Google is bringing AI to its mapping apps, integrating its Gemini chatbot to enhance user experiences in Google Maps, Waze, and Google Earth. With over two billion active users each month, Google Maps is a core service where the tech giant aims to apply recent advancements in AI to offer more accurate, personalised suggestions. Users can expect responses that better account for specific preferences, such as ‘fun things to do with friends at night’, creating results tailored to time and context.
Previously, Google Maps would deliver generic results that might include attractions not relevant for the time or situation. Now, powered by Gemini, Google Maps can answer more nuanced questions, refining its suggestions for local spots, like late-night music venues or seasonal activities. AI-driven summaries will also be introduced, adding insights on locations based on user reviews and presented alongside existing listings for an enhanced search experience.
Google has faced criticism for the inaccuracies in some AI-generated responses, including one instance of a recipe error. To minimise similar issues with the Maps updates, responses from Gemini will be checked against Google’s verified data sources, offering users more reliable information while making suggestions for their specific needs.
Beyond Google Maps, the company is implementing AI across other mapping tools, such as Google Earth and Waze. In Waze, new voice-activated capabilities will help drivers report incidents hands-free, and in Google Earth, developers and urban planners will be able to use AI chatbots for data analysis. Google’s AI-powered enhancements aim to provide a more streamlined, intuitive experience across its platforms, making travel and navigation easier.
Tesla CEO Elon Musk envisions a future where 10B humanoid robots populate the world by 2040, priced between $20,000 and $25,000 each. Musk shared his ambitious outlook virtually at Saudi Arabia’s Future Investment Initiative, a key gathering for global industry leaders held in Riyadh. This prediction underscores Musk’s vision of an advanced AI-driven future where humanoid robots may become nearly as common as today’s smartphones.
This projection aligns with Musk’s belief that AI and robotics will revolutionise labor and everyday life, taking over tasks across industries and possibly reshaping global economies. By pricing these robots within reach of individual consumers and businesses alike, Musk foresees a rapid expansion of robotics in daily use, from personal assistance to industrial applications.
Musk’s forecast also raises questions about the societal and economic impacts of such widespread AI-driven automation, sparking discussions on regulation and ethics. As technology accelerates, industry leaders and policymakers are exploring the potential opportunities and risks of a robotic future on this scale.
LinkedIn has introduced its first AI agent, Hiring Assistant, designed to automate many of the time-intensive tasks recruiters face, such as drafting job descriptions, identifying candidate matches, and handling initial outreach. Initially available to a select group of large enterprises, including AMD, Siemens, and Zurich Insurance, Hiring Assistant is expected to expand to more users in the coming months. By automating repetitive tasks, LinkedIn aims to free up recruiters to focus on higher-impact aspects of their jobs.
Built using LinkedIn’s data from over 1 billion users and backed by Microsoft’s OpenAI partnership, Hiring Assistant can refine job requirements based on existing listings, generate candidate pools, and filter applicants by skills rather than traditional markers like location or education. This AI assistant is part of LinkedIn’s broader push to integrate AI into its platform, following similar tools for resume and profile optimisation, career coaching, and job search support.
In its current iteration, Hiring Assistant is already making strides in streamlining recruiting, with plans for future updates to handle interview scheduling, candidate follow-ups, and more. LinkedIn, which has seen AI-driven growth in its premium subscription base, views Hiring Assistant as a key product in its business offerings for recruitment professionals, aiming to enhance LinkedIn’s impact in the hiring sector.
Kenya partners with Google to enhance its digital infrastructure and empower its citizens in the evolving digital economy. The collaboration aims to create a robust digital ecosystem that meets current technological needs while anticipating future demands.
Kenya seeks to empower decision-makers with real-time insights by utilising AI and data-driven technologies, enhancing operational efficiency and facilitating effective governance. A key focus of the partnership is revitalising the tourism sector through Google’s technology, attracting more international visitors and showcasing the country’s unique landscapes, wildlife, and cultural heritage.
Additionally, prioritising cybersecurity measures is critical to building trust among citizens and ensuring a secure digital environment. The initiative will also promote skills training to equip Kenyans with essential digital competencies, fostering innovation and creativity while contributing to the overall growth of the nation’s economy.
Through this partnership, Kenya addresses immediate technological needs and lays a foundation for sustainable development in the digital space. By enhancing digital literacy and integrating advanced technologies, the collaboration positions Kenya as a leader in the region’s technological landscape.
Why does it matter?
The comprehensive approach ensures that as the digital economy expands, citizens are well-prepared to navigate the challenges and opportunities that arise, ultimately driving growth and resilience in the face of rapid technological advancements.
Universal Music Group (UMG) has announced a partnership with Los Angeles-based AI music company KLAY Vision to create AI tools designed with an ethical framework for the music industry. According to Universal, the initiative focuses on exploring new opportunities for artists and creating safeguards to protect the music ecosystem as AI continues to evolve in creative spaces. Michael Nash, Universal’s chief digital officer, emphasised the importance of ethical AI use for artists’ rights in a rapidly changing industry.
The collaboration comes as Universal Music faces ongoing legal battles with other AI companies, including Anthropic AI, Suno, and Udio, over the use of its recordings in training music-generating AI models without authorisation. These cases highlight the growing concerns surrounding AI technology’s impact on the creative sector, particularly with respect to artists’ rights and intellectual property.
