Google's Gemini 4 Carbon model topped two major benchmarks recently. On Perplexity's WANDR benchmark, it scored 0.857 at $5.61 per task, beating GPT-6 Astra (0.735 at $13.34) and Claude Fable 5.1 (0.601 at $12.76). It also led Artificial Analysis' AA-Omniscience benchmark with a Net Score of 54, ahead of Claude Opus 5.5 at 48. Perplexity CEO Aravind Srinivas said the model will roll out to Pro and Max users once token capacity allows.
In AI code security, Veracode reported that pass rates improved from 56% to 62% overall. Claude Opus 5.5 and GPT-6-Sol tied for first place with a 73% security pass rate, surpassing GPT-5.5's previous high of 68% from July 2026. Even the best models still fail security checks on 27% of tasks.
Big Tech companies continue pouring money into AI infrastructure despite bubble concerns. Alphabet plans to spend $200 billion this year, with projected spending growth of 85% in 2026, 53% in 2027, and 20% in 2028. Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg acknowledged a possible AI bubble but fears falling behind competitors. GF Securities analyst Henry Huang calls this the AI Red Queen Effect.
The Nasdaq fell 2.48% in its largest single-day drop since October 2022, triggered by Amazon and Intel. Amazon shares dropped 4.4% to $123.49 and Intel fell 5.4% to $47.19, with nearly $200 billion in combined market value losses. Rising AI spending concerns and Intel's cash-burn warning drove the selloff.
OpenAI, Google, Microsoft, and Anthropic pledged to adopt a standardized system allowing publishers to block their content from being scraped for AI training. Publishers can use a single instruction to opt out, aiming to protect intellectual property and ensure responsible use of copyrighted material.
On the education front, Hong Kong primary schools are using AI-created digital pets to teach students about saving and budgeting. At SKH Kei Oi Primary School, students make spending decisions that change a virtual pet's mood and savings on screen. Meanwhile, the University of Tennessee is expanding its efforts to help students understand AI's evolution. A new AI tool also offers a chatbot to help voters understand candidates and ballot measures ahead of midterm elections.
Percepto launched Axion, a hardware-agnostic AI platform that processes third-party data for oil and gas operators. It works with existing or new drone fleets, third-party sensors, and other data channels to organize information by asset and detect issues like corrosion or downed transmission lines.
Key Takeaways
- Google's Gemini 4 Carbon topped both Perplexity's WANDR benchmark (0.857 at $5.86/task) and Artificial Analysis' AA-Omniscience benchmark (Net Score 54), outperforming GPT-6 Astra and Claude models
- Claude Opus 5.5 and GPT-6-Sol tied for the highest AI code security pass rate at 73%, up from 56% overall
- Nasdaq dropped 2.48% as Amazon (down 4.4% to $123.49) and Intel (down 5.4% to $47.19) triggered a tech selloff with nearly $200 billion in combined market value losses
- Alphabet plans to spend $200 billion on AI infrastructure this year, with spending growth projected at 85% in 2026, 53% in 2027, and 20% in 2028
- OpenAI, Google, Microsoft, and Anthropic agreed to let publishers use a single instruction to block AI training scrapes of their content
- Percepto launched Axion, a hardware-agnostic AI platform for oil and gas operators to process third-party inspection data
- Hong Kong primary schools use AI digital pets to teach students about saving and budgeting through interactive spending decisions
- A new AI chatbot tool helps voters understand candidates and ballot measures ahead of midterm elections
- Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg acknowledged possible AI bubble risks but fears falling behind if spending slows
- University of Tennessee is expanding initiatives to help students understand AI's evolution
Gemini 4 Carbon tops WANDR benchmark at lower cost than rivals
Google's Gemini 4 Carbon achieved the highest score on Perplexity's WANDR benchmark with a 0.857 rating at $5.86 per task. It outperformed GPT-6 Astra which scored 0.735 at $13.34 and Claude Fable 5.1 which scored 0.601 at $12.76. Perplexity CEO Aravind Srinivas announced the model will roll out to Pro and Max users once token capacity allows.
