On February 18, 2026, Google launched Lyria 3, its most advanced music generation model, within the Gemini app. This new feature allows users to create 30-second music tracks with custom lyrics and vocals from text, images, or videos. Each track comes with unique cover art designed by Nano Banana. Lyria 3 is available in beta for users 18 and older in multiple languages, rolling out on both desktop and mobile platforms. Google DeepMind also introduced the Lyria RealTime API and Music AI Sandbox, and all generated audio includes invisible SynthID watermarks for ethical attribution. This initiative aims to enhance YouTube Shorts soundtracks and attract creators, potentially drawing them away from rival platforms like Meta's Instagram Reels.
Concurrently, at the AI Impact Summit in India on February 18, 2026, Google announced significant global AI initiatives. The company is committing $30 million to a Global AI Opportunity Fund and an additional $30 million for Europe, while Google DeepMind established an AI Safety Institute. Google plans to train over 100 million people globally in AI skills, including a partnership with India's Ministry of Education. The company also enhances products like Search Live and Lens to reduce language barriers and improve safety, utilizing SynthID verification.
In other AI developments, Anthropic released its new AI model, Claude Sonnet 4.6, on February 17, 2026. This model is designed to perform multi-step actions on a computer, such as filling out web forms and managing information across different browser tabs, expanding Anthropic's reach beyond software developers. Meanwhile, Neal K. Shah highlights the rise of an "agentic economy," where AI agents increasingly act as software users with budgets and permissions, with Gartner predicting 80% of enterprise AI will be agentic by 2026. The complex global AI competition between the U.S. and China, particularly in open-source and closed-source models, was also a topic at the India AI Impact Summit, with the U.S. currently leading in chips, models, and sales. However, pioneering AI researcher Stuart Russell warned on February 18, 2026, that the intense AI arms race among Big Tech companies, coupled with a lack of government regulation, poses a risk of human extinction.
Beyond these major announcements, AI continues to find diverse practical applications. Nonfiction author coach Josh Bernoff created a personal AI chatbot coach using Soqratic and RAG, which answers author questions using only Bernoff's own content. The "AI Tools for Seniors" course reached over 1,000 users in its first year, helping adults aged 55 and above understand and safely use AI for daily tasks and digital safety. Social listening expert Dipin Oberoi shared insights on AI in marketing, noting its promise for processing large data, identifying trends, and enabling personalization at scale. Additionally, the Merkos Chinuch Office and Menachem Education Foundation completed an AI training series for educators, equipping them with practical tools for lesson planning, classroom management, and administrative tasks.
Key Takeaways
- Google launched Lyria 3 on February 18, 2026, in the Gemini app, enabling users to generate 30-second AI music tracks with custom lyrics and cover art, aiming to boost YouTube Shorts and compete with Meta's Instagram Reels.
- Google DeepMind introduced Lyria RealTime API and Music AI Sandbox, and all Lyria 3 generated audio includes invisible SynthID watermarks for ethical attribution.
- At the AI Impact Summit in India on February 18, 2026, Google committed $30 million to a Global AI Opportunity Fund and another $30 million for Europe, alongside establishing an AI Safety Institute.
- Google plans to train over 100 million people globally in AI skills, including a partnership with India's Ministry of Education, and enhances products like Search Live and Lens with SynthID for safety and language barrier reduction.
- Anthropic released Claude Sonnet 4.6 on February 17, 2026, designed for multi-step computer actions like filling web forms, expanding its reach beyond software developers.
- The "agentic economy" is emerging, with Gartner predicting 80% of enterprise AI will be agentic by 2026, requiring companies to make services machine-readable for AI agents.
- The US and China are engaged in a complex global AI race, with the US currently leading in chips, models, and sales, while the industry remains globally interconnected.
- AI researcher Stuart Russell warned on February 18, 2026, that the intense AI arms race among Big Tech companies, coupled with a lack of government regulation, risks human extinction.
- Practical AI applications are expanding, including Josh Bernoff's AI chatbot coach using RAG, and the "AI Tools for Seniors" course which reached over 1,000 users.
- Educators are also receiving AI training, with the Merkos Chinuch Office and Menachem Education Foundation completing a series on responsible AI use, lesson planning, and administrative tasks.
