Research & Development news

• Starbucks Developing AI ‘Ordering Companion’ to Personalize Coffee Orders

  30-01-2026 14:39 via eweek.com
  Starbucks is brewing something new.At the company’s 2026 Investor Day on Thursday, Starbucks executives announced a high-tech turnaround plan: The company says it is “actively developing a first-of-its-kind Starbucks ordering companion” for its mobile app. The goal is to help customers discover drinks through prompts rather than rigid menus.“Designed to help customers discover their perfect beverage through natural, intuitive prompts,” the tool will also help custom
  
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• Elon Musk: ‘In 30 Months, the Cheapest Place for AI Will Be Space’

  09-02-2026 17:13 via eweek.com
  As you know by now, every tech company on Earth is racing to build bigger AI data centers. Well, Elon Musk thinks they’re all looking in the wrong direction. Literally.In a three-hour interview on John Collison’s Cheeky Pint podcast (with Dwarkesh Patel co-hosting), Musk laid out why he merged SpaceX with xAI, and the core argument is deceptively simple: we’re running out of electricity.Here’s the crux of it:
  The entire US uses about half a terawatt of power. Scaling AI t
  
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• Axiom.AI Just Solved a Math Problem No Human Could Crack

  09-02-2026 17:01 via eweek.com
  There’s a difference between an AI that solves known problems faster and an AI that discovers something genuinely new. The first is impressive. The second changes everything.Axiom’s AxiomProver just crossed that line when it solved Fel’s open conjecture, a real unsolved math problem that’s been sitting in the research literature waiting for someone (or something) to crack it.Here’s how AxiomProver actually solved itAxiomProver got three inputs: a document explaining
  
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• China’s Unitree G1 Becomes First Humanoid Robot to Walk 130,000 Steps in −53°F

  09-02-2026 16:30 via eweek.com
  A humanoid robot, bundled up like a winter hiker, has just walked its way into the record books.Chinese robotics company Unitree Robotics has unveiled what it says is the world’s first confirmed case of a humanoid robot completing sustained autonomous walking in extreme cold. The company’s G1 humanoid robot logged more than 130,000 steps in temperatures as low as minus 47.4°C (minus 53°F) during a test in the Altay region of Xinjiang, northwest China.Unitree shared the achiev
  
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• Google, Microsoft, Meta, and Amazon Plan $650 Billion AI Spending Push in 2026

  09-02-2026 16:21 via eweek.com
  Four US companies are set to spend a combined $650 billion on AI in 2026.In a swift, aggressive race to dominate the AI sector, four of the biggest US tech companies have placed huge bets on AI spending this year. Bloomberg reports that Alphabet, Amazon, Meta, and Microsoft will spend a staggering $650 billion on AI this year.The report also indicates that the money isn’t just for all things AI, but specifically for expanding their data center reach. It’s not surprising, as having mo
  
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• Google’s Emotional Super Bowl Ad Hits Hard for Parents Everywhere

  06-02-2026 21:53 via eweek.com
  Every parent knows the feeling of winging it. Google’s new Super Bowl ad turns that quiet perseverance into something powerful.
  In a new collection of ads airing during the game and online, Google leans into storytelling to show how AI can support people through nerves, pressure, and those awkward moments when you just want to sound like you know what you’re talking about.
  At the center of the campaign are two spots that balance heart and humor. One follows a father preparing for a j
  
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• Google Pushes Gemini Across Search, Gmail, and Chrome in Major AI Expansion

  06-02-2026 17:26 via eweek.com
  Google is no longer treating AI as a side feature. A series of January updates pushed Gemini deeper into everyday tools like Search, Gmail, and Chrome, turning the assistant into a constant layer across how people work, search, and get things done. The recent updates are also changing how investors view Alphabet. Strong Gemini adoption and rising cloud revenue show Google’s AI spending is translating to real usage and business growth.Gemini becomes central to Google’s product ro
  
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• GPT-5.3-Codex: OpenAI Unveils a 25% Faster AI Model That Goes Beyond Coding

  06-02-2026 17:18 via eweek.com
  OpenAI introduced GPT-5.3-Codex on Feb. 5, a new AI model designed to significantly expand what its Codex agent can do on a computer. The company says the model is its most capable agentic coding system yet, combining advanced coding skills with stronger reasoning and professional knowledge. According to OpenAI, GPT-5.3-Codex is 25% faster than its predecessor. It’s also built to handle long, complex tasks that can involve research, tool use, and multi-step execution.“With GPT&#
  
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• Anthropic’s Claude Opus 4.6 Comes to Microsoft Foundry, GitHub Copilot

  06-02-2026 16:00 via eweek.com
  Anthropic’s most advanced AI model, Claude Opus 4.6, is now available within Microsoft’s AI ecosystem, marking a notable expansion for the fast-growing Claude platform and providing enterprises with new options beyond OpenAI-powered tools.Microsoft confirmed that Claude Opus 4.6 is now live in Microsoft Foundry, its Azure-based platform for building and running enterprise AI systems. The model is also rolling out across GitHub Copilot, bringing Anthropic’s latest reasoning and
  
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• Meta Tests Standalone Vibes App to Compete With OpenAI’s Sora

  06-02-2026 15:40 via eweek.com
  Meta is spinning out Vibes into a standalone app. Think TikTok… but every clip is cooked up by AI.
  After debuting Vibes inside its Meta AI app, the company is now testing a dedicated app that gives AI-generated videos their own spotlight. And in doing so, the tech giant is taking aim squarely at rivals like OpenAI’s Sora in the growing AI video arena.
  What is Vibes, exactly?
  Originally, Vibes lived inside the Meta AI app as a feed filled exclusively with AI-created clips users could
  
