Apple Cancels Google’s $20B Deal

Updates and Insights for Today

1. Apple boosts Safari with AI search, a threat to Google.

2. Microsoft created a Surface ad using AI. No one noticed.

3. Master Prompt Writing in Just 7 Minutes!

4. AI tools to checkout

5. The latest in AI tech

6. Introductory Photography Course

Apple boosts Safari with AI search, a threat to Google.

Apple is exploring the integration of AI-powered search options into its Safari browser, a move that could significantly disrupt Google's stronghold in the search engine market. 

Key Details

• Shift in Safari's Search Strategy: Apple's Senior Vice President Eddy Cue testified that the company is "actively looking at" revamping Safari to incorporate AI search providers like OpenAI and Perplexity AI.

• Impact on Google's Market Value: Following the announcement, Alphabet's shares dropped by 7.6%, erasing over $150 billion in market value, highlighting investor concerns over Google's future in search advertising.

• Decline in Safari Searches: Cue noted a decrease in Safari searches for the first time, attributing it to users turning to AI tools like ChatGPT, indicating a shift in user behavior towards AI-driven search solutions.

• Financial Implications: Google currently pays Apple approximately $20 billion annually to remain the default search engine on Safari. The potential shift to AI search options could jeopardize this lucrative deal.

• Google's Countermeasures: In response, Google is introducing an "AI mode" to its search platform and negotiating with Apple to implement its Gemini AI in upcoming iPhones to maintain its presence in the Apple ecosystem.

🔗READ MORE

Microsoft's AI-Generated Surface Ad Goes Unnoticed

Microsoft revealed that a recent advertisement for its Surface Pro and Surface Laptop was partially created using generative AI, and viewers did not detect the AI involvement.

Key Details

• AI Integration in Production: The 56-second ad, released on January 30, utilized AI tools for scripting, storyboarding, and generating certain visuals, while complex scenes were filmed traditionally

• Efficiency Gains: Microsoft reported that employing AI in the ad's creation resulted in a 90% reduction in time and cost compared to conventional methods.

• Viewer Perception: The ad garnered over 40,000 views on YouTube, with no comments indicating awareness of its AI-generated elements, highlighting the seamless integration of AI in content creation.

• Creative Process: Despite AI assistance, the production required significant human oversight to correct inaccuracies and refine the final output, emphasizing AI's role as a tool rather than a replacement for human creativity.

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AI Tutorials

Master Prompt Writing in Just 7 Minutes!

If you don’t know what prompt writing is

Prompt writing is the craft of designing clear, structured instructions that guide AI tools like ChatGPT, Claude, or Gemini to produce accurate and creative outputs. Mastering this skill enhances productivity, especially in content creation, research, and automation.

🚀 What You’ll Learn in This Tutorial:

• The 3 golden rules of effective prompting: clarity, context, and specificity.

• How to structure prompts using labeled sections like “Context,” “Task,” and “Format.”

• Techniques for role-based prompting to simulate expert perspectives.

• Tips for breaking down complex tasks into manageable steps.

• Examples of transforming vague prompts into precise instructions.

Start using prompt writing today and unlock the full potential of AI tools!

Here is the full Video Tutorial 👉 Click Here

 Latest AI Tools

• Grok-3: xAI’s latest chatbot with advanced reasoning and real-time web search.

• Krater.ai: All-in-one AI workspace for writing, audio, and image generation.

• HARPA AI: Chrome extension adding GPT-powered features to web browsing.

• Plus AI for Google Slides: AI assistant for co-writing and enhancing slide presentations.

The latest in AI tech

SoundCloud Clarifies AI Usage Policy Amid Artist Concerns
SoundCloud has confirmed it is not using user-uploaded music to train generative AI models, addressing concerns raised by a recent terms of service update. The company emphasized that any future AI-related uses would include explicit opt-out options and transparent communication.
🔖 Read More: The Verge

Pope Leo XIV Highlights AI as Central to His Papacy
In his inaugural address, Pope Leo XIV stated that artificial intelligence significantly influenced his choice of papal name, drawing parallels to the industrial revolution. He emphasized the importance of addressing AI's implications on human dignity, justice, and labor.
🔖 Read More: The Verge

AI-Generated Video Used in U.S. Courtroom for Victim Impact Statement
In a groundbreaking legal moment, a U.S. courtroom featured an AI-generated video of a homicide victim addressing his killer during sentencing. The victim's family collaborated on the script, viewing it as part of their healing process.
🔖 Read More: Reuters

OpenAI Engages with FDA on AI Applications in Drug Evaluation
OpenAI executives have held multiple meetings with the FDA to discuss the potential use of AI, specifically a project named cderGPT, in drug evaluation processes. These discussions aim to explore how AI can assist in regulatory reviews and approvals.
🔖 Read More: Tech in Asia

Learning Spotlight

Introductory Photography Course

The fastest way to turn off 'Auto' mode is to use your camera's creative features.

What you’ll learn:

• Everything from the basics of how your camera works and correct technique through to setting your AF mode, AF points, resolution.

• My top 10 tips for framing up great photos, covering everything from rule of thirds and leading lines, through to what to look for in a background and more...

• What makes your photos come out brighter or darker, how to control exposure with exposure compensation, looks at different metering modes, histogram graphs and more, ending with practical session #1

• Aperture and Depth Of Field, what it is, the easy way to understand and control it...

• Aperture and Depth Of Field, what it is, the easy way to understand and control it...