Google unveils Gemini 3.1 Flash TTS

Key Takeaways

• Google's Gemini 3.1 Flash TTS offers advanced AI voice control with audio tags, supporting over 70 languages and including SynthID watermarking for AI-generated audio.
• London startup AiGency Global launched "AI employees" designed to integrate into business workflows for sales, marketing, and operations, increasing capacity and automating tasks.
• Predictiv AI expanded into the hardware market with its Shiftmatics platform, providing integrated hardware and software solutions for edge AI and automation, securing its first client order.
• Oracle introduced new capabilities to improve database availability for AI agents, featuring Platinum and Diamond tiers for faster failover and zero data loss with Oracle AI Database 26ai.
• Tennessee lawmakers opted to form a study group to review AI governance and economic impacts, with a report and recommendations due by January 31, 2027.
• China is identified as a leader in AI governance, supporting global regulations, in contrast to the US's 'wild west' approach driven by profit-hungry companies.
• Saudi Arabia ranks first globally in AI security, privacy, and cryptography, and for women's empowerment in AI, with 32.3% female representation among AI inventors.
• Grayson Perry's new TV show, 'Grayson Perry Has Seen the Future,' explores AI's societal impact, covering topics like AI companions, job displacement, and concerns about misuse.
• Columnist Peter Lewis is certifying his work as human-authored to combat AI-generated "slop-opinion," emphasizing the value of authentic human expression.
• Donald Trump posted another AI-generated image of himself embracing Jesus Christ on Truth Social, following previous controversy over similar AI depictions.

Google's Gemini 3.1 Flash TTS offers advanced AI voice control

Google has released Gemini 3.1 Flash TTS, a new AI model that creates more natural and expressive speech. This model uses audio tags, allowing users to precisely control vocal style, pacing, and delivery with natural language commands. Gemini 3.1 Flash TTS supports over 70 languages and includes SynthID watermarking to identify AI-generated audio. Developers can test the new features in Google AI Studio and Vertex AI, with availability also extending to Google Vids for Workspace users.

Gemini 3.1 Flash TTS brings expressive AI voice to Google

Google's new Gemini 3.1 Flash TTS model enhances AI-generated speech with improved control and expressiveness. It introduces advanced audio tags for detailed direction of vocal style and pacing, supporting over 70 languages. All generated audio is watermarked with SynthID for security. The model is available in preview for developers via the Gemini API and Google AI Studio, and on Vertex AI for enterprises.

Gemini 3.1 Flash TTS sets new AI voice standard

Google AI has launched Gemini 3.1 Flash TTS, a preview text-to-speech model that improves speech quality and control. It features audio tags for natural language control over style, pacing, and accent in over 70 languages. The model also supports native multi-speaker dialogue and uses SynthID watermarking for security. Gemini 3.1 Flash TTS is available in preview on the Gemini API, Google AI Studio, and Vertex AI.

AiGency Global deploys AI employees for business operations

London startup AiGency Global has launched 'AI employees' designed to integrate into business workflows for sales, marketing, and operations. These AI workers can perform defined tasks within existing systems, helping companies increase capacity and automate processes without hiring more staff. Unlike standalone AI tools, AiGency Global's AI employees operate directly within everyday business systems. This launch aims to help businesses scale execution and improve operational impact by embedding AI into daily work.

AiGency Global launches AI employees for business tasks

London-based AiGency Global has introduced AI employees designed to perform operational roles in sales, marketing, customer service, operations, and HR. These AI workers integrate directly into existing business systems to increase execution capacity and efficiency. AiGency Global states that their AI employees can handle complex tasks and make data-driven decisions, allowing businesses to scale operations without traditional hiring costs. The company believes these AI employees represent the future of work, enabling companies to remain competitive.

Predictiv AI enters hardware market with Shiftmatics platform

Predictiv AI is expanding into hardware with its new Shiftmatics platform, offering integrated hardware and software solutions for edge AI and automation. The company has completed the first phase of this expansion and secured its initial client order for the platform. The Shiftmatics platform is designed to power real-time data processing at the edge, enabling immediate insights and automated responses. This move allows Predictiv AI to offer end-to-end capabilities and scale its solutions more effectively.

