Google launched Project Genie on January 29, 2026, an experimental AI tool from DeepMind that allows AI Ultra subscribers in the U.S. to create interactive 3D virtual worlds. Powered by advanced models like Genie 3 and Gemini 3, users can generate environments and characters from text or images, then explore these 720p worlds for 60 seconds. While users like Jay Peters have enjoyed making "bad knockoffs" of Nintendo games, Google notes limitations such as input lag, lack of sound, and worlds not always appearing realistic. The company aims to learn from user interaction, envisioning potential applications in filmmaking or educational media.
Simultaneously, the UK government initiated a significant program on January 29, 2026, offering free AI training to all adults, aiming to train 10 million workers by 2030. Tech giants including Google, Microsoft, Amazon, and IBM support this initiative, contributing to 14 free online courses available on the AI Skills Hub. Technology Secretary Liz Kendall emphasized the goal is to help Britons engage with AI and benefit from its advancements, potentially boosting the economy by up to £140 billion annually. This program also includes a £27 million investment in "TechLocal" and 100 Spärck AI Scholarships.
Microsoft is also exploring the frontier of AI, with its leaders Nelli Babayan and Heidi Connelly suggesting that "Agentic AI" could serve as vital copilots for future space missions. Speaking at the U.S. Space & Rocket Center's AI Symposium, they highlighted how these AI agents could manage complex operations, analyze vast data, and perform tasks like "telemetry triage" to detect issues faster than humans. Microsoft's Azure OpenAI Service is envisioned to assist astronauts on long missions or guide rovers on celestial bodies, building on NASA's existing use of Microsoft AI for tasks such as identifying drought conditions.
However, the rapid advancement of AI also brings ethical and security challenges. Instances of AI misuse include the alteration of a photo of Alex Pretti, making him appear "clean cut" after his death, and a fake AI image of an agent holding a gun to his head. In Michigan, Joshua Stilman pleaded guilty to cyberstalking after using AI to generate pornography of a social media influencer, threatening to release the images. Additionally, fake snowfall videos in Russia's Kamchatka Peninsula, created using the AI chatbot Grok, circulated widely online, demonstrating how easily AI can spread misinformation.
Economically, AI's impact is already shaping a K-shaped economy, as warned by Oxford Economics CEO Innes McFee on January 29, 2026. While AI has increased U.S. household wealth by over 7%, most of this benefit accrues to high-income Americans, with the top 0.1% holding nearly six times the wealth of the bottom 50% by Q3 2025. McFee anticipates AI will "hollow out" middle-skilled jobs, though he believes it could eventually help reduce inequality in five to ten years. Leaders at the World Economic Forum in Davos also stressed the importance of AI security and responsibility, with ColorTokens CEO Rajesh Khazanchi noting that AI's real decision-making capabilities necessitate robust trust, governance, and security frameworks.
Privacy concerns with AI-enabled products are also evident, as an AI-powered stuffed dinosaur toy named "Bondus" accidentally exposed nearly 50,000 chat logs between children and the toy. Researchers Joseph Thacker and Joel Margolis discovered that any Gmail account holder could access these private conversations, revealing sensitive details about children. Meanwhile, Napster, once known for music piracy, relaunched on January 29, 2026, as a platform for AI-generated music. CEO John Acunto positions it for "co-creating" music, allowing users to generate tracks with AI chatbots like "Nia Jenkins," though critics question the quality and the undisclosed training data, likely including copyrighted material.
Key Takeaways
- Google launched Project Genie on January 29, 2026, an experimental AI tool using Genie 3 and Gemini 3 to create interactive 3D virtual worlds for AI Ultra subscribers.
- The UK government started a program on January 29, 2026, to offer free AI training to 10 million adults by 2030, supported by Google, Microsoft, Amazon, and IBM.
- Microsoft AI leaders believe "Agentic AI" and Azure OpenAI Service can act as vital copilots for future space missions, managing complex operations and data analysis.
- AI misuse is evident in altered photos, cyberstalking (Joshua Stilman used AI to generate pornography), and the spread of fake content like AI-generated snowfall videos.
- AI contributes to a K-shaped economy, increasing U.S. household wealth by over 7% but disproportionately benefiting high-income Americans, according to Oxford Economics.
