#google

You Can Now Fly Around Google Earth in an Airplane Google has launched a new feature allowing users to navigate the globe in an airplane simulation directly through its web browser, eliminating the need for a dedicated app. The update, available globally since Friday, introduces a flight simulator mode that replicates the experience of flying over Earth’s surface. The feature was previously accessible as a hidden option in the desktop version of Google Earth but required downloading the software to a computer. The web-based version simplifies access, offering the same functionality through a browser using only a mouse and keyboard. To use the flight simulator, users visit the Google Earth website and select “Explore Earth” from the interface. From the toolbar, they locate the “Tools” section and scroll down to activate the “Flight Simulator” option. Once enabled, users can take control of an aircraft, navigating by pressing the up, down, left, and right arrow keys on their keyboard. Adjusting speed is achieved via the Page Up and Page Down keys, though users without these keys can alternatively click the power gauge on the right-hand side of the screen. The feature has been described as experimental, with some users noting its challenging controls. PetaPixel, a technology news site, tested the simulator and found it difficult to maneuver, requiring trial and error to master. New users may struggle with basic flight mechanics, with some experiencing unexpected maneuvers like a “permanent barrel roll” on their first attempt. While crashes are possible, the system allows users to restart the simulation without penalty. Google’s announcement on X highlighted the addition of professional desktop features to the web version, including elevation profiles and new import types.#google #google_earth #flight_simulator #peta_pixel #google_x

Apple Unveils Third-Generation Foundation Models with Enhanced AI Capabilities Apple has introduced its third generation of foundation models, marking a significant leap in its efforts to integrate advanced artificial intelligence into its ecosystem. These models, developed in collaboration with Google and NVIDIA, are designed to enhance user experiences through improved capabilities, privacy-focused architecture, and optimized performance across both on-device and server-based systems. The new foundation models, collectively referred to as Apple Foundation Models (AFM), include five distinct variants tailored for different applications, from voice and text processing to image generation and complex reasoning tasks. The third-generation models feature two on-device variants: AFM 3 Core and AFM 3 Core Advanced. AFM 3 Core represents an upgrade to Apple’s existing 3-billion-parameter dense model, offering enhanced quality and efficiency. AFM 3 Core Advanced, however, stands out as the most powerful on-device model, leveraging a novel sparsely activated architecture. This model is natively multimodal, enabling features like expressive voices and high-accuracy dictation. Built on cutting-edge research, AFM 3 Core Advanced uses a sparse architecture that activates only 1 to 4 billion parameters at a time, depending on the request. This design allows the model to operate efficiently on Apple’s most capable silicon systems while maintaining performance. Complementing the on-device models are three server-based variants running on Apple’s Private Cloud Compute infrastructure.#apple #google #nvidia #private_cloud_compute #apple_foundation_models

Trump to Meet AI Leaders to Discuss US Investment in Their Companies US President Donald Trump is planning to meet executives from major artificial intelligence (AI) companies to discuss potential government investments in their ventures. Speaking on Air Force One, Trump emphasized that the goal of such investments would be to "create almost a partnership with the American public." He indicated the meeting is expected to take place at the White House in the coming week, though he did not name specific companies. Among the most prominent US AI firms, Google, Microsoft, OpenAI, SpaceX, and Anthropic are the leading contenders. While the latter two are anticipated to go public in the near future, representatives of the other four companies did not respond to requests for comment. Trump drew a parallel between the proposed AI investments and the US government’s previous 10% stake in Intel, a semiconductor company, which he claimed has already yielded financial returns. He also highlighted the importance of improving public sentiment toward AI, which has become increasingly skeptical. "We're talking about it," Trump said, referring to discussions with AI leaders, "where the American people can benefit from the success of AI, the American people will like it better." Senator Bernie Sanders recently proposed a sovereign wealth fund model that would grant the US a 50% stake in AI companies. When asked about Sanders’ idea, Trump acknowledged that he had been considering similar measures for over a year but did not dismiss the senator’s proposal. "Where economics are concerned, we have things that aren't that far apart," Trump stated, suggesting a potential alignment of interests between the two. However, Sanders’ representative did not respond to requests for comment.#microsoft #artificial_intelligence #donald_trump #google #openai