Gemini 4 Carbon leads updated AA-Omniscience benchmark by wide margin
Artificial Analysis released version 1.1 of its AA-Omniscience benchmark testing AI knowledge reliability. Gemini 4 Carbon topped the chart with a Net Score of 54, beating Claude Opus 5.5 at 48 and Claude Fable 5.1 at 46. The benchmark was trimmed from 6000 to 3000 questions to remove saturated or flawed content across six domains.
Nasdaq drops 2.48% as Amazon and Intel trigger tech selloff
The Nasdaq fell 2.48% in its largest single-day drop since October 2022. Amazon shares dropped 4.4% to $123.49 and Intel fell 5.4% to $47.19. The two companies faced nearly $200 billion in combined market value losses due to rising AI spending concerns and Intel's cash-burn warning.
Claude Opus 5.5 and GPT-6-Sol tie for top AI code security score
Veracode reported that AI code security pass rates improved from 56% to 62% overall. Claude Opus 5.5 and GPT-6-Sol tied for first place with a 73% security pass rate, surpassing the previous high of 68% set by GPT-5.5 in July 2026. Despite gains the best models still fail security checks on 27% of tasks.
New AI tool offers chatbot to explain voter ballots
A new AI tool provides a specialized chatbot to help voters understand candidates and ballot measures ahead of midterm elections. Many people are increasingly using AI chatbots for information on candidates and polling locations. NBC News AI reporter Jared Perlo covered the development.
Hong Kong schools use AI digital pets in lessons
Hong Kong primary schools are using AI-created digital pets to teach students about saving and budgeting. At SKH Kei Oi Primary School in Sham Shui Po, students debated what their virtual pet needed more. The pet's mood and savings changed on screen with each spending decision. Teachers face new challenges in assessing student work and choosing suitable AI products.
Percepto launches Axion AI platform for third-party data
Percepto launched Axion, a hardware-agnostic AI platform that can process third-party data. The platform helps oil and gas operators analyze inspection data from their facilities. Axion works with existing or new drone fleets, third-party sensors, and other data collection channels. It organizes data by asset and can detect corrosion or downed transmission lines. The platform also addresses aging infrastructure and workforce shortages.
Big Tech keeps spending on AI despite bubble fears
Amazon, Microsoft, Alphabet, and Meta are investing heavily in AI infrastructure and data centers. GF Securities analyst Henry Huang calls this the AI Red Queen Effect, where companies must keep spending just to stay competitive. Alphabet plans to spend $200 billion this year on AI infrastructure. Projected spending growth is 85% in 2026, 53% in 2027, and 20% in 2028. Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg acknowledged a possible AI bubble but fears falling behind more.
Tech companies agree to let publishers block AI training
OpenAI, Google, Microsoft, and Anthropic pledged to adopt a standardized system for publishers. The system allows publishers to block their content from being scraped to train AI models. Publishers can use a single instruction to opt out of having their content used for AI training. This development aims to protect publishers' intellectual property and ensure responsible use of copyrighted material.
University of Tennessee helps students learn about AI
The University of Tennessee is working to help students understand how AI is evolving. The initiative aims to prepare students for a future shaped by artificial intelligence. Details about the specific programs and courses were not available in the article. The effort reflects growing interest in AI education across schools and universities.
Sources
- Gemini 4 Carbon Tops WANDR Benchmark At A Cost Lower Than GPT-6 Astra, Claude Fable 5.1
- Gemini 4 Carbon Tops Updated AA-Omniscience v1.1 Benchmark With Big Lead Over Competitors
- Nasdaq hits near three-month low as Amazon, Intel rattle AI trade
- AI Code Security [2026]: Opus 5.5 & GPT-6-Sol Tie at 73%
- New AI tool for voters offers a specialized chatbot to explain your ballot
- From digital pets to robot pals: how AI is changing Hong Kong classrooms
- Percepto’s new platform includes third parties
- The AI Red Queen Effect: Why Big Tech Can’t Afford to Stop Spending
- One setting to block AI from training on publishers' content
- UT works to help students understand how AI is evolving
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