- Leaders at the World Economic Forum in Davos emphasized the critical need for robust AI security, trust, and governance as AI makes real-world decisions.
- An AI-powered children's toy, "Bondus," exposed nearly 50,000 private chat logs between children and the toy to anyone with a Gmail account, raising significant privacy concerns.
- Napster relaunched on January 29, 2026, as a platform for AI-generated music, allowing users to "co-create" tracks with AI chatbots like "Nia Jenkins," though its training data sources are undisclosed.
- The UK's free AI training initiative aims to boost the economy by up to £140 billion annually and includes a £27 million investment in "TechLocal" and 100 Spärck AI Scholarships.
- Google's Project Genie allows users to explore generated worlds for 60 seconds at 720p resolution, with current limitations including input lag and lack of sound or specific goals.
Google Project Genie Creates Funky Nintendo Worlds
Jay Peters used Google's new Project Genie on January 29, 2026, to create simple 3D worlds. This experimental AI tool from Google DeepMind lets users make interactive virtual spaces from text or images. Peters had fun making "bad knockoffs" of Nintendo games like Super Mario 64 and The Legend of Zelda. Users can explore these 720p worlds for 60 seconds, but Peters noted issues like input lag and lack of sound or goals. Google released Project Genie to learn how people use it, hoping it can help with filmmaking or educational media.
Google Project Genie Builds Interactive AI Worlds
Google now offers Project Genie, an AI tool that lets users create interactive virtual worlds from photos or text prompts. This updated version of Genie 3 uses advanced AI models like Nano Banana Pro and Gemini 3. Users can "sketch" worlds, choose characters, and explore them for 60 seconds at 720p resolution and 24 frames per second. Project Genie also allows remixing existing worlds and downloading videos of explorations. Google notes it is still an experiment, so worlds may not always look real or follow physics perfectly.
Google AI Ultra Users Explore Project Genie Worlds
On January 29, 2026, Google launched Project Genie for its AI Ultra subscribers in the U.S. This experimental tool, powered by Genie 3, lets users create, explore, and remix interactive virtual worlds. Users can use text prompts and images to design environments and characters, even choosing their perspective. Project Genie generates paths in real time as users move, simulating physics. While exciting, Google notes some limitations like worlds not always looking real, characters being less controllable, and explorations lasting only 60 seconds.
UK Offers Free AI Training to All Adults
On January 29, 2026, the UK government launched a major program to offer free AI training to every adult. This initiative aims to train 10 million workers by 2030, with support from tech giants like Google, Microsoft, Amazon, and IBM. The courses, available on the AI Skills Hub website, range from 20 minutes to several hours. Liz Kendall, Technology Secretary, stated the goal is to help Britons work with AI and share in its benefits. The government also plans to invest £27 million in "TechLocal" and offer 100 Spärck AI Scholarships.
UK Government Provides Free AI Skills for Everyone
On January 29, 2026, the UK government started a program to give free AI training to all adults. This huge effort aims to teach 10 million workers by 2030, boosting the economy by up to £140 billion each year. Major tech companies like Amazon, Google, Microsoft, and IBM helped create 14 free online courses on the AI Skills Hub website. Technology Secretary Liz Kendall said this will help Britons work with AI and benefit from its changes. The program also seeks to increase the low number of UK workers and businesses currently using AI.
AI Alters Photo of Alex Pretti After His Death
An AI-altered picture of Alex Pretti circulated widely after Border Patrol agents killed him. The edited photo made Pretti, a 37-year-old ICU nurse, look "clean cut" compared to his original staff portrait from a Minneapolis VA hospital. Protesters and some news outlets used this changed image. Another fake AI photo showed an agent holding a gun to Pretti's head, which Illinois Senator Dick Durbin mistakenly showed on the Senate floor. Federal authorities claim Pretti resisted, but videos show him holding his phone before agents shot him.
Michigan Man Pleads Guilty to AI Cyberstalking
Joshua Stilman, a 37-year-old man from Oakland County, Michigan, pleaded guilty to cyberstalking. He created AI-generated pornography of a social media influencer between February and March 2025, using her public photos. Stilman sent the victim private messages about her sexual preferences and threatened to release the AI images if she stopped replying. Jennifer Runyan of the FBI Detroit Field Office stated this plea shows cyberstalking, especially with AI, is a dangerous offense. Stilman's sentencing is set for May 21, 2026, and he faces up to five years in prison.
