Title: AI Roundup: Apple–Google Siri Talks, Meta–Midjourney Deal, Google’s Veo 3 Free Weekend, and More
Content: Apple is in advanced talks with Google to integrate Gemini into future versions of Siri, a move aimed at rapidly upgrading the iPhone assistant’s generative AI capabilities after internal delays. A formal announcement could come as early as September, with rollout timelines varying across reports—from as soon as next year to 2026. Apple is emphasizing privacy by processing data on its own servers.
Meta has struck a licensing deal with Midjourney to bring advanced image and video generation to Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp, and separately secured a $10 billion cloud agreement with Google. The combined moves aim to raise creative quality, engagement, and monetization across Meta’s platforms and intensify competition with OpenAI and Google.
Google is opening its Veo 3 video-generation model to all users for a limited free trial inside the Gemini app through this weekend (until August 24). Free users can generate up to three cinematic, 720p videos with sound before access returns to paid tiers. In sustainability news, Google reported a 33-fold reduction in AI query energy use over the past year; each Gemini query now consumes roughly the electricity of nine seconds of TV time, with low associated CO2 and disclosed water use—figures that come amid growing scrutiny of AI’s environmental impact.
Researchers from Microsoft, Nvidia, and OpenAI warned that training increasingly large AI models could strain or destabilize power grids, urging industry and policymakers to develop standards and energy-management tools to keep AI growth compatible with grid reliability.
OpenAI announced its first office in New Delhi and plans to ramp hiring as India becomes ChatGPT’s second-largest market by users and a key developer hub. ChatGPT is also delivering more real-time answers via Google Search; separate reporting says OpenAI has sourced Google search data through third-party scraping services despite restrictions, highlighting intensifying competition over AI-powered information retrieval.
Databricks is acquiring Sequoia-backed Tecton to accelerate enterprise AI and machine learning, promising smarter models and faster, more streamlined development for business customers. Salesforce launched Agentforce for Public Sector, enabling government agencies to deploy AI agents for citizen services and administrative tasks to improve service speed and address staffing gaps. Microsoft is testing Copilot’s natural-language file search in Windows 11 for Insiders on Copilot+ PCs, signaling a push toward more conversational on-device search.
OpenAI is seeking more than $9.8 million in legal fees after winning a trademark case against Open Artificial Intelligence Inc., underscoring the high stakes around brand protection in AI. Researchers at The University of Hong Kong released OpenCUA, an open-source framework for building privacy-focused computer-use agents as an alternative to proprietary offerings from OpenAI and Anthropic.
Governments and society continue to test AI’s boundaries: Pakistan’s Federal Investigation Agency deployed an AI app at Islamabad International Airport to combat human trafficking, while an AI chatbot mimicking late Bollywood actor Sushant Singh Rajput drew criticism from family members, reigniting debates about consent and digital resurrection. Meanwhile, “vibe coding”—using natural language to build software without traditional code—is gaining traction, though experts warn that oversight and business acumen remain critical.
In health tech, Lund-based TrackPaw Scientific raised €2.3 million to develop AI monitoring tools intended to improve preclinical research reliability and animal welfare. And in services, a new AI-driven app launched to streamline global immigration, offering real-time guidance, personalized support, and compliance tools to simplify complex applications.
Apple Eyes Google Gemini to Supercharge Siri’s Next Upgrade
Apple is in talks with Google to power a major Siri overhaul using Google Gemini AI, signaling a dramatic shift in Apple’s strategy as it struggles to advance its own AI. The partnership could bring a smarter Siri to iPhones next year, aiming to keep pace with rapid innovation from rivals like OpenAI and Microsoft.
Meta Strikes $10 Billion AI Deal, Partners with Midjourney for Next-Gen Content
Meta has secured a $10 billion cloud deal with Google and partnered with Midjourney to license cutting-edge generative AI, boosting the quality of visual content across its platforms. These moves position Meta as a fierce challenger in the AI race, promising enhanced creativity and efficiency for billions of users.
Google’s Veo 3 Video AI Opens Free to All—But Just for the Weekend
For the first time, Google is letting all users try its advanced Veo 3 video AI for free inside the Gemini app, until Sunday night. Expect cinema-quality, short video generation with sound—an exclusive chance to test Google’s latest AI storytelling tools before they go paid-only again.
OpenAI Expands into India, Eyes World’s Largest AI User Base
OpenAI announced it will open its first New Delhi office and ramp up local hiring as India becomes ChatGPT’s second-biggest market. With explosive user growth and record numbers of developers, OpenAI is betting on India’s digital talent to help drive global AI innovation.
Databricks Acquires Tecton, Cementing Lead in Enterprise AI Tools
Databricks has acquired Sequoia-backed Tecton to supercharge its enterprise AI offerings, especially in building smarter, more efficient machine learning models for businesses. The move strengthens Databricks’ position in the booming enterprise AI sector, enabling faster, more powerful data-driven solutions for its clients.
AI Giants Warn: Training Models Could Overload Global Power Grids
Researchers from Microsoft, Nvidia, and OpenAI are sounding the alarm that massive AI model training could destabilize electrical grids worldwide. They urge urgent collaboration on new standards and energy-management tools to keep AI innovation booming without risking blackouts.
Salesforce Launches Agentforce, Bringing AI-Powered Efficiency to Governments
Salesforce has rolled out Agentforce for Public Sector, enabling government agencies to deploy powerful AI agents for citizen services and administrative tasks. The tool aims to improve service speed, tackle staffing shortages, and boost customer satisfaction across local and national governments.
