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The world of Artificial Intelligence has only begun to affect human lives. In times like these, staying up-to-date with the AI world is of utmost importance. Storyboard18 brings you the top AI news of the day.

Amazon’s generative AI-powered Alexa+ hits 1 Million Users in early access

Amazon’s next-generation virtual assistant, Alexa+, has already surpassed one million users—despite not yet being publicly available. According to a report by TechCrunch, the generative AI-powered service is currently in its Early Access phase, with access granted to customers via a waitlist system.

Alexa+ marks a significant leap in Amazon’s AI ambitions, offering natural, personalized conversations, deeper smart home integration, and broader capabilities powered by generative AI. While the service remains in preview, early users have taken to social media in recent weeks to share that they’ve received invites, underscoring growing demand. Once fully launched, Alexa+ will be free for Amazon Prime members, while non-Prime users will be able to subscribe for $19.99 per month. The move signals Amazon’s strategy to strengthen its Prime offering and take on rivals in the increasingly competitive AI assistant market. The company has not yet announced a formal public release date but continues to roll out access gradually. As part of the rollout, Amazon is positioning Alexa+ as more than just a voice assistant—it aims to be a proactive AI companion capable of understanding context, preferences, and handling complex requests with ease.

With over a million users already interacting with the enhanced assistant, Alexa+ could potentially redefine how consumers engage with AI-powered smart devices in their daily lives.

Court Orders OpenAI to Retain All ChatGPT Logs Amid Ongoing Privacy Lawsuit

A U.S. judge has dismissed concerns that an order requiring OpenAI to preserve all ChatGPT chat logs constitutes a “nationwide mass surveillance program,” ruling that the data retention is limited in scope and purpose.

The ruling came in response to objections filed by ChatGPT users after Judge Ona Wang instructed OpenAI to indefinitely retain user chat data—including deleted logs—as part of an ongoing copyright lawsuit.

One objector, a business owner who integrates ChatGPT into company operations, argued that the court order risked exposing confidential materials such as trade secrets and source code. The judge dismissed this filing on procedural grounds, noting the business failed to retain legal representation.

Another user argued the order would harm ChatGPT users by storing "highly sensitive" personal and commercial information, likening the court's directive to a national surveillance effort. Judge Wang rejected that argument as well, stating, “Proposed Intervenor does not explain how a court’s document retention order… is, or could be, a ‘nationwide mass surveillance program.’”


OpenAI Eats Into Microsoft’s Turf? ChatGPT Gains Ground in Corporate AI Race

The partnership between Microsoft and OpenAI, once hailed as one of the most synergistic collaborations in tech, is starting to show cracks—particularly as both companies now find themselves vying for the same enterprise customers, as reported by Bloomberg.

Behind the scenes, OpenAI’s growing presence in the corporate AI space is raising eyebrows at Microsoft, which has invested nearly $14 billion in the startup. Microsoft’s sales teams, already under pressure to drive Copilot adoption, now face the awkward reality of being undercut by their own partner.

While Microsoft has relied on deep-rooted enterprise relationships to promote Copilot, OpenAI is aggressively targeting the same clients with direct business offerings, educational tools, and a rapidly expanding suite of enterprise products. OpenAI’s acquisition of Windsurf, an AI coding assistant competing with Microsoft’s GitHub Copilot, is the latest sign of its independent ambitions.

As the lines between partner and competitor blur, one thing is clear: The battle for AI dominance in the enterprise space is just heating up. And for Microsoft, it may be fighting that battle on two fronts—against rivals like Google and Amazon, and now, against its own billion-dollar partner.

Dwarka Expressway gets India’s first AI-powered traffic management system

In a major step towards smart infrastructure, the Dwarka Expressway has become the first in India to deploy an AI-powered Advanced Traffic Management System (ATMS), aimed at enhancing road safety and streamlining vehicular movement.

The cutting-edge system, developed by the Indian Highways Management Company Ltd. (IHMCL) and implemented by the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI), spans a total project length of 56.46 kilometres. It uses artificial intelligence, sensors, and real-time data analytics to manage traffic flow and reduce accidents.
The initiative is being hailed as a national model for AI-driven traffic governance and is expected to set new benchmarks in highway safety and efficiency.

