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Google partners with UK government on AI training

The UK government has struck a major partnership with Google Cloud aimed at modernising public services by eliminating agreing IT systems and equipping 100,000 civil servants with digital and AI skills by 2030.

Backed by DSIT, the initiative targets sectors like the NHS and local councils, seeking both operational efficiency and workforce transformation.

Replacing legacy contracts, some of which date back decades, could unlock as much as £45 billion in efficiency savings, say ministers. Google DeepMind will provide technical expertise to help departments adopt emerging AI solutions and accelerate public sector innovation.

Despite these promising aims, privacy campaigners warn that reliance on a US-based tech giant threatens national data sovereignty and may lead to long-term lock-in.

Foxglove’s Martha Dark described the deal as ‘dangerously naive’, with concerns around data access, accountability, public procurement processes and geopolitical risk.

As ministers pursue broader technological transformation, similar partnerships with Microsoft, OpenAI and Meta are underway, reflecting an industry-wide effort to bridge digital skills gaps and bring agile solutions into Whitehall.

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Privacy concerns rise over Gemini’s on‑device data access

From 7 July 2025, Google’s Gemini AI will default to accessing your WhatsApp, SMS and call apps, even without Gemini Apps Activity enabled, through an Android OS’ System Intelligence’ integration.

Google insists the assistant cannot read or summarise your WhatsApp messages; it only performs actions like sending replies and accessing notifications.

Integration occurs at the operating‑system level, granting Gemini enhanced control over third‑party apps, including reading and responding to notifications or handling media.

However, this has prompted criticism from privacy‑minded users, who view it as intrusive data access, even though Google maintains no off‑device content sharing.

Alarmed users quickly turned off the feature via Gemini’s in‑app settings or resorted to more advanced measures, like removing Gemini with ADB or turning off the Google app entirely.

The controversy highlights growing concerns over how deeply OS‑level AI tools can access personal data, blurring the lines between convenience and privacy.

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Google hit with EU complaint over AI Overviews

After a formal filing by the Independent Publishers Alliance, Google has faced an antitrust complaint in the European Union over its AI Overviews feature.

The group alleges that Google has been using web content without proper consent to power its AI-generated summaries, causing considerable harm to online publishers.

The complaint claims that publishers have lost traffic, readers and advertising revenue due to these summaries. It also argues that opting out of AI Overviews is not a real choice unless publishers are prepared to vanish entirely from Google’s search results.

AI Overviews were launched over a year ago and now appear at the top of many search queries, summarising information using AI. Although the tool has expanded rapidly, critics argue it drives users away from original publisher websites, especially news outlets.

Google has responded by stating its AI search tools allow users to ask more complex questions and help businesses and creators get discovered. The tech giant also insisted that web traffic patterns are influenced by many factors and warned against conclusions based on limited data.

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Google launches Veo 3 video for Gemini users globally

Google has begun rolling out its Veo 3 video-generation model to Gemini users across more than 159 countries. The advanced AI tool allows subscribers to create short video clips simply by entering text prompts.

Access to Veo 3 is limited to those on Google’s AI Pro plan, and usage is currently restricted to three videos per day. The tool can generate clips lasting up to eight seconds, enabling rapid video creation for a variety of purposes.

Google is already developing additional features for Gemini, including the ability to turn images into videos, according to product director Josh Woodward.

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TikTok struggles to stop the spread of hateful AI videos

Google’s Veo 3 video generator has enabled a new wave of racist AI content to spread across TikTok, despite both platforms having strict policies banning hate speech.

According to MediaMatters, several TikTok accounts have shared AI-generated videos promoting antisemitic and anti-Black stereotypes, many of which still circulated widely before being removed.

These short, highly realistic videos often included offensive depictions, and the visible ‘Veo’ watermark confirmed their origin from Google’s model.

While both TikTok and Google officially prohibit the creation and distribution of hateful material, enforcement has been patchy. TikTok claims to use both automated systems and human moderators, yet the overwhelming volume of uploads appears to have delayed action.

Although TikTok says it banned over half the accounts before MediaMatters’ findings were published, harmful videos still managed to reach large audiences.

Google also maintains a Prohibited Use Policy banning hate-driven content. However, Veo 3’s advanced realism and difficulty detecting coded prompts make it easier for users to bypass safeguards.

Testing by reporters suggests the model is more permissive than previous iterations, raising concerns about its ability to filter out offensive material before it is created.

With Google planning to integrate Veo 3 into YouTube Shorts, concerns are rising that harmful content may soon flood other platforms. TikTok and Google appear to lack the enforcement capacity to keep pace with the abuse of generative AI.

Despite strict rules on paper, both companies are struggling to prevent their technology from fuelling racist narratives at scale.

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Gemini AI suite expands to help teachers plan and students learn

Google has unveiled a major expansion of its Gemini AI tools tailored for classroom use, launching over 30 features to support teachers and students. These updates include personalised AI-powered lesson planning, content generation, and interactive study guides.

