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.