Gemini App Now Creates Music with Lyria 3
On February 18, 2026, the Gemini app launched Lyria 3, its most advanced music generation model. This new feature lets users create 30-second music tracks with lyrics from text or images. Users can control the style, vocals, and tempo, and each track comes with custom cover art by Nano Banana. Lyria 3 is available in beta for users 18 and older in several languages, rolling out on desktop and mobile. Google ensures responsible AI use, designing Lyria 3 for original expression, not artist imitation.
Alphabet's Lyria 3 Music AI Boosts Gemini and YouTube
Alphabet announced on February 18, 2026, that its new Lyria 3 generative music model is now in the Gemini app. This feature lets users create 30-second music tracks with custom cover art from text or uploaded photos and videos. Lyria 3 aims to improve YouTube Shorts soundtracks, encouraging creators to use the platform more. This could draw content creators away from rival platforms like TikTok and Meta's Instagram Reels.
Google DeepMind Releases Lyria 3 Music AI in Gemini App
Google DeepMind launched Lyria 3, its most advanced music generation model, in the Gemini app today. Users 18 and older in multiple languages can create 30-second music tracks from text, images, or videos. These tracks include custom lyrics, vocals, and cover art made by Nano Banana. Lyria 3 also integrates with YouTube's Dream Track for Shorts creators. Google uses SynthID to watermark AI-generated audio and ensures the model creates original music, not artist imitations.
Gemini App Creates AI Music with Lyria 3 No Lyrics Needed
Google has deployed its Lyria 3 AI model into the Gemini app, making AI music generation widely available. Users can now select "Create music" in the Gemini app or web UI to generate 30-second tracks. The model can create suitable lyrics even if none are provided, and users can upload images to guide the mood. Each track comes with an album cover image made by Nano Banana. Lyria 3 tools are also coming to Google's Dream Track for YouTube Shorts, and all generated tracks include a SynthID watermark for identification.
Gemini App Offers Free AI Music Creation with Lyria 3
Google's Gemini app now allows users to generate 30-second AI music tracks for free using Lyria 3. This new feature expands Gemini's capabilities beyond text, code, images, and video. Users can describe their desired music, upload images or videos, or remix existing tracks to create songs with lyrics and custom cover art. All generated tracks include invisible SynthID watermarks, and the feature is available to users 18 and older in multiple languages, rolling out on web and mobile. Paid subscribers will have higher usage limits.
Google DeepMind Launches Lyria 3 for Advanced AI Music
On February 18, 2026, Google DeepMind released Lyria 3, its most advanced music generation model, now available in the Gemini app. This model creates high-fidelity, 30-second music tracks with vocals and instruments from text or image prompts. Lyria 3 offers features like automatic lyric generation and greater creative control over musical elements. Google also introduced Lyria RealTime API for real-time audio steering and the Music AI Sandbox for musicians. All generated tracks are watermarked with SynthID for attribution and ethical AI use.
AI Impact Summit 2026 Focuses on Global Access
The AI Impact Summit 2026 is taking place in India. This event focuses on launching new global partnerships, research, investment, and innovation in artificial intelligence. The main goal is to make sure that the benefits of AI are available and accessible to everyone around the world.
Google Unveils Global AI Initiatives at India Summit
On February 18, 2026, Google announced new global partnerships and programs at the AI Impact Summit in India. The goal is to make AI work for everyone by investing in infrastructure, science, and government capacity. Google is committing $30 million to a Global AI Opportunity Fund and another $30 million for Europe, while Google DeepMind established an AI Safety Institute. The company also plans to train over 100 million people globally in AI skills, including a partnership with India's Ministry of Education. Google is also enhancing products like Search Live and Lens to reduce language barriers and improve safety with SynthID verification.
Author Josh Bernoff Creates Personal AI Chatbot Coach
Nonfiction author coach Josh Bernoff created a virtual book coach using AI, partnering with Soqratic. This chatbot answers authors' questions using only Bernoff's own content from his books and blog posts, thanks to a technique called RAG. Bernoff designed the chatbot to be authoritative and direct, providing links to his work and avoiding made-up answers. The virtual coach remembers past user questions and is available 24/7, offering an inexpensive way for potential clients to engage. It also helps Bernoff identify new topics to write about and can even lead to more in-person coaching sessions.
Anthropic Releases Claude Sonnet 4.6 for Complex Tasks
On February 17, 2026, Anthropic released its new AI model, Claude Sonnet 4.6. This model is designed to perform multi-step actions on a computer, such as filling out web forms and managing information across different browser tabs. While it can handle complex tasks, the company noted it is still not as skilled as humans. This release is part of Anthropic's efforts to expand its reach beyond software developers.
