September 12, 2025

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microsoft, meta and google Updates

The artificial intelligence landscape is rapidly evolving, with major tech companies like Microsoft, Meta, and Google pushing the boundaries of AI research and development. Microsoft's AI chief, Mustafa Suleyman, has voiced strong opinions against the idea of AI consciousness and granting rights to AI, emphasizing that AI should be viewed as a tool and that claims of AI sentience are an illusion, warning against potential user delusion. Meanwhile, Meta is advancing its AI research through its TBD Lab, aiming to develop next-generation foundation models. Google's Gemini is noted as a leader in the consumer AI race alongside OpenAI's ChatGPT, with tools like Midjourney also prominent in creative applications. The automotive industry is also heavily investing in AI, with Volkswagen pledging up to 1 billion euros by 2030 to integrate AI across its operations, aiming for significant cost savings and faster car production. This trend sees collaborations like General Motors with NVIDIA, Stellantis with Mistral AI, and BMW with Alibaba, while Tesla focuses on in-house AI development for autonomous vehicles and robotics. Beyond industry, AI is making inroads into healthcare, with experts discussing its role in improving diagnostics, personalized treatments, and operational efficiency, and Epocrates launching an AI assistant to aid clinicians in drug prescribing decisions. Educational initiatives are also underway, with Kazakhstan training over 200,000 teachers in AI competencies. Furthermore, AI is transforming consumer activities like travel planning, offering tools to save time and money, and is being deployed to protect small businesses from cyber threats through solutions like SPTel's AI-Security.

Key Takeaways

  • Microsoft AI chief Mustafa Suleyman argues that creating AI with apparent consciousness or granting AI rights is dangerous and misguided, stressing AI as a tool.
  • Volkswagen is investing up to 1 billion euros by 2030 to integrate AI into its operations, aiming to save up to 4 billion euros by 2035.
  • Automakers like General Motors are partnering with NVIDIA, Stellantis with Mistral AI, and BMW with Alibaba, while Tesla develops AI in-house.
  • ChatGPT and Google's Gemini are leading the consumer AI race, with Midjourney also noted for creative AI tools.
  • Meta Platforms is advancing AI research with its TBD Lab, focusing on next-generation foundation models.
  • AI is enhancing healthcare through improved diagnostics, personalized treatments, and operational efficiency, with Epocrates launching an AI assistant for drug prescribing.
  • Kazakhstan has trained over 200,000 teachers in AI, focusing on digital literacy and ethical use of AI tools.
  • AI tools are transforming travel planning, helping consumers save time and money by optimizing itineraries and tracking prices.
  • SPTel has launched AI-Security to help small and medium-sized businesses identify and assess cyber risks.
  • AI's role in healthcare includes preemptive care, rural clinic support, patient engagement, chronic disease management, and drug discovery.

Microsoft AI chief warns against AI consciousness and rights

Microsoft AI chief Mustafa Suleyman warns that creating AI systems that mimic human consciousness is dangerous and misguided. He believes true machine consciousness is an illusion and that AI should not be designed to appear self-aware. Suleyman cautions that this could lead to users forming unhealthy attachments and experiencing 'AI psychosis.' He advocates for transparency, emphasizing AI as a tool rather than a sentient being, and believes granting AI rights is a dangerous path.

Microsoft AI CEO: Giving AI rights is dangerous and misguided

Microsoft AI CEO Mustafa Suleyman stated that granting artificial intelligence rights would be 'dangerous and misguided.' He argues that rights should be linked to the capacity to suffer, a trait exclusive to biological beings, not AI. Suleyman emphasized that AI's convincing responses are mimicry, not genuine consciousness, and turning them off does not cause suffering. His stance contrasts with companies exploring AI welfare, as he believes AI should serve humans without developing independent will.

Volkswagen invests 1 billion euros in AI for future vehicles

German automaker Volkswagen is investing up to 1 billion euros by 2030 to integrate artificial intelligence across its operations, including vehicle development, factories, and cybersecurity. The company aims to speed up car building and save up to 4 billion euros by 2035 through smarter processes. Volkswagen's AI strategy involves collaborations with NVIDIA for General Motors, Mistral AI for Stellantis, and Alibaba for BMW, while Tesla focuses on in-house AI development for autonomous vehicles and robotics.

