microsoft, google and copilot Updates

Many teams are seeking advanced AI tools and templates to enhance productivity in presentations and collaboration. Alternatives to Prezi Video, such as Skywork AI, Canva, and Beautiful.ai, offer features like modern designs, stronger AI assistance, and faster workflows, including research-backed slides and smart layouts. For business presentations, Microsoft PowerPoint integrates Copilot and Cameo for deep brand templates and webcam-over-slide recording, while Google Slides leverages Gemini for cloud-first collaboration and AI-assisted drafting. Similarly, XMind alternatives like Miro, Lucid, and Whimsical provide real-time editing, cloud integrations, and AI-powered features like prompt-to-map generation for mind mapping and whiteboarding. Google Cloud significantly advanced its AI offerings on December 13, 2025, by making its Gemini Live API generally available on Vertex AI. This API, powered by the Gemini 2.5 Flash Native Audio model, enables the creation of sophisticated multimodal AI agents capable of human-like conversations by blending voice, vision, and text in real time. Companies like Shopify and United Wholesale Mortgage are already utilizing this technology. Meanwhile, the state of Illinois is actively searching for its first Chief Artificial Intelligence Officer, aiming to have a candidate in place by the end of March 2026, to lead its statewide AI and machine learning strategy. The political landscape surrounding AI is seeing varied approaches, with President Donald Trump advocating against states independently regulating AI, a stance that has created division among some Republicans. Trump has also issued an executive order, emphasizing an AI arms race with China. On a local level, the city council in Chandler, Arizona, unanimously rejected a large AI data center project from Active Infrastructure, following strong resident opposition. Economically, December 13, 2025, also marked a notable shift as investors began moving funds out of AI stocks and into sectors like materials, industrials, financials, and healthcare, driven by concerns over AI stock valuations and profitability. Amidst these technological and economic shifts, there's a growing recognition of the value of human-centric activities. Hobbies, such as crafting or gardening, are increasingly seen as a way to create "AI-proof" careers and social lives, offering personal fulfillment that artificial intelligence cannot replicate. Experts highlight how these analog experiences support mental health and productivity, with a 2023 Gallup survey indicating that a majority of American adults, particularly younger generations, value hobbies. This trend is contributing to a growing hobby economy and potentially new job opportunities.

Key Takeaways

• Microsoft PowerPoint with Copilot and Cameo offers deep brand templates and webcam-over-slide recording for business presentations.
• Google Slides provides cloud-first collaboration and AI-assisted drafting with Gemini.
• Google Cloud launched its Gemini Live API on Vertex AI on December 13, 2025, utilizing the Gemini 2.5 Flash Native Audio model for real-time multimodal AI agents.
• Illinois is seeking its first Chief Artificial Intelligence Officer to lead the state's AI and machine learning strategy, with a target hire date by March 2026.
• Chandler, Arizona, city council unanimously rejected a large AI data center project due to strong resident opposition.
• On December 13, 2025, investors began shifting money from AI stocks to sectors like materials, industrials, financials, and healthcare, citing concerns over AI valuations and profitability.
• Donald Trump stated he would punish any state attempting to regulate AI independently, a position that has caused division among Republicans.
• President Trump issued an executive order on AI, warning that America is in an AI arms race with China.
• Alternatives to Prezi Video and XMind offer advanced AI features, modern templates, and improved collaboration tools for various devices and business needs.
• Hobbies are gaining recognition as "AI-proof" activities that offer personal fulfillment, support mental health, and contribute to a growing hobby economy.

Top Prezi Video Alternatives Offer Better AI and Templates

Many teams like Prezi Video but find its templates and AI tools limited. This guide explores alternatives that offer modern templates, stronger AI design, and faster workflows. Tools like Skywork AI, Canva, and Beautiful.ai provide features such as research-backed slides, vast template libraries, and smart layouts. These alternatives help users spend more time presenting and less time fixing designs.

Best XMind Alternatives for Team Collaboration Online

XMind is good for mind maps, but many teams need better online collaboration tools. This guide reviews alternatives based on features like real-time editing, cloud integrations, and AI assistance. Miro offers strong facilitation and many templates, while FigJam provides simple collaboration for design teams. Whimsical focuses on speed and clarity, and Lucid combines diagramming with whiteboarding. These tools help teams brainstorm and work together more effectively.

Prezi Video Alternatives for All Devices and Better AI

Many users seek Prezi Video alternatives for simpler recording, better AI editing, or different pricing. This guide evaluates tools based on presenter workflow, AI features, ease of use, and platform support. Alternatives like Loom, Canva, and Descript offer features such as auto summaries, magic design tools, and transcript-first editing. Skywork AI provides research-backed content and multimodal outputs. These options cater to Mac, Windows, and mobile users needing improved video creation.

