AI Weekly Brief – Week 38

1. FTC investigates AI chatbots

The U.S. Federal Trade Commission has launched a probe into Alphabet, Meta, OpenAI, Character.AI, Snap and xAI. The inquiry focuses on how these firms manage risks from their chatbots, including data use, harmful outputs, and response transparency.

Why it matters: Regulatory scrutiny is intensifying. Companies using or deploying consumer-facing AI tools should expect higher compliance standards and possible restrictions on how these technologies are built and integrated.

Source: Reuters – FTC launches inquiry into AI chatbots

2. Microsoft invests in its own AI chip clusters

Microsoft is committing billions to build proprietary AI chip infrastructure, reducing dependence on third-party suppliers like NVIDIA. While continuing its partnership with OpenAI, Microsoft also plans to support development of open-source models.

Why it matters: Owning the compute layer strengthens Microsoft’s control over AI costs, reliability, and innovation speed. For enterprises, this could mean more affordable and stable access to AI services in the future.

Source: Business Insider – Microsoft to build its own AI chip clusters

3. AI adoption falls among large US firms

A U.S. Census Bureau survey shows a slight decline in AI adoption among firms with 250+ employees,  the first drop since 2022. The survey suggests many businesses are slowing down implementation.

Why it matters: The slowdown hints at barriers such as cost, talent, and measurable ROI. Leaders should reassess whether AI investments are creating business value  and prepare for slower adoption curves than the hype suggests.

Source: Tom’s Hardware – AI adoption rate is declining among large companies

4. Experts warn of “zero-day” AI attacks

Cybersecurity specialists highlight a new wave of AI-driven risks: autonomous agents exploiting personalised weaknesses rather than standard software flaws. Calls are growing for advanced “AI Detection & Response” systems.

Why it matters: Traditional defences may not be enough against AI-enabled threats. Businesses need to prepare by updating security strategies and investing in AI-native protection to avoid being caught unprepared.

Source: Axios – AI Plus newsletter on zero-day risks

5. Apple boosts Siri with “World Knowledge”

Apple has announced a major upgrade for Siri, integrating deep “World Knowledge” answers and tighter links with Safari and Spotlight search. The move is designed to bring Siri closer to rivals like Google and OpenAI assistants.

Why it matters: For professionals, this could reshape how information is accessed at work. Apple’s ecosystem upgrades may influence search, productivity, and digital workflows across its massive user base.

Source: Bloomberg – coverage of Apple Siri “World Knowledge” upgrade