The 29-kilometre Dwarka Expressway, a key connector between Delhi and Gurugram, runs from Shiv Murti on National Highway 8 to the outskirts of Gurugram. It serves as the third direct route between the two cities and offers a faster travel option for commuters heading towards Gurugram and the Indira Gandhi International Airport.
With the introduction of ATMS, the expressway aims to improve emergency response, monitor traffic violations, and ensure smoother commutes—marking a significant upgrade in India’s road infrastructure framework.

Google DeepMind unveils AI model that runs without data network on robots

In a breakthrough for robotics and artificial intelligence, Google DeepMind has announced the launch of a new on-device AI model that can run directly on robotic systems—without the need for constant internet connectivity.
Called Gemini Robotics On-Device, the AI-powered vision-language-action (VLA) model enables general-purpose dexterity and rapid task adaptation. The announcement was made via a blog post on Tuesday, June 24, by Carolina Parada, Senior Director and Head of Robotics at Google DeepMind.

“Since the model operates independently of a data network, it’s helpful for latency-sensitive applications and ensures robustness in environments with intermittent or zero connectivity,” Parada said.

The system builds on the Gemini Robotics platform introduced in March and is specially designed for bi-arm robotic devices. Unlike earlier models, this version can follow natural language instructions and perform complex, real-world tasks — such as unzipping bags, folding clothes, pouring salad dressing, or assembling products — with high precision.

Importantly, this is Google DeepMind’s first VLA model available for fine-tuning, allowing developers to further customize the AI for specific use cases. According to Parada, the model can adapt to new tasks with as few as 50 to 100 demonstrations, a significant improvement in task generalization and learning efficiency.
While many actions will work “out of the box,” the on-device model's ability to generalize foundational knowledge and adapt quickly makes it suitable for a wide range of practical applications — from industrial automation to household robotics.

The launch marks Google’s growing momentum in the race to develop AI-powered generalist robots that can understand and execute human instructions with natural ease. It also reflects the broader shift in Silicon Valley toward multimodal AI systems that combine text, image, and audio processing to enable smarter machines. As tech giants including Google, Tesla, and Amazon race to embed large language models into robotics, Gemini’s offline, fine-tunable architecture could offer Google a key edge in real-world deployments.

<a href="https://www.storyboard18.com/digital/today-in-ai-linkedin-ai-tool-demand-ai-chatbots-resort-to-blackmail-perplexity-launches-ai-browser-71481.htm">Read More: Today in AI: LinkedIn AI tool demand | AI chatbots resort to blackmail | Perplexity launches AI browser</a>

Today in AI: Alexa+ hits 1 million | Google's new internet-less AI | OpenAI vs Microsoft

The digital backbone of Bharat’s economy is strengthening. The third edition of the MSME Digital Index Report, released today by PayNearby, India’s leading branchless banking and digital network, reveals that YouTube is the go-to platform for entertainment, learning, and brand-related content among 70% Indian MSMEs. Also, 73% of small businesses across semi-urban and rural India have seen increased income or improved operational efficiency as a result of adopting digital tools. With smartphones becoming the dominant mode of business management and UPI emerging as the most preferred transaction method, the findings indicate a deeper, more confident shift towards digital enablement at the last mile.

The third edition of the MSME Digital Index 2025 showcases digital consumption, tech awareness, behavioural patterns, and business transformation among micro-entrepreneurs, with a focus on gender representation. The insights were gathered through a nationwide survey conducted among 10,000 individuals and MSMEs in retail-focused segments such as kirana stores, mobile recharge outlets, medical shops, customer service points (CSPs), and travel agencies.

Smartphone usage remains central to their operations, with 71% of respondents citing it as their primary business device. Among women entrepreneurs, this number is significantly higher at 84%, indicating rising comfort with mobile-led infrastructure in driving customer engagement. Daily internet usage continues to rise, with 69% respondents consuming between 2GB to 5GB of data, largely supported by mobile hotspots, with 86% spending around ₹500–₹1,000 per month on internet usage.

Digital payments continue to gain strong acceptance among MSMEs, with UPI emerging as the most preferred mode of transaction at 48%, followed by Aadhaar-enabled banking at 39%. Among women entrepreneurs, Aadhaar banking saw even higher preference at 42%, reflecting increasing trust in secure, tech-enabled services such as fingerprint and face authentication. These channels offer transaction efficiency and payment convenience, while also helping them build digital credibility for improved access to formal credit in the future.