Delhi High Court Imposes ₹30 Lakh Fine on Google for Trademark Misuse The Delhi High Court has ruled that Google violated trademark laws by using Hindware’s registered mark “HINDWARE” as a keyword in its AdWords advertising program, imposing a ₹30 lakh fine on the tech giant. The court’s May 22 judgment, delivered in two commercial suits filed by Hindware (through its predecessor HSIL) against Google and other entities, concluded that Google’s role in facilitating the unauthorized use of the trademark for commercial gain constituted active participation in trademark infringement. The case originated in 2013–14 when Hindware, a leading sanitaryware manufacturer, alleged that its competitors, including Grohe India and Cera Sanitaryware, had exploited its trademark by purchasing “HINDWARE” and related keywords like “HINDWARE SANITARY” on Google’s AdWords platform. These keywords were used to display sponsored links to the competitors’ websites as the first search results when users typed “HINDWARE.” Hindware argued that this practice caused consumer confusion and undermined its brand’s reputation. During the trial, Grohe, Cera, and Omkara Infoweb settled with Hindware, leaving Google India and Google LLC as the remaining defendants. Hindware emphasized the strength of its brand, which had been recognized as a well-known trademark by the Delhi High Court in earlier litigation. It contended that Google’s role in managing keyword auctions, suggesting trademarks via its keyword planner, and ranking ads made it an active participant in the infringement. The company argued that Google’s use of the trademark as a keyword for identical goods (sanitaryware) created a likelihood of confusion among consumers.#google #delhi_high_court #hindware #adwords #trademark_misuse

Indian Sanitaryware Brand Wins Legal Battle Against Google Over Trademark Infringement The Delhi High Court has ruled that Google’s practice of auctioning trademarked brand names as advertising keywords in its Google Ads program constitutes clear trademark infringement. The court ordered the tech giant to permanently stop using the term “HINDWARE” or its variations as keywords in its advertising system and awarded Rs 30 lakh in damages to Hindware, an Indian sanitaryware manufacturer. The case, which spanned over a decade, centered on whether Google’s pay-per-click model violated trademark laws by allowing competitors to divert traffic to their websites using a registered brand’s name. The dispute began in 2013 when Hindware discovered that competing brands, including Cera Sanitaryware and Grohe, were purchasing the trademark “HINDWARE” as a keyword through Google AdWords. This practice led to customers searching for Hindware being shown results from these competing brands, which Hindware argued constituted “unfair competition” and “trademark dilution.” While Cera and Grohe eventually settled with Hindware, the legal battle against Google continued, focusing on whether the search engine’s role in facilitating keyword bidding qualified as trademark infringement under India’s Trade Marks Act. The court’s 163-page judgment emphasized Section 29(6)(d) of the Trade Marks Act of 1999, which defines unauthorized use of a registered trademark as including advertising in digital formats, such as sponsored search keywords. Justice Pushkarna ruled that Google’s AdWords program allowed competitors to exploit Hindware’s brand reputation by bidding on the term “HINDWARE,” effectively diverting potential customers to their websites.#google #delhi_high_court #hindware #trade_marks_act #google_ads

