microsoft launches google while openai expands its platform

Despite significant investment in artificial intelligence, a recent report from February 17, 2026, indicates that over 80% of companies in Europe and the US have not yet seen productivity gains from AI. This finding echoes the "productivity paradox" of the 1980s, even as executives anticipate AI will boost productivity by 1.4% and output by 0.8% over the next three years. Currently, only one-third of leaders use AI, averaging just 1.5 hours per week.

Meanwhile, India is positioning itself as a leader in the AI revolution. Prime Minister Narendra Modi, speaking on February 18, 2026, highlighted India's efforts in building the necessary infrastructure and policies. During the AI Impact Summit in New Delhi, Modi met with Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez and Finnish Prime Minister Petteri Orpo to discuss boosting trade, digital innovation, and ethical AI. India and Spain's economic partnership saw $9.32 billion in trade in 2024. Microsoft President Brad Smith, also at the summit, warned US tech companies about Chinese government subsidies in AI, noting China's large investment funds and cheaper energy could lead to global reliance on Chinese technology within five to ten years.

In product development, Google introduced Jetpack Compose Glimmer, a new design system for its upcoming AI glasses. This framework is tailored for "additive displays," utilizing dark backgrounds and bright content to ensure clear viewing and conserve battery. Google also adjusted its Sans Flex font for optimal readability on transparent lenses. Conversely, OpenAI faces a legal challenge, as a federal judge in California temporarily barred it from using the name "Cameo" for its new AI video features due to a trademark dispute with the celebrity video platform Cameo, which sued OpenAI last year.

Concerns about AI's impact on employment are growing. Andrew Yang, founder of the Forward Party, predicts mass layoffs for white-collar workers, including middle managers, marketers, and coders, within the next 12 to 18 months, driven by companies seeking to please the stock market. An Irish Department of Finance report supports this, showing AI is affecting early-career jobs, with a 20% drop in tech sector employment for young people. In other applications, the Minnesota State Capitol has implemented a new AI security system that quickly detects threats like 3D printed weapons without requiring visitors to remove personal items. However, the legal system is grappling with AI-generated content, as a New Zealand judge rejected an AI-written apology letter, questioning its sincerity and highlighting broader issues, similar to the US Copyright Office not registering AI-created works.

The global AI race also underscores significant energy demands. Phil Flynn emphasizes that the US needs robust energy resources to power AI systems, which consume vast amounts of electricity for data centers and cooling. Training a single large AI model requires thousands of GPUs and substantial energy. Oil and natural gas are crucial for providing reliable electricity and manufacturing hardware components, especially given China's control over critical minerals essential for AI technology, making AI leadership a national security imperative.

Key Takeaways

  • Over 80% of companies in Europe and the US have not seen productivity gains from AI, despite billions invested, though executives expect future boosts of 1.4% in productivity and 0.8% in output.
  • India aims to lead the global AI revolution, building infrastructure and policies, and fostering international partnerships, including a $9.32 billion trade relationship with Spain in 2024.
  • Microsoft President Brad Smith warns that Chinese government subsidies for AI firms, coupled with cheaper energy, could give China a significant global advantage in AI technology within 5-10 years.
  • Google introduced Jetpack Compose Glimmer, a new design system for its future AI glasses, featuring dark backgrounds, bright content, and a specialized font for transparent displays.
  • OpenAI is temporarily barred from using the name "Cameo" for its AI video features due to a trademark dispute with the celebrity video platform Cameo.
  • Andrew Yang predicts millions of white-collar job losses within 12-18 months due to AI, impacting roles like middle managers, marketers, and coders.
  • An Irish report indicates AI is disproportionately affecting early-career jobs, with a 20% drop in tech sector employment for young workers aged 15-29.
  • The Minnesota State Capitol has deployed a new AI security system that detects threats like 3D printed weapons without requiring visitors to remove personal items.
  • A New Zealand judge rejected an AI-written apology letter, questioning its sincerity, highlighting legal challenges with AI-generated content, similar to the US Copyright Office not registering AI-created works.
  • The US needs robust energy resources, including oil and natural gas, to power the massive electricity demands of AI data centers and secure its leadership in the global AI race.

CEOs See No AI Productivity Gains Yet

A recent report from February 17, 2026, shows that thousands of CEOs believe artificial intelligence has not yet improved employment or productivity. This finding reminds economists of the "productivity paradox" from the 1980s, first noted by Nobel laureate Robert Solow. Despite many S&P 500 companies talking positively about AI, a survey reveals 80% of firms have seen no real gains. However, executives still expect AI to boost productivity by 1.4% and output by 0.8% in the next three years. Experts like Torsten Slok suggest AI's impact might follow a "J-curve," with benefits appearing later as companies learn to use the technology effectively.

Most Companies See No AI Productivity Boost

A new survey by the European Investment Bank found that over 80% of companies in Europe and the US have not seen productivity gains from artificial intelligence. This comes despite billions of dollars invested in AI tools. Executives still believe AI will increase productivity by 1.4% and output by 0.8% over the next three years. The survey also showed that only one-third of leaders use AI, and they use it for just 1.5 hours per week on average. This situation is similar to the "productivity paradox" seen with microcomputers in the 1980s and 1990s.

India Boosts AI and Trade with Spain and Finland

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi met with Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez and Finnish Prime Minister Petteri Orpo in New Delhi on Wednesday. The leaders discussed boosting trade, digital innovation, sustainability, and ethical artificial intelligence. Prime Minister Sanchez was in India for the AI Impact Summit 2026. India and Spain aim to deepen their economic partnership, which saw $9.32 billion in trade in 2024. Modi and Orpo focused on next-generation technologies, AI research, and using Indian talent for joint innovation.

