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Mistral, the French artificial intelligence company, has become a $14 billion business not by outperforming its rivals but by positioning itself as an independent alternative to American and Chinese AI. Iain Martin reports for Forbes that the Paris-based startup has found a profitable niche among governments, banks and corporations that want control over their own …
Stanford University’s Human-Centered Artificial Intelligence institute has released its 2026 AI Index Report, one of the most comprehensive annual assessments of artificial intelligence. The report draws on data across research, economics, policy, and public opinion to provide a detailed picture of where AI stands today. Capability is advancing faster than the tools to measure it …
Anthropic is gaining ground on OpenAI in the competition for paying business customers. New data and revenue figures suggest the gap between the two leading AI companies is narrowing quickly. According to payments company Ramp, which tracks roughly $100 billion in annual card and invoice spending from 50,000 customers, nearly one in three US businesses …
AI-generated avatars are flooding social media feeds, promoting products and building loyal audiences, often without disclosing that they are not real people. Charlie Warzel reports for The Atlantic, drawing on an interview with New York Times technology reporter Tiffany Hsu, who has investigated the rise of synthetic influencers selling supplements and other consumer products. One …
AI use in the American workplace is rising steadily. Half of employed U.S. adults now say they use AI in their job at least a few times a year, up from 46% the previous quarter, according to Gallup. Daily AI use has reached 13%, and 28% of workers report using it at least a few …
Thousands of gig workers are earning money by having recorded conversations with strangers. The recordings are then sold as training data to artificial intelligence companies. Issie Lapowsky reports for Bloomberg Businessweek that the work is emotionally demanding, technically strict and raises serious questions about privacy and the future of human labor. The platform at the …
The open web faces an existential threat from Big Tech and artificial intelligence companies. Anil Dash warns on his personal website that 2026 could be the year the open internet as we know it ceases to exist. The open web allows anyone to create and publish content using publicly documented standards, share it freely worldwide, …
The companies behind AI-powered search tools like Google’s AI Mode and ChatGPT are increasingly shaping which brands consumers discover. The SEO industry is racing to exploit that influence, and some of the tactics are already working. The Verge reports on a growing wave of manipulation attempts targeting AI search systems. One widespread tactic involves companies …
Two recent studies paint a concerning picture of how artificial intelligence tools are changing the way people think, reason, and express themselves. Taken together, the research suggests that widespread AI use is not only reducing users’ critical engagement with information, but may also be narrowing the diversity of human thought on a broader scale. Researchers …
OpenAI built its reputation on ChatGPT, the chatbot that introduced millions of people to generative AI. But a series of product failures, cancelled deals, and a shifting competitive landscape are raising questions about whether the company can hold on to its lead. The most visible sign of trouble came when OpenAI abruptly shut down Sora, …