microsoft and meta advance as google updates

Key Takeaways

• Investor Michael Burry and actor Ben Affleck express skepticism about AI's reliability and creative capacity, with Burry predicting an AI bubble burst by 2026.
• Microsoft, Meta, and Alphabet (Google) are investing over $405 billion in AI infrastructure, showing 62% year-over-year growth.
• 78% of organizations now use AI in at least one business function, up from 33% in 2023, with agentic AI systems emerging as a key trend.
• AI is projected to be a standard tool in drug discovery by 2026, optimizing processes and saving costs.
• Connecticut lawmakers are debating legislation to block facial recognition use in grocery stores due to data privacy concerns, citing past "reckless" use by Rite Aid.
• AI is transforming nursing education and patient care, offering benefits like reduced human error and potential solutions for staffing shortages.
• Law schools are encouraged to teach practical AI skills to ensure future lawyers can ethically use tools for drafting and research.
• OpenAI is testing ads in the free version of ChatGPT and the new ChatGPT Go subscription in the U.S.
• Study Fetch is an AI-powered platform that converts course materials into interactive study tools, including an AI tutor named Spark.E.
• Elon Musk predicts AI and robotics could make work optional and money irrelevant within 10-20 years, a timeline questioned by economists.

Michael Burry and Ben Affleck agree AI is unreliable

Investor Michael Burry agrees with actor Ben Affleck's views on AI. Affleck stated on the Joe Rogan Experience podcast that large language models like ChatGPT, Claude, and Gemini are "not reliable." He believes AI reflects the average and cannot replace human creativity, questioning its rising costs and slowing performance gains. Burry, who has warned about an AI bubble, called Affleck a "smart guy" whose arguments were "on point." Both see AI as a tool to help with burdensome tasks, not a replacement for artists or a reliable source.

Ben Affleck joins Michael Burry in AI skepticism

"Big Short" investor Michael Burry found an unexpected ally in actor Ben Affleck regarding AI skepticism. Affleck, speaking on "The Joe Rogan Experience" podcast, criticized AI chatbots as "not good" and "shitty," arguing they cannot produce meaningful writing or entire movies. He believes companies promote AI to justify their large investments, noting that new models are only slightly better but cost more. Burry praised Affleck's insights, calling him a "smart guy" whose arguments were "on point." Both view AI as a tool to save time and money, not a replacement for human creativity, and Burry has warned of an AI bubble bursting by 2026.

AI transforms tech services sector investments for 2026

Artificial intelligence is significantly changing the technology services sector, with Big Tech companies spending over $405 billion on AI infrastructure. Microsoft, Meta, and Alphabet are heavily investing in data centers and computing power, showing a 62% growth year-over-year. Around 78% of organizations now use AI in at least one business function, a big jump from 33% in 2023. Agentic AI systems, which handle complex workflows autonomously, are the next big phase. While infrastructure investments are clear, opportunities also exist for service companies that help businesses effectively use AI and redesign workflows. Despite high investment, generative AI is not yet profitable, meaning business models must adapt, and energy efficiency will become crucial.

AI becomes essential for drug discovery by 2026

Artificial intelligence is rapidly changing drug discovery and will become a standard tool by 2026. AI helps identify drug targets, optimize clinical trials, and analyze huge amounts of data faster than humans. It can predict a drug's effectiveness, toxicity, and side effects early on, saving time and money. AI also supports personalized medicine by finding patient groups who will respond best to certain treatments. As AI technology improves and becomes more available, it will be a necessary part of developing new medicines.

Connecticut debates facial recognition use in grocery stores

Connecticut lawmakers and residents are debating the use of facial recognition systems in grocery stores like ShopRite. House Minority Leader Vincent Candelora and Senate Majority Leader Bob Duff expressed concerns about data privacy and plan to introduce legislation to block the technology. Retailers say they use the systems to identify suspected shoplifters, but privacy advocates worry about false alerts and data being sold. A past case with Rite Aid showed the technology was used "recklessly," leading to thousands of false identifications and insecure data storage. The debate continues on social media, highlighting the balance between security and privacy.

