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Amazon unveils Nova Act to enhance AI capabilities

Amazon has launched Nova Act, a general-purpose AI agent capable of controlling web browsers to perform simple tasks. Along with the new agent, Amazon is releasing the Nova Act SDK, enabling developers to create agent prototypes.

The tool will also power key features of the upcoming Alexa+ upgrade, a generative AI-enhanced version of Amazon’s voice assistant.

Developed by Amazon’s AGI lab, Nova Act is designed to automate tasks such as ordering food or making reservations. Although the model is currently a research preview, Amazon claims Nova Act outperforms competitors like OpenAI’s Operator and Anthropic’s Computer Use in internal tests.

The toolkit, available on nova.amazon.com, allows developers to integrate AI agents into applications that can navigate websites, fill forms, and interact with digital content.

Despite its early stage, Nova Act is seen as a significant step in the development of superintelligent AI, with Amazon’s AGI lab aiming to make AI agents reliable and effective across various tasks.

Instead of AI agents from other companies that have faced challenges like slow response times and error-prone performance, Amazon hopes that Nova Act will address these issues, potentially providing a competitive edge in the AI market.

The success of Nova Act could also play a crucial role in the success of Alexa+ and Amazon’s broader AI strategy.

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Runway expands AI video capabilities with Gen-4

Runway has unveiled Gen-4, its most advanced AI-powered video generator yet, promising superior character consistency, realistic motion, and world understanding.

The model is now available to individual and enterprise users, allowing them to generate dynamic videos using visual references and text-based instructions.

Backed by investors such as Google and Nvidia, Runway faces fierce competition from OpenAI and Google in the AI video space. The company has differentiated itself by securing Hollywood partnerships and investing heavily in AI-generated filmmaking.

However, it remains tight-lipped about its training data, raising concerns over copyright issues.

Runway is currently embroiled in a lawsuit from artists accusing the company of training its models on copyrighted works instead of getting permission. The company claims fair use as a defence.

Meanwhile, it is reportedly seeking new funding at a $4 billion valuation, with hopes of reaching $300 million in annual revenue. As AI video tools advance, concerns grow over their impact on jobs in the entertainment industry, with thousands of positions at risk.

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Apple expands AI features with new update

Apple Intelligence is expanding with new features, including Priority Notifications, which highlight time-sensitive alerts for users. This update is part of iOS 18.4, iPadOS 18.4, and macOS Sequoia 15.4, rolling out globally.

The AI suite is now available in more languages and has launched in the EU for iPhone and iPad users.

Additional improvements include a new Sketch style in Image Playground and the ability to generate ‘memory movies’ on Mac using simple text descriptions. Vision Pro users in the US can now access Apple Intelligence features like Writing Tools and Genmoji.

Apple’s AI rollout has been gradual since its introduction at WWDC last year, with features arriving in stages.

The update also brings fresh emojis, child safety enhancements, and the debut of Apple News+ Food, further expanding Apple’s digital ecosystem.

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OpenAI expands image generator access to all users

OpenAI has made its image generator, powered by the GPT-4o model, accessible to all users, CEO Sam Altman announced on X. Previously, this feature was available only to paying ChatGPT subscribers.

While there is no clear indication of how many images free-tier users can create, Altman previously mentioned a possible limit of three per day.

The tool has seen massive demand since its launch, with Altman joking that OpenAI’s GPUs were ‘melting’ under the pressure. However, it has also sparked controversy, particularly after users began generating images in the style of Studio Ghibli, raising copyright concerns.

Others have used the generator to create fake receipts, such as restaurant bills. OpenAI has responded by stating that all AI-generated images contain metadata identifying them and that the company takes action when violations occur.

In a major financial development, OpenAI has secured $40 billion in funding from SoftBank, valuing the company at $300 billion. The company also revealed that ChatGPT now boasts 500 million weekly active users and 700 million monthly active users, marking a significant milestone in its growth.

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OpenAI’s Ghibli-style tool raises privacy and data issues

OpenAI’s Ghibli-style AI image generator has taken social media by storm, with users eagerly transforming their photos into artwork reminiscent of Hayao Miyazaki’s signature style.

However, digital privacy activists are raising concerns that OpenAI might use this viral trend to collect thousands of personal images for AI training, potentially bypassing legal restrictions on web-scraped data.

Critics warn that while users enjoy the feature, they could unknowingly be handing over fresh facial data instead of protecting their privacy, raising ethical questions about AI and data collection.

Beyond privacy concerns, the trend has also reignited debates about AI’s impact on creative industries. Miyazaki, known for his hand-drawn approach, has previously expressed scepticism about artificial intelligence in animation.

