August 1, 2025

analysis  
Meta, Apple AI Investments Surge; Microsoft, Amazon Follow

Several major developments are unfolding in the AI space. Alibaba is set to launch its Quark AI Glasses in China by the end of 2025, powered by its Qwen language model and Quark AI assistant, directly competing with Meta's Ray-Ban smart glasses. These glasses will offer features like hands-free calling, real-time translation, and shopping via Taobao. Meanwhile, Apple is significantly increasing its AI investments, reassigning employees, and actively pursuing company acquisitions to bolster its AI capabilities. CEO Tim Cook has indicated plans for new AI features, including live translation and an AI workout buddy, with Siri updates expected in 2026. Big Tech companies, including Microsoft, Amazon, and Meta, are making massive AI investments, which investors are supporting, anticipating increased efficiency and new revenue streams. Rakuten has launched a beta version of Rakuten AI, an assistant for shopping and investing, linked to its Ichiba e-commerce service. In another area, GoPro is now paying U.S. subscribers for the rights to use their video footage to train AI models, sharing 50% of the revenue. However, not all news is positive; the app design firm Iconfactory is selling some of its apps, citing AI's impact on the demand for traditional app design services. In the financial world, AI models predict a potential Bitcoin breakout to $130,000. On the ethical front, artists are boycotting Spotify due to CEO Daniel Ek's investment in an AI weapons company. Lastly, WIRED is hosting an AI Power Summit in New York City this September to discuss the implications of AI across various industries.

Key Takeaways

  • Alibaba will launch Quark AI Glasses in China by late 2025, powered by the Qwen language model, to compete with Meta's Ray-Ban smart glasses.
  • Apple is increasing AI investments, reassigning employees, and considering acquisitions to enhance its AI capabilities.
  • Apple plans to launch new AI features like live translation and an AI workout buddy, with Siri updates expected in 2026.
  • Big Tech companies like Microsoft, Amazon, and Meta are investing heavily in AI, supported by investor confidence in future growth.
  • Rakuten has launched Rakuten AI, a web-based AI assistant for shopping and investing, linked to its Ichiba e-commerce service.
  • GoPro is paying U.S. subscribers for video footage to train AI models, sharing 50% of the revenue generated.
  • AI is negatively impacting app design firms like Iconfactory, leading to app sales due to reduced demand.
  • AI models predict a potential Bitcoin breakout to $130,000, citing institutional adoption and regulatory clarity.
  • Artists are boycotting Spotify due to CEO Daniel Ek's investment in Helsing, an AI weapons company.
  • WIRED is hosting an AI Power Summit in New York City on September 15 to discuss the implications of AI across industries.

Alibaba jumps into AI wearables with Quark smart glasses

Alibaba is entering the AI wearables market with its new Quark AI Glasses. These smart glasses, powered by Alibaba's Qwen language model and Quark AI assistant, will launch in China by the end of 2025. The glasses will offer features like hands-free calling, music streaming, real-time translation, and meeting transcription. Alibaba aims to compete with Meta's Ray-Ban smart glasses with this new product.

Alibaba's Quark AI glasses challenge Meta in smart eyewear race

Alibaba is releasing Quark AI Glasses in China by late 2025, joining the competition in AI wearables. These glasses will use Alibaba's Qwen language model and Quark AI assistant. They will compete with Meta's Ray-Ban smart glasses and Xiaomi's AI eyewear. The Quark AI Glasses will allow hands-free calling, music, translation, meeting notes, and photo taking. Users can also make payments with Alipay, use Alibaba Maps, and shop on Taobao through the glasses.

Apple boosts AI investment and considers company acquisitions

Apple is increasing its investments in AI to catch up in the AI technology race. CEO Tim Cook says Apple sees AI as a major technology and is putting more resources into it. Apple is reassigning employees to focus on AI and is open to buying other companies to speed up its AI development. The company has already bought seven companies this year. Apple plans to launch new AI features like live translation and an AI workout buddy, with more updates to Siri coming in 2026.

Apple invests heavily in AI as Cook shares future plans

Apple is increasing its investments in AI to catch up in the AI technology race. CEO Tim Cook said that Apple views AI as a major technology and is increasing resources in the field. Apple is reassigning employees to focus on AI and is open to buying other companies to speed up its AI development. The company has already acquired seven companies this year and is making acquisitions every few weeks. Apple plans to launch new AI features like live translation and an AI workout buddy, with more updates to Siri coming in 2026.

