Google Meet’s AI-driven note-taking feature is getting a major upgrade with the ability to generate action items from meeting transcripts. The update, powered by Google’s Gemini AI, will automatically identify key tasks, assign deadlines, and designate responsible individuals at the end of each meeting.
Originally launched in August 2024, the AI transcription tool already provides accurate speaker separation and structured summaries in Google Docs. With this latest enhancement, the technology aims to improve productivity by ensuring that key takeaways are actionable and well-organised.
The feature begins rolling out today but at a slower pace than usual, as Google closely monitors its performance and quality. While AI-generated notes can be a helpful time-saver, some users may still prefer manual control over meeting documentation, especially when handling sensitive information.
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Former OpenAI chief technology officer Mira Murati has launched a new AI startup called Thinking Machines Lab, backed by a team of around 30 researchers and engineers from companies such as OpenAI, Meta, and Mistral. The startup aims to create AI systems that encode human values and address a wider range of applications than existing rivals, according to a blog post from the company.
Murati’s new venture demonstrates her ability to attract top talent, with two-thirds of the team made up of former OpenAI employees. Among them are Barret Zoph, a well-known researcher who joined Murati in leaving OpenAI in September, and John Schulman, OpenAI’s co-founder and the startup’s chief scientist. Schulman previously left OpenAI for Anthropic to focus on AI alignment, a key goal of Thinking Machines Lab.
The company’s approach differentiates itself by combining research and product teams in the design process. Thinking Machines Lab plans to contribute to AI alignment research by sharing code, datasets, and model specifications. Murati, now CEO of the startup, has previously played a major role in developing ChatGPT, and her exit from OpenAI reflects a broader trend of high-profile departures amid changes at the company.
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Freelance marketplace Fiverr is rolling out new AI tools designed to help gig workers streamline their work and maintain competitiveness. The ‘Personal AI Creation Model’ allows freelancers to train AI systems on their own work, offering clients either automated or blended content.
Freelancers retain ownership of the generated content and can set prices for its use, with the service costing $25 per month.
The tools aim to address challenges in the gig economy, where generative AI has increased competition while reducing opportunities. Fiverr highlights that the AI creation model prioritises freelancers’ control, ensuring their data is not misused.
Additionally, a ‘Personal AI Assistant’ is available to help with routine tasks and client communication, priced at $29 per month or included with Fiverr’s premium subscription.
Fiverr is also introducing a programme granting company shares to its top-performing freelancers. While the specifics remain undisclosed, the initiative reflects efforts to support gig workers in an increasingly competitive market.
As generative AI reshapes industries, Fiverr’s initiatives could help freelancers navigate the evolving landscape while enhancing their earning potential and safeguarding their creative work.
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Milan prosecutors have announced plans to drop a case against Google’s European division after the company agreed to settle a tax dispute by paying 326 million euros (£277 million). The settlement covers the period from 2015 to 2019, including penalties, sanctions, and interest.
The tax dispute stemmed from allegations that Google had failed to file and pay taxes on revenue generated in Italy, based on the digital infrastructure it operates within the country. This comes after the company settled a previous tax case with Italian authorities in 2017 by paying 306 million euros, which acknowledged Google’s permanent presence in Italy.
In 2023, Italy had requested that Google pay 1 billion euros in unpaid taxes and penalties. However, with this latest settlement, the case against the tech giant appears to be resolved for now.
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French AI company Mistral has introduced Mistral Saba, a language model tailored for Arabic-speaking users. Unlike its previous general-purpose models, Saba is designed to handle Arabic content more naturally and effectively, positioning Mistral as a competitor to US-based AI giants. The model also demonstrates strong performance in certain Indian languages due to cultural and linguistic overlaps.
The move signals Mistral’s growing interest in the Middle East, a region with increasing demand for AI-driven services. By offering an off-the-shelf model for Arabic-language support and content generation, the company aims to attract regional businesses and potential investors. Mistral has already secured funding from major US firms, but future investments from Middle Eastern partners could strengthen its global standing.
Mistral Saba is accessible via API and can be deployed on-premise, making it particularly appealing to industries such as finance, healthcare, and energy, where data privacy is crucial. The company has hinted at plans to develop more regional AI models, reinforcing its commitment to multilingual AI solutions, not just in France.
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Apple is set to introduce AI-driven features to its Vision Pro headset, including a new spatial content app and an enhanced guest user mode. The update, expected in April, may be available in beta for developers as early as this week, according to sources cited by Bloomberg.
The AI integration, dubbed ‘Apple Intelligence,’ will bring tools such as Writing Tools, Genmojis, and the Image Playground app to the Vision Pro. This move aligns with Apple’s broader push to incorporate AI into its ecosystem, as the company also explores AI partnerships for iPhones in China.
The Vision Pro, which launched in February 2024 with a hefty price tag of $3,499, initially saw strong sales but has since faced slowing demand. By enhancing its software with AI and new content features, Apple hopes to reignite consumer interest and better compete with more affordable alternatives, such as Meta’s Quest headsets.
