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Welcome to The Prompt by Kuro House, your daily update on the latest in AI. Today, we’re diving into some big moves from Google, Motional, and more. Let’s get started.
Google is reimagining your email experience with its new AI Inbox for Gmail. This feature replaces the traditional email list with AI-generated to-dos and topics based on your inbox content. According to The Verge, it’s still in early testing and only available to trusted testers on consumer Gmail accounts. The AI Inbox summarizes emails, suggests actions, and even pulls in archived conversations relevant to your current tasks. Google plans to add features like marking tasks complete, quick replies, and calendar integration, making this a potential game changer for managing your emails. For now, it’s more of a complementary tool than a replacement for traditional inbox management.
In a serious safety update, Google has pulled AI-generated medical overviews from some search results. The Verge reports that these AI summaries sometimes gave dangerously incorrect advice, like telling pancreatic cancer patients to avoid high-fat foods, which experts say is harmful. Other misinformation involved liver function tests, potentially misleading patients about their health. Google’s move highlights the risks of AI in sensitive areas like healthcare and the need for careful oversight. It’s a reminder that AI-generated content isn’t always reliable, especially on critical topics.
Motional is rebooting its robotaxi ambitions with a fresh AI-first approach. TechCrunch reports that after major restructuring and a $1 billion Hyundai investment, Motional aims to launch a fully driverless service in Las Vegas by the end of 2026. The company is shifting from a complex mix of machine learning and rule-based systems to a unified AI foundation model. This should help the robotaxis adapt quickly to new cities and scenarios while keeping costs down. During a recent test drive, the autonomous vehicle smoothly navigated busy hotel areas, showing promising progress. CEO Laura Major envisions Level 4 autonomy not just for robotaxis but eventually for personal cars.
Indonesia and Malaysia have taken a strong stand against xAI’s chatbot Grok due to non-consensual sexualized deepfakes. According to TechCrunch, both countries have temporarily blocked access to Grok amid concerns over AI-generated explicit images involving real people, including minors. Governments in India and the UK are also investigating and demanding action, while US lawmakers urge app store removals. xAI CEO Elon Musk apologized but also criticized government responses as censorship. This controversy highlights the challenges of moderating AI-generated content on social platforms.
Google has announced the Universal Commerce Protocol, an open standard to streamline AI agent-based shopping. TechCrunch explains that this protocol, developed with Shopify, Etsy, and Walmart, lets AI agents handle discovery, purchase, and post-purchase support seamlessly across platforms. Google plans to integrate this into AI-powered search and Gemini apps, allowing shoppers in the US to buy directly from retailers using Google Pay. Brands can even offer live discounts during AI-driven product recommendations, enhancing personalized shopping. This move signals a major step toward AI-driven commerce becoming a smooth, integrated experience for consumers and sellers alike.
That’s a wrap for today’s AI updates. From smarter inboxes to safer AI use and autonomous driving breakthroughs, the pace of change is relentless. As always, we’ll keep an eye on how these innovations shape our daily lives and industries. Thanks for listening to The Prompt by Kuro House. See you tomorrow.
