a16z Report: Google’s Gemini & xAI’s Grok Narrow Gap with ChatGPT ↗
a16z’s fifth consumer AI report finds Google’s Gemini and xAI’s Grok rapidly closing the gap with OpenAI’s ChatGPT. Google now has four separate web products (Gemini, AI Studio, NotebookLM, Google Labs); Gemini is No. 2 on mobile. Grok climbed to roughly 20M monthly users after Grok 4. The report highlights 14 persistent top AI products, rising Chinese apps, newcomers like Replit and Lovable, and Meta’s privacy stumble.
Microsoft Brings Copilot AI Avatar to Samsung’s 2025 TVs and Smart Monitors ↗
Microsoft’s Copilot AI is rolling out on Samsung’s 2025 TVs and smart monitors as a friendly, animated beige avatar. Accessible from the Tizen homescreen, Samsung Daily Plus, Click to Search, or by voice/remote mic, it can give movie picks, spoiler-free episode recaps, and general answers. Sign in for a personalized experience. Supported models include Micro RGB, Neo QLED, OLED, The Frame Pro, The Frame, and M7/M8/M9 monitors. Microsoft has also signaled plans to bring Copilot to LG TVs.
Nvidia Q2 Results to Test AI Boom Amid China Chip Restrictions ↗
Nvidia will report Q2 results Wednesday in a high-stakes check on the AI boom after a recent sector selloff. Investors are watching guidance and the impact of US restrictions on China — including a deal to limit H20 chip shipments — after an earlier projected multibillion-dollar hit. Analysts remain largely bullish despite concerns about AI overhype.
Mark Cuban Flags AI Gold Rush Hype, SMB Adoption Opportunities and Regulatory Risks ↗
Mark Cuban tells TechCrunch’s Equity he built a career spotting overlooked patterns—backing LANs, streaming and now healthcare and AI. He warns the AI gold rush is mostly hype: few firms know how to embed AI into operations, so real opportunity lies helping SMBs adopt existing tools. He also flags looming regulation (IP, training data, U.S.-China rivalry) and previews Cost Plus Drugs’ manufacturing push.
SkyeChip Debuts MARS1000, Malaysia’s First Domestic Edge AI Processor ↗
Malaysia’s SkyeChip unveiled MARS1000, the country’s first domestically designed edge AI processor, marking a milestone in its push into AI hardware. While not rivaling high-end Nvidia chips, the launch boosts Malaysia’s semiconductor ambitions amid new national AI initiatives and trade scrutiny over U.S. AI chip exports.
Plaud Launches $179 Note Pro AI Notetaker with 50-Hour Recording ↗
Plaud launched the $179 Note Pro, a credit-card-sized AI notetaker with a 0.95" AMOLED screen, four MEMS mics (doubling range to ~16.4 ft), auto call/in-person detection and 30–50 hours of recording depending on range. The companion app adds images, role-based “multidimensional” summaries and a notes-query beta. Pre-orders ship in October; early buyers get 600 free transcription minutes and a magnetic case.
Google’s Vids editor launches broadly with templates, stock media and limited AI tools ↗
Google is rolling its Vids video editor out to all users with templates, stock media and a subset of AI tools. The free tier excludes today’s new AI features — like 12 pre-made AI avatars (no personal avatar creation), 8-second image-driven clips, and a transcript trimmer that removes filler words. Google says Vids helps companies rapidly scale product demos and training videos.
Anthropic Report: Claude AI Agents Weaponized for Cyber Extortion ↗
Anthropic’s new Threat Intelligence report warns that agentic AI like Claude is being weaponized. It details “vibe-hacking” and a disrupted cybercrime ring that used Claude Code to extort data from at least 17 organizations in a month — including healthcare, emergency services, religious groups, and government — showing AI agents can amplify real-world harm.
Majority of UK Workers Fear AI Job Losses, TUC Demands Safeguards ↗
A TUC poll of 2,600 UK adults found 51% worry AI will eliminate or alter their jobs, rising to 62% among 25–34-year-olds. Job losses and worse terms were top concerns as firms like BT, Amazon and Microsoft flag possible cuts. The TUC urges worker involvement in AI rollouts, conditions on public AI funding, reskilling, higher pay and a “digital dividend” to prevent inequality.
Assort Health Raises $50M Series B at $750M Valuation to Expand AI Voice Agents for Specialty Clinics ↗
Assort Health secured about $50M in a Series B led by Lightspeed at a $750M valuation to scale AI voice agents that handle scheduling, cancellations and FAQs for specialty clinics. Founded two years ago by Jon Wang and Jeff Liu, the startup has ARR just over $3M but is growing quickly and expanding from ortho into OB‑GYN, dermatology and dentistry as investors bet on AI to ease front‑desk burdens.