September 8, 2025

analysis  
apple, google and anthropic Updates

The artificial intelligence landscape is rapidly evolving, with major tech companies like Apple and Google making significant moves. Apple is reportedly developing an AI search product, internally known as 'World Knowledge Answers' (WKA), which could be integrated into Siri by March and potentially expand to Safari and Spotlight later. This initiative aims to rival services like ChatGPT and Perplexity. Apple is exploring various AI models, including those from Google and Anthropic, alongside its own developments. Meanwhile, Google has benefited from AI's rise, helping it avoid a US order to break up its business, though it still faces a substantial 2.95 billion euro fine from the EU for monopolizing online advertisements. In the education sector, Virginia Tech has begun using AI to assist in its admissions process, aiming for faster and more consistent evaluations. However, concerns persist about AI's impact on critical thinking skills among students, with educators advocating for the use of primary sources to foster deeper engagement. The AI boom is also fueling growth in data center infrastructure, particularly in the Gulf region. On the ethical and societal front, AI's rapid advancement is drawing protests, with activists calling for pauses in frontier model development due to potential risks. The film industry is also grappling with AI's implications, facing a divide over its use in creative processes and potential job displacement for actors. Furthermore, AI firm Anthropic has restricted services to Chinese-owned companies, affecting tools that rely on its Claude models and prompting some Chinese AI companies to seek alternative solutions.

Key Takeaways

  • Apple is developing an AI search tool, potentially launching with Siri by March and later integrating into Safari and Spotlight.
  • Apple is testing AI models from Google and Anthropic, alongside its own proprietary models.
  • Google's emergence in AI helped it avoid a US business breakup order, but the company received a 2.95 billion euro EU fine for ad monopolization.
  • Virginia Tech is now using AI to review admissions applications, aiming to improve speed and consistency.
  • Concerns are rising that AI tools may hinder students' critical thinking skills, prompting educators to emphasize primary source engagement.
  • The AI boom is driving significant growth in data center construction, particularly in the Gulf region.
  • Activists are protesting AI development, with some demanding Anthropic and DeepMind pause frontier model releases due to societal risks.
  • AI firm Anthropic has restricted services to Chinese-owned companies, impacting tools like ByteDance's Trae which uses Claude models.
  • The film industry is divided over AI's use in creativity and its potential impact on actor jobs and likeness rights.
  • The AI Horizons summit in Pittsburgh is focused on developing a strategy for physical AI and addressing the energy demands of data centers.

Apple's new AI search tool may launch by March

Apple is developing a new AI search product called 'World Knowledge Answers' or WKA. This tool is designed to compete with services like Perplexity and ChatGPT. It is expected to be integrated into the upcoming Siri update in March. While it won't initially be in Safari or Spotlight, it may be added later. Apple is testing various AI models, including those from Google and Anthropic, alongside its own.

Apple's Siri to become an AI 'answer engine' in Spring 2026

Apple plans to upgrade Siri into an AI-powered 'answer engine' by spring 2026. This new feature, internally named World Knowledge Answers, will provide detailed internet-based responses, similar to ChatGPT. Apple aims to integrate this AI technology across its ecosystem, including Safari and Spotlight searches. The company is testing AI models from Google and Anthropic, as well as developing its own.

Gulf's AI boom fuels data center growth

This article discusses the growth of data centers in the Gulf region, driven by the AI boom. It highlights the critical role these centers play in supporting AI technologies. The content suggests that a significant player in this sector is benefiting from the increasing demand for AI infrastructure.

AI helps Google avoid breakup, faces EU fine

Google recently avoided a US order to sell parts of its business thanks to the rise of artificial intelligence. A US judge noted that AI's emergence offers hope that Google won't simply outbid competitors if better search products appear. However, the tech giant also received a significant fine of 2.95 billion euros from the EU for monopolizing online advertisements.

Virginia Tech uses AI for admissions

Virginia Tech has started using artificial intelligence to help with its admissions process starting August 1. AI will now review applications alongside a human reader, replacing one of the two human readers used previously. This change aims to speed up decision-making and improve accuracy and consistency. The AI uses a rubric to evaluate applications, and the threshold for needing a third human reviewer has been lowered.

Anthropic restricts China-linked AI tools

AI firm Anthropic has restricted services to Chinese-owned companies globally, impacting overseas AI tools backed by Chinese tech giants. This move creates uncertainty for tools like Trae, an AI code editor by ByteDance, which uses Anthropic's Claude models. Other Chinese tech companies like Alibaba and Tencent also use Claude in their coding agents. Some Chinese AI companies are now trying to attract users affected by these restrictions.

AI divides Hollywood over creativity and jobs

The film industry is experiencing a split over the use of artificial intelligence. AI is being explored for tasks like altering movie endings and creating deepfake villains, raising concerns about authenticity and job security for actors. Filmmakers see potential for efficiency, while actors worry about AI replacing human talent and the ethical implications of using their likeness without consent. The industry is debating how to balance technological innovation with the human element in filmmaking.

Protesters hunger strike over AI risks

Two activists are on a hunger strike outside the offices of AI companies Anthropic and DeepMind, protesting the rapid development of artificial intelligence. Guido Reichstadter is demanding Anthropic stop its current AI development, citing risks to society. Michael Trazzi is asking DeepMind's CEO to publicly commit to pausing frontier model releases if other labs do the same. Both are concerned about the potential dangers of advanced AI, including job loss and existential threats.

Pittsburgh summit focuses on AI strategy

Pittsburgh is hosting the AI Horizons summit to develop a cohesive strategy for physical AI. This event brings together experts from various sectors to discuss actions needed for growth, aiming to solidify Pittsburgh's role as an AI epicenter. Physical AI combines smart software with adaptable systems, promising advancements in areas like robotics, healthcare, and transportation. The summit also addresses the significant energy and resource demands of AI data centers.

AI hinders student critical thinking skills

The rise of artificial intelligence poses a significant challenge to education, particularly in developing critical thinking skills. AI tools can lead students to rely on summaries rather than engaging deeply with reading and research. Educators are encouraged to use primary sources and digital archives in classrooms to promote active learning. This approach helps students develop essential analytical skills, countering the trend of students avoiding challenges by using AI.

Sources

AI Search Siri World Knowledge Answers Perplexity ChatGPT Safari Spotlight Google AI Anthropic Data Centers AI Infrastructure Google EU Fine Online Advertisements Virginia Tech Admissions Process AI in Education China-linked AI ByteDance Alibaba Tencent AI in Film Industry Deepfake Job Security Authenticity AI Ethics AI Risks DeepMind Frontier Models Existential Threats Physical AI AI Strategy Robotics Healthcare Transportation AI Energy Demands Critical Thinking Student Learning Primary Sources Digital Archives