Google Unveils Cricket-Inspired Doodle for IPL 2026 Playoffs Google has launched a special doodle celebrating the final four matches of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026, incorporating cricket-themed elements into its logo. The design features a bat and ball set against a vibrant stadium backdrop, capturing the excitement of the tournament. The doodle has been well-received by fans, generating significant attention on social media platforms. The collaboration between Google India and the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) marks a new partnership, with Google Search AI Mode becoming an official Premier Partner of the TATA IPL 2026. This partnership aims to enhance the viewing experience by integrating AI-driven insights into Google Search, offering fans a more interactive and conversational way to engage with the tournament. Additionally, live broadcasts of the IPL 2026 will include AI-backed analysis, further deepening fan interaction. The IPL 2026 playoffs are set to begin with the Qualifier 1 match, where Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) will face Gujarat Titans (GT) in a high-stakes encounter. Both teams accumulated 18 points during the league stage, but RCB secured a higher position due to a better net run rate. RCB, led by Rajat Patidar, has been a standout team of the season with their aggressive batting and effective bowling. Gujarat Titans, on the other hand, relied on disciplined bowling and a balanced squad to reach the playoffs. The winner of this match will advance directly to the May 31 final. Rajasthan Royals have also secured their place in the playoffs after defeating Mumbai Indians at the Wankhede Stadium. This victory ensured they finished fourth in the points table, joining RCB, GT, and Sunrisers Hyderabad in the knockout stage.#google #bcci #ipl_2026 #royal_challengers_bangalore #gujarat_titans

How IPL 2026 Fans Are Leveraging Google Search to Engage with the Tournament Fans across India have increasingly turned to Google Search to immerse themselves in the IPL 2026 season, with the platform evolving to meet their dynamic needs through features like AI Mode. This mode allows users to interact with search as if engaging with a live cricket companion, enabling complex and natural follow-up questions as matches unfold. The collaboration between Google and the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) further enhanced the fan experience, integrating AI-powered analysis into live broadcasts. This partnership has transformed how fans consume and interpret the tournament, offering deeper insights into player performances and match strategies. The search trends for IPL 2026 reveal a strong focus on favorite franchises, with Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) emerging as the most searched team in India. Chennai Super Kings (CSK) and Mumbai Indians (MI) followed closely, reflecting their enduring popularity among supporters. Player interest spanned a wide range, from legendary icons like Virat Kohli and MS Dhoni to emerging talents such as Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, Cooper Connolly, and Kartik Sharma. Fans actively sought information about their favorite players, asking questions ranging from real-time updates on their movements and career milestones to emotional inquiries about their participation in the tournament. Queries like “Is Rohit Sharma playing IPL 2026?” and “Will IPL 2026 be the last season of Virat Kohli?” highlight the deep personal connection fans have with their idols. Beyond player-specific searches, fans also used Google to decode the intricacies of the game.#google #bcci #chennai_super_kings #royal_challengers_bengaluru #mumbai_indians

Google Overhauls Search Engine as AI Reshapes Online Behavior Google is implementing sweeping changes to its search engine to adapt to the evolving ways users seek information, driven by increasingly complex queries and the growing integration of artificial intelligence across digital platforms. Robby Stein, vice president of product for Google Search, explained that users are now asking longer, more intricate questions that lack straightforward answers on the internet. In response, Google has introduced new features such as custom visuals, interactive graphics, and mini-apps on its search page, which aggregate data from multiple sources. These updates were unveiled during the company’s annual conference, marking a significant shift in how search results are presented and interacted with. The transformation reflects a broader trend in how people access information, with AI becoming a central part of daily life. According to Google, users are increasingly relying on AI-powered tools like ChatGPT to formulate search queries, leading to a noticeable shift in search behavior. Searches containing 11 words or more have risen from 3.27% to 5.37%, while conversational queries have surged from 5% to 20%. Despite this, the median search remains brief, with most users still opting for concise keyword-based searches. Robert Langenback, a marketing expert, noted that search terms are now ranging from three to five or five to 10 words, a trend that accelerated after ChatGPT’s launch in late 2022. The integration of AI into search has also influenced how users interact with platforms. Semrush data reveals that over 20% of ChatGPT referral traffic leads to Google, highlighting the complementary roles of these tools.#google #chatgpt #robby_stein #robert_langenback #semrush

