August 2, 2025

analysis  
google, microsoft and salesforce Updates

Several key developments highlight AI's growing influence across industries. Delta Air Lines faced scrutiny over its use of AI for ticket pricing, with concerns raised that personal data might be used to inflate fares. Delta has repeatedly denied these claims, stating that its AI, developed in partnership with Fetcherr, uses aggregated market data to help analysts forecast demand and adjust prices, and that prices are based on factors like demand, competition, and fuel costs. In the tech world, AI is reshaping SEO strategies, as tools like Google's Gemini and Microsoft's Copilot change how people find information. Businesses are now optimizing for 'Answer Engine Optimization' (AEO) to ensure their content is understandable and credible for AI tools. Salesforce CEO Marc Benioff notes that AI agents are also being used for customer service, leading to cost reductions. However, the rise of AI also brings challenges. Data centers supporting AI and cloud computing are increasing energy consumption, raising concerns about utility costs. Telecom companies face difficulties in using AI for security due to the overwhelming amount of data and potential for attackers to exploit AI platforms. A security flaw was found in Amazon's Q AI coding tool, where a hacker embedded a malicious prompt that could have wiped out files and cloud setups, which AWS quickly addressed by releasing version 1.85 and tightening security. Moreover, health insurance companies are increasingly using AI algorithms to make decisions on healthcare coverage. Some experts even predict AI could lead to human extinction, with concerns about super-intelligent AI posing an existential threat. On the other hand, Chinese companies are leveraging AI to create videos for ads and film clips, following TikTok's success. Finally, the use of AI in automating tasks, such as signing clemency orders with an autopen, raises questions about accountability and trust in institutions.

Key Takeaways

  • Delta Air Lines denies using personal data to set ticket prices with AI, stating its AI uses aggregated market data.
  • Delta is partnering with Fetcherr to use AI for revenue management.
  • AI tools like Google's Gemini and Microsoft's Copilot are changing SEO strategies, requiring businesses to optimize for AI-generated answers.
  • Salesforce is using AI agents for customer service, resulting in a 17% cost reduction.
  • Increased AI and cloud computing usage is driving up energy consumption in data centers.
  • Telecom companies face challenges in using AI for security due to data overload and potential exploitation.
  • A hacker embedded a malicious prompt in Amazon's Q AI coding tool, highlighting AI security risks.
  • Health insurance companies are using AI algorithms to make coverage decisions.
  • Some experts predict AI could lead to human extinction.
  • Chinese companies are using AI to create videos, following TikTok's success.

Delta uses AI to price tickets what data will it use

Delta Air Lines plans to use artificial intelligence to price 20% of its domestic flight tickets by the end of the year. The AI will analyze data like booking time, destination, and weather to set prices. Some worry the AI might use personal data to charge customers more. Delta says it won't use personal information for individual offers. Senators have requested more details from Delta about its AI pricing expansion by August 4.

Delta denies using AI to set flight prices after criticism

Delta Air Lines denies using AI to set flight prices after congressional criticism. They say prices are based on market competition, not personal data. Delta is testing AI from Fetcherr to help analysts forecast demand and adjust prices faster. American Airlines CEO Robert Isom said using AI to trick customers is wrong. Delta is also looking at AI to improve customer service and crew scheduling.

Delta says AI won't use personal data to set fares

Delta Air Lines says it will not use AI to set fares based on personal data. Senators raised concerns that Delta would use AI to charge customers based on their willingness to pay. CEO Ed Bastian says this is incorrect and causing confusion. Delta is working with Fetcherr on a system to help with pricing decisions. The system uses market data to help pricing analysts and speed up changes.

Delta denies AI inflates prices based on personal data

Delta denies using AI to inflate prices based on customer data. Lawmakers and consumer groups raised concerns about AI pricing. Delta says its AI uses aggregated data to enhance pricing, not personal information. Prices are based on factors like demand, competition, and fuel costs. The AI system helps Delta analyze data and respond to market changes faster.