The impact of going digital is becoming more tangible for small businesses. Of those reporting benefits from digital adoption, 33% cited improved operational efficiency. These insights point to a growing realisation among MSMEs that digital tools are not just convenient but critical for scaling businesses sustainably in a competitive market.
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As digital tools become more embedded in daily business, the role of language and ease of use becomes increasingly important. 56% of respondents prefer English for understanding and navigating platforms, followed by Hindi at 25%. Among women entrepreneurs, 38% expressed a preference for vernacular interfaces, highlighting the continued need for regionally localised, intuitive tech platforms that better reflect how Bharat operates.
A small but notable 7% of respondents have begun exploring automated or AI-powered tools, including inventory apps, automated billing systems, and customer engagement platforms, mostly through third-party solutions. This emerging trend is reflected in the growing use of structured digital workflows such as transaction reports, WhatsApp-based follow-ups, and service-wise earnings tracking. It marks a shift toward more efficient, process-driven ways of working. These early signals point to rising curiosity and readiness among small businesses to explore advanced tools, as solutions become simpler to understand and use.

A growing number of respondents, both men and women, are actively building their skills to use these tools more effectively. Around 26% of respondents reported attending some form of training, whether through local community programs, online tutorials, or partner-led workshops. This reflects a shift from passive adoption to active learning, with small businesses showing increasing interest in building digital skills for long-term success.

Among women respondents, 79% reported that digital adoption had a measurable positive impact on their business performance. Nearly half said that access to digital services enabled them to contribute more actively to household finances, make independent decisions, or expand their customer base. Beyond financial gains, many also cited improved confidence in managing their businesses digitally, marking an early but important shift in long-term behavioural and social change.

The use of business software among MSMEs continues to evolve. Accounting tools are now used by 30% of respondents, followed by 18% using point-of-sale (POS) systems and 13% adopting customer relationship management (CRM) platforms. POS usage among women respondents has shown a notable increase, with 22% reporting adoption.
WhatsApp and WhatsApp Business remain the most commonly used communication tools for business purposes across both male and female respondents, supporting activities such as product promotions, customer engagement, and order coordination. While the social and entertainment app landscape continues to evolve, the choice of platforms increasingly reflects business intent.

Commenting on the report findings, Anand Kumar Bajaj, Founder, MD & CEO, PayNearby, said, “The MSME sector is the backbone of Bharat’s economy, and the rapid adoption of digital tools such as smartphones, UPI, Aadhaar-enabled banking, and emerging AI workflows is proof that this segment is embracing modernisation. What stands out is not just usage, but growing digital confidence across the country. That confidence is enabling entrepreneurs to operate more efficiently and tap into formal financial systems with ease and transparency.”

“At PayNearby, our mission is to empower these change-makers by making technology intuitive, affordable, and focused on solving real business problems. From enabling banking at local retail touchpoints to opening access to credit through our partnerships, we are committed to equipping every retailer, entrepreneur, and household with the tools they need to prosper in a connected future.”

Commenting on the MSME Digital Index, Jayatri Dasgupta, CMO, PayNearby and Program Director, Digital Naari, said, “This year’s report highlights the growing participation of women in the digital economy, particularly across financial services and customer engagement. As more women take on entrepreneurial roles, it becomes essential to design solutions that are localised, easy to use, and built for convenience. Their engagement is creating tangible outcomes not just for their businesses but for their communities, accelerating change where it is needed most.”
“Women respondents, who accounted for 34% of this year’s sample, are demonstrating greater confidence in managing their business digitally. Through the Digital Naari programme, we continue to support the momentum by equipping women with the knowledge, tools, and support needed to become financially self-reliant and active contributors to Bharat’s digital progress.”

The MSME Digital Index 2025 reaffirms a clear message. As technology becomes integral to income generation, financial security, and enterprise growth, the need for cross-sector collaboration is more crucial than ever. Fintechs, policymakers, corporates, and community institutions must come together to remove residual barriers and build a digitally resilient MSME economy.