With this partnership, Universal Music aims to establish AI technologies that support artists’ needs while navigating the complex ethical questions surrounding AI-generated music. By working alongside US based KLAY Vision, Universal hopes to shape the future of AI in music responsibly and to develop solutions that ensure fair treatment of artists and their work.
Apple’s iPhone 16 will not be available for sale in Indonesia after the tech company failed to meet the country’s local content requirements. According to the Indonesian industry ministry, smartphones sold domestically must contain at least 40% locally made components, a threshold the iPhone 16 did not meet. Ministry spokesperson Febri Hendri Antoni Arief confirmed that while imports of the device for personal use are permitted if proper taxes are paid, Apple has not secured the necessary local content certification to market the phone widely in Indonesia.
Apple’s absence from the market could give a further edge to leading competitors OPPO and Samsung, who hold the top two positions in Indonesia’s smartphone market. The country’s large, tech-savvy population makes it a critical market for tech investment, and Indonesian officials have encouraged Apple to partner with domestic firms to meet local content requirements.
While Apple has no manufacturing plants in Indonesia, it has invested in app developer academies since 2018, amounting to around $101.8 million to support local talent and development.
Lyft has been fined $2.1M by the US Federal Trade Commission (FTC) for allegedly misleading drivers about potential earnings. The settlement requires the rideshare company to adjust how it advertises driver pay, after it was found that earnings claims were exaggerated, often highlighting what only the top fifth of drivers made, and including tips in those figures.
The FTC stated that some Lyft ads claimed drivers could make ‘up to $33’ per hour in certain cities in the US, such as Atlanta, but these figures did not reflect average earnings. Instead, most drivers earned significantly less, with advertised pay inflated by as much as 30%. As part of the settlement, Lyft must now base earnings estimates on what typical drivers make, excluding tips from hourly pay claims.
In addition, Lyft’s guarantees, such as a $975 payout for completing 45 rides over a weekend, were found to be misleading. Drivers believed the amount would be a bonus, but it was actually a conditional minimum guarantee. The FTC stressed the need for accurate representation of driver pay, with Chair Lina M. Khan emphasising the agency’s commitment to protecting workers from deceptive claims.
A radio station in Krakow, Poland, has ignited controversy by replacing its human journalists with AI-generated presenters, marking what it claims to be ‘the first experiment in Poland.’ OFF Radio Krakow relaunched this week after laying off its staff, introducing virtual avatars aimed at engaging younger audiences on cultural, social, and LGBTQ+ topics.
The move has faced significant backlash, particularly from former journalist Mateusz Demski, who penned an open letter warning that this shift could set a dangerous precedent for job losses in the media and creative sectors. His petition against the change quickly gathered over 15,000 signatures, highlighting widespread public concern about the implications of using AI in broadcasting.
Station head Marcin Pulit defended the layoffs, stating that they were due to the station’s low listenership rather than the introduction of AI. However, Deputy Prime Minister Krzysztof Gawkowski called for regulations on AI usage, emphasising the need to establish boundaries for its application in media.
On its first day back on air, the station featured an AI-generated interview with the late Polish poet Wisława Szymborska. Michał Rusinek, president of the Wisława Szymborska Foundation, expressed support for the project, suggesting that the poet would have found the use of her name in this context humorous. As OFF Radio Krakow ventures into this new territory, discussions around the role of AI in journalism and its effects on employment are intensifying.
AI tools were introduced at Everest PR to streamline tasks, but the results were not as expected. Founder Anurag Garg noticed that instead of boosting efficiency, the technology created additional stress. His team reported that using AI tools like ChatGPT was time-consuming and added new complexities, leading to frustration and burnout.
Garg’s team struggled to keep up with frequent software updates and found that managing multiple AI platforms made their work harder. This sentiment is echoed in surveys showing many workers feel AI tools increase their workloads rather than reduce them. A study revealed that 61% believe AI will increase their chances of burnout, with the figure rising to 87% among younger workers.
Even legal professionals are feeling overwhelmed by AI’s impact on their workloads. Leah Steele, a coach for lawyers, explained that tech-driven environments often lead to reduced job satisfaction and fear of redundancy. The Law Society also highlights the challenges of implementing AI, emphasising that learning new tools requires time and effort, which can add pressure rather than alleviate it.
While some argue that AI can empower small firms by enhancing productivity, others stress the need for proper usage to prevent overwhelm. Garg has now reduced his team’s reliance on AI, finding that a more selective approach has improved employee well-being and reconnected them with their work.
Zoom has announced a partnership with Suki, a leading AI medical scribe provider, to offer doctors on its platform an AI-powered tool that automates note-taking during telehealth visits. With Zoom accounting for over a third of telehealth appointments in the US, this move aims to help clinicians reduce time spent on paperwork, improving efficiency during virtual consultations.
The partnership marks Zoom’s shift from solely being a video-conferencing company to integrating AI tools designed for workplace efficiency, a vision supported by its CEO, Eric Yuan. Suki was selected after Zoom evaluated other AI medical scribe startups, further boosting Suki’s presence after raising $70M in funding earlier this month.
This development highlights a broader trend in healthcare, with companies like Amazon’s One Medical and Microsoft’s Nuance also leveraging AI for medical note-taking, helping providers manage documentation more effectively. Despite growing competition, investors believe there is still room for specialised AI solutions in both large healthcare systems and smaller medical practices.
