meta, google and nvidia Updates

Artificial intelligence continues to drive massive investment and innovation, yet it also presents significant challenges, particularly concerning misinformation and its societal impact. Companies like Meta are pouring billions into AI infrastructure, while the technology's rapid evolution reshapes industries and raises ethical questions about human roles and accountability. The spread of false information remains a critical concern, as demonstrated by recent events. Google's Gemini 3 incorrectly confirmed a fake US invasion of Venezuela, citing various sources. Meanwhile, an AI-generated image of Nicolás Maduro's capture, initially spread on Truth Social, was debunked by Google's SynthID, though X's Grok provided incorrect details about its origin. This highlights how AI can both generate and struggle with verifying new information, impacting public discourse. The real-world consequences of AI misinformation are severe, as Canadian artist Ashley MacIsaac discovered when a Google AI summary falsely labeled him a sex offender, leading to a cancelled show and damaged reputation. MacIsaac plans to sue Google, underscoring the growing demand for AI companies to take responsibility for their systems' outputs. Cognitive scientist Gary Marcus notes AI models often struggle with new information, making them unreliable. Despite these challenges, investment in AI is surging. Mark Zuckerberg's Meta Platforms Inc. is making huge bets, borrowing in private markets to fund AI projects. US tech companies invested $350 billion in AI infrastructure last year, dwarfing China's $100 billion. This spending fuels record corporate bond trading, with an average of $50 billion in bonds traded daily last year. Nvidia, now valued at $4.6 trillion, exemplifies the market's focus on AI. However, some experts, including Morgan Stanley analysts, warn of an AI bubble, predicting it could eliminate 200,000 banking jobs in Europe by 2030. Even leaders like OpenAI's Sam Altman and Jeff Bezos acknowledge that some investors might face significant losses. This economic shift is already visible in sales, where SaaStr replaced most of its sales team with AI agents, now using only 1.2 humans instead of 10 to achieve the same revenue, with AI agents closing deals up to $100,000. OpenAI is reportedly developing a pen-shaped AI hardware device, code-named "Gumdrop," in collaboration with former Apple Chief Design Officer Jony Ive, whose company io was acquired for $6.5 billion. Sam Altman describes the prototype as a small, minimalist device designed for focus. In creative fields, Google Gemini showed its speed in redrawing Bloomberg cartoons, though it struggled with nuanced artistic concepts, highlighting the need for precise human instruction. Peter Norvig, a former Google research director, advocates for AI to empower humans rather than replace them, emphasizing human choice in automation. Recognizing AI's profound impact, the Lenox Public School District is establishing an in-house "think tank" and partnering with MIT to develop AI literacy programs for students, teachers, and families. This proactive approach aims to prepare communities for the opportunities and challenges presented by artificial intelligence.

Key Takeaways

• Google's Gemini 3 and X's Grok demonstrated struggles with verifying fake news, while Google AI falsely labeled artist Ashley MacIsaac a sex offender, leading to a lawsuit.
• Meta Platforms Inc. is heavily investing in AI, borrowing in private markets, contributing to US tech companies' $350 billion AI infrastructure investment last year.
• AI spending is driving record corporate bond trading, with $50 billion in investment-grade and high-yield bonds traded daily last year.
• Nvidia's valuation reached $4.6 trillion, highlighting the significant market focus on AI, though some experts like Morgan Stanley warn of an AI bubble.
• AI is transforming sales, with SaaStr replacing most of its sales team with AI agents, achieving the same revenue with 1.2 humans instead of 10, and AI agents closing deals up to $100,000.
• OpenAI is developing a pen-shaped AI hardware device, code-named "Gumdrop," in collaboration with former Apple Chief Design Officer Jony Ive, whose company io was acquired for $6.5 billion.
• Google Gemini can quickly generate creative content, as seen with Bloomberg cartoons, but struggles with nuanced artistic concepts, requiring precise human input.
• Peter Norvig, former Google research director, advocates for AI to empower humans, not replace them, emphasizing human choice in automation.
• The Lenox Public School District is partnering with MIT to develop AI literacy programs for students, teachers, and families, and creating an in-house AI "think tank."
• Social media platforms like TikTok, Instagram, and X struggled to control the spread of false information, including AI-generated images, following a fake report of Nicolás Maduro's capture.

AI Chatbots Struggle with Fake News About Venezuela

AI chatbots responded differently to a false story about the US invading Venezuela and capturing Nicolás Maduro. Google's Gemini 3 incorrectly confirmed the fake attack, citing various sources. Anthropic's Claude Sonnet 4.5 first said it had no information, then searched and summarized news. ChatGPT and Perplexity correctly stated that the event did not happen, with ChatGPT explaining why such confusion might occur. Cognitive scientist Gary Marcus noted that AI models often struggle with new information and can be unreliable.

Fake News Spreads Fast After False Maduro Capture Claim

Social media platforms like TikTok, Instagram, and X saw a lot of false information after a fake report of Nicolás Maduro's capture. Donald Trump's Truth Social post started the rumors on Saturday morning. An image showing DEA agents with Maduro was quickly proven fake by Google's SynthID, which found it was AI-generated. X's AI chatbot Grok also identified the image as fake but gave incorrect details about its origin. Other misleading content included old videos presented as new footage of a US attack on Caracas, which gained millions of views. This event highlights how social media platforms struggle to control the spread of false information during major news.