AI Boosts Wealth for Rich, K-Shaped Economy Until 2035
On January 29, 2026, Oxford Economics CEO Innes McFee warned that the K-shaped economy will likely continue until 2035 due to AI. AI has increased U.S. household wealth by over 7%, but most of this benefit goes to high-income Americans. For example, by Q3 2025, the top 0.1% held nearly six times the wealth of the bottom 50% combined. AI is expected to "hollow out" middle-skilled jobs, as it cannot replace physical trade jobs. McFee believes AI could eventually help close the inequality gap, but not for another five to ten years.
Fake Snowfall Videos in Kamchatka Are AI Generated
Videos showing massive snowfall in Russia's Kamchatka Peninsula, which appeared to paralyze the region and bury cars, are actually AI-generated. These clips circulated online but contained visual errors common in synthetically created content. Researchers traced the footage to images shared on Threads. The original poster confirmed they made the images using the AI chatbot Grok. This highlights how easily fake content can spread online.
Davos Leaders Discuss AI Security and Responsibility
At the World Economic Forum in Davos, leaders discussed the critical role of AI, cybersecurity, and the global economy. Rajesh Khazanchi, CEO of ColorTokens, noted that AI is now making real decisions, making trust, governance, and security essential. Discussions focused on building strong, security-first foundations for AI, moving cybersecurity from just prevention to resilience. The cost of not being ready for breaches is clear, with some incidents costing billions. Leaders emphasized that growth will favor companies investing in digital infrastructure, talent, and strong security.
Napster Becomes Platform for AI Generated Music
On January 29, 2026, Napster, once known for music piracy, relaunched as a platform for AI-generated music. New CEO John Acunto stated it is for "co-creating" music, moving beyond passive listening. Users can download an app or use the website to generate music with AI chatbots like "Nia Jenkins." The author experimented with creating "AI slopo" which sounded like hip-hop/R&B. The article criticizes the new direction, calling the music "hollow" and noting Napster gives no details on its AI training data, which likely includes copyrighted music.
Microsoft AI Could Be Future Space Mission Copilot
Microsoft AI leaders believe artificial intelligence agents could become vital copilots for future space missions. Speaking at the U.S. Space & Rocket Center's AI Symposium, Nelli Babayan and Heidi Connelly explained that "Agentic AI" can manage complex operations and analyze vast amounts of data. These AI agents could perform tasks like "telemetry triage," detecting issues and suggesting solutions faster than humans. Microsoft's Azure OpenAI Service could also help astronauts on long missions or guide rovers on the Moon or Mars. NASA already uses Microsoft AI for tasks like identifying drought conditions.
AI Toy Exposed 50,000 Kids' Chats to Gmail Users
An AI-powered stuffed dinosaur toy called "Bondus" accidentally exposed nearly 50,000 chat logs between children and the toy. Researchers Joseph Thacker and Joel Margolis discovered that anyone with a Gmail account could access these private conversations. The toy's web portal, meant for parents and staff, allowed access without any hacking. This security flaw revealed sensitive details like children's pet names for their toys, their likes, dislikes, and favorite snacks. The discovery highlights serious privacy concerns with AI-enabled children's products.
Sources
- Google’s AI helped me make bad Nintendo knockoffs
- Google Project Genie lets you create interactive worlds from a photo or prompt
- Project Genie: Experimenting with infinite, interactive worlds
- UK Launches Free AI Training for Every Adult in the Country
- UK Launches Free AI Training For Every Adult
- AI-altered pic of Alex Pretti is being widely circulated after his...
- Michigan man pleads guilty to cyberstalking for making AI-generated pornography of social media influencer
- Get used to the K-shaped economy. It's likely here until 2035, thanks to AI's outsized benefit for the wealthy
- Footage of massive snowfall in Kamchatka is AI-generated
- Davos Reflections on AI, Security, and Responsibility
- Napster Is Now a Slop Farm for AI Music
- AI could be the next space mission copilot
- An AI Toy Exposed 50,000 Logs of Its Chats With Kids to Anyone With a Gmail Account
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