OpenAI tests ads as Google Gemini integrates at Georgetown

Key Takeaways

• SoundHound AI launched its Sales Assist agent at MWC 2026, providing real-time AI support for retail sales staff.
• SoundHound AI processed 30 million AI customer interactions in 2025.
• A Pew study found 54% of U.S. teens aged 13-17 use AI chatbots like ChatGPT for schoolwork.
• 64% of U.S. teens use AI chatbots, but only 51% of parents are aware of their teens' usage.
• Georgetown University will integrate Google's Gemini AI and launch AI-focused curricula in Fall 2026.
• Digital Promise launched a $26 million K-12 AI Infrastructure Program to create shared AI models for education.
• The Australian government will establish a new AI Safety Institute in early 2026 with $29.9 million, replacing a previous advisory body.
• McKinsey predicts generative AI will significantly transform packaging pricing strategies in 2026.
• OpenAI is testing personalized advertisements within ChatGPT with retail giants including Target, Adobe, Williams-Sonoma, and Albertsons.
• Wall Street is debating AI's potential economic impacts, from massive growth to widespread job losses.

SoundHound AI boosts retail sales with real-time agent assistance

SoundHound AI introduced its Sales Assist tool at Mobile World Congress in Barcelona. This AI helps retail sales associates by providing real-time information on pricing, promotions, and product options during customer interactions. The system listens to conversations (with consent) and instantly offers suggestions for deals and add-ons on a tablet or device. This helps associates avoid pausing to check multiple systems, leading to smoother customer experiences and potentially increased sales. SoundHound AI processed nearly 30 million AI customer interactions last year, showing the growing use of conversational AI in retail and telecom.

SoundHound AI debuts retail sales assistant at MWC 2026

SoundHound AI launched its Sales Assist agent at Mobile World Congress 2026. This AI tool provides real-time support to retail sales staff, offering instant suggestions for offers and add-ons during customer conversations. It uses advanced speech recognition to work in noisy environments and securely accesses systems like CRM and billing. Michael Anderson of SoundHound AI stated that voice interaction is evolving to resolve issues, not just respond. The Sales Assist agent aims to transform retail environments by providing immediate, AI-driven assistance.

SoundHound AI's Sales Assist offers real-time retail sales help

SoundHound AI has launched Sales Assist, a voice-powered AI solution for retail staff, debuting at MWC 2026. The tool analyzes customer interactions to give staff instant recommendations for deals and add-ons, speeding up sales. It works in noisy retail settings and provides information directly to staff devices. SoundHound processed 30 million AI interactions in 2025 and is showcasing its enterprise AI at the event. Sales Assist aims to improve customer experience and sales consistency.

SoundHound AI launches Sales Assist for retail sales floor

SoundHound AI announced its new Sales Assist agent, a voice-powered AI for retail, debuting at Mobile World Congress 2026. This tool provides real-time AI prompts to sales staff during customer conversations, analyzing intent to offer instant, data-driven recommendations. It helps associates quickly find upgrades, bundles, and compliance details without needing to check multiple systems. Powered by Polaris ASR, it's designed for noisy retail environments and securely accesses necessary data. The agent helps retailers boost revenue and ensure consistent sales practices.

SoundHound AI's new tool helps store staff pitch deals

SoundHound AI launched its Sales Assist agent at MWC Barcelona 2026, a real-time AI tool for retail sales staff. The agent provides instant prompts for upgrades, bundles, and trade-ins directly to staff devices during customer conversations. It uses Polaris ASR for noisy environments and orchestrates AI agents to access sales data securely. This helps speed up sales interactions and improve customer experience. SoundHound processed 30 million AI interactions in 2025 and is showcasing its AI platform in Europe.

SoundHound AI's new tool helps store staff pitch deals

SoundHound AI has released its Sales Assist agent, a voice-powered AI designed for retail staff, debuting at MWC Barcelona 2026. This tool gives sales associates real-time AI suggestions for deals and add-ons during customer interactions. It analyzes conversation context to provide instant, data-driven recommendations on devices like tablets. Powered by Polaris ASR, the AI is built for busy, noisy retail settings. The Sales Assist agent aims to make sales interactions faster and more personalized, helping retailers increase revenue and train staff more effectively.

SoundHound AI launches Sales Assist for retail associates

SoundHound AI introduced its Sales Assist Agent, a real-time AI solution for in-store retail staff, at MWC Barcelona 2026. The tool provides instant, AI-driven recommendations for deals and add-ons to enhance customer interactions and sales. SoundHound AI processed 30 million AI customer interactions in 2025 and is highlighting its advanced conversational AI at the event. The Sales Assist Agent helps associates provide personalized and efficient sales experiences, leading to better customer satisfaction and sales.

More than half of teens use AI for schoolwork, Pew study finds

A new Pew Research Center study found that 54% of U.S. teens aged 13 to 17 have used AI chatbots like ChatGPT for schoolwork. This includes tasks like research and solving math problems. The study, based on a survey of 1,458 teens and their parents, shows that AI use for school is becoming common. While 44% of teens use AI for some schoolwork, 10% rely on it for most or all of their assignments. Researchers noted this trend is becoming a common practice among teenagers.