PM Modi Highlights India's AI Revolution Role

Prime Minister Narendra Modi spoke on Wednesday, February 18, 2026, about India's big potential in the artificial intelligence revolution. He shared his thoughts during an interview with ANI while India hosts the AI Impact Summit in Delhi. Modi stated that India is actively building the necessary infrastructure, policies, and skills to not just join but also lead the AI revolution. The country aims to shape the future of AI globally.

Google Unveils Glimmer UI for New AI Glasses

Google introduced Jetpack Compose Glimmer, a new design system for future AI glasses. This framework is made for "additive displays" that only add light, meaning black is completely transparent. To ensure clear viewing and save battery, Glimmer uses dark backgrounds with bright content and measures UI in visual angles instead of pixels. Google also adjusted its Sans Flex font for better readability on transparent lenses. The system uses a special contrast formula and a neutral color palette to keep content visible in different lighting. Notifications appear slowly over two seconds to be less distracting, while user actions get instant feedback.

Andrew Yang Warns of Coming AI Job Cuts

Andrew Yang, founder of the Forward Party, warned on his Substack that mass layoffs for white-collar workers are coming soon. He predicts artificial intelligence will cause millions of job losses within the next 12 to 18 months. Yang believes companies will reduce staff to please the stock market, leading to widespread job cuts. Mid-career office workers, middle managers, call center workers, marketers, and coders are among those at risk. He also stated that the impact will spread to local service businesses as people stop going to offices.

Judge Rejects AI Written Apology Letter

A New Zealand judge sentenced Michae Ngaire Win to 27 months in prison after she used artificial intelligence to write her apology letter. Win was being sentenced for arson, burglary, assault, and resisting police. The judge questioned if an AI-generated letter showed true remorse, stating it did not help him assess her sincerity. This case highlights growing questions about the validity of AI-generated content in important situations. The US Copyright Office also does not register works created by AI.

Minnesota Capitol Uses New AI Security System

The Minnesota State Capitol has installed a new artificial intelligence security system, making checkpoints quick and easy for visitors. This system allows people to walk through without removing items like wallets or cell phones. Dr. Manjeet Rege from the University of St. Thomas explained that the AI analyzes the shape, density, and material of objects, trained on thousands of examples of banned items. It can even detect threats like 3D printed weapons that traditional metal detectors might miss. This technology is also used in places like Target Field, schools, and hospitals, enhancing human security efforts.

OpenAI Cannot Use Cameo Name for AI Videos

OpenAI has been temporarily stopped from using the name "Cameo" for its new artificial intelligence video features. This decision comes from a federal judge in California due to a trademark dispute with the celebrity video platform Cameo. The original Cameo company sued OpenAI last year, arguing that OpenAI's new feature, which lets people create virtual likenesses, infringes on their brand. Cameo's CEO, Steven Galanis, called this ruling a big win, while OpenAI stated that no one should have exclusive ownership of the word "cameo." The ruling suggests that the court believes Cameo will likely prove trademark infringement.

US Needs Energy to Win AI Race

Phil Flynn argues that America must have strong energy resources to win the global artificial intelligence race. AI systems need huge amounts of electricity, with data centers consuming a growing share of power worldwide. Training a single large AI model requires thousands of GPUs and significant energy for cooling. Oil and natural gas are crucial for providing reliable electricity to power these data centers and for making hardware components. Flynn emphasizes that leading in AI is vital for national security, especially since China controls most of the world's critical minerals needed for AI technology.

Microsoft Warns of Chinese AI Subsidies

Microsoft President Brad Smith stated that US tech companies should be concerned about the government subsidies Chinese firms receive in the AI race. Speaking at the AI Impact Summit in New Delhi on February 18, 2026, Smith noted that while the US has an advantage in powerful chips, China supports its AI companies with large investment funds and cheaper energy. He compared this strategy to how China disrupted the telecommunications market in the past. Smith warned that without strong competition, much of the world could be using Chinese technology within five to ten years.

Irish Report Shows AI Impacting Young Workers

A report from the Irish Department of Finance on Wednesday shows that artificial intelligence is starting to affect early-career jobs, especially for young workers aged 15 to 29. While overall employment in high-risk sectors still grew, job growth for younger workers in these areas dropped by 1%. In the tech sector, employment for young people fell by over 20%, contrasting with a 12% rise for older workers. Experts are concerned this trend could create a "lost generation" of graduates, as companies are slowing new hiring rather than laying off existing staff. Ireland is seen as a key example, with 63% of its job market exposed to AI.

Sources

NOTE:

This news brief was generated using AI technology (including, but not limited to, Google Gemini API, Llama, Grok, and Mistral) from aggregated news articles, with minimal to no human editing/review. It is provided for informational purposes only and may contain inaccuracies or biases. This is not financial, investment, or professional advice. If you have any questions or concerns, please verify all information with the linked original articles in the Sources section below.

AI Productivity Productivity Paradox Economic Impact of AI AI Investment AI Job Displacement Future of Work AI Energy Consumption Global AI Race US-China AI Competition Government Subsidies AI Security AI Video Generation AI-Generated Content AI Hardware Wearable AI AI Ethics Legal Implications of AI AI Policy National Security India AI International AI Cooperation Digital Innovation AI Adoption Workforce Impact Tech Sector Data Centers UI/UX Design Trademark Disputes AI Applications CEO Sentiment Microsoft OpenAI Google Narendra Modi AI Impact Summit

Comments

Loading...