Research & Development news

• Drama Alert: Anthropic Just Dropped a Super Bowl Attack Ad on OpenAI

  05-02-2026 21:46 via eweek.com
  Anthropic is running a series of Super Bowl ads that directly mocks OpenAI’s decision to put ads in ChatGPT.The 30-second spot (reportedly costing $8 million) features satirical skits of AI assistants interrupting users with intrusive sponsored content mid-conversation. The tagline: “Ads are coming to AI. But not to Claude.”The company also published a full manifesto titled “Claude is a space to think” to explain the commitment. Their argument:
  AI conversations are
  
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• 4 Google Gemini Prompts for Budgeting: How to Plan Without the Headache

  05-02-2026 20:51 via eweek.com
  Starting a new month’s budget can feel overwhelming, but AI tools like Gemini can actually help simplify the process. Instead of starting at a blank spreadsheet, you can describe what you want in plain language and let Gemini create an organized budget plan for you. According to Google’s official blog, Gemini works well because it reduces friction without trying to replace actual financial advice. Think of it more as a planning assistant that helps you organize financial data an
  
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• This Startup Created a Wearable ‘Kid Tracker’ That Is Soaring Without Any Digital Capabilities

  05-02-2026 16:54 via eweek.com
  Parents can rejoice. A new wearable for kids that gives them a view into their child’s day is helping parents stay connected without caving to the digital world.As more US schools ban smartphones, Littlebird “bridges the gap between a baby monitor and an iPhone,” founder Monica Plath said. “Parents don’t have an option besides AirTagging their kids, and AirTags were meant to find luggage, not for on-demand, real-time alerts.”As AI increasingly permeates people
  
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• Startup Wearable Kid Tracker Littlebird is Soaring Without Any Digital Capabilities

  05-02-2026 16:54 via eweek.com
  Parents can rejoice. A new wearable for kids that gives them a view into their child’s day is helping parents stay connected without caving to the digital world.As more US schools ban smartphones, Littlebird “bridges the gap between a baby monitor and an iPhone,” founder Monica Plath said. “Parents don’t have an option besides AirTagging their kids, and AirTags were meant to find luggage, not for on-demand, real-time alerts.”As AI increasingly permeates people
  
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• US Senator Demands Answers on Google’s New Commerce Protocol

  05-02-2026 16:45 via eweek.com
  Another legislative trouble is around the corner for Google.US Senator Elizabeth Warren, who represents Massachusetts, is clamoring for deeper insights into the privacy structure of Google’s Gemini checkout. In a letter to Google CEO Sundar Pichai, she raised concerns about how Google intends to use user data for the feature.The letter, dated Feb. 3, said, “On January 11, 2026, you announced Google’s partnership with Shopify, Etsy, Wayfair, Target, Walmart, and other retailers
  
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• China Unveils World’s First ‘Biomimetic AI Robot’ Capable of Human-Like Walking

  05-02-2026 15:57 via eweek.com
  Not metal, not cartoonish, and definitely not trying to hide its identity.China’s humanoid robotics race took a striking turn in late January when DroidUp unveiled Moya, a humanoid it calls the world’s first fully biomimetic embodied intelligent robot.The robot was presented during the opening of DroidUp’s new headquarters and showroom at Zhangjiang Robotics Valley in Shanghai. Moya quickly became the center of attention, both at the event and online. Standing 1.65 meters
  
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• Anthropic Refuses Ads in Claude, Betting on Subscriptions Instead

  05-02-2026 13:22 via eweek.com
  Anthropic is drawing a firm line on how it plans to make money from AI.In a new announcement, the company said Claude will remain ad-free, rejecting advertising inside conversations and doubling down on subscriptions and enterprise revenue.The decision is intended to keep the AI a trusted tool, with the company arguing that conversational systems are not an appropriate venue for ads and should remain focused on helping users think and work without commercial influence.Open-ended by designAnthrop
  
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• Mistral AI’s Voxtral Transcribe 2 Launch Breaks Sound Barrier

  05-02-2026 13:21 via eweek.com
  Speed of sound? Sounds good.
  French firm Mistral AI has unleashed Voxtral Transcribe 2, a new family of speech recognition models, that transcribes “at the speed of sound.”
  Voxtral Transcribe 2 consists of two speech-to-text models with transcription quality, diarization, and ultra-low latency. The family includes Voxtral Mini Transcribe V2 for batch transcription and Voxtral Realtime for live applications.
  According to Mistral, Voxtral Realtime uses “a novel streaming architec
  
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• Voice AI Startup ElevenLabs Raises $500M at $11B Valuation

  05-02-2026 11:01 via eweek.com
  In a neat bit of number-soaked action, it’s a case of 11 meets 11.
  ElevenLabs has raised $500 million in a Series D funding round, valuing the AI audio company at $11 billion and marking one of the largest private financings in the generative AI sector to date.
  The round, led by Sequoia Capital, more than triples the company’s valuation from a year ago and brings total funding since its 2022 founding to $781 million. The raise comes as ElevenLabs reports accelerating enterprise adopt
  
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• Intel Launches GPU Push Into Nvidia-Dominated Sector

  05-02-2026 09:03 via eweek.com
  Intel has signaled a major shift as it seeks to expand its presence in the graphics processing unit (GPU) market.
  Considering this market has long been dominated by Nvidia, Intel’s step is part of a broader industry move to reduce reliance on a single supplier for AI chips.
  The announcement highlights growing competitive pressures in the AI semiconductor sector, as rising costs, supply constraints, and geopolitical risks reshape long-standing alliances.
  GPU ambitions
  Intel CEO Lip-Bu Tan a
  
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