Teachers can now create custom AI tutors, known as ‘Gems’, to assist students with specific academic needs using their own teaching materials. Google’s AI reading assistant is also gaining real-time support features through the Read Along tool in Classroom, enhancing literacy development for younger users.

Students and teachers will benefit from wider access to Google Vids, the company’s video creation app, enabling them to create instructional content and complete multimedia assignments.

Additional features aim to monitor student progress, manage AI permissions, improve data security, and streamline classroom content delivery using new Class tools.

By placing AI directly into the hands of educators, Google aims to offer more engaging and responsive learning, while keeping its tools aligned with classroom goals and policies. The rollout continues Google’s bid to take the lead in the evolving AI-driven edtech space.

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ChatGPT emerges as a search alternative, but Google holds ground

ChatGPT is now used by over 400 million people weekly and ranks the eighth most visited website globally. While many users rely on it for tasks like writing, productivity, and planning, a growing number are also turning to it for search — a space long dominated by Google.

Despite its popularity, experts say ChatGPT won’t fully replace Google. Rohan Sarin, a former product lead at Google and Microsoft, argues that the two serve different purposes. Google excels at direct, fact-based queries, while ChatGPT is better suited for exploration and synthesis.

‘Google connects users to the raw internet,’ Sarin notes, ‘whereas ChatGPT acts as an interpreter, helping users frame ideas and questions.’

The comparison also highlights user behaviour. While Google remains the tool of choice for verifying information, Sarin points out that many users want ‘something that works’, not necessarily precision — a strength of ChatGPT’s fast, ad-free responses.

However, industry experts don’t expect Google’s dominance to end soon. Eric M. Hoover, SEO director at Jellyfish, says Google’s integration of AI tools like Gemini and AI Overviews will help it stay competitive. ‘Search is still built into browsers, apps, and digital ecosystems,’ he adds.

Rather than one replacing the other, experts believe both platforms will coexist. ChatGPT is changing how we explore information, but Google’s role in search remains vital — especially for accuracy and source verification. For now, the best approach may not be choosing one tool over the other but knowing when to use each.

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Google Doppl, the new AI app, turns outfit photos into try-on videos

Google has unveiled Doppl, a new AI-powered app that lets users create short videos of themselves wearing any outfit they choose.

Instead of relying on imagination or guesswork, Doppl allows people to upload full-body photos and apply outfits seen on social media, thrift shops, or friends, creating animated try-ons that bring static images to life.

The app builds on Google’s earlier virtual try-on tools integrated with its Shopping Graph. Doppl pushes things further by transforming still photos into motion videos, showing how clothes flow and fit in movement.

Users can upload their full-body image or choose an AI model to preview outfits. However, Google warns that the fit and details might not always be accurate at an early stage.

Doppl is currently only available in the US for Android and iOS users aged 18 or older. While Google encourages sharing videos with friends and followers, the tool raises concerns about misuse, such as generating content using photos of others.

Google’s policy requires disclosure if someone impersonates another person, but the company admits that some abuse may occur. To address the issue, Doppl content will include invisible watermarks for tracking.

In its privacy notice, Google confirmed that user uploads and generated videos will be used to improve AI technologies and services. However, data will be anonymised and separated from user accounts before any human review is allowed.

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Google releases free Gemini CLI tool for developers

Google has introduced Gemini CLI, a free, open-source AI tool that connects developers directly to its Gemini AI models. The new agentic utility allows developers to request debugging, generate code, and run commands using natural language within their terminal environment.

Built as a lightweight interface, Gemini CLI provides a streamlined way to interact with Gemini. While its coding features stand out, Google says the tool handles content creation, deep research, and complex task management across various workflows.

Gemini CLI uses Gemini 2.5 Pro for coding and reasoning tasks by default. Still, it can also connect to other AI models, such as Imagen and Veo, for image and video generation. It supports the Model Context Protocol (MCP) and integrates with Gemini Code Assist.

Moreover, the tool is available on Windows, MacOS, and Linux, offering developers a free usage tier. Access through Vertex AI or AI Studio is available on a pay-as-you-go basis for advanced setups involving multiple agents or custom models.

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Microsoft family safety blocks Google Chrome on Windows 11

Windows 11 users have reported that Google Chrome crashes and fails to reopen when Microsoft family safety parental controls are active.

The issue appears to be linked to Chrome’s recent update, version 137.0.7151.68 and does not affect users of Microsoft Edge under the same settings.

Google acknowledged the problem and provided a workaround involving changes to family safety settings, such as unblocking Chrome or adjusting content filters.

Microsoft has not issued a formal statement, but its family safety FAQ confirms that non-Edge browsers are blocked from web filtering.

Users are encouraged to update Google Chrome to version 138.0.7204.50 to address other security concerns recently disclosed by Google.

The update aims to patch vulnerabilities that could let attackers bypass security policies and run malicious code.

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