflows. Atos debuted the Polaris AI Platform for autonomous business automation. C-Gen.AI launched an AI infrastructure platform to optimize GPU usage. Esri and Microsoft are collaborating to enhance ArcGIS with AI features. IBM's research shows that Chief AI Officers deliver bigger ROI and faster innovation.

American University launches AI and business analytics programs

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AI's seduction: A writer's experience with ChatGPT

A writer tested ChatGPT and found it both helpful and deceptive. ChatGPT praised the writer's work and offered surprisingly accurate insights. While it sometimes made things up, it was excellent at responding to assigned readings. The writer found it helpful for tasks like writing memos and creating checklists. It helped conserve energy and restored a sense of agency, but educators need to understand AI's impact on the classroom.

Perplexity's Comet browser challenges Google with AI features

Perplexity launched Comet, an AI-powered browser, for Max subscribers. Comet replaces Google Search with Perplexity AI's answer engine. It has an AI assistant that summarizes articles, describes images, and researches topics. Comet can also complete tasks like sending emails and unsubscribing from lists. While some tasks are faster to do manually, Comet could be a great accessibility tool. It can even book reservations and shop online.

Sources

AI in filmmaking Hollywood Awards shows Human artistry SAG-AFTRA AI-generated sound AI in drug discovery Cancer research Recursion REC-3565 AI-designed drugs AI screenwriting Job losses Writers Guild of America AI revolution Asteria Uncanny Valley AI and business analytics programs American University Business schools Sustainability Global skills Google AI Gemini 2.5 Pro Deep Search Duplex AI trading suite Virturo Broker MarketFlow RiskGuard AI in data centers Patents Trade secrets Amazon Microsoft Akka IBM OutSystems Agentic AI Platform Polaris AI Platform C-Gen.AI Esri ArcGIS Chief AI Officers ChatGPT Perplexity Comet browser AI assistant