Trump shares new AI image of himself with Jesus

Donald Trump posted another AI-generated image of himself embracing Jesus Christ on his Truth Social platform. This follows backlash from Christians over a previous AI image where he depicted himself as a healer. Trump defended the earlier image, stating it was not meant to be Christ but a representation of healing. The new image shows Trump in a white robe holding hands with Jesus.

Oracle enhances database availability for AI agents

Oracle has introduced new capabilities to improve database availability for AI agents, addressing the risks of downtime in autonomous processes. The Platinum tier offers faster failover times, up to 4x quicker for unplanned outages with Oracle AI Database 26ai. The Diamond tier provides sub-three-second failover with zero data loss using Oracle GoldenGate 26ai or Globally Distributed AI Database. Oracle also added security enhancements for AI and quantum computing threats.

Grayson Perry explores AI's future in new TV show

Grayson Perry's new show, 'Grayson Perry Has Seen the Future,' examines the impact of artificial intelligence on society. The program features interviews with individuals marrying AI companions, tech CEOs discussing job displacement, and experts on AI safety and sentience. Perry questions the implications of AI, including its potential for misuse and the blurring lines between reality and artificiality. The show highlights concerns about oversight, profit-driven development, and the future of human interaction with technology.

Tennessee shifts AI regulation to a study group

Tennessee lawmakers have decided to study artificial intelligence instead of implementing sweeping regulations. An initial proposal to limit companion chatbots has been scaled back to a statewide study. A state agency will review current AI governance, federal policies, and potential economic impacts on businesses. The agency must deliver a report with recommendations by January 31, 2027. This approach aims to balance innovation with safety as AI technology rapidly evolves.

China leads AI governance while US pursues 'wild west' approach

China is currently seen as a leader in AI governance, supporting global regulations, while the US is adopting a 'wild west' approach driven by profit-hungry companies, according to experts. Professor Dame Wendy Hall told MPs that China's stance contrasts with the US's resistance to regulation. While Chinese AI researchers are innovative and share open-source models, collaboration with UK experts is becoming difficult due to state intelligence requirements. The UK's reliance on US tech firms also raises concerns about national security and alignment with citizen interests.

Saudi Arabia leads globally in AI security and women's empowerment

Saudi Arabia ranks first globally in AI security, privacy, and cryptography, and for women's empowerment in AI, according to Stanford University's 2026 AI Index. Female representation among AI inventors in Saudi Arabia reached 32.3%, surpassing Australia and Canada. The Kingdom also shows a strong net flow of AI talent and high adoption rates, with over 80% of employees using AI tools regularly. These findings highlight significant investment and growth in the country's AI sector.

Writer certifies his work as human amid AI 'slop-opinion'

Columnist Peter Lewis is certifying his work as human-authored to combat the rise of AI-generated 'slop-opinion.' He argues that authenticity is crucial in the current media landscape, where AI output is increasingly presented as original content. Lewis experimented with AI tools but found that the removal of intellectual friction diminished the writing process. He advocates for a clear distinction between human creators and machine output, emphasizing the value of authentic human expression.

Sources

• Gemini 3.1 Flash TTS: the next generation of expressive AI speech
• Google's Gemini 3.1 Flash TTS adds expressive AI voice
• Google AI Launches Gemini 3.1 Flash TTS: A New Benchmark in Expressive and Controllable AI Voice
• London Startup AiGency Global Launches “AI Employees” for Sales, Marketing and Operations
• London Startup AiGency Global Launches “AI Employees” for Sales, Marketing and Operations
• Predictiv AI Expands Into Hardware with Shiftmatics Platform and Secures Initial Client Order
• Trump posts new AI image of himself embracing Jesus amid backlash from Christians and ongoing rift with Pope Leo
• Oracle Brings Mission-Critical Availability To The Agentic AI Era
• Grayson Perry Has Seen the Future review – some of these insights into AI are just mindblowing
• Tennessee backs off sweeping artificial intelligence limits, opts for study instead
• China now AI’s ‘good guy’ as US takes a ‘wild west’ approach, MPs told
• KSA Ranks First Globally in AI Security & Women’s Empowerment in 2026
• Could AI write this column? In a world of slop-inion, I’m certifying myself human