Neal Shah Discusses AI Agents and the Agentic Economy
Neal K. Shah, a WRAL TechWire contributor, discusses the rise of an "agentic economy" where AI agents increasingly act as software users with budgets and permissions. He notes that AI is starting to "buy code" and that Gartner predicts 80% of enterprise AI will be agentic by 2026. This shift means companies must make their services machine-readable, with computable pricing and automatable onboarding. Shah highlights the importance of human connection in this new era, especially in fields like elder care. He believes the goal of AI should be to make coordination cheaper, leading to more abundant and accessible products and services for everyone.
US and China Compete in Complex Global AI Race
World leaders are discussing the complex AI competition between the U.S. and China at the India AI Impact Summit in New Delhi. This competition involves multiple "races," including developing dominant open-source and closed-source AI models. The U.S. currently leads in chips, models, and sales, with strong global partners and capital markets. China, while making strides, has lower leading-edge AI chip production compared to the U.S. The article emphasizes that AI is a global industry with interconnected supply chains, meaning no single country can be entirely self-reliant.
AI Tools for Seniors Course Helps Over 1000 Adults
On February 17, 2026, the AI Tools for Seniors course reached over 1,000 users in its first year. This course helps older adults, aged 55 and above, understand and safely use artificial intelligence in daily life. It offers guidance on communication, cognitive engagement, travel planning, and digital safety, including scam awareness. Margaret Sass created the course, with support from Jackie Throngard of BroncoLearns, to make AI less intimidating and more empowering for seniors.
Dipin Oberoi Shares Insights on AI in Marketing
On February 18, 2026, social listening expert Dipin Oberoi shared his insights on AI in marketing. He explained that his teams use AI to process large amounts of data for social listening, identifying trends and sentiment. Oberoi believes predictive analytics for customer behavior is a top real-life application of AI. He finds AI most promising for cutting through information overload and enabling personalization at scale, but less so for replacing human storytelling or strategy. Oberoi stressed that the advertising industry must set its own standards for AI, focusing on transparency and avoiding biases.
AI Training Series Helps Educators Learn New Skills
On February 18, 2026, the Merkos Chinuch Office and Menachem Education Foundation completed a two-part AI training series for educators. The series aimed to equip teachers with practical AI tools for their Chinuch work. Rabbi Mendel Blau discussed responsible AI use in line with Chassidishe Chinuch values, while Rabbi Shneur Zalman Munitz showcased tools for lesson planning and classroom management. Rabbi Shmuly Gniwisch led an advanced session on integrating AI for administrative tasks and personalized learning. Educators found the series inspiring and practical, offering usable skills to support students and enhance professional lives.
Top Researcher Warns AI Race Risks Human Extinction
On February 18, 2026, pioneering AI researcher Stuart Russell from the University of California, Berkeley, warned that the intense AI arms race among Big Tech companies could risk human extinction. Russell stated that governments are failing to regulate the rapid development of AI, allowing private entities to "play Russian roulette" with humanity. He believes AI company CEOs recognize the dangers but cannot disarm unilaterally due to market pressures and competition. Russell compared the current AI competition to the Cold War nuclear arms race, emphasizing the need for urgent regulatory action to prevent catastrophic outcomes.
Sources
- A new way to express yourself: Gemini can now create music
- Alphabet's new AI music model could lure content creators from rivals
- Google DeepMind Launches Generative Music Model Lyria 3, Rolls It Out In Gemini
- Gemini can now generate AI music for you, no lyrics required
- Gemini Now Lets You Generate AI Music for Free
- Google DeepMind Releases Lyria 3: An Advanced Music Generation AI Model that Turns Photos and Text into Custom Tracks with Included Lyrics and Vocals
- AI Impact Summit 2026
- AI Impact Summit 2026: How we’re partnering to make AI work for everyone
- What I Learned from Turning Myself Into an AI Chatbot
- Anthropic Has Another New AI Model
- Neal K. Shah: The SaaS-pocalypse, AI and the human connection paradox
- The Complicated Stakes of the AI Race Between the U.S. and China
- AI Tools for Seniors course reaches 1,000 users in first year
- All things AI with Dipin Oberoi
- AI Training Series Empowers Educators With Practical Skills
- Big Tech execs playing ‘Russian roulette’ in the AI arms race could risk human extinction, warns top researcher
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