Investors support Big Tech's massive AI spending

Big Tech companies like Microsoft, Alphabet, Amazon, and Meta are investing billions in AI. Despite the high costs, investors are confident in their AI plans and future growth. Analysts believe AI will bring increased efficiency and new ways to make money. AI is expected to improve cloud services, personalize advertising, and create new AI-powered products. The challenge for these companies is to turn AI spending into real profits and continued growth.

Artists boycott Spotify over CEO's AI weapons investment

Several artists are removing their music from Spotify after CEO Daniel Ek invested in Helsing, an AI weapons company. Greg Saunier of Deerhoof was concerned about Spotify's low payments to artists and its focus on AI and podcasting. He felt that money from Spotify streams was supporting AI warfare. Other artists, like Xiu Xiu and King Gizzard & the Lizard Wizard, have also left Spotify in protest. They don't want their music to support a platform led by someone backing tools of war.

WIRED hosts AI Power Summit in New York City this September

WIRED is hosting its first AI Power Summit on September 15 in New York City. The summit will feature panels and conversations with experts discussing the latest AI news. Discussions will cover the implications of AI across different industries and explore emerging regulations. Attendees will learn who will benefit and who will lose as AI technology advances. WIRED subscribers will have exclusive access to a livestream of the event.

Rakuten launches AI assistant for shopping and investing

Rakuten Group Inc. has launched a beta version of Rakuten AI, a web-based app designed to help users with shopping and investments. The AI assistant can help users shop, listen to music, learn languages, translate, and code. The app is linked to Rakuten's e-commerce service, Ichiba, providing shopping tips. Rakuten AI has dedicated tabs for shopping, fashion, music, and translation. The company plans to add more agents for different purposes and leverage user data to provide customized responses.

GoPro pays users for video to train AI models

GoPro is starting a new program where U.S. subscribers can earn money by allowing their cloud-stored videos to be used for training AI. Participants can license their video footage to tech companies, who use the diverse, real-world data to improve AI systems. GoPro subscribers will receive 50% of the money made from these agreements. Users who don't want to participate can keep full control over their content. GoPro's library has over 450 petabytes of user-generated videos.

AI predicts Bitcoin breakout to $130K peak

Bitcoin is trading at $117,832.50, and AI models Claude and ChatGPT predict a potential breakout. They see Bitcoin in a consolidation phase near its all-time high. The models give a 65% chance of an upward breakout, potentially reaching a peak of $130K. They also suggest a 25% chance of correction and a 10% chance of continued consolidation. Institutional adoption and improving regulatory clarity are seen as positive factors.

AI hurts app design firm Iconfactory, forces app sales

The Iconfactory, a design and development shop, is selling some of its apps due to financial struggles. The company says AI is partially to blame, as AI services are affecting the need for app design firms. AI tools can now generate app icons and code quickly, reducing the demand for the Iconfactory's services. The company also faced challenges after Twitterrific, its popular app, was shut down by Elon Musk. The Iconfactory will focus on apps like Ramp, Totem, Keyminder, and Glider.

Mike Brown discusses the rise of artificial intelligence

Mike Brown discusses the rise of AI and its potential impact on society. He mentions AI-generated TikTok memes and ChatGPT, which can manipulate images and words. Brown jokes about robots taking over jobs so he can play video games. He also touches on the idea of students using ChatGPT to write essays. Brown wonders if AI could replace him as a writer and expresses concerns about government propaganda using AI.

Sources

AI Artificial Intelligence Alibaba Quark AI Glasses Qwen language model Meta Ray-Ban smart glasses Xiaomi AI eyewear Apple Tim Cook AI investment Live translation AI workout buddy Siri Big Tech Microsoft Alphabet Amazon AI spending Spotify Daniel Ek Helsing AI weapons WIRED AI Power Summit Rakuten AI AI assistant GoPro AI model training User-generated content Bitcoin Claude ChatGPT Iconfactory App design Mike Brown AI impact AI-generated content AI ethics AI adoption Smart glasses AI wearables