Additionally, under GDPR regulations, OpenAI must justify data collection under “legitimate interest,” but experts argue that users voluntarily uploading images could give the company more freedom to use them instead of requiring further legal justification.

OpenAI has yet to issue an official statement regarding data safety, but ChatGPT itself warns users against uploading personal photos to any AI tool unless they are certain about its privacy policies.

Cybersecurity experts advise people to think twice before sharing high-resolution images online, use passwords instead of facial recognition for device security, and limit app access to their cameras.

As AI-generated image trends continue to gain popularity, the debate over privacy and data ownership is unlikely to fade anytime soon.

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DeepSeek overtakes ChatGPT in new visits, report shows

Chinese AI startup DeepSeek has emerged as the world’s fastest-growing AI tool, surpassing ChatGPT in new monthly website visits. In February alone, it recorded over 524 million fresh visits, edging past ChatGPT’s 500 million, according to analytics platform aitools.xyz.

Though still third overall behind ChatGPT and Canva in total traffic, DeepSeek’s market share rose sharply to 6.58%, with 792.6 million visits and 136.5 million unique users. India played a significant role, ranking fourth in traffic contribution with over 43 million monthly visits.

The report shows DeepSeek now holds over 12% of the global chatbot market. With the AI industry seeing more than 12 billion visits and 3 billion unique users last month, the rapid rise of DeepSeek signals intensifying competition in the AI space.

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Google expands Gemini Pro access

Google has made its powerful Gemini 2.5 Pro AI model available to free users for the first time. Previously reserved for subscribers, the experimental version is now accessible via the Gemini app, web platform, and AI Studio.

The model is designed to handle complex prompts, showcase advanced reasoning, and assist with coding tasks. It performs strongly in maths and science benchmarks, and even created a working video game from just one line of text in a demo.

Though still experimental, Gemini 2.5 Pro supports tools like file uploads and app extensions. Users can also see how it breaks down a request before replying, offering deeper insight into the through process of the AI.

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TikTok Shop launches in France, Germany and Italy

TikTok is expanding its e-commerce push by launching TikTok Shop in France, Germany and Italy. Already active in Spain and Ireland, the feature allows users to buy products directly within the app via videos, livestreams and a dedicated shop tab.

Customers can now browse, order, and get personalised product suggestions without leaving TikTok. However, users under 18 won’t be able to access content linked to TikTok Shop, with the platform promising stricter moderation.

The move has sparked concern among French retailers, with trade groups calling on the government to act against what they see as unfair competition from platforms like TikTok, Shein and Temu. Lawmakers are also investigating TikTok’s impact on young users.

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Canada unveils self-assessment tool for privacy breaches

Privacy Commissioner of Canada Philippe Dufresne has introduced an online tool designed to help businesses and federal institutions assess the impact of privacy breaches.

The web-based self-assessment tool guides users through key questions to determine whether a breach poses a real risk of significant harm to individuals.

Organizations governed by the Personal Information Protection and Electronic Documents Act (PIPEDA) and federal institutions must report breaches that could cause harm, including financial loss, identity theft, or damage to reputation.

The tool assists users in evaluating data sensitivity and the likelihood of misuse, helping them determine if they must notify affected individuals and regulators.

Privacy breaches can result from cyberattacks, scams, or accidental data exposure, particularly involving sensitive health or financial information.

The Privacy Commissioner’s office aims to streamline risk assessments, ensuring compliance with federal privacy laws while improving data protection standards across Canada.

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EU regulators seek common approach on DSA

The Coimisiún na Meán has warned that differing interpretations of the Digital Services Act (DSA) by EU regulators are hindering a unified approach to online platform regulation.

Maria Donde, Director of International Affairs at Coimisiún na Meán, highlighted the challenges of aligning various regulators’ approaches to the DSA, which has left room for interpretation.

She emphasised the importance of finding common ground, especially as the DSA, which came into effect last February, imposes transparency and election integrity requirements on platforms.

The DSA requires each EU member state to appoint a Digital Services Coordinator as a point of contact for platforms. Ireland, home to major platforms like TikTok and X, is at the forefront of enforcement.

Donde stressed the need for a consistent voice within the EU, particularly as the law faces criticism globally. The US government has condemned the EU’s regulatory approach, calling it a threat to free speech and accusing Europe of sidelining US tech companies.

The European Commission has already initiated several investigations under the DSA, targeting platforms such as X, TikTok, and Temu. These probes are ongoing, with potential fines for non-compliance reaching up to 6% of a company’s global turnover.

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