Catch up on select AI news and developments from the past two weeks (in no particular order):
OpenAI prepares to launch GPT-5 in August. OpenAI's GPT-5 is set to launch in early August, featuring integrated o3 reasoning capabilities and mini/nano versions via API. CEO Sam Altman described its capabilities as a "here it is moment," highlighting its advanced reasoning. The model aims to unify GPT-series and o-series models, reducing complexity for users. OpenAI is also preparing to release its first open-weight model since GPT-2, expected before GPT-5. This launch could redefine AI benchmarks and intensify competition with rivals like Anthropic and Google. Importance for marketers: GPT-5's capabilities could advance personalization, content creation, and automation strategies.
Google's Web Guide experiment organizes search results with AI. Google launched Web Guide under Search Labs, which uses Gemini AI to group results into categories for open-ended queries. The experiment is designed to enhance discovery by surfacing diverse content types. Importance for marketers: This evolution in search could impact SEO strategies, emphasizing structured and context-rich content.
AI-powered ads to drive growth for global entertainment and media industry, PwC says. PwC forecasts that AI-driven advertising will propel global entertainment and media revenues to $3.5 trillion by 2029. Digital ad formats will dominate, rising from 72% to 80% of ad revenue, with connected TV alone expected to hit $51 billion. Importance for marketers: AI-enhanced targeting and personalization will play a pivotal role in optimizing ad spend and campaign ROI.
Perplexity in talks with phone makers to pre-install Comet AI mobile browser. Nvidia-backed Perplexity AI is negotiating with mobile OEMs to pre-install its Comet AI browser, currently in beta on desktops. Comet integrates AI for tasks like scheduling and summarizing. Competing with Google Chrome and Safari, Perplexity aims for "tens to hundreds of millions" of users in 2026. Importance for marketers: Pre-installed AI browsers could influence search behavior and ad ecosystems, challenging Google's dominance.
DuckDuckGo allows users to filter AI images. DuckDuckGo introduced a feature to block AI-generated images from search results by default. The setting uses an open-source blocklist of over 1,000 AI-content sites. Importance for marketers: This feature could influence image SEO and highlight growing consumer skepticism of AI-generated visuals.
Google and OpenAI claim gold in global math competition. Google's DeepMind and OpenAI achieved gold-medal scores at the International Mathematical Olympiad using AI models capable of natural language reasoning. Google's Gemini Deep Think and OpenAI's experimental model solved five of six problems, showcasing breakthroughs in AI reasoning power. This milestone suggests AI could tackle unsolved research challenges in fields like mathematics and physics within a year. OpenAI's approach involved scaling test-time compute for deeper reasoning. Importance for marketers: These advancements hint at AI's growing potential for solving complex, data-heavy marketing tasks and improving predictive analytics.
Trump administration to supercharge AI sales to allies. The Trump administration released a new AI plan emphasizing exports, deregulation, and expanded AI infrastructure. Key recommendations include loosening environmental rules for data centers and promoting full-stack AI export packages to allied nations. Vice-President JD Vance emphasized maintaining the US's competitive edge against China. The initiative could benefit companies like Nvidia, Google, Microsoft, and OpenAI. Importance for marketers: Deregulation and international expansion may accelerate AI adoption, driving innovation and creating new global markets for AI-powered marketing tools.
OpenAI and UK Government announce strategic partnership. OpenAI and the UK Government signed an MOU to accelerate AI adoption and economic growth. The partnership focuses on deploying AI across public services, infrastructure, and technical information exchange. OpenAI plans to expand its UK presence, adding high-skilled jobs and investment. Its technology underpins government tools like "Humphrey" for civil service support. Importance for marketers: This collaboration demonstrates how AI partnerships can drive national innovation and adoption, hinting at future opportunities for B2B and public sector marketing.
Walmart bets on AI super agents to boost e-commerce growth. Walmart introduced four AI-powered "super agents" aimed at streamlining operations for shoppers, employees, suppliers, and developers. The tools will centralize AI interactions, replacing fragmented solutions, and supporting Walmart's push to grow e-commerce to 50% of total sales within five years. Importance for marketers: AI-driven personalization and automation in retail can serve as a benchmark for creating smarter, user-centric online shopping experiences.
Apple Intelligence emphasizes privacy over competitors. Apple's AI platform prioritizes on-device processing and private cloud compute to safeguard user data. Available only on newer devices, Apple Intelligence ensures requests are processed locally where possible. A partnership with OpenAI ensures user data is not used for training. Importance for marketers: Apple's privacy-first approach reinforces the need for marketing strategies aligned with consumer trust and stricter data standards.
Google adds Productivity Planner Gem to Gemini Drops. Google introduced a "Productivity Planner Gem" in Gemini, aggregating emails, calendars, and tasks for streamlined work management. Gemini's latest updates include enhanced coding and reasoning features in Gemini 2.5 Pro and new integrations like Veo 3 Photo-to-Video. Importance for marketers: Gemini's expanding productivity suite could integrate directly into content workflows, boosting efficiency and collaboration.
Google's new AI feature lets you virtually try on clothes. Google rolled out a virtual try-on tool that lets users see apparel on their own body by uploading photos. The feature, available in Google Shopping and Search, is powered by generative AI. Importance for marketers: Virtual try-ons can transform retail marketing, enabling immersive, personalized shopping experiences that boost conversion rates.
White House to unveil plan to push US AI abroad. A draft federal plan aims to promote AI exports and block funding for states with restrictive AI regulations. The plan will also encourage open-source AI development and streamline data center approvals. Importance for marketers: Policy shifts could accelerate AI infrastructure growth, fostering innovation across industries.
Musk's X rejects French data investigation demands. X, formerly Twitter, refused to provide French authorities with algorithm data in an ongoing investigation over alleged manipulation. The company claims the probe is politically motivated. Importance for marketers: Regulatory tensions could affect social media operations, influencing ad transparency and content moderation.
Musk to revive Vine in AI form. Elon Musk announced plans to relaunch Vine as an AI-powered video platform. While details remain scarce, AI video tools could shape content creation on the new platform. Importance for marketers: This revival could create fresh short-form content marketing opportunities, particularly for AI-generated media.
Trump's 'woke AI' executive order targets chatbot bias. A new executive order requires AI vendors selling to the federal government to prove their systems are ideologically neutral. Critics argue it politicizes AI development and complicates compliance. Importance for marketers: AI bias regulations could influence how AI tools handle content generation and sentiment analysis.
You can find the previous issue of AI Update here.
Editor's note: GPT-4o was used to help compile this issue of AI Update.