<a href="https://www.storyboard18.com/digital/we-have-to-be-owners-of-technology-not-users-says-ril-chairman-mukesh-ambani-71815.htm">Read More: 'We have to be owners of technology, not users,' says RIL Chairman Mukesh Ambani</a>

Bharat’s digital backbone strengthens: 73% MSMEs report higher income via smartphones and UPI

Indian business tycoon Mukesh Ambani has stressed the significance of owning technology instead of becoming dependent on other nations. In an interview with McKinsey & Company, Ambani said Reliance is focusing on being a deep-etch and advanced manufacturing company.

According to the Reliance Industries Chairman, the technology landscape is changing at an exponential speed. He stressed that the narrative of technology needs to be evolved. 

"When we grew up, we were the users of technology, and it was clear that we had to license technology from abroad to ensure high quality. But we were subjugated to so many licenses," the business tycoon said.

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However, Ambani said he tried to bring the change in the narrative from 'users' of technology to becoming 'owners' of technology at his company.

"At Reliance, we have realized that technology changes lives. We want to create impact at scale that improves the lives of all Indians. Therefore, businesses of the future will have to be good at harnessing technologies of the future. So, our North Star always has been that our vision and purpose of doing business have to be impactled," the industralist said. 

Citing examples of RIL's usage of technology, Ambani said, "We started with telecom. In 2021, we launched 5G. We built everything ourselves, end to end—the core, the hardware, the software, every single piece. We used Ericsson and Nokia to help us on 20 percent, just to make sure that the 80 percent that we put in was good".

Further, on Artificial Intelligence, Ambani said his company is working to build a workforce that can solve complex problems before society and create wealth for the nation and the people.

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"We need not go into the high-risk GPU game. Let’s do everything downstream," the business tycoon said.

At the 47th Annual General Meeting (AGM) of Reliance in 2024, Ambani had emphasized the transformative power of AI and its potential to combat global challenges. 

At that time, he reiterated that 'breakthrough technologies and innovation have always been the greatest wealth creators for nations, as well as for corporations'.

Earlier, he called AI a pivotal moment in human evolution. Reliance has spent over Rs 11,000 crore ($1.5 billion) on Research & Development. For Ambani, the tech-driven transformation will drive Reliance into a new era of hyper-growth.

'We have to be owners of technology, not users,' says RIL Chairman Mukesh Ambani

The partnership between Microsoft and OpenAI, once hailed as one of the most synergistic collaborations in tech, is starting to show cracks—particularly as both companies now find themselves vying for the same enterprise customers, as reported by Bloomberg.

Take Amgen Inc., for example. In 2023, the biopharmaceutical company announced plans to integrate Microsoft’s Copilot AI assistant into workflows for 20,000 employees. Microsoft celebrated the win with not one, but three separate case studies. But in a plot twist that underscores the brewing rivalry, Amgen’s workforce has shifted gears, now actively using OpenAI’s ChatGPT for various tasks—such as research and scientific summarization.

“OpenAI has done a tremendous job making their product fun to use,” said Amgen Senior VP Sean Bruich, acknowledging that while Copilot remains useful within Microsoft’s ecosystem—like Outlook and Teams—ChatGPT is being increasingly preferred for broader generative AI tasks.

OpenAI’s Corporate Push Rattles Microsoft
Behind the scenes, OpenAI’s growing presence in the corporate AI space is raising eyebrows at Microsoft, which has invested nearly $14 billion in the startup. Microsoft’s sales teams, already under pressure to drive Copilot adoption, now face the awkward reality of being undercut by their own partner.

While Microsoft has relied on deep-rooted enterprise relationships to promote Copilot, OpenAI is aggressively targeting the same clients with direct business offerings, educational tools, and a rapidly expanding suite of enterprise products. OpenAI’s acquisition of Windsurf, an AI coding assistant competing with Microsoft’s GitHub Copilot, is the latest sign of its independent ambitions.

The startup claims it now has 3 million paying business users, a sharp 50% increase in just a few months. Microsoft counters that 70% of Fortune 500 firms are using Copilot and that the number of paid users has tripled year-on-year. But the optics remain troubling for Microsoft, especially when its customers are openly experimenting with OpenAI’s tools.