AI transforms nursing education and patient care

Artificial intelligence is changing nursing education and practice, according to Laurel Rhyne from the UTC College of Nursing. She teaches students how to use AI for studying and discusses its role in critical care and leadership. While AI offers safety benefits by reducing human error, Rhyne also warns of risks like bias and the possibility of AI becoming sentient. AI could help solve the nursing shortage by streamlining workflows, such as ambient listening systems that automatically document patient information. Clinical Assistant Professor Chris Doneski also uses AI in graduate nursing simulations, including with the HAL® S5301 manikin, to help students practice sensitive communication and build empathy.

Chinese influencer Mu Tianran imitates AI videos

A Chinese influencer named Mu Tianran has become skilled at creating videos that look like they were made by AI. She even copies the small mistakes often found in AI-generated content. This trend highlights how advanced AI imitation has become in the world of online influencers.

Law schools should teach practical AI skills

Legal educators are urging law schools to include practical AI training in their programs. They believe students need to learn how to use AI tools effectively and responsibly in real legal work. An experiment in an Entrepreneurship Clinic showed students used various AI products for tasks like drafting and research. Educators stress that AI should support legal reasoning, not replace it, and lawyers must verify AI outputs. This training will help future lawyers use technology ethically and competently in both transactional work and litigation.

Study Fetch AI helps students learn faster

Study Fetch is an AI-powered platform designed to help students study more efficiently by transforming course materials into interactive tools. It uses an "Active Recall" method to improve long-term memory retention. Students upload their materials, and the AI quickly creates notes, summaries, flashcards, and practice quizzes. The platform also features an AI tutor named Spark.E, which answers questions using only the uploaded content. However, some users have reported issues with billing and app bugs.

Open AI tests ads in free Chat GPT

Open AI has started testing ads in its Chat GPT service for some users in the United States. These ads will appear in the free version and the new Chat GPT Go subscription, which costs $8 per month. However, users with Plus, Pro, Business, or Enterprise subscriptions will not see any ads. The company states that ads will be clearly marked and kept separate from Chat GPT's responses, appearing only when a relevant sponsored product or service exists.

Elon Musk predicts optional work and no money with AI

Elon Musk predicts that within 10 to 20 years, work will become optional and money will no longer be important, thanks to advancements in AI and robotics. He shared this vision at the U.S.-Saudi Investment Forum, imagining a future with millions of robots boosting productivity and ensuring no shortage of goods or services. Musk referenced Iain M. Banks' "Culture" novels, where money does not exist. However, economists like Ioana Marinescu and Samuel Solomon question his timeline, citing the high cost of robotics and the need for political will to ensure inclusive prosperity with universal basic income.

Sources

• 'Big Short' Investor Michael Burry Sides With Ben Affleck On AI Critique, Calls It Fundamentally 'Not Reliable' - Roundhill Generative AI & Technology ETF (ARCA:CHAT), Alphabet (NASDAQ:GOOG)
• 'Big Short' Michael Burry's unlikely ally in AI crusade: Ben Affleck
• How AI Is Reshaping the Technology Services Sector Investing Insights for 2026
• 2026: the year AI stops being optional in drug discovery
• A CT grocery chain is using a facial recognition system. It triggered debate on AI security systems.
• Artificial intelligence in nursing
• Is this Chinese influencer AI?
• Law schools urged to embed practical AI training in legal education
• AVIS STUDY FETCH 2026 : VOTRE COMPAGNON D’ÉTUDE ALIMENTÉ PAR L’IA ?
• Open AI begins testing ads in Chat GPT
• Elon Musk says that in 10 to 20 years, work will be optional and money will be irrelevant thanks to AI and robotics