OneGov’s discounted deals are ‘a first step’ to longer-term contracts, officials say The General Services Administration is exploring the possibility of extending temporary price reductions offered by technology companies through its OneGov initiative, as part of broader efforts to transition to long-term contracts. The agency has already secured agreements with 20 firms, including Google, OpenAI, and Microsoft, under the program, which aims to provide federal agencies with significant cost savings by consolidating procurement. These agreements initially included discounts of up to 70% to 90% on software and services, though many of these reduced rates are set to expire after specific timeframes. While the initiative has been praised for its potential to lower costs, federal officials have raised concerns about the financial implications when the discounted rates end. Agencies may face higher prices for the same products and services, prompting the GSA to emphasize that the current deals are only the first phase of a multi-step strategy. Warren Blankenship, director of the Category Management Service Center within the GSA’s Federal Acquisition Service, explained that the agency is working to re-negotiate these temporary deals while simultaneously pursuing direct contracts under the Multiple Award Schedule (MAS) program. Blankenship described the current phase as a “springboard” to longer-term agreements, noting that the GSA is in the second stage of its OneGov initiative. This phase involves limited-time offers with companies as a preliminary step toward establishing direct contracts. He highlighted that the agency is actively engaging with original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) to restructure deals and transition them into formal MAS contracts.#microsoft #google #openai #governmentservicesadministration #onegov

Google Introduces AI-Powered Gmail Live Feature at IO 2026 Google has unveiled an expanded version of its AI-driven Gmail functionality at its IO 2026 developer conference, introducing a conversational AI tool called Gmail Live. This feature allows users to interact with their inbox using natural language queries instead of traditional search terms. The update, powered by Gemini AI, aims to simplify tasks like locating specific information in emails, such as flight details, dentist appointments, Airbnb door codes, or event details for a child’s school activities. The feature was demonstrated by Devanshi Bhandari, product lead for Gmail, who explained that Gmail Live can answer naturally phrased questions, respond to follow-up inquiries, and adapt to interruptions. For example, during a demo, Bhandari asked the AI about a child’s show-and-tell project and a class trip to Detroit, highlighting its ability to handle nuances like distinguishing between “field trip” and “trip.” The AI also demonstrated its capacity to extract granular details, such as hotel room numbers, and infer context even when names are not explicitly mentioned. Gmail Live is positioned as an enhancement rather than a replacement for traditional Gmail search. Users can now ask questions aloud in natural language, similar to interacting with standalone AI chatbots like Gemini or ChatGPT. The tool’s integration with Gmail’s existing features includes ready-to-send drafts, instant file access, and the ability to manage to-dos by marking individual tasks as complete. Google Keep, its to-do list app, is also receiving voice technology updates, further emphasizing the company’s push to embed AI into everyday productivity tools.#google #gemini_ai #io_2026 #devanshi_bhandari #gmail

Google Unveils Major AI and Product Updates at I/O 2026 Google’s I/O 2026 event marked a significant shift in its AI strategy, with a focus on expanding Gemini’s capabilities across its ecosystem. The company introduced Gemini 3.5 Flash, a model that combines advanced intelligence with faster processing speeds, surpassing previous versions in coding, multimodal tasks, and agentic functions. This model is now available in the Gemini app, Search, Antigravity 2.0, and the Gemini API, with broader access to AI Plus, Pro, and Ultra users starting later this year. A redesigned user interface, Neural Expressive, was unveiled as Gemini’s new design language. It features fluid animations, vibrant colors, haptic feedback, and updated typography. The Gemini app now includes a pill-shaped prompt box with a centralized “plus” menu for tools, while Gemini Live offers an inline experience without requiring full-screen mode. These changes are rolling out to Android, iOS, and the web. Gemini Spark, described as “your personal agent,” was highlighted as a transformative feature. It enables users to delegate tasks such as managing emails, editing documents, and organizing schedules. Initially integrated with Gmail, Docs, and other Google Workspace apps, Spark will expand to third-party tools via the MCP platform this summer. Daily Brief, a personalized digest of daily priorities, was introduced to help users streamline their tasks by analyzing Gmail, Calendar, and Tasks. It is available to Google AI Plus, Pro, and Ultra users in the U.S. starting today. The Gemini app is transitioning from daily prompt limits to a “compute-used” model, which factors in prompt complexity, features, and chat length. Limits reset every five hours, with weekly caps.#gemini #google #gemini_app #io_2026 #neural_expressive