Zuckerberg Bets Big on AI Amid Bubble Fears

Mark Zuckerberg is making a huge investment in artificial intelligence, but some experts worry about an AI bubble. Morgan Stanley analysts predict AI could eliminate 200,000 banking jobs in Europe by 2030. US tech companies have invested $350 billion in AI infrastructure in the last year, far more than China's $100 billion. Critics fear this investment could lead to a market crash similar to the 2000 dotcom bubble, which caused trillions in losses. Companies like Nvidia, valued at $4.6 trillion, are part of the "Magnificent Seven" tech giants that dominate the S&P 500. Even leaders like Sam Altman and Jeff Bezos admit that some investors might lose a lot of money.

AI Spending Drives Record Corporate Bond Trading

Spending on artificial intelligence and the growth of private credit are causing a boom in corporate bond trading. Last year, an average of $50 billion in investment-grade and high-yield bonds were traded daily, setting a new record. Companies like Meta Platforms Inc. are borrowing in private markets to fund their AI projects. Experts believe AI investments will continue to create new opportunities and increase trading in secondary markets. Longer-term bonds from tech and utility companies, often used for AI funding, also lead to more trading because their prices can change a lot. Investors are also using more complex strategies and hedging against a possible AI bubble, which further boosts trading volumes.

Artist Tests AI to Redraw Newsletter Cartoons

Bloomberg Opinion columnist Howard Chua-Eoan tested Google Gemini to see if AI could improve his weekly "Drawdown" cartoons. He provided prompts for several of his 2025 drawings, and Gemini quickly produced new versions in about a minute each. The AI created impressive images for some cartoons, like a three-headed chicken in a tropical forest. However, for other drawings, like a "chaos" creature, Gemini missed the subtle details and gave many bunnies instead. Chua-Eoan found that while AI is fast, it sometimes struggles with complex or nuanced artistic concepts. This experiment shows the potential and limitations of AI in creative tasks, highlighting the need for precise instructions.

AI Transforms Sales Roles and Strategies by 2026

By 2026, artificial intelligence is changing sales and Go-To-Market strategies significantly. SaaStr, a company, replaced most of its sales team with AI agents, now using only 1.2 humans instead of 10 to achieve the same revenue. AI agents can close deals worth $70,000 to $100,000 on their own, making traditional sales roles like email-based SDRs nearly obsolete. New roles are emerging, such as SDRs who manage multiple AI agents, and human oversight by a Chief AI Officer is vital. While complex sales still require human account executives, AI is already handling 50-80% of customer support inquiries. SaaStr's experiment showed AI agents respond instantly, never get tired, and improve lead qualification, highlighting the need for new AI-enhanced sales skills.

OpenAI May Launch a Pen Shaped AI Device

OpenAI might be developing a pen-shaped AI hardware device, according to supply-chain information. The project, code-named "Gumdrop," is being worked on with former Apple Chief Design Officer Jony Ive. OpenAI acquired Ive's hardware company io for $6.5 billion, and its co-founders stated their product is not an in-ear or wearable device. Sam Altman, OpenAI's CEO, hinted at a small device that fits in a pocket and helps users focus, unlike a distracting smartphone. Jony Ive's design philosophy aims for products that are simple to use but make people want to touch them, even "lick and bite" them. Altman confirmed the prototype had this "lickable" quality, describing it as minimalist and elegant, likely made with high-quality ceramics. This speculation is strengthened by Ive's personal interest in collecting pens.

Peter Norvig Says AI Should Empower Humans Not Replace Them

Peter Norvig, a former Google research director and AI textbook author, believes AI should help humans, not replace them. He worries about the idea that as AI gets better, humans should become less involved. Norvig points to the Society of Automotive Engineers' diagram for self-driving cars, which shows the human driver disappearing by Level 5. He argues that this visual suggests a problematic trade-off where more automation means less human presence. Norvig wants technology that respects and empowers people, allowing them to choose how much automation they use, rather than making them disappear.

Google AI Falsely Labels Artist a Sex Offender

Canadian artist Ashley MacIsaac had his show cancelled after a Google AI summary wrongly called him a sex offender. This error caused him to lose money and damaged his reputation. MacIsaac is now planning to sue Google for defamation and is looking for a lawyer to help him for free. He believes AI companies must take responsibility for the false information their systems produce. MacIsaac also expressed the personal stress of having to explain the incorrect information to his grandmother. This incident highlights how AI misinformation can severely impact a person's life and career.

Lenox Schools Focus on Security Trust and AI

Superintendent William Collins of the Lenox Public School District is focusing on key goals for the new year. These goals include improving security with expanded drills involving local and state police and working with a Homeland Security trainer. Collins also aims to build greater trust and transparency within the schools and community by addressing personnel issues directly. The district is creating an in-house "think tank" to study the effects of artificial intelligence. Lenox Schools are partnering with Lee schools and MIT to develop programs that teach AI literacy to students, teachers, and families. This effort shows the district's commitment to preparing for future challenges and opportunities.

Sources

• The US Invaded Venezuela and Captured Nicolás Maduro. ChatGPT Disagrees
• Disinformation Floods Social Media After Nicolás Maduro's Capture
• Mark Zuckerberg is taking an almighty bet on AI. The results will be spectacular
• AI Debt Spree Is Fueling a Credit Trading Frenzy: Credit Weekly
• Should AI Redraw the Cartoons in This Newsletter?
• Jason + Lenny are Back!! “The Real Future of AI in Sales”
• Is OpenAI's First AI Hardware a "Lickable" Pen?
• Don’t Want AI To Make Humans Disappear, It Should Enable Them: Peter Norvig
• Canadian Artist Has Show Cancelled After AI Labeled Him a Sex Offender, Preparing to Sue Google
• Lenox school leader sharpens district focus on security, trust and AI’s impact