AI This Week

Merlin Bise, Chief Technology Officer of Inbenta, has been named a finalist for the prestigious Tech Titans Emerging Company CIO/CTO Award. This recognition highlights technology leaders in North Texas demonstrating innovation, leadership, and significant impact. Bise’s efforts in advancing AI-powered technologies have been pivotal to Inbenta’s success, delivering scalable, high-performance solutions for enhanced customer engagement. This isn’t the first accolade for Bise, who has been acknowledged by Tech Titans in previous years. The winners will be announced during the 25th Annual Tech Titans Awards Gala on September 12, 2025, at the Hyatt Regency Stonebriar in Frisco, Texas.

AI startup Perplexity has made headlines with a $34.5 billion all-cash bid for Google’s Chrome browser. Despite being valued at just $14 billion, the company seeks to gain access to Chrome’s three billion users and strengthen its position in the competitive AI-powered search industry. This audacious move comes as Google faces regulatory scrutiny, including a U.S. court's ruling that called its monopoly in online search unlawful. Perplexity, which previously targeted TikTok US in January, has promised to keep Chrome’s code open source and invest $3 billion over two years. Analysts expect Google to strongly resist the offer, emphasizing Chrome’s importance to its AI strategy.

A groundbreaking AI system, MaVila, developed by California State University Northridge's Autonomy Research Center for STEAHM, promises to reshape US manufacturing. Backed by the US National Science Foundation, MaVila combines image analysis with natural language processing, enabling it to detect production defects, suggest corrections, and issue real-time commands to machines. Unlike traditional AI models, it requires significantly less data, making it especially useful for small businesses. During testing, MaVila excelled at identifying flaws in 3D-printed parts and recommending quality-enhancing modifications. The model was built using high-performance NSF-funded computing resources, including the Nautilus network, to streamline validation. Researchers suggest MaVila could enhance productivity, reduce waste, and improve global competitiveness, all while assisting workers with AI-driven insights.

OpenAI CEO Sam Altman announced that ChatGPT Plus subscribers will receive increased message limits for the new GPT-5 AI model after user frustration over its initial restrictions. Previously capped at 200 messages per day, the limit adjustment aims to address complaints from paid users, who contribute $20/£20 monthly for enhanced features. The update accompanies additional changes, including a new interface to indicate the model responding to prompts. This comes after GPT-5's release sparked disappointment, with some perceiving it as a minor upgrade rather than a significant leap. OpenAI's move reflects efforts to regain trust among its premium subscribers.

A recent survey by Amperity reveals a striking contrast in the US retail sector: 97% of retailers aim to maintain or increase AI investments by 2025, yet only 11% feel prepared for large-scale adoption. While AI is widely used in sales, marketing, and customer support, applications like personalization and chatbots remain underutilized. Key barriers include fragmented data, high costs, and limited technical expertise, with 32% of retailers offering no formal AI training. Retailers leveraging customer data platforms (CDPs) are notably ahead, boasting higher daily AI usage and adoption across business units. Despite obstacles, confidence in AI’s transformative potential remains high. The report highlights the urgent need for unified data systems and workforce training.

OpenAI is refining ChatGPT to prioritize healthy usage and better support user well-being. Recent updates include tools to encourage balanced interactions, such as reminders to take breaks during extended sessions and features promoting responsible use of its capabilities. The model has also been optimized to provide grounded assistance during emotionally sensitive conversations, helping users make their own choices while steering away from overstepping boundaries. OpenAI collaborated with an advisory group of mental health professionals and human-computer interaction experts to ensure ethical and healthy practices. These updates highlight a shift toward deeper support and fostering mindful use of AI in daily life.

Microsoft has introduced Project Ire, an artificial intelligence prototype aimed at reversing malware — a task typically handled by skilled human security researchers. The system identifies malicious files by analyzing software at multiple levels, from binary code to control flow and behavioral patterns. In early tests, Project Ire correctly flagged 90% of malicious Windows driver files and maintained a low false positive rate of 2%, indicating its potential to streamline threat detection. Unlike traditional antivirus methods, this system investigates deeper, even identifying hard-to-detect malware linked to elite hacking groups. While still a prototype, Project Ire has shown promise in complementing human researchers. Microsoft plans to integrate it into its Defender platform.

According to a study by EY Ireland, venture capital investment in generative AI has reached $49.2 billion in the first half of 2025, surpassing the total for all of 2024. The average deal size has tripled to $1.5 billion as investors focus on later-stage companies. The US dominates the market, accounting for 97% of global deal value. Key growth areas include agentic AI and specialized real-world applications. The study also notes a shift towards companies building software on third-party foundation models.

China has accused Nvidia of embedding a backdoor into its H20 chip, stirring tensions between Beijing and the U.S. The Cyberspace Administration of China claims that the chip contains location tracking and remote shutdown capabilities, raising significant national security concerns. These allegations surface just as Nvidia resumes H20 exports to China, following a temporary lift of U.S. restrictions. However, specifics on the backdoor claims remain vague. Nvidia has yet to comment. Meanwhile, China is actively boosting its domestic AI chip production, reducing reliance on foreign manufacturers. U.S. lawmakers are divided over renewed H20 sales, fearing risks to national security. This high-stakes technology conflict highlights the growing scrutiny over export controls and strategic chip supply chains.

Major technology companies are seeing strong returns on their massive artificial intelligence investments. Despite concerns over ballooning capital expenditures, firms like Microsoft, Meta, Amazon, and Alphabet are experiencing increased demand for AI-powered services across cloud computing, digital advertising, and internet search. This has led to revenue growth and positive investor sentiment. AI is becoming a primary growth engine for Big Tech, with companies ramping up spending to meet soaring demand.