XMind Alternatives Offer Advanced AI and Templates

XMind is useful for mind maps, but many teams need more advanced templates, AI design tools, and automation. This guide explores alternatives like Miro, Lucid, and Whimsical. These tools provide features such as infinite whiteboards, structured diagramming, and prompt-to-map AI generation. They also offer strong integrations and various export options to streamline workflows. Skywork AI is noted for research-backed outputs and document conversions.

Top Prezi Video Alternatives for Business Presentations

Businesses and marketing teams often need Prezi Video alternatives for polished, on-brand presentations. This guide examines options based on brand control, video features, AI speed, and collaboration. Microsoft PowerPoint with Copilot and Cameo offers deep brand templates and webcam-over-slide recording. Google Slides provides cloud-first collaboration and AI-assisted drafting with Gemini. Canva excels at rapid visual production and easy recording, while Beautiful.ai ensures consistent, automated layouts for non-designers.

Google Cloud Launches Gemini Live API on Vertex AI

Google Cloud announced on December 13, 2025, that its Gemini Live API is now generally available on Vertex AI. This API uses the Gemini 2.5 Flash Native Audio model to create advanced multimodal AI agents. These agents can blend voice, vision, and text for human-like conversations in real time. Companies like Shopify, United Wholesale Mortgage, and SightCall are already using Gemini Live API to improve customer experiences and business processes.

Illinois Searches for First Chief AI Officer

Illinois is looking to hire its first Chief Artificial Intelligence Officer. This new executive will lead the state's strategy for artificial intelligence and machine learning. The Department of Innovation and Technology is creating a formal AI office for this role. CIO Brandon Ragle announced the search, and the state hopes to have a candidate in place by the end of March 2026. The officer will need strong IT management and AI governance experience.

Chandler Arizona Rejects AI Data Center Project

The city council in Chandler, Arizona, unanimously voted against a large artificial intelligence data center project. Residents expressed strong opposition, with many holding signs that read "NO MORE DATACENTERS." Active Infrastructure was the developer pushing for the project. Cheers and applause followed the council's decision, despite a previous recommendation for approval from the Planning and Zoning Commission.

Could America win the AI race but lose the war?

A required part of this site couldn't load. This may be due to a browser extension, network issues, or browser settings. Please check your connection, disable any ad blockers, or try using a different browser.......

Analysts See Shift Away From AI Stocks Beginning

On December 13, 2025, investors began moving money out of AI stocks and into sectors like materials, industrials, financials, and healthcare. Wall Street analysts believe this shift, or sector rotation, could continue. Jeremy Siegel, a Wharton professor, noted growing doubts about how fast and profitable AI development will be. Eric Teal, chief investment officer at First Citizens Asset Management, mentioned concerns about AI stock valuations and high debt. He expects financial and healthcare stocks, along with small and micro-cap stocks, to benefit from lower interest rates.

Republicans Divided on AI Regulation Says Podcast

A podcast on December 12, 2025, discussed how Republicans are split over artificial intelligence. President Donald Trump stated he would punish any state that tries to regulate AI on its own. This position, which favors the tech industry, has caused disagreement among some of his supporters. The podcast explores how Washington might help or hinder AI development.

Hobbies Offer AI Proof Career and Social Life

Hobbies provide a unique way to protect careers and social lives from the rise of AI. Many people are now seeking analog experiences like crafting or gardening, which offer personal fulfillment that AI cannot replicate. Experts like Diana Lind and Benjamin Chipman highlight how hobbies support mental health and productivity. A 2023 Gallup survey shows a majority of American adults value hobbies, especially younger generations. The hobby economy is growing, with projected revenue increases in craft supplies, and can create new job opportunities.

Trump Warns Against Slow AI Regulation as China Leads

President Trump issued an executive order on artificial intelligence, warning that America is in an AI arms race with China. Robert Maginnis, author of 'AI for Mankind \

Sources

• Prezi Video alternatives with better templates, AI design tools, and automation
• Top XMind alternatives for online collaboration
• Best Prezi Video alternatives for Mac, Windows, and mobile users
• XMind alternatives with better templates, AI design tools, and automation
• Best Prezi Video alternatives for business and marketing decks
• Gemini Live API available on Vertex AI
• Illinois Seeks to Appoint State’s First Chief AI Officer
• Arizona city unanimously rejects AI data center after residents' outcry
• Could America win the AI race but lose the war?
• There have been head fakes before, but this time may be different as the latest stock rotation out of AI is just getting started, analysts say
• MAGA vs machine: Republicans split over AI
• The cheat code to save your career and social life from AI
• China races ahead on AI —Trump warns America can't regulate itself into defeat