Britain’s Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) is investigating the partnership between Alphabet, Google’s parent company, and AI startup Anthropic due to concerns about competition. Regulators have grown increasingly cautious about agreements between major tech firms and smaller startups, especially after Microsoft-backed OpenAI sparked an AI boom with ChatGPT’s launch.
Anthropic, founded by former OpenAI executives Dario and Daniela Amodei, received a $500 million investment from Alphabet last year, with another $1.5 billion promised. The AI startup also relies on Google Cloud services to support its operations, raising concerns over the competitive impact of their collaboration.
The CMA began assessing the partnership in July and has set 19 December as the deadline for its Phase 1 decision. The regulator will determine whether the investigation should proceed to the next stage. Anthropic has pledged full cooperation, insisting that its strategic alliances do not compromise its independence or partnerships with other firms.
Alphabet has emphasised its commitment to fostering an open AI ecosystem. A spokesperson clarified that Anthropic is not restricted to using only Google Cloud services and is free to explore partnerships with multiple providers.
Google has released SynthID Text, a watermarking tool designed to help developers identify AI-generated content. Available for free on platforms like Hugging Face and Google’s Responsible GenAI Toolkit, this open-source technology aims to improve transparency around AI-written text. It works by embedding subtle patterns into the token distribution of text generated by AI models without affecting the quality or speed of the output.
SynthID Text has been integrated with Google’s Gemini models since earlier this year. While it can detect text that has been paraphrased or modified, the tool does have limitations, particularly with shorter text, factual responses, and content translated from other languages. Google acknowledges that its watermarking technique may struggle with these formats but emphasises the tool’s overall benefits.
As the demand for AI-generated content grows, so does the need for reliable detection methods. Countries like China are already mandating watermarking of AI-produced material, and similar regulations are being considered in US, California. The urgency is clear, with predictions that AI-generated content could dominate 90% of online text by 2026, creating new challenges in combating misinformation and fraud.
A Londoner who had his phone stolen while walking near the Science Museum believes Google’s new AI security update would have made a big difference. Tyler, whose phone was snatched by a thief on a bike, struggled to lock it remotely as he couldn’t remember his password. The update, which uses AI and sensors to detect when a phone is stolen, would automatically lock the screen to prevent thieves from accessing data.
Google’s new feature allows users to remotely lock a stolen device using just their phone number, a measure welcomed by Tyler as he believes it would have helped him secure his device in moments of panic. The initiative is part of a broader effort to combat phone theft, with mobile phones now accounting for 69% of all thefts in London. Last year, over 11,800 robberies involved phone thefts.
Sadiq Khan, the Mayor of London, also supports the update, having previously lobbied phone companies to make their devices less attractive to criminals. Tech experts say the update’s AI-driven security, combined with the Offline Device Lock feature, will make it harder for thieves to access stolen phones.
Tyler hopes the new technology will deter criminals from stealing phones altogether, as the devices would become worthless once locked. Without resale value, he believes phone thefts will be a waste of time for criminals.
Qualcomm has announced a partnership with Google to create advanced AI tools for the automotive industry. This collaboration will allow automakers to develop customised voice assistants without relying on a driver’s mobile phone. Qualcomm’s expertise in chips and Google’s Android Automotive OS will be merged to provide a seamless experience for vehicle computing systems.
The Android Automotive OS, distinct from Google’s Android Auto, powers internal vehicle systems instead of simply mirroring apps from smartphones. Automakers will be able to personalise their AI voice assistants using this technology, offering features independent of phone connectivity. Qualcomm highlighted that this shift in strategy with Google aims to eliminate confusion for automakers by streamlining their services.
Qualcomm also launched two new chips designed to enhance driving experiences. The Snapdragon Cockpit Elite will focus on powering dashboards, while the Snapdragon Ride Elite will support autonomous driving systems. These innovations build on Qualcomm’s growing presence in the automotive sector, which includes partnerships with companies like General Motors.
Mercedes-Benz plans to integrate the Snapdragon Cockpit Elite chip into future models, though the exact timing and vehicle models remain undisclosed. Qualcomm continues to expand its influence in automotive technology, further positioning itself as a key player in the industry’s digital transformation.
Italy is preparing to introduce regulations that will require major tech companies to contribute to the costs of building telecoms infrastructure. Industry Minister Adolfo Urso stated that the government is working to ensure that companies such as Google, Meta, and Amazon bear part of the financial burden for expanding high-speed networks.
Telecom providers, including Telecom Italia and Deutsche Telekom, argue that these Big Tech firms generate much of the internet traffic and should therefore share the costs of network development. The proposed measures, which some refer to as ‘fair-share funding,’ have been backed by ruling politicians in Italy.
Proposals presented in parliament aim to set up agreements where Big Tech would negotiate technical and financial terms to support telecom infrastructure investments. Lawmakers believe this will help maintain the expansion of electronic communications networks.
