Catch up on select AI news and developments from the past week or so (in no particular order):

Proposal would ban US states from regulating AI for a decade. A provision in a GOP budget bill would block US states from regulating AI until at least 2035, sparking backlash from advocacy groups. Critics argue the moratorium would prevent protections against algorithmic discrimination, deepfakes, and child-targeted chatbots, especially as Congress lacks comprehensive federal AI regulation. Supporters claim it prevents regulatory fragmentation. The Chamber of Commerce and tech firms back the bill. Importance for marketers: Marketers could see fewer regulatory constraints in the short term, but risk reputational fallout if AI harms aren't addressed responsibly.

Google claims users find ads in AI search 'helpful.' Google has begun rolling out ads in AI Overviews and AI Mode within US search results. While some users have spotted these ads beneath AI answers and above organic results, Google asserts they enhance the experience by connecting users with relevant businesses at key decision moments. However, it hasn't shared supporting data. Importance for marketers: Indicates a new monetization layer in search—marketers must adapt ad strategies to appear in AI-generated results as traditional link placement becomes less dominant.

Google to add AI Mode data tracking to Search Console. Google will soon include AI Mode traffic in Search Console, likely within the "Web" search category. However, users won't be able to isolate this data yet. The move is part of the broader rollout of AI Overviews and AI-driven results. Importance for marketers: Marks the beginning of AI-generated traffic measurement—important for tracking content visibility even when traditional click paths are bypassed.

Former OpenAI VP says human taste is the new business differentiator. Ex-OpenAI marketing VP Krithika Shankarraman said companies will stand out by showing real craft, not just automating with AI. In a podcast, she warned that an over-reliance on AI will result in a flood of low-quality content. She emphasized using AI to augment—not replace—human judgment and called for deeper STEM knowledge to guide responsible, effective use. Importance for marketers: Underscores the value of strategic, human-led brand expression to differentiate amid AI-generated noise.

Opera unveils AI agentic browser, Opera Neon. Opera launched Opera Neon, a subscription browser with built-in AI agents that automate web tasks, generate content, and continue projects offline. It can book services, build websites, and handle multitasking—all within the browser or cloud. Opera touts it as a privacy-conscious platform that turns user intent into action. Importance for marketers: Signals a shift toward browsers that bypass traditional search and offer direct task automation, potentially changing web traffic and UX priorities.

Musk's xAI to distribute Grok chatbot via Telegram in $300M deal. Elon Musk's xAI will pay $300M in cash and stock to integrate its Grok chatbot into Telegram, which has over one billion users. Telegram also gets 50% of subscription sales. The deal could help xAI train its models using user interactions, following industry struggles to source quality public data. Importance for marketers: Highlights chat-based environments as data-rich platforms for AI training and brand interaction, raising data privacy and monetization questions.

Gemini's Chrome integration signals start of Google's agentic web ambitions. Google's Gemini is now built into Chrome, enabling screen-aware AI assistance. While still limited, it can summarize content, recognize on-screen items, and interact via voice. Future updates may let it complete tasks like saving recipes or placing orders, as part of Project Mariner's agent mode. Importance for marketers: Elevates the role of structured content and SEO in environments where AI agents interpret and act on screen data without users clicking away.

Grammarly raises $1B to build full AI productivity suite. Grammarly secured $1 billion in non-dilutive funding from General Catalyst to evolve beyond writing help into a broader AI productivity platform. The company plans new tools, integrations, and strategic acquisitions, while maintaining focus on communication-enhancing AI. Importance for marketers: Signals a shift toward AI-driven marketing collaboration tools with deep user bases—potentially reshaping team workflows and tech stacks.

DeepSeek releases upgraded R1 model, closes gap with OpenAI. Chinese firm DeepSeek quietly launched an upgraded version of its R1 model with improvements in reasoning and hallucination reduction. It ranks just behind OpenAI's o4-mini and Gemini on key benchmarks. Importance for marketers: Opens the door to competitive open-source AI options for custom solutions—especially relevant as budgets tighten or access to US tools becomes more restricted.

DeepSeek releases efficient R1 distilled model beating larger rivals. DeepSeek launched a compact version of its R1 model, fine-tuned using Qwen3-8B. Despite its smaller size, it rivals Google's Gemini Flash and Microsoft Phi 4 in math benchmarks. The model requires only a single high-memory GPU and is available under a permissive MIT license. Importance for marketers: More businesses can now access high-quality AI without massive computing resources—accelerating experimentation and customization of internal tools.