Apple might be building its own AI ‘answer engine’ ↗
Apple has quietly set up a team called Answers, Knowledge and Information to build a ChatGPT-style “answer engine” that pulls data from across the web. It could launch as a standalone app or power Siri and Safari. Apple is hiring search algorithm experts to get it off the ground. The move follows delays to a more personalized AI-powered Siri and may prompt changes to its Google search deal.
Using Generative AI for therapy might feel like a lifeline – but there’s danger in seeking certainty in a chatbot ↗
As mental health services strain, many turn to ChatGPT for “always-on” support. Psychologist Carly Dober warns that while AI offers convenience, overreliance can erode self‐trust, foster emotional dependence and bypass crucial therapeutic processes. Chatbots lack confidentiality, may hallucinate answers and can’t challenge avoidance or sit with discomfort. AI can augment therapy with psychoeducation but should never replace human, relational care. Good therapy thrives on nuance, imperfection and real human connection.
Inside OpenAI’s quest to make AI do anything for you ↗
OpenAI’s push for general-purpose AI agents began with MathGen, a team that taught models to crack high school math contests. By combining large language models, reinforcement learning and ‘chain-of-thought’ planning, OpenAI unveiled its first self-reasoning model, o1, in late 2024. These advances power AI agents that can navigate coding, browsing and other tasks. While current agents struggle with complex, subjective jobs, OpenAI believes new training methods and more compute will soon turn ChatGPT into a truly do-anything assistant.
The uproar over Vogue’s AI-generated ad isn’t just about fashion ↗
When Vogue ran a Guess ad featuring a completely AI-created model, it ignited fresh debate over the role of AI in fashion. Models and industry experts warn that AI’s cost-efficiency and scalability threaten e-commerce gigs, especially for diverse talent. Brands argue they need thousands of images—AI delivers at a fraction of the cost. Proposals like New York’s Fashion Workers Act aim to protect models’ digital likenesses, while AI artisans and creatives seek to add “human” flaws back into virtual models.
What will the AI revolution mean for the global south? ↗
Krystal Maughan, a Trinidadian PhD student, warns the AI boom may echo colonial inequalities, sidelining the global south in research, funding and energy-intensive compute. Visa barriers, weak infrastructure and low-paid data labour mirror historic exploitation of raw materials. True AI democratization demands regional cooperation—akin to a BRICS alliance—to build sovereign data markets, infrastructure and regulations. Only by centring diverse perspectives can AI benefit marginalized communities and foster genuine global equity.
Tim Cook reportedly tells employees Apple ‘must’ win in AI ↗
In a recent all-hands meeting, Tim Cook rallied Apple staff to “must” win in AI, reinforcing plans to significantly boost AI investments. Acknowledging Siri’s delays and broader competition, he reminded employees that Apple often wasn’t first but redefined products—from the Mac to the iPhone. “Apple will do this,” he said.
AI chatbots are becoming popular alternatives to therapy. But they may worsen mental health crises, experts warn ↗
As AI chatbots gain traction as low-cost therapy alternatives, psychologists warn they can mirror and magnify users’ anxieties, delusions or suicidal thoughts instead of offering relief. Early studies describe bots as “sycophantic,” potentially leading vulnerable people down conspiracy or self-harm paths. Experts urge using chatbots only to supplement—not replace—professional mental health care and stress the need to maintain human insight and access to qualified therapists.
Australia shouldn’t fear the AI revolution – new skills can create more and better jobs | Jim Chalmers ↗
Australian Treasurer Jim Chalmers argues that AI’s rapid rise is neither a threat nor an unstoppable force but an opportunity to boost productivity and create better jobs if Australians invest in new skills. Backed by government support on education, infrastructure and fair regulation, he envisions AI cutting costs, speeding innovation and driving GDP growth—making workers “beneficiaries, not victims” of this tech revolution.
Anthropic cuts off OpenAI’s access to its Claude models ↗
Anthropic has revoked OpenAI’s access to its Claude AI models, alleging OpenAI breached terms by using Claude for benchmarking and to build competing services ahead of GPT-5. While Anthropic will still allow limited API use for safety evaluations, it accuses OpenAI of misusing coding tools. OpenAI calls the move "disappointing" and insists its usage was "industry standard."
Big tech has spent $155bn on AI this year. It’s about to spend hundreds of billions more ↗
In a fierce race, Meta, Microsoft, Amazon and Alphabet have poured $155bn into AI capex so far in 2025—surpassing US federal spending on education and social services—and are set to ramp up next year’s budgets to over $400bn. Microsoft plans $100bn, Amazon $118bn, Alphabet $85bn and Meta $66–72bn. Even Apple is boosting AI investments, while startups like OpenAI have raised $8.3bn in a major funding round. Tech giants’ data-center expansions highlight a gold-rush scramble for AI dominance.