Today in AI

• News roundup

• Today’s big story

• AI events

• This week on the podcast

News roundup

The top stories in AI today.

NEW LAUNCHES

The latest features, products & partnerships in AI

• Meta expands AI assistant to new global markets

• Amazon’s new AI Shopping Guides help shoppers find what they need

• Google Photos may soon flag AI-generated images

• Hugging Face’s newest tool simplifies building AI-powered web apps

• Google Gemini AI image generator just rolled out to everyone for free

FUTURE OF WORK

Jobs are changing — are you?

• Wimbledon embraces AI, ditches line judges after 147 years

• AI pioneer predicts seismic shift for tech startups

• How AI is transforming mental health care

• High-performing businesses not only master AI but also do these things

GOVERNMENT

Press releases, regulation, defense & politics.

• How San Jose is pioneering responsible AI in city services

• Vinod Khosla on OpenAI, national security and AI’s climate impact

• Why Google’s AI deals may weaken its search monopoly defense

• Scott Wiener is open to working with Newsom on possible AI legislation next year

• AI chatbot debates for VA congressional candidate’s absent opponent

GADGETS

Computers, phones, chips & AI powered devices

• Ring’s new AI-powered Smart Video Search impresses with stunning accuracy

• Google brings AI image generation to Chromecast devices

• AI PC sales lag as global market slumps in Q3

• Roli unveils ‘Airwave’ an AI-powered instrument that teaches piano

• Amazon slashes prices on AI-powered Fire tablets pre-Prime Day

AGENTS

Launches, tools, platforms & implementation

• AI shopping agents could transform how you buy on Amazon

• How Dynamiq differentiates itself in the crowded AI agent landscape

• Forget chat. AI that can hear, see and click is already here

• Takeaways from the Forrester APAC Summit on agentic AI

• How AI can empower businesses to achieve ‘decision dominance’

MODELS

Deployment, research, training, infrastructure

• Walmart unveils Wallaby LLM, diversifying its AI strategy

• Caltech makes breakthrough that enables AI models to learn and retain knowledge

• Inflection AI launches API, enhances LLMs with emotional intelligence

• The Reflection 70B saga continues with release of training data report

• Hailuo MiniMax is a great AI tool for turning images into videos

What’s happening in AI right now

Transforming the retail experience with AI

The retail landscape is undergoing a seismic shift as major players like Walmart, Amazon, and Instacart deploy artificial intelligence to revolutionize how we shop. These innovations promise to blend the convenience of online shopping with the tangibility of in-store experiences, potentially reshaping consumer behavior and expectations.

Walmart's Wallaby: A multi-layered AI approach

Walmart is developing Wallaby, a suite of retail-focused large language models (LLMs) trained on decades of company data. This proprietary AI system aims to enhance customer service and operational efficiency across Walmart's vast network. By combining Wallaby with third-party models through its Element platform, Walmart is positioning itself to compete directly with tech giants like Amazon in the AI-driven retail space.

Amazon's autonomous agents

Not to be outdone, Amazon has introduced AI-powered "Shopping Guides" for over 100 product types. These guides offer tailored information, recommendations, and educational content to simplify product selection and reduce decision fatigue. The company is also developing more advanced AI agents, including the chatbot Rufus and potential autonomous shopping assistants that could perform complex tasks and even make purchases on behalf of users.

Instacart's caper carts

Instacart is taking a different approach with its AI-powered Caper Carts. These smart shopping carts use touchscreens, cameras, and sensors to provide real-time navigation, personalized recommendations, and automatic item identification. By introducing gamification elements like "quests" and prizes, Instacart is aiming to make grocery shopping more engaging and efficient.

The Implications for Businesses and Consumers

Data-driven personalization: These AI initiatives represent a significant leap in personalized shopping experiences. Walmart plans to introduce more tailored recommendations and homepages for customers, while Amazon's Shopping Guides adapt to user activity. This level of personalization could lead to increased customer satisfaction and loyalty.

Operational efficiency and cost savings: AI integration promises substantial operational improvements. Walmart's Wallaby system, for instance, is being implemented across its operations from headquarters to storefronts. This could lead to more efficient inventory management, reduced labor costs, and improved supply chain optimization.

New marketing opportunities: The advent of AI-powered shopping assistants and smart carts creates novel channels for brands to reach consumers. Instacart's Caper Carts, for example, offer real-time promotional opportunities directly at the point of decision-making. This could reshape how brands allocate their marketing budgets and interact with customers in-store.

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AI events

Best way to get AI literate? Go to some awesome events.

We’re thrilled to share that COAI is partnering with HumanX 2025—the AI conference that’s set to redefine the future of technology. Taking place on March 10-13, 2025 at The Fontainebleau Las Vegas, this forum is where the brightest minds in AI will gather to shape what’s next. And we want you to join us!

Why attend HumanX?
HumanX isn’t just another tech conference. It’s a unique opportunity to:

• Connect with industry leaders, C-suite executives, policymakers, and innovators from around the globe.

• Learn from top-tier speakers like Kevin Weil, Clara Shih, and Sridhar Ramaswamy about the latest AI trends and how they’re transforming cross-functional industries.

• Explore personalized strategies and solutions to drive your business forward with AI.

Whether you’re a startup, an established business, or an AI pro looking to make meaningful connections, HumanX is the place where AI meets opportunity.

Exclusive offer for our community
As a valued member of our community, we’re excited to extend an exclusive offer to attend HumanX 2025. Register now with our code HX25p_coai and save $250 on general admission!

This week on the podcast

Can’t get enough of our newsletter? Check out our podcast Future-Proof.

In this episode, the hosts Anthony Batt and Shane Robinson with guest Joe Veroneau from Conveyor discuss outsmarting paperwork. Conveyor is a company that helps automate security reviews and document sharing between companies. They use AI technology, specifically language models, to automate the process of filling out security questionnaires. This saves customers a significant amount of time and improves the quality of their responses.