Familiarity and First-Mover Advantage
One of Microsoft’s key hurdles is that many professionals were already using ChatGPT informally—well before Copilot entered the workplace. This has given OpenAI a first-mover advantage. Microsoft’s AI chief Jared Spataro downplays this, stating that consumer familiarity doesn’t necessarily translate to enterprise fit. He argued that Microsoft’s strength lies in tailoring models to business needs and ensuring compliance with security protocols.

Still, insiders say Microsoft’s go-to-market push has struggled to clearly differentiate Copilot from ChatGPT. Both tools rely heavily on OpenAI’s foundational models, and updates from OpenAI often appear first on ChatGPT—leaving Microsoft playing catch-up due to internal testing and approval delays.

Companies Test Both Platforms
Some companies are hedging their bets. New York Life, for example, is rolling out both Copilot and ChatGPT to its 12,000 employees. The insurer plans to monitor engagement and feedback before making a long-term decision. “Let’s take some time to evaluate usage and adoption, and let’s see what really sticks,” said Don Vu, the company’s Chief Data and Analytics Officer.

Others, like Bain & Co., are seeing stronger internal uptake of ChatGPT despite long-standing ties with Microsoft. About 16,000 Bain employees use ChatGPT, compared to just 2,000 on Copilot, mostly within Microsoft Office applications. “It’s improving, but I don’t think [Copilot] is at the same level as ChatGPT,” said Bain CTO Ramesh Razdan.

Microsoft’s Pricing Edge Under Threat
Microsoft has long leaned on its pricing advantage: Copilot costs $30 per user per month, while ChatGPT Enterprise has reportedly gone as high as $60 per user. But that gap may not last. OpenAI is now experimenting with usage-based pricing and bundled discounts for customers who adopt multiple AI products.

Still, Microsoft is scoring some large wins. According to internal presentations seen by Bloomberg, firms like Accenture, Barclays, and Volkswagen each have more than 100,000 Copilot users. CEO Satya Nadella praised these milestones but stressed that the real goal is mass adoption across Microsoft’s product suite.

A Complicated Partnership
The corporate AI turf war is only adding strain to an already complex relationship between the two companies. Microsoft has begun investing in other AI startups and is reportedly reluctant to approve parts of OpenAI’s internal restructuring. Meanwhile, OpenAI has built infrastructure for its own subscription offerings, signed deals with Microsoft’s cloud competitors, and is aggressively expanding into the very markets Microsoft hoped to dominate alone.

As the lines between partner and competitor blur, one thing is clear: The battle for AI dominance in the enterprise space is just heating up. And for Microsoft, it may be fighting that battle on two fronts—against rivals like Google and Amazon, and now, against its own billion-dollar partner.

<a href="https://www.storyboard18.com/digital/ai-cuts-customer-care-costs-up-to-30-heres-why-80-of-companies-are-adopting-genai-71462.htm">Read More: AI cuts customer care costs up to 30%, here's why 80% of companies are adopting GenAI</a>

OpenAI eats into Microsoft’s turf? ChatGPT gains ground in corporate AI race

A new international survey conducted by U.S.-based software company Icertis has highlighted growing pressure on corporate leadership worldwide amid economic turbulence and rapid technological shifts—particularly in the realm of artificial intelligence (AI). The research, which included insights from over 1,000 senior executives across multiple regions, revealed that Indian CXOs are among the most heavily impacted by these ongoing changes.

Of the 1,000 C-suite executives surveyed, 300 were from India, and their responses painted a more intense picture of stress and uncertainty compared to their global peers. An overwhelming 94% of Indian executives said the pressure to deliver tangible business outcomes has intensified over the past year. Even more strikingly, 73% reported a “significant increase” in this pressure, far exceeding their counterparts in the U.S. (61%) and the U.K. (57%).

Trade Uncertainty Strain
One of the major stressors cited by Indian business leaders was global trade uncertainty. Over 90% of Indian respondents expressed concern that evolving tariff structures could directly impact their company's financial performance. To mitigate potential disruptions, 64% said they are actively reviewing existing contracts in search of cost-saving opportunities. Other common strategies included rethinking long-term sourcing models (48%) and restructuring supply chains (47%)—a reflection of the cautious recalibration taking place across boardrooms.

