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Google’s quantum computing leap forward with Willow

In the quantum computing world, Google’s Quantum AI lab is at the forefront, pioneering a new era where the rules of quantum mechanics dictate the dance of data. Unlike the binary world of classical computing, which is all about ones and zeros, quantum computing introduces qubits. These aren’t just your average bits; they can exist in multiple states simultaneously, thanks to the whims of superposition and entanglement, making them the rock stars of the computational universe.

Enter Willow, Google’s latest quantum chip, which could be described as a virtuoso in the orchestra of quantum technology. Willow isn’t just another chip; it’s a leap towards solving some of humanity’s most complex puzzles. This chip has mastered the art of error correction, a challenge that’s been the quantum computing community’s white whale for nearly three decades. With Willow, errors don’t just decrease; they do so exponentially as more qubits join the ensemble.

But Willow’s talents don’t stop at error correction. In a performance that would make even the universe blink in disbelief, Willow completed a computation in under five minutes that would take the world’s fastest supercomputers a mind-boggling ten septillion years. To put that into perspective, that’s longer than the age of our universe, suggesting that Willow might be tapping into some multiversal jazz.

The magic of Willow is crafted in Google’s specialised quantum lab in Santa Barbara, where every component from qubit gates to the chip’s architecture is meticulously tuned for harmony. Willow boasts 105 qubits, each a note in this symphony of computation, offering both numbers and quality. Focusing on quality over quantity ensures that Willow isn’t just another player but a lead in the orchestra.

Willow’s performance sets the stage for the next act: to conduct a computation beyond the reach of classical computers and relevant to real-world applications. Whether it’s accelerating drug discovery, enhancing AI, or solving energy crises, Willow and its successors are poised to turn theoretical quantum wonders into practical symphonies.

The journey with Willow is just beginning, and Google invited the curious minds of researchers, engineers, and developers to join this quantum odyssey. With open-source software and educational platforms like Coursera, Google aims to democratise quantum computing, hoping to inspire the next generation to compose their quantum symphonies, solving problems that today’s classical computers can only dream of.

Legal clash erupts as Google contests CFPB payment authority

Google has filed a lawsuit against the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) over its decision to place the company’s payment division under federal supervision. The legal dispute arises from the CFPB’s claims that Google’s handling of its payment products, including a discontinued peer-to-peer payment service, posed risks to consumers.

The lawsuit, lodged in the Washington, DC district court, argues that the CFPB’s actions constitute government overreach. Google asserts the decision was based on limited and unverified user complaints, stating that a discontinued product cannot pose consumer risks. The CFPB, however, maintains that its supervisory authority is essential to enforcing compliance with financial laws, even for defunct services.

Google spokesperson José Castañeda described the agency’s oversight as unnecessary, reiterating that the company’s payment products have always prioritised user safety. Google also claims the CFPB set an unreasonably low standard for determining consumer risks, leading to undue regulatory burdens.

The CFPB’s authority to oversee nonbank financial institutions, announced in 2022, allows it to conduct examinations and intervene against potential risks to consumers. Google contends that applying such measures to its payments division is unjustified and aims to challenge the agency’s approach in court.

Google’s new AI sparks concerns over emotion detection

Google’s newest AI, the PaliGemma 2 model, has drawn attention for its ability to interpret emotions in images, a feature unveiled in a recent blog post. Unlike basic image recognition, PaliGemma 2 offers detailed captions and insights about people and scenes. However, its emotion detection capability has sparked heated debates about ethical implications and scientific validity.

Critics argue that emotion recognition is fundamentally flawed, relying on outdated psychological theories and subjective visual cues that fail to account for cultural and individual differences. Studies have shown that such systems often exhibit biases, with one report highlighting how similar models assign negative emotions more frequently to certain racial groups. Google says it performed extensive testing on PaliGemma 2 for demographic biases, but details of these evaluations remain sparse.

Experts also worry about the risks of releasing this AI technology to the public, citing potential misuse in areas like law enforcement, hiring, and border control. While Google emphasises its commitment to responsible innovation, critics like Oxford’s Sandra Wachter caution that without robust safeguards, tools like PaliGemma 2 could reinforce harmful stereotypes and discriminatory practices. The debate underscores the need for a careful balance between technological advancement and ethical responsibility

New tools and features arrive for Google Pixel devices

Google has rolled out a comprehensive feature update for Pixel and Android devices this December, introducing smarter tools and usability enhancements. Key among these is the expansion of Gemini AI extensions, enabling seamless interactions with Spotify, messaging, and smart home devices. Gemini now remembers user preferences, such as dietary habits, to provide personalised suggestions. It also powers enhanced accessibility tools, such as image Q&A in the Lookout app for visually impaired users.

Pixel devices received significant upgrades, including theft-protection updates requiring biometric authentication for sensitive changes. Expressive captions were introduced to reflect emotions like whispering or applause in Android content. The Pixel 9 series stands out with improved screenshot management, HDR support for Instagram, and smarter call-screening features. Pixel Fold devices now offer a dual-screen portrait mode, enhancing photo framing.

Wearables and tablets weren’t left out. The Pixel Watch now integrates with Nest Doorbell, allowing users to view visitors at the door. Expanded fitness metrics are now available across various Pixel and Fitbit models, while the Pixel Tablet gained support for VPNs and new lock screen widgets.

Australia pushes for new rules on AI in search engines

Australia‘s competition watchdog has called for a review of efforts to ensure more choice for internet users, citing Google’s dominance in the search engine market and the failure of its competitors to capitalise on the rise of AI. A report by the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) highlighted concerns about the growing influence of Big Tech, particularly Google and Microsoft, as they integrate generative AI into their search services. This raises questions about the accuracy and reliability of AI-generated search results.

