Generative AI

Netskope reports near-universal (95%) generative AI adoption in retail, up sharply from 73% last year, driven by competitive pressures. While usage of company-approved AI tools rises (from 21% to 52%), security risks escalate, with source code (47%) and regulated data (39%) commonly exposed. Companies are banning risky apps like ZeroGPT, and increasingly using enterprise platforms like OpenAI via Azure and Amazon Bedrock (16% each). Concerns extend to API connections (63%) and broader cloud security vulnerabilities, including malware via OneDrive and GitHub. Strict data protection and visibility are crucial.

A recent study reveals a significant lack of public trust in AI, hindering its widespread adoption despite government efforts. This skepticism stems from unfamiliarity and concerns about ethical considerations like data privacy and potential misuse. Trust correlates with usage, as those familiar with AI are less likely to perceive it as a risk. The report emphasizes the need for targeted communication highlighting tangible benefits, demonstrable effectiveness in public services, and robust regulations to ensure ethical and responsible development. Building trust requires transparency and a collaborative approach.

Notion, a productivity software startup, strategically embraced AI with the launch of Notion AI shortly before ChatGPT’s release. This move propelled its annualized revenue past $500 million, earning it a CNBC Disruptor 50 spot. Now offering customizable AI agents, Notion automates workflows and caters to enterprise demand, with clients including Kaiser Permanente and Nvidia. Its user base exceeds 100 million and it possesses cash reserves exceeding $330 million. Increased adoption of paid AI add-ons, now integrated into business plans, drives revenue growth despite competition from Microsoft and Google. Companies like Ramp actively use Notion due to increased productivity.

OpenAI reaffirmed its unique governance structure, ensuring its nonprofit parent retains oversight despite a $500 billion valuation. A non-binding MOU with Microsoft signals further partnership following Microsoft’s $13 billion investment. OpenAI emphasizes safety and collaboration with regulators to solidify its legal framework, addressing concerns about its shift from research to commercial aims. They’re also launching a $50 million grant program to support AI literacy. The company faces a legal dispute with Elon Musk over its for-profit trajectory.

The U.S. tech industry’s eight trillion-dollar companies saw a collective market cap increase of $420 billion this week, reaching $21 trillion, despite Nvidia’s downturn. Alphabet and Apple rallied after a favorable antitrust ruling, which also allows their continued AI partnership. Broadcom secured a $10 billion AI client, likely OpenAI, propelling its entry into the trillion-dollar club. Tesla shares climbed following news of a proposed compensation package for Elon Musk. Google, Apple, Amazon, and Meta all face antitrust scrutiny, reflecting an industry wide push towards regulation.

A Stanford study reveals generative AI’s disproportionate impact on early career job prospects. Analyzing ADP payroll data, researchers found a 13% employment decline since 2022 for 22-25 year olds in AI-exposed sectors like customer service and software development. Conversely, experienced workers in the same fields and workers in less AI-vulnerable occupations saw stable or growing employment. AI’s ability to replace “codified knowledge” may disadvantage younger workers, while its complementary role in some areas sustains employment.

Google’s Vids introduces new AI-powered features to democratize video creation, including image animation with Veo AI, AI avatars for presenter-less videos, and automatic transcript trimming. Vids boasts over one million monthly active users. Integrations from Google Meet are coming soon. Google is expanding access to Vids and offering a free version with templates. Businesses like Mercer International and Fullstory are already using Vids for training and internal communications. These enhancements aim to make video creation accessible to a wider audience.

AI stocks declined, triggering a tech sell-off, after a report from AI firm NANDA (MIT Media Lab) highlighted the low success rate of generative AI in commercial deployments. The report found only 5% of pilot projects deliver financial returns, citing issues with contextual awareness and learning capabilities. Successful applications are more common in back-office workflows. While individual productivity with AI is high, institutional-level benefits are lacking, raising questions about the technology’s practical effectiveness and potential hype. The report suggests strategic partnerships with AI vendors, a recommendation aligned with NANDA’s business interests.

At WAIC 2025, Kuaishou’s Kling AI launched “Ling Animation Canvas,” a creative workbench with infinite visual space and real-time collaboration. It also upgraded its “Multi-Image Reference” feature, improving consistency and style maintenance. Kling AI boasts over 45 million global creators and has generated over 200 million videos. Since releasing “Kling 2.0,” B-end merchant usage has surged. Over 20,000 enterprise clients globally have integrated with the Kling AI API, extending its reach to 149 countries, highlighting the increasing demand for AI-powered content generation.

th, 2024 – A new report highlights the significant environmental impact of training large AI models. The study, conducted by researchers at the University of California, Berkeley, estimates the carbon footprint of training a single large language model to be equivalent to several transatlantic flights. The report emphasizes the need for more efficient AI training methods and the use of renewable energy sources to mitigate the environmental costs of AI development. The findings are raising concerns among environmental advocates and policymakers.