At the center of the current C-suite anxiety is the pressure to deliver returns on AI investments. More than 56% of Indian leaders said the demand to show AI-driven outcomes has added a significant burden to their roles—higher than in the U.S. (45%) and the U.K. (38%). The pace of technological change, paired with the lack of clarity about which AI tools actually work, has left many decision-makers overwhelmed.

AI Washing
Adding to the confusion is the phenomenon known as “AI washing”—where vendors claim their solutions are powered by advanced AI without any real substance. 62% of Indian executives said they feel “extremely inundated” by these misleading marketing pitches, again significantly higher than the 46% figure in the U.S. and 36% in the U.K.

Another layer of complexity comes from the need to understand AI technologies that were traditionally outside their expertise. Nearly 80% of Indian CXOs admitted feeling pressured to get up to speed on new AI concepts just to stay competitive. The sheer speed of change has left many corporate leaders racing to catch up, while still trying to steer their organizations in the right direction.

Optimistic view
Despite the obvious stressors, the survey also revealed a clear sense of optimism about AI’s potential. Nearly half of Indian executives said AI is already contributing positively to their company’s bottom line, while another 32% expect to see significant impact by the end of 2025.

AI-driven contract intelligence in particular has emerged as a critical area of opportunity. A staggering 98% of Indian executives are now using AI to extract insights from contract data, while 99% believe that contract management tools are no longer optional—but essential to navigating the complexities of today’s business landscape.

According to Icertis, as the AI revolution redefines how decisions are made, intelligent contract systems are offering executives a clearer view of risks and opportunities. For Indian CXOs grappling with uncertainty, these tools may provide not just relief—but an edge.

<a href="https://www.storyboard18.com/digital/us-judge-rejects-mass-surveillance-claims-over-chatgpt-chat-log-preservation-in-copyright-suit-71738.htm">Read More: US judge rejects mass surveillance claims over ChatGPT chat log preservation in copyright suit</a>

Nearly 60% of Indian CXOs feel strained by AI investments: Survey

A U.S. judge has dismissed concerns that an order requiring OpenAI to preserve all ChatGPT chat logs constitutes a “nationwide mass surveillance program,” ruling that the data retention is limited in scope and purpose.

The ruling came in response to objections filed by ChatGPT users after Judge Ona Wang instructed OpenAI to indefinitely retain user chat data—including deleted logs—as part of an ongoing copyright lawsuit.

One objector, a business owner who integrates ChatGPT into company operations, argued that the court order risked exposing confidential materials such as trade secrets and source code. The judge dismissed this filing on procedural grounds, noting the business failed to retain legal representation.

Another user argued the order would harm ChatGPT users by storing "highly sensitive" personal and commercial information, likening the court's directive to a national surveillance effort. Judge Wang rejected that argument as well, stating, “Proposed Intervenor does not explain how a court’s document retention order… is, or could be, a ‘nationwide mass surveillance program.’”

She clarified that the retention directive is solely for litigation purposes and does not involve making user data public. OpenAI has indicated it will continue to challenge the order.

Still, the case highlights growing legal tensions around AI, privacy, and user data. While OpenAI’s systems may not constitute surveillance in the traditional sense, the case serves as a reminder that user interactions with AI platforms are not inherently private—especially when courts get involved.

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US judge rejects mass surveillance claims over ChatGPT chat log preservation in copyright suit

Google has officially introduced its experimental AI Mode to users in India today, turning its iconic search bar into something more akin to a conversation with a digital oracle.

The company announced on Monday that Indian users can now opt in to the feature via Search Labs, marking a significant expansion of its generative AI search ambitions beyond the U.S. market.

Currently, the tool supports only English queries, with no timeline yet shared for support in regional Indian languages. Once activated, AI mode allows users to ask complex, multi-layered questions - like parenting advice or indoor activity suggestions for energetic kids - and receive conversational, context-rich answers.

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Users can also ask follow-up questions to fine-tune results, making the experience more interactive and human-like.

The tool is powered by a custom version of Gemini 2.5, Google's large language model, and supports voice and image search in India.

Google initially rolled out AI mode earlier this year for premium U.S. subscribers and expanded access globally post its Google I/O event. Since then, it has added shopping integrations, voice and image capabilities, and begun showing ads within AI responses.