Teens use AI often, but parents often don't know, survey says

A Pew survey revealed that 64% of U.S. teens use AI chatbots, but only 51% of parents are aware of their teens' usage. The study found 54% of teens use AI for schoolwork, and about 1 in 10 have received emotional support from AI. Teens view AI as a useful tool, while many parents worry about its impact. The survey also indicated that many parents do not discuss AI usage with their teens. Experts suggest parents should be curious about how teens use AI and set clear boundaries.

Government scraps AI body after 15 months and $188k spent

An Australian AI Advisory Body was canceled after 15 months of work and nearly $200,000 spent identifying experts. The government had narrowed down 270 experts to 12 nominees before scrapping the body. A new AI Safety Institute will be established in early 2026 with $29.9 million. The government stated the new institute will have more dynamic capabilities for testing and advising on AI regulations. This decision comes amid concerns about delays in AI regulation potentially leading to harms.

Georgetown University to integrate generative AI into programs

Georgetown University will offer access to Google's Gemini AI assistant to faculty and staff in March, expanding to students later. The university will also launch AI-focused curricula in the College of Arts & Sciences and the McDonough School of Business in Fall 2026. New policies will be introduced to protect user data and maintain AI guidelines. Professors will retain discretion over AI use in their classrooms. Georgetown aims to help the community understand AI's role in education and research.

New Relic launches AI agent platform and OpenTelemetry tools

New Relic has introduced a no-code AI agent platform for enterprises to build data observability AI agents. This platform allows companies to deploy pre-built agents and manage existing bots, supporting the model context protocol (MCP). New Relic also launched new tools for OpenTelemetry (OTel), integrating OTel data streams into its application performance monitoring. These tools aim to simplify data management and encourage wider adoption of the OTel framework by addressing fragmentation issues. The company focuses on providing agent-building capabilities within the observability domain.

McKinsey: Generative AI to transform packaging pricing in 2026

McKinsey predicts generative AI will significantly change pricing strategies in the packaging industry in 2026, moving beyond initial adoption in 2025 to large-scale deployment. AI can analyze customer segments and product comparisons more efficiently, allowing for precise pricing. While companies see AI's potential, concerns about intellectual property and privacy remain. McKinsey expects companies to become bolder in integrating AI across their operations. AI is also expected to play a larger role in managing sustainability data.

New program supports AI development for K-12 education tools

Digital Promise has launched a $26 million K-12 AI Infrastructure Program to create shared AI models, datasets, and benchmarks for educational technology. This initiative aims to lower barriers for K-12 ed-tech companies developing AI products, especially for assessments. The program partners with several institutions, including Georgetown University. By providing open-license public goods, it seeks to improve the quality and standards of AI tools used in education. The first request for proposals focuses on formative assessments.

Mayors Challenge winners use AI to improve city services

Winners of the Bloomberg Philanthropies Mayors Challenge are using AI and resident input to enhance city services. South Bend, Indiana, for example, is using AI to analyze resident data and offer proactive support. Each of the 24 winning cities will receive $1 million and expert support to implement their projects. Former Mayor Michael Bloomberg hopes these successful initiatives can be adopted by other cities. Many winners are integrating AI in sophisticated ways to better serve their communities.

OpenAI tests ChatGPT ads with retail giants

OpenAI is testing advertisements within ChatGPT with major retail companies like Target, Adobe, Williams-Sonoma, and Albertsons. These companies are exploring how conversational AI can be used for advertising that enhances the customer journey rather than interrupting it. The goal is to create personalized and contextual advertising experiences that align with user interactions on the platform. This collaboration aims to develop new advertising approaches for the evolving landscape of conversational AI.

AI's economic impact debated on Wall Street

Wall Street is discussing potential economic scenarios driven by advanced AI, ranging from massive growth to widespread job losses. Some analyses suggest AI could lead to significant stock sell-offs and credit market issues if it displaces millions of workers. Others argue AI might boost productivity and justify high stock prices. The debate highlights uncertainty about AI's effects on employment, income distribution, and consumer demand. Economists are considering these possibilities for policy decisions, while some believe AI's impact may not be fundamentally different from past technological shifts.

Sources

• SoundHound AI Brings Real-Time Agentic AI to the Retail Sales Floor at MWC
• SoundHound AI launch at MWC 2026 brings real-time agentic AI to the retail store sales floor — Retail Technology Innovation Hub
• SoundHound AI Launches Sales Assist: Real-Time Voice-Powered AI Solution for Retail Teams at MWC 2026
• SoundHound AI, Inc. Launches Sales Assist Agent, Bringing Real-Time Agentic AI to the Retail Sales Floor
• AI shop assistant from SoundHound targets faster phone upgrades
• SoundHound's new AI helps store staff pitch deals in real time
• MWC 2026: SoundHound AI Launches Sales Assist Agent, Bringing Real-Time Agentic AI to the Retail Sales Floor
• More Than Half of Teens Use Chatbots for Schoolwork, Survey Finds
• Teens are using AI frequently in their daily lives, and many parents aren't aware, survey finds
• 15 months, 270 AI experts and $188k bill before AI body scrapped
• GU to Integrate Generative AI into Curricula, University Programs
• New Relic launches new AI agent platform and OpenTelemetry tools
• Gen AI could transform packaging pricing: McKinsey
• New AI Infrastructure Program Aims to Lower Barriers—and Raise Standards—for K-12 Vendors
• Bloomberg Philanthropies Mayors Challenge winners use AI and resident input to improve city services
• OpenAI Taps Retail Giants for First Wave of ChatGPT Ad Testing
• The AI doom-and-gloom scenario captivating Wall Street