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The New York Times has officially approved the use of AI tools for its editorial and product teams, allowing AI to assist with tasks such as generating social media copy, writing SEO headlines, and coding. As part of this shift, the publication has introduced an internal AI tool called Echo and outlined strict guidelines for AI use in news production.
While AI can support research, suggest edits, and help brainstorm interview questions, staff have been warned not to use it to draft or substantially revise articles, nor to input confidential source information. The paper is also exploring AI-generated voice articles and translations into other languages.
This move comes as The New York Times remains engaged in a lawsuit against OpenAI and Microsoft, accusing them of copyright violations for training generative AI on its content. Despite these legal disputes, the paper has approved AI programs such as GitHub Copilot, Google’s Vertex AI, and OpenAI’s API for select business applications.
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Greece is poised to launch its first satellites by the end of the year, marking a significant advancement in the country’s digital strategy. Minister of Digital Governance Dimitris Papastergiou, speaking at the Innovent Forum in Larissa, outlined the ambitious plans to deploy microsatellites by late 2025. These satellites will provide critical data across various sectors, significantly enhancing the country’s digital capabilities and supporting its broader technological goals.
The new satellite program is designed to offer more precise and narrowly focused information on key areas such as natural disasters, crops, water quality, land use, and urban planning. By using advanced satellite technology, Greece aims to improve its ability to respond to environmental challenges, optimise resource management, and make more informed decisions in urban and rural planning. Papastergiou emphasised that these upgrades are essential for the country to stay ahead in a rapidly evolving digital landscape.
Alongside the satellite initiative, Papastergiou also discussed ongoing efforts to digitalise state services, tackling long-standing issues of bureaucratic red tape. He pointed to the digitisation of the national cadaster as a key example of these reforms, which are intended to streamline processes and enhance the efficiency of government operations. The minister’s remarks signal a continued push for modernising Greece’s public sector to meet the demands of the digital age.
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Tiger Brokers has integrated DeepSeek’s AI model into its TigerGPT chatbot, marking a significant step in the race to adopt AI in the financial industry. The DeepSeek-R1 model is already being used by over 20 Chinese brokers and fund managers, transforming areas such as market analysis, risk management, and client interaction. The technology, developed at a fraction of the cost of Western AI models, is expected to revolutionise how financial firms operate, with DeepSeek tapping into valuable data to enhance decision-making and trading strategies.
Tiger Brokers, supported by investors like Xiaomi and Jim Rogers, views this AI breakthrough as a game changer. The upgraded TigerGPT, which will initially be available for free in China and Singapore, now offers enhanced logical reasoning capabilities, allowing for more accurate market predictions and investment opportunities. CEO Wu Tianhua described the impact as transformative, helping users understand market shifts and boosting the overall investment experience.
As AI adoption accelerates, financial IT spending in China is forecasted to rise by 24% in the next five years, a trend expected to benefit tech companies like Hundsun Technologies. The integration of DeepSeek’s models is reshaping the financial industry, with firms such as Sinolink Securities and CICC Wealth Management already exploring AI’s potential to improve efficiency, from risk management to investment advisory services.
Despite the promise, the financial industry faces challenges in standardising data for AI models. However, companies are moving quickly to implement AI solutions, eager to unlock the full potential of their data and enhance their internal operations, marketing, and investing strategies.
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The EU’s competition chief, Teresa Ribera, has criticised US President Donald Trump for disrupting the ‘trustful relationship’ between Europe and the United States, highlighting the unpredictability and instability of Washington’s actions. In an interview with Reuters, Ribera stated that while Europe must engage in negotiations with the White House on trade issues, it should not be pressured into changing laws that have already been passed. She emphasised that Europe must remain firm on its principles, including human rights, democracy, and the unity of the continent, despite Trump’s transactional political approach.
Ribera also responded to criticism from Trump and his government, who have labelled EU regulations on US tech companies as a form of taxation. She dismissed these claims, stressing that Europe’s legal framework aims to ensure stability and predictability for businesses. In contrast, she expressed concern over the uncertainty created by the White House’s frequent policy shifts, particularly with regard to tariffs on steel, aluminium, and other sectors. The EU has vowed to respond firmly to any tariff increases imposed by Trump.
In addition, Ribera revealed that the European Commission would soon decide whether tech giants Apple and Meta Platforms have complied with the EU’s Digital Markets Act. Both companies face potential fines if found in breach of the regulations, which are designed to curb their market dominance. Ribera also confirmed that investigations into Elon Musk’s social media platform X would continue, disregarding Musk’s ties to the US administration.
As tensions between Washington and Brussels continue to rise, Ribera reiterated that businesses seek a stable and predictable legal environment, something she feels is increasingly lacking in the US under Trump’s leadership. The EU remains committed to enforcing its regulations and protecting its values despite external pressures.
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