The move also signals Google’s response to growing competition from chat-based AI tools like ChatGPT and Perplexity, which have been increasingly integrated into users’ daily search habits. By offering an in-house conversational assistant, Google aims to retain users seeking AI-driven, chat-style interfaces within its ecosystem.

Meanwhile, the tech giant continues to push AI Overviews, a feature summarizing search results at the top of the page. 

Google said in April that the tool has been adopted by over 1.5 billion users globally. However, the shift toward AI-generated summaries has raised concerns among publishers, with reports suggesting a drop in organic traffic due to users relying more on AI snippets than clicking through to external websites.

Also Read: <a href="https://www.storyboard18.com/how-it-works/google-partners-with-maharashtra-to-empower-ai-startups-71313.htm">Google partners with Maharashtra to empower AI startups</a>

Google rolls out new AI-powered search mode in India

The world of Artificial Intelligence has only begun to affect human lives. In times like these, staying up-to-date with the AI world is of utmost importance. Storyboard18 brings you the top AI news of the day.

AI now writes 25% of code at Amazon, Microsoft, tech jobs massively affected

As the tech industry faces another wave of mass layoffs and hiring freezes in 2025, a growing chorus of voices is blaming the very technology at the heart of Silicon Valley’s next revolution — artificial intelligence. New findings reveal that AI is now generating nearly 25% of the code written at major tech companies like Microsoft, Amazon, and Alphabet, reshaping the nature of software development and raising alarms over the future of entry-level tech jobs.
A recent Pew Research Center survey found that nearly half of Americans (48%) believe software engineers will be among the professions most disrupted by AI — more than teachers, accountants, or journalists. This fear is playing out in real time. While employment for 22-to-27-year-olds in most sectors has ticked upward, computer science and math roles in that age group have fallen by 8%, according to The Atlantic.

Goldman Sachs rolls out Generative AI Assistant firmwide

Goldman Sachs has officially launched its GS AI Assistant, a generative AI-powered tool designed to assist employees across the investment banking giant’s global operations—fueling fresh concerns over the future of junior roles in high finance.
The announcement, made via an internal memo on Monday, marks a major milestone in Goldman’s AI strategy. Marco Argenti, the firm’s Chief Information Officer, described the moment as pivotal: “Today marks an important moment in our AI journey as we are excited to announce the firmwide launch of the GS AI Assistant – the first generative AI-powered tool to reach this scale.”
Initially piloted with around 10,000 employees out of the company’s 46,500-strong global workforce, the AI assistant is now being rolled out across departments including Investment Banking and Wealth Management. It is already being used to automate and streamline a variety of tasks, such as summarising complex documents, drafting communications, and analysing data sets.

HCL Tech, AMD tie up to develop AI and cloud tools, set up joint innovation labs

HCL Technologies has announced a strategic collaboration with US-based chipmaker AMD to jointly develop digital transformation solutions across artificial intelligence (AI), cloud computing, and enterprise platforms. As part of the tie-up, both firms will make joint investments in innovation labs and development centres to accelerate the testing and deployment of cutting-edge enterprise technologies. The partnership will also include workforce reskilling initiatives, helping clients adapt to rapidly evolving digital requirements.
The companies aim to build full-stack solutions that combine AMD’s high-performance processors with HCL Tech’s end-to-end technology services. The partnership comes at a time when global enterprises are increasingly demanding AI-driven automation, scalable infrastructure, and faster digital transformation tools.
The collaboration reinforces AMD’s push into the enterprise tech space and strengthens HCL Tech’s positioning as a key systems integrator for next-gen computing.

Google tests AI-enhanced search ‘AI mode’ in India with bilingual support

Google has launched an experimental AI-powered search feature called “AI mode” for users in India, marking one of the first global expansions of the tool beyond the United States.
Currently available through Search Labs, the opt-in feature is accessible on the Google app for Android and iOS. Once activated, AI mode provides users with summarised search results, highlights key information, and suggests follow-up questions to dig deeper into topics.
The tool supports both English and Hindi, allowing users to switch between languages seamlessly. Google clarified that AI mode is designed to complement, not replace traditional search, offering concise AI-generated snapshots alongside standard search links.
In addition, Google is testing AI-organised results for specific categories like travel and dining, with more topics expected to be added over time.
As the feature remains in testing, user feedback from India will play a key role in shaping the future of AI-enhanced search experiences.