Google Unveils Gemini 3.5 and AI Agent Gemini Spark at I/O 2026 Google announced its latest advancements in artificial intelligence during its annual I/O developer conference on Tuesday, May 19, 2026, in Mountain View, California. The company introduced Gemini 3.5 Flash, a lightweight variant of its Gemini AI model, alongside a new world model called Omni. These updates aim to strengthen Google’s position in the rapidly evolving AI landscape, where competitors like OpenAI and Anthropic are also preparing for major milestones, including potential IPOs later this year. Gemini 3.5 Flash is positioned as a cost-effective and high-performance option, offering cutting-edge capabilities at significantly reduced computational costs compared to other frontier models. According to CEO Sundar Pichai, the model is “remarkably fast,” with Google emphasizing that it now serves as the default version for the Gemini app and AI mode in search across global platforms. The company highlighted improvements in cybersecurity, stating that the model is “less likely to generate harmful content and mistakenly refuse to answer safe queries.” This focus on safety and efficiency is intended to address user concerns about AI reliability while maintaining high performance. In contrast, Gemini 3.5 Pro, a more robust version of the model, is currently being used internally by Google but will not be available to the public until next month. The distinction between the two versions underscores Google’s strategy to balance accessibility with advanced capabilities, catering to both casual users and enterprise clients. Beyond Gemini, Google unveiled Omni, a world model designed to simulate physical environments and predict outcomes based on user interactions.#google #sundar_pichai #anthropic #openai #io_2026

Google Unveils Gemini 3.5: A Leap in AI Capabilities for Agents and Coding Google DeepMind has launched Gemini 3.5, a new family of AI models designed to enhance complex workflows and coding tasks. The release includes 3.5 Flash, a model optimized for speed and performance, and 3.5 Pro, which is already being tested internally and will be rolled out next month. The announcement highlights advancements in agentic intelligence, multimodal understanding, and real-world applications across industries. Gemini 3.5 Flash is now available globally through the Gemini app, Google Search’s AI Mode, and developer platforms like Google Antigravity and the Gemini API. It is positioned as a powerful tool for developers and enterprises, offering capabilities that rival large flagship models in performance while maintaining exceptional speed. The model excels in coding, long-horizon tasks, and multimodal reasoning, achieving notable benchmarks such as 76.2% on Terminal-Bench 2.1, 1656 Elo on GDPval-AA, and 83.6% on MCP Atlas. Its output token speed is four times faster than other frontier models, balancing quality and latency. The release emphasizes the model’s ability to handle complex, real-world problems. For instance, 3.5 Flash can automate tasks like renaming and categorizing unstructured assets, synthesizing academic papers into playable games, and transforming legacy codebases into modern frameworks like Next.js. It also supports collaborative subagents through the Antigravity platform, enabling scalable solutions for tasks such as financial document preparation, data analysis, and application development. Industry partners are already leveraging Gemini 3.5 Flash for transformative applications.#google #google_deepmind #shopify #gemini_35 #google_antigravity

Google's AI Studio Now Lets Anyone Build Android Apps in Minutes Google has introduced a groundbreaking feature in its web-based AI Studio, enabling users to create native Android apps in minutes rather than weeks. The update, announced during the company’s annual developer conference, Google I/O, marks a significant shift in app development by leveraging AI to streamline the process. Previously, building an Android app required extensive coding and setup, but the new tool now allows both experienced developers and first-time creators to prototype and build applications with minimal technical expertise. The platform integrates Google’s Gemini AI, which assists users in generating code and designing app interfaces. By using natural language prompts, users can describe their app’s functionality, and the AI will automatically generate the necessary code using Kotlin and Google’s Jetpack Compose toolkit. This approach drastically reduces the time and complexity involved in app development, making it accessible to a broader audience. The tool also supports hardware integration, enabling apps to utilize sensors like GPS, Bluetooth, and NFC for enhanced functionality. For now, the apps created through this method are limited to personal use, as publishing to the public is still in development. However, Google has outlined a roadmap for expanding access, including the ability to publish apps for family and friends through internal testing tracks in the Google Play Console. Developers can also export their projects to GitHub for further refinement or collaboration. The company plans to introduce Firebase integrations later, allowing apps to leverage tools like Firestore and Firebase Auth for data management and user authentication.#google #gemini_ai #google_i_o #android_emulator #google_play_console