This initiative is in line with similar efforts from the European Union, which has called for large tech platforms to contribute to network funding before the re-election of European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen in June.
Honeywell has formed a partnership with Google to connect AI with industrial data. The collaboration aims to enhance autonomous operations, streamlining processes for Honeywell’s customers.
Google’s Gemini, its advanced AI platform, will merge with data from Honeywell’s Forge platform to automate tasks and shorten project timelines. The first AI-powered solutions will be available in 2025, offering support for engineers, technicians, and warehouse workers.
The partnership seeks to address industry labour shortages by introducing AI tools that boost productivity and efficiency. Automated processes will cut design cycles and process multiple data types, including images, videos, and sensor readings, using Google’s Vertex AI platform.
Honeywell’s CEO Vimal Kapur emphasised the goal of optimising asset performance, improving employee skills, and reducing maintenance costs. The partnership reflects a broader strategy to harness the latest advancements in AI to drive operational improvements.
Google has enhanced its NotebookLM assistant by introducing a feature that lets users customise AI-generated audio conversations. This update shifts the platform from providing generalised audio summaries to facilitating more focused discussions based on users’ preferences. The tool allows users to guide AI dialogue using specific content, adding precision to audio overviews.
Since launching last month, NotebookLM’s audio overviews have become popular among users looking to digest complex information quickly. With these features, long documents and videos can be summarised into conversational audio snippets. NotebookLM has seen significant traction, with traffic surging by 371% in September, drawing over 3 million monthly visits.
The new ‘Guide the Conversation’ option enables users to give detailed instructions for targeted discussions, such as focusing on niche topics or adjusting the expertise level. Google also introduced a ‘Customise’ button to refine audio overviews further before the AI generates them. This ensures conversations prioritise essential content and align with user intentions.
Google assures users that custom instructions won’t be used to train its AI models, reflecting its commitment to privacy. Alongside the new tools, a ‘Background Listening’ feature allows users to play audio while working within NotebookLM. Additionally, the company has launched a business pilot program, offering select organisations access to advanced features and training.
A California judge has granted Google’s request to delay a ruling that required overhauling its Play Store by 1 November. The pause allows more time for an appeals court to consider Google’s challenge to the order, which aimed to give users more choice in downloading apps.
The ruling came as part of an antitrust lawsuit from Epic Games, the creator of Fortnite. Google warned that implementing the changes quickly would introduce security risks across the Android ecosystem. The company’s request for a longer pause during the full appeals process was denied.
Epic criticised Google’s argument as fearmongering, stating the court had dismissed the appeal as meritless. The initial order required Google to permit rival app stores within the Play Store and enable third-party payment systems. The ruling also barred Google from incentivising device makers to preinstall its store.
Google has already challenged the antitrust findings and maintains that Play competes directly with Apple’s App Store. The company argued it should not be labelled a monopolist and warned that complying with the injunction would unfairly force it to collaborate with rivals.
Alphabet has transferred the Gemini app team to DeepMind, streamlining operations to accelerate progress in generative AI. The decision aims to foster quicker deployment and seamless collaboration across its AI platforms.
Sundar Pichai, Google’s CEO, highlighted that the change would enhance feedback cycles and improve the rollout of models within the Gemini app. Gemini represents Google’s most advanced AI technology, with the app offering direct access to the latest developments.
Sissie Hsiao, who previously led the Gemini app team, will now report to Demis Hassabis, CEO of Google DeepMind. This realignment reflects the company’s broader efforts to strengthen its generative AI capabilities.
Google also reshuffled senior leadership, appointing Prabhakar Raghavan as chief technologist. His former role in search and information management will be taken over by Nick Fox, aligning the company’s AI product strategy under new leadership.
Google is enhancing its Shopping tab with AI, building on its previous integration of generative AI into Search in 2023. The company announced it will use AI technology to help users find products that match their specific needs. The update includes a new, personalised feed of shoppable products, offering a scrollable, TikTok-inspired design.
When users search for a product, an AI-generated brief will provide personalised tips and considerations based on their query. For example, if someone searches for a “men’s winter jacket for Seattle,” the AI might recommend prioritising water resistance for the rainy climate and suggest insulation types suitable for the milder temperatures.
Google’s AI will recommend relevant products, offering brief descriptions to explain why each item is a suitable choice. Users can browse categories like “Synthetic insulated winter jackets for Seattle” and use filters to refine their search based on specific sizes or local availability.
The personalised shopping feed will showcase products and videos tailored to user preferences, featuring items like Chelsea boots alongside YouTube Shorts with shopping tips. Google is positioning itself to compete with TikTok, which has gained traction in e-commerce. These new features will roll out in the US in the coming weeks, as Google combines its Shopping Graph with advanced Gemini models to enhance the user experience.