Delta assures lawmakers AI won't personalize fares

Delta Air Lines told US lawmakers it will not use AI to personalize ticket prices. Senators worried Delta would use AI to raise prices based on individual willingness to pay. Delta is partnering with Fetcherr to use AI for revenue management. Delta says its ticket pricing never considers personal data. Airlines have used dynamic pricing for decades based on demand, fuel prices, and competition.

AI-Proof Your Content Merging SEO and Knowledge Graphs

AI tools like Google's Gemini and Microsoft's Copilot are changing how people find information. Websites need to be easily understood by machines to appear in AI-generated results. Using schema markup and building a content knowledge graph can help. Schema markup turns content into a machine-readable network. This helps AI accurately understand and share your brand's information.

AI changes SEO strategy for businesses

AI is changing how people find information, like search engines did to the Yellow Pages. People now use AI tools like ChatGPT to research businesses. If your business isn't part of AI-generated answers, it loses visibility. AEO (Answer Engine Optimization) helps make your content credible for AI tools. Even in relationship-based industries, AI is becoming a referral partner.

AI revolution's energy costs

Data centers use more energy to support AI and cloud computing. This increases electricity consumption and utility costs. Switching to electric vehicles would also significantly increase electrical demand. We need to find ways to counter our energy needs to avoid drastic utility cost increases.

Human labor meets digital labor with AI

Digital labor is when computers do work usually done by humans. Salesforce CEO Marc Benioff says AI agents are used for customer service, cutting costs by 17%. These AI tools work independently with some management. Digital labor used to mean humans doing online work, like gig workers.

AI security in telecom has limitations

Telecom companies face cyberthreats, regulations, and budget cuts. Security expert Silke Holtmanns says they should focus on security basics. Many use AI for anomaly detection, but it's hard to know what's truly an anomaly. There's too much data, like 35,000 information elements for 5G. Identifying anomalies needs expert-informed data, and attackers can exploit data collection systems in AI platforms.

AI controls your health insurance coverage

Health insurance companies are using AI algorithms more and more. Unlike doctors who use AI to treat patients, insurers use AI to decide whether to pay for treatments. These algorithms make decisions on healthcare coverage.

Hacker puts dangerous prompt in Amazon's Q AI tool

A hacker embedded a malicious prompt in Amazon's Q AI coding tool. The prompt could have wiped out files and cloud setups. This shows how AI tools can be turned into dangerous weapons. The compromised input was in version 1.84 of the Amazon Q Developer extension for Visual Studio Code. AWS quickly released version 1.85 and tightened security.

Experts predict AI could end humanity

Experts believe AI could lead to the extinction of humanity. They say super-intelligent AI could wipe humans off the Earth. AI leaders signed a letter saying AI extinction risk should be a global priority. One scenario involves AI releasing biological weapons. A former Google engineer says there's a 95% chance of AI extinction if we continue our current path.

Chinese companies use AI for videos after TikTok's success

Chinese companies are using AI to create videos for ads and film clips. ByteDance, TikTok's parent, has top-ranked AI video models. Kling AI, a Beijing-based company, also ranks high. These AI tools let users create videos from images or text. Kling AI is used by over 20,000 businesses, and most users are overseas.

Biden's autopen controversy says more about AI

Republicans are investigating Biden's use of an autopen to sign clemency orders. They question if he approved the orders and who was in charge. The issue raises concerns about how AI can affect communication. Automating legal and political tasks can cause controversy. Using AI to automate communication can threaten trust in institutions.

Sources

Artificial Intelligence AI Pricing Delta Air Lines Ticket Pricing Personal Data Data Analysis Fetcherr Revenue Management Dynamic Pricing AI and SEO Knowledge Graphs Schema Markup Answer Engine Optimization (AEO) AI Energy Consumption Data Centers Digital Labor AI Agents Customer Service AI Security Cyberthreats Anomaly Detection AI in Telecom AI in Healthcare Health Insurance AI Algorithms AI Security Risks Prompt Injection Amazon Q AI Extinction Risk Super-intelligent AI AI Video Generation TikTok ByteDance Kling AI AI and Automation Autopen Political Communication