Transitioning Gemini CLI to Antigravity CLI Google Developers announced a significant shift in its terminal-based AI tools, transitioning the Gemini CLI to a new platform called Antigravity CLI. The update, detailed in a blog post by Dmitry Lyalin, Group Product Manager, and Taylor Mullen, Principal Engineer, highlights the evolution of the toolset in response to user feedback and changing workflow demands. The Gemini CLI, launched last year, was designed to bring Gemini’s capabilities directly into the terminal, enabling users to perform agentic tasks efficiently. However, as the tool gained traction, user needs evolved. Millions of users contributed to its development, with over 100,000 GitHub stars, 6,000 merged pull requests, and hundreds of contributors. Despite its success, the team noted that workflows had outgrown the initial 2025-era design. The primary driver for the transition was the demand for multi-agent collaboration. Users now require systems where multiple agents can communicate to tackle complex problems. This necessitated a unified backend that integrates seamlessly with broader workflows. The team concluded that a single, purpose-built platform would better serve these needs, leading to the development of Google Antigravity. Antigravity is positioned as a premier agent-first development platform, featuring a server-side harness and a new terminal experience: Antigravity CLI. While the initial release does not offer 1:1 feature parity with Gemini CLI, it retains critical functionalities such as Agent Skills, Hooks, Subagents, and Extensions, now rebranded as Antigravity plugins. Users can continue leveraging Antigravity CLI for tasks like generating grounded answers, scaffolding coding projects, or provisioning cloud infrastructure.#google #dmitry_lyalin #taylor_mullen #antigravity_cli #google_i_o_2026

Degrees Still Offer Job Security Despite Generational Skepticism The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics has revealed that despite widespread criticism from Gen Z and millennials about the value of college degrees, graduates remain the least likely to be unemployed. Among workers aged 25 and over, those with a bachelor’s degree have the lowest unemployment rate compared to all other education groups. This trend has persisted for decades, with data showing that college graduates have consistently fared better in the job market than those without a high school diploma. The data highlights a stark contrast between public perception and economic reality. While a third of graduates claim their degrees are a waste of money, the numbers tell a different story. In 2026, the unemployment rate for individuals without a high school diploma stands at 6.4%, compared to 2.8% for college graduates. This gap has remained largely unchanged since 2006, when the unemployment rate for high school dropouts was 6.9%, versus 2.2% for college-educated workers. Even as the economy and workplace have evolved, the advantage of a degree in securing employment has remained a consistent factor. Critics argue that the value of a degree is diminishing in the face of rising student debt, stagnant wages, and the rise of alternative career paths. Many graduates feel trapped in underpaid roles, facing financial strain from rent and loans while watching peers without degrees build successful careers through trades, startups, or side hustles. Robbie Scott, a Gen Z advocate, criticized the system, stating, “We’re staying in school.#microsoft #google #us_bureau_of_labor_statistics #robbie_scott #goodwill_ceo