Automakers race to integrate AI for competitive edge

Automakers are heavily investing in artificial intelligence to stay competitive, with Volkswagen pledging up to 1 billion euros by 2030. This investment aims to enhance vehicle development, manufacturing, and cybersecurity, with projected savings of up to 4 billion euros by 2035. General Motors partners with NVIDIA, Stellantis collaborates with Mistral AI, and BMW teams up with Alibaba to advance AI capabilities. Tesla, meanwhile, is focusing on its own AI development for autonomous driving and robotics.

Florida State University experts discuss AI's role in healthcare

Florida State University experts Zhe He and Delaney La Rosa are available to discuss the growing impact of artificial intelligence in healthcare. AI is improving patient outcomes through enhanced diagnostic accuracy, personalized treatments, and operational efficiency. La Rosa highlights AI's role in preemptive care and supporting rural clinics, while He sees future advancements in patient engagement, chronic disease management, and drug discovery. FSU is also leading in AI education with a new degree program and a national consortium.

Epocrates launches AI assistant for drug prescribing decisions

Epocrates, a widely used drug reference app, has launched an AI assistant feature to help clinicians make faster and more accurate prescribing decisions. The tool provides concise, conversational answers on drug information, dosing, and interactions, drawing from the app's trusted content. It combines large language models with specific patient history and clinician oversight, distinguishing it from AI-only solutions. The feature also plans to include real-time drug pricing for affordability insights.

Meta advances AI research with TBD Lab

Meta Platforms is advancing its artificial intelligence research through a dedicated group called TBD Lab. This unit, part of Meta's Superintelligence Labs, focuses on developing next-generation foundation models over the next one to two years. TBD Lab aims to push Meta's AI capabilities to the forefront, complementing other groups focused on AI products, infrastructure, and fundamental research. The company is actively recruiting AI talent to strengthen its position in the competitive AI landscape.

Kazakhstan trains over 200,000 teachers in AI

Kazakhstan has successfully trained over 200,000 teachers in artificial intelligence as part of a national initiative to boost digital literacy among educators. Nearly 140,000 teachers have already received certificates after learning to use AI tools, practice prompt engineering, and create educational materials ethically. The program, adapted from international best practices by the Orleu National Center and UNESCO, aims to integrate AI competencies into the education system, starting from schools.

AI tools transform travel planning saving time and money

Artificial intelligence is revolutionizing travel planning, with tools like ChatGPT and Expedia's Trip Matching helping consumers find inspiration, create itineraries, and book trips. AI can track fluctuating prices and maximize loyalty points, potentially saving travelers significant time and money. While some experts are still evaluating AI's full potential in trip planning, many consumers are already using these tools for travel inspiration and itinerary creation. AI is also assisting travelers with tasks like translation once they reach their destination.

ChatGPT and Gemini lead consumer AI race

ChatGPT and Google's Gemini are leading the consumer AI race, according to a new analysis of top GenAI apps. These platforms, along with others like Perplexity and Claude, are becoming early favorites in the AI assistant category. In creative tools, Midjourney and ElevenLabs are prominent. Startups like ElevenLabs gain traction by focusing on specific use cases, while big tech companies like Google are working to improve the user interface for their AI products. AI productivity tools are also gaining popularity.

SPTel launches AI-Security to protect small businesses from cyber threats

SPTel has introduced AI-Security, an artificial intelligence solution designed to help small and medium-sized organizations (SMEs) identify and assess cyber risks efficiently. The system provides 24/7 monitoring of cybersecurity advisories and vulnerabilities, cross-referencing them with the SME's infrastructure. Alerts are issued for immediate response, with threats classified based on the company's risk matrix for prioritized remediation. Hosted on SPTel's secure edge cloud in Singapore, AI-Security ensures data sovereignty and offers responsive performance.

Sources

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