While the use of AI in search engines is still in its early stages, the ACCC warns that large tech companies’ financial strength and market presence give them a significant advantage. The commission expressed concerns that AI-driven search could lead to misinformation, as consumers may find AI-generated responses both more useful and less accurate. In response to this, Australia is pushing for new regulations, including laws to prevent anti-competitive behaviour and improve consumer choice.

The Australian government has already introduced several measures targeting tech giants, such as requiring social media platforms to pay for news content and restricting access for children under 16. A proposed new law could impose hefty fines on companies that suppress competition. The ACCC has called for service-specific codes to address data advantages and ensure consumers have more freedom to switch between services. The inquiry is expected to close by March next year.

Canada sues Google over alleged online advertising monopoly

Canada’s Competition Bureau has filed a lawsuit against Google, accusing the tech giant of abusing its dominant position in online advertising. The bureau seeks an order for Google to divest two ad tech tools and pay a penalty to ensure compliance with competition laws.

The investigation, launched in 2020, found that Google controls key aspects of the ad tech stack in Canada and allegedly employed tactics to entrench its market power. Google disputes the claims, arguing that the online ad market remains competitive.

The case mirrors global scrutiny of Google’s advertising practices, including a similar lawsuit in the United States and ongoing EU investigations. Google’s earlier offer to sell an ad exchange failed to satisfy European publishers.

YouTuber partners with Google for space selfie stunt

Popular YouTuber and former NASA engineer Mark Rober has unveiled a unique project: a satellite designed to take selfies with Earth as the backdrop. Partnering with Google and T-Mobile, Rober plans to launch the satellite aboard SpaceX’s Transporter 12 mission in January 2025. Users can upload their selfies to be displayed on a Google Pixel aboard the satellite, which will snap their portrait alongside the planet when it passes over their location.

Accessing the ‘Earth selfie’ is free for subscribers of CrunchLabs, Rober’s educational engineering kit program, as well as T-Mobile customers and Google Pixel users with special codes. Codes can be redeemed starting 3 December at spaceselfie.com, and participants will receive updates on when their photo will be taken.

The satellite itself features innovative engineering, including solar arrays and dual Google Pixel phones for redundancy. To overcome challenges in orientation, Rober’s team equipped the satellite with a flywheel to shift its position for tasks like photo capture and data transmission. Rober’s latest YouTube video provides a deeper dive into the satellite’s mechanics.

Google faces probe over gaming app policies in India

India’s Competition Commission (CCI) has launched an investigation into Google’s gaming app policies following a complaint by gaming platform WinZO. The inquiry will examine allegations of discriminatory practices against apps offering real-money games.

WinZO accused Google of favouring certain categories, such as fantasy sports and rummy, while excluding others like carrom, puzzles, and racing games. The gaming platform filed the complaint in 2022, claiming Google’s updated policies create an uneven playing field, disadvantaging smaller developers.

The investigation compounds Google’s regulatory challenges in India, where it has already faced significant fines for anti-competitive behaviour in the Android ecosystem. A CCI official has been tasked with completing the inquiry within 60 days.

Google has yet to comment on the allegations, as the announcement coincided with Thanksgiving in the US.

Antitrust case targets Google in Canada

Canada’s Competition Bureau has filed a lawsuit against Google, accusing the tech giant of anti-competitive practices in online advertising. The agency claims Google abused its dominant position in the Canadian ad tech market to maintain its control, stifling competition and innovation.

The Competition Bureau’s investigation, which began in 2020 and expanded earlier this year, found Google to be the largest provider across the advertising technology stack in the country. The lawsuit seeks a court order for Google to sell two of its advertising tools and pay a penalty to ensure compliance with competition laws in Canada.

Google denies the allegations, stating that the online advertising market is highly competitive and offers many choices for advertisers. The company argues its ad tech tools are designed to help businesses connect with customers effectively while supporting websites and apps.

This case mirrors similar actions taken against Google in the US and the EU. Closing arguments in a US Department of Justice lawsuit accusing Google of monopolising advertising markets were presented recently, while European publishers previously rejected a Google offer to sell part of its ad tech business to settle an EU investigation.

Keir Starmer inaugurates Google’s AI campus in London

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer inaugurated London’s first Google-backed AI Campus in Camden on Wednesday. The facility aims to equip young people with vital skills in AI and machine learning, addressing the growing demand for expertise in these areas. Located near Google’s upcoming offices in King’s Cross, the campus has already launched a two-year pilot project for students aged 16 to 18.

The pilot cohort of 32 students will benefit from AI-focused mentoring and resources provided by Google’s DeepMind. They will engage in real-world projects that integrate AI with health, social sciences, and the arts. The campus, a collaboration between Google and local authorities, seeks to inspire students from diverse backgrounds to envision themselves as leaders in the AI-driven future.

Starmer hailed the initiative as a transformative step for young people, particularly those in challenging circumstances. He emphasised that the programme represents a significant milestone in preparing the next generation to navigate AI’s boundless potential. ‘The possibilities of AI are incredible, and projects like this will shape the future,’ he stated.

Google further announced £865,000 in funding for a national AI literacy programme. This initiative, led by the Raspberry Pi Foundation and Parent Zone, aims to train teachers and reach 250,000 students by 2026. Debbie Weinstein, Google’s UK and Ireland managing director, highlighted the programme’s role in ensuring that AI’s vast opportunities are accessible to all, potentially unlocking £400 billion in economic benefits for the UK.