India uses AI and satellite tech to map heat vulnerability at building level

India is deploying a combination of artificial intelligence and satellite-based remote sensing to map urban heat vulnerability at a highly granular, building-by-building level, as per a report in Wired. The initiative, currently active in cities such as Delhi, aims to precisely identify which structures are most susceptible to extreme temperatures. By analyzing factors like building materials, roof types, and surrounding vegetation from satellite imagery, the AI-driven system allows authorities to target relief efforts, such as the distribution of aid or the establishment of cooling centers, more effectively during heatwaves.

Stay tuned and watch this space for more news on technology and artificial intelligence.

<a href="https://www.storyboard18.com/digital/today-in-ai-linkedin-ai-tool-demand-ai-chatbots-resort-to-blackmail-perplexity-launches-ai-browser-71481.htm">Read More: Today in AI: LinkedIn AI tool demand | AI chatbots resort to blackmail | Perplexity launches AI browser</a>

Today in AI: Google tests AI mode in India | AI affects tech jobs | India uses AI to map heat

Australia's ambitious push to become the first country to penalize social media platforms for allowing underage users has sparked a public standoff between its internet safety watchdog and YouTube, ahead of the law's planned rollout in December, according to a Reuters report.

On Tuesday, eSafety Commissioner Julie Inman Grant urged the Albanese government to reverse its proposed exemption for YouTube from the upcoming teen social media ban.

Also Read: <a href="https://www.storyboard18.com/how-it-works/australia-nears-under-16-social-media-ban-after-age-check-trial-71196.htm">Australia nears under-16 social media ban after age-check trial</a>

The legislation, which has drawn global attention, seeks to bar users under 16 from accessing social platforms and impose fines on companies that fail to comply.

YouTube - owned by Alphabet - was initially granted a waiver due to its educational and health content, according to the centre-left government. However, Iman Grant dismissed that rationale, arguing that YouTube was actually the most frequently cited platform for harmful content by children.

Citing internal research, the Commissioner told the National Press Club in Sydney that 37% of children aged 10 to 15 reported encountering harmful material on YouTube, higher than on Meta's Facebook and Instagram, TikTok, or Snapchat, the report added.

YouTube responded in a strongly worded blog post, accusing the commissioner of issuing "inconsistent and contradictory advice."

Rachel Lord, YouTube's public policy manager for Australia and New Zealand, pointed to government-commissioned research showing that 69% of parents consider the platform suitable for children under 15, the report added.

A spokesperson for Communications Minister Anika Wells said the minister is reviewing the regulator’s latest advice.

Also Read: <a href="https://www.storyboard18.com/social-media/australias-ground-breaking-social-media-age-ban-passes-house-vote-48653.htm">Australia's ground-breaking social media age ban passes House vote</a>

Australia's internet watchdog and YouTube clash over under-16 social media ban

Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg is personally leading an aggressive push to hire top artificial intelligence experts, offering compensation packages as high as $100 million (₹860 crore) to attract elite talent to his newly formed Superintelligence Lab, according to a report by The Wall Street Journal.

Zuckerberg has reached out directly to hundreds of researchers, engineers, and entrepreneurs in the AI field over the past few months, hoping to make Meta a frontrunner in the race for artificial general intelligence (AGI).

The tech giant is reportedly investing billions into this effort, including $14 billion for a stake in Scale AI, whose CEO Alexandr Wang is now leading Meta’s Superintelligence division. At just 28, Wang is among the most expensive hires in tech history.

Zuckerberg has also tried to acquire AI startups such as Perplexity, and has contacted major players from OpenAI and Google DeepMind, including OpenAI co-founder Ilya Sutskever. However, OpenAI CEO Sam Altman claims none of his best talent has accepted Meta’s offers so far.

In some cases, Zuckerberg’s personal emails were mistaken for scams, with recipients ignoring what they thought were fake messages. For those who engage, he reportedly hosts them at his homes and remains involved in the hiring process, down to office layouts.

Despite skepticism around his vague vision of “superintelligence,” Zuckerberg remains convinced that hands-on recruitment is where he can make the most impact in Meta’s AI ambitions.

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