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• Amazon Explores $50B OpenAI Deal to Power Alexa

  06-02-2026 15:39 via eweek.com
  OpenAI’s artificial intelligence models may soon help run Amazon’s Alexa, as the two companies explore a deep partnership tied to a massive potential investment. According to CNBC, Amazon is in discussions that could see it invest up to $50 billion in OpenAI, while also using OpenAI’s models across Alexa and other internal projects. The talks are still ongoing and not yet final. CNBC reports that Amazon CEO Andy Jassy and OpenAI CEO Sam Altman are personally involved in th
  
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• Anthropic Upgrades Claude to Tackle Financial Documents in Minutes

  06-02-2026 15:24 via eweek.com
  Anthropic is giving its Claude Opus model a targeted upgrade, sharpening its ability to read and analyse financial documents.According to the AI research firm, Claude Opus 4.6 can reduce tasks that would take a human days to complete down to just minutes. Reading financial statements, regulatory filings, and market research data is often a major pain point in the financial world. With these improvements, workers should have more time to focus on higher-level tasks such as interpreting results, s
  
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• MLB Licenses AI Versions of Players for Always-On Fan Chats

  06-02-2026 14:40 via eweek.com
  Your favorite baseball player just picked up a new side hustle: never sleeping and always replying.Major League Baseball players have agreed to license AI versions of themselves that can chat directly with fans, marking a new phase of officially sanctioned, always-on digital interaction between athletes and audiences. The deal allows player likenesses to be used in conversational AI experiences designed to feel personal, interactive, and continuous.According to Forbes, the agreement was struck t
  
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• 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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• 5 Best ChatGPT Cover Letter Prompts in 2026: How to Get Hired Faster

  04-02-2026 20:48 via eweek.com
  As artificial intelligence continues to transform the job search process, a growing number of candidates are turning to ChatGPT to craft effective, personalized cover letters.Cover letters remain an important part of many hiring processes, especially for roles that require strong communication, leadership, and client-facing skills. With the right prompts, ChatGPT can help applicants save time, tailor their messages to specific job descriptions, and effectively highlight their achievements. 
  
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• Waymo Expanding to 20+ Cities in 2026, Including Tokyo and London

  04-02-2026 18:11 via eweek.com
  Waymo is stepping on the accelerator. Backed by a fresh $16 billion funding round, the self-driving car company says it is preparing for its biggest expansion yet, with plans to roll out ride-hailing services in more than 20 new cities worldwide in 2026.In a blog post published Monday, Waymo announced the new investment, which values the Alphabet-owned company at $126 billion post-money. The round was led by Dragoneer Investment Group, DST Global, and Sequoia Capital, with Alphabet continui
  
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• Meta Makes AI Adoption a Formal Part of Performance Reviews

  04-02-2026 18:06 via eweek.com
  In a first for big tech, Meta is now grading its employees on how well they use AI. The policy, first implemented last year, is now fully active.The pathway to implementation began in 2025, when Meta employees were told to start documenting their “AI-driven impact.” According to internal communications, Janelle Gale, Meta’s head of People, laid the groundwork:“As we move toward an AI-native future, we want to recognize people who are helping us get there faster,” sh
  
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• Tim Cook Highlights Apple Intelligence’s Fastest-Growing Feature

  04-02-2026 17:46 via eweek.com
  Tim Cook just gave Apple watchers their clearest clue yet about which Apple Intelligence feature is capturing the most attention.During Apple’s Q1 earnings call, the Apple CEO called out Visual Intelligence as one of Apple Intelligence’s most popular features. Citing transcripts from the call, 9to5Mac reported that he said, “During the quarter, we were excited to see that the majority of users on enabled iPhones are actively leveraging the power of Apple Intelligence.”Coo
  
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• Texas Instruments Snaps Up Chip Designer Silicon Labs for $7.5B

  04-02-2026 16:25 via eweek.com
  Texas hold ’em… and AI is part of the game.
  Texas Instruments will acquire Silicon Labs in a $7.5 billion all-cash transaction, a move that significantly expands Texas Instruments’ position in embedded wireless connectivity and deepens its reach across fast-growing industrial, automotive, and Internet of Things markets.
  While Texas Instruments is not a direct competitor to AI chip leaders such as Nvidia and AMD, the acquisition strengthens its position in the foundational semi
  
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• Chinese Humanoid Robot ‘Bolt’ Just Broke the World Speed Record

  04-02-2026 15:39 via eweek.com
  The global race for robotic speed has a new frontrunner. On Monday, a research team from Zhejiang University, in partnership with technology firms MirrorMe Tech and Kaierda, officially unveiled “Bolt,” a full-sized humanoid robot that has clocked a blistering peak speed of 10 meters per second.Standing 175 centimeters tall and weighing 75kg, the metallic athlete was built to push the absolute physical boundaries of bipedal movement. To prove its mettle, the robot was pitted agai
  
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• Why Apple, Anthropic Might Be the Real Winners of the AI Disruption Era

  04-02-2026 15:07 via eweek.com
  While software stocks were melting down yesterday, Apple quietly dropped something that might explain the chaos.Xcode 26.3 now ships with full Claude Agent SDK integration, giving millions of iOS developers an autonomous AI copilot.This means Claude can now work autonomously on long-running tasks: exploring your project’s file structure, understanding how SwiftUI and UIKit connect, then making changes across multiple files to achieve a goal. Give it a task, and it breaks it down, decides w
  
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