Meta Partners with Midjourney to Boost AI Visual Content
Meta has teamed up with Midjourney to license its advanced AI image and video technology, aiming to upgrade visual content on Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp. This strategic move positions Meta to better compete with OpenAI and Google, promising users richer creative tools, enhanced engagement, and new opportunities for AI-powered content monetization.
Apple Eyes Google Gemini to Revamp Siri’s AI Capabilities
Apple is in advanced talks with Google to integrate the Gemini AI model into Siri by 2026, reflecting a major shift toward external partnerships to strengthen Siri’s intelligence and competitiveness, while pledging to protect user privacy by processing data on Apple’s servers.
Google Slashes AI Energy Use, Promotes Sustainable Artificial Intelligence
Google has achieved a 33-fold reduction in energy consumption for its AI queries over the past year, making each prompt as low-impact as watching nine seconds of TV. This leap in efficiency sets a new standard for eco-friendly AI as adoption accelerates worldwide.
ChatGPT Integrates Google Search, Shaking Up Online Information Access
OpenAI’s ChatGPT is now leveraging Google Search to deliver real-time answers, challenging traditional search engines and signaling a shift towards conversational, AI-driven information retrieval that could reshape SEO and digital marketing.
FIA Launches AI App to Combat Human Trafficking in Pakistan
Pakistan’s Federal Investigation Agency has deployed an AI-powered app at Islamabad International Airport to enhance border security and crack down on human trafficking, marking a significant step in leveraging technology for law enforcement and safeguarding vulnerable populations.
AI Sparks Debate Over Digital Resurrection of Bollywood Star
An AI chatbot that mimics the voice and style of late actor Sushant Singh Rajput has stirred controversy, with family members calling it emotionally distressing and raising ethical concerns about recreating deceased personalities without consent.
Google’s Veo 3 AI Video Tool Now Available for Free Trial
Google is offering free access to Veo 3, its latest AI video creation platform, until August 24, inviting users to explore cinematic video generation using simple text prompts on the Gemini app before subscription fees resume.
Vibe Coding: The No-Code AI Evolution in App Development
Vibe coding, a technique allowing users to develop software using plain language instead of traditional code, is gaining traction, empowering non-programmers to turn ideas directly into apps—though experts caution robust oversight and business skills are still essential for success.
Apple Eyes Google’s Gemini AI to Supercharge Siri Overhaul
Apple is in advanced talks with Google to power an upgraded Siri using Gemini AI, aiming to close the gap with rivals like Alexa and ChatGPT. The partnership could be announced as soon as September, amid Apple’s push to boost its generative AI capabilities after internal delays and leadership shakeups.
Meta Partners with Midjourney to Boost AI Visual Creativity
Meta has struck a deal with Midjourney to license its cutting-edge AI image and video generation tech, promising major improvements to Meta’s creative tools. The move highlights a growing trend of collaboration in AI, as Meta seeks to compete with industry leaders in generative media.
Google Reveals Gemini’s Surprisingly Low Energy Use Per Query
Google has published the first breakdown of Gemini AI’s energy and water consumption, showing each query uses less electricity than nine seconds of TV time and emits minimal CO₂. The disclosure spotlights ongoing debates on AI’s environmental footprint and Google's commitment to more sustainable AI.
Microsoft Upgrades Copilot AI for Smarter Windows 11 Search
Microsoft is testing enhanced natural language file search for its Copilot app on Windows 11, letting users locate files with conversational queries like “find the tiramisu recipe.” The update, now for Insiders with Copilot+ PCs, hints at Copilot becoming the future of intelligent search on Windows.
OpenAI Seeks Nearly $10 Million in Legal Fees After Trademark Win
OpenAI has requested over $9.8 million in legal costs following a trademark infringement victory against Open Artificial Intelligence Inc., spotlighting fierce competition and the growing importance of trademark protection in the booming AI industry.
OpenCUA Launches Open-Source Computer Agents to Challenge AI Giants
Researchers from The University of Hong Kong have released OpenCUA, an open-source framework enabling creation of advanced, privacy-focused computer-use agents. Aimed at boosting enterprise productivity while addressing transparency issues, OpenCUA provides a public alternative to proprietary offerings from OpenAI and Anthropic.
Swedish Startup Raises €2.3M for AI Tools to Revolutionize Drug Research
TrackPaw Scientific, a Lund-based startup, has secured €2.3 million in seed funding to develop AI-powered monitoring tools that improve the reliability of preclinical research data—potentially speeding up drug development and enhancing animal welfare.
Revolutionary AI App Set to Simplify Immigration Worldwide
A newly launched AI-driven app promises to streamline immigration processes globally, offering real-time guidance, personalized support, and compliance tools to make applications faster and more accessible for users navigating complex migration systems.
Apple and Google in Talks to Transform Siri with Gemini AI
Apple is reportedly negotiating with Google to integrate Gemini, its advanced AI model, into future versions of Siri, aiming to dramatically boost the iPhone assistant’s capabilities. This partnership could reshape the AI landscape as Apple accelerates its efforts to keep pace with rivals OpenAI and Meta.
OpenAI Uses Google Search Data Through Third Parties
OpenAI has been enhancing ChatGPT with real-time Google search data, accessed via a web-scraping service, despite Google’s restrictions. This workaround highlights the fierce competition over AI-powered search and real-time information delivery.
Databricks Acquires Tecton to Supercharge AI Offerings
Databricks is acquiring Sequoia-backed Tecton to expand its AI and machine learning capabilities, enabling more intelligent data analytics and streamlined model development for businesses worldwide.
Google’s Gemini Lets Free Users Create AI Videos This Weekend
Google is letting free Gemini users generate three AI-powered Veo 3 videos—complete with sound and 720p resolution—this weekend, marking a push to make advanced video generation technology more accessible.