AI This Week

Adobe is embedding its creative software directly into ChatGPT. You can now use conversational commands to edit photos, manage PDFs, and generate designs without leaving the chatbot. New, free apps for Photoshop, Acrobat, and Adobe Express activate just by typing the app’s name with an instruction, like blurring an image background or converting a file. While the tools do not offer the complete functionality of the desktop software, they manage many common creative tasks. This move intensifies competition with Google’s Gemini AI and is part of Adobe’s plan to make its software more accessible through conversational commands

Disney is making a monumental bet on generative AI. The company announced a $1 billion investment in OpenAI and a three-year licensing agreement. This deal gives users of the Sora video generator access to over 200 characters from Disney, Marvel, and Star Wars, including Mickey Mouse and Darth Vader. The partnership represents a major strategy shift for Disney, which has been legally challenging other AI firms like Google and Midjourney over intellectual property. The agreement does not include talent likenesses or voices. As part of the deal, Disney will also integrate OpenAI’s tools across its own operations.

Microsoft has announced a $17.5 billion investment in India’s cloud and artificial intelligence infrastructure over four years, marking the tech giant’s largest Asian investment. CEO Satya Nadella met with Prime Minister Narendra Modi to discuss India’s AI ambitions. The funds will expand data centers, integrate AI into national platforms, and train 20 million Indians by 2030. This follows similar commitments from Google ($15 billion) and Amazon Web Services ($8 billion) as India accelerates its AI development efforts.

Google is getting back into the smart glasses game. The company announced it will launch its first AI-powered glasses in 2026, creating a direct challenge to Meta’s successful Ray-Ban glasses. Teaming up with hardware partners like Samsung and Warby Parker, Google plans to release audio-only versions that connect to its Gemini assistant, as well as models with an in-lens display for functions like navigation and translation. Co-founder Sergey Brin acknowledged past failures, stating that today’s advanced AI presents new opportunities. The move heats up the competition in the growing AI wearables market, where Snap and Alibaba are also contenders.

Meta is buying its way back into the AI race. The social media giant has struck multiple commercial deals with major publishers, including CNN, Fox News, USA Today, and Le Monde, to use their content for its AI chatbot. These partnerships will feed Meta AI with real-time news, providing users with timely information and direct links to articles. This move signals an urgent push to compete after the poor reception of its Llama 4 model. As the battle for superior AI services intensifies, Meta is committing billions to the effort while reportedly cutting its metaverse budget. The companies have not disclosed the agreements’ financial terms.