Apple Begins Rolling Out End-to-End Encrypted RCS Messaging in Beta Starting today, iPhone users running iOS 26.5 will begin seeing a new lock icon in RCS chats, indicating that messages in the chat are end-to-end encrypted. Apple and Google have led a cross-industry effort to bring end-to-end encryption to Rich Communication Services (RCS), making the cross-platform messaging format that replaces traditional SMS more secure and private. The rollout begins in beta for iPhone users with supported carriers and Android users on the latest version of Google Messages. When RCS messages are end-to-end encrypted, they cannot be read while being sent between devices. Users will recognize that a conversation is end-to-end encrypted by the presence of a new lock icon in their RCS chats. Encryption is enabled by default and will be automatically applied to new and existing RCS conversations over time. iMessage was built with privacy in mind and has always been end-to-end encrypted. It remains the best way to communicate between Apple devices. The new RCS encryption adds an extra layer of security for messages sent to non-Apple devices, ensuring privacy in cross-platform communication. The feature is part of a broader industry initiative to modernize SMS-like messaging by integrating stronger security protocols into RCS. Unlike traditional SMS, which lacks encryption, RCS aims to provide a more secure and feature-rich messaging experience. The collaboration between Apple and Google ensures that encryption is standardized across RCS, enhancing privacy for all users. For iPhone users, the update means messages sent via RCS to Android devices will now be protected, provided both parties use the latest versions of their respective messaging apps.#apple #google #ios #rich_communication_services #google_messages

Hundreds of .new .internet .top-level .domain .names .could .appear .very .soon as ICANN announces new gTLD round 14 years after one that gave us .africa .google .Microsoft and .bananarepublic — but will POTUS register .trump? ICANN has reopened applications for new top-level domains, allowing organizations to create custom extensions. #Microsoft #internet #trump #africa #google #POTUS_register #gTLD_round #ICANN_announces #bananarepublic #top-level_domains

Alphabet Shares Surge to Best Month Since 2004 as AI Spending Drives Market Shift Alphabet Inc., the parent company of Google, saw its stock rally sharply in April, marking its strongest monthly performance since its 2004 initial public offering. The surge, which pushed shares up 34% for the month, contrasted sharply with Meta Platforms Inc.’s declining stock, as investors reacted to diverging AI investment strategies between the two tech giants. Alphabet’s rise was fueled by robust cloud revenue growth, while Meta faced scrutiny over its lack of a cloud business and the financial implications of its aggressive AI spending plans. The stock movement highlighted the market’s mixed reception to AI investments. Alphabet’s shares climbed 10% on Thursday, lifting the company’s stock to its best April performance since October 2004, while Meta’s shares plummeted nearly 9%, their steepest drop since October. Analysts noted that investors remain divided on whether the AI spending plans of tech companies will yield long-term returns. “The market was less united on what to make of the spending plans, with investors still trying to balance the scale of the AI opportunity against the cash required to chase it,” said Matt Britzman of Hargreaves Lansdown. “But the bigger takeaway is that this cycle is nowhere near cooling.” Alphabet’s strong performance was driven by its Google Cloud division, which reported a 63% year-over-year revenue increase. CEO Sundar Pichai attributed the growth to rising demand for enterprise AI solutions. The company also revised its capital expenditure forecast for the year to a range of $180 billion to $190 billion, up from its previous estimate of $175 billion to $185 billion.#microsoft #google #sundar_pichai #meta_platforms_inc #alphabet_inc

Chegg’s Collapse: How AI Tools Eroded a $15 Billion Tech Giant in Four Years Chegg, the American education technology company that rose to prominence during the pandemic, has faced a dramatic decline in value, with its market capitalization plummeting from over $14.7 billion in 2021 to roughly $156 million by 2025. The company, once a dominant force in online learning with a stock price peaking at $113.51 per share in February 2021, now trades at just $0.99 per share, reflecting a staggering 99% loss in value. Chegg’s recent quarterly results for the first quarter of 2026, set to be released on May 6, show total net revenues of $72.7 million—a 49% year-over-year decline. The company’s struggles began as generative AI tools like ChatGPT disrupted its core business model. By October 2023, Chegg announced the layoff of 45% of its workforce, or 388 employees, as it grappled with falling demand for its textbook rental and homework help services. Students increasingly turned to free AI chatbots, which could solve math problems and draft essays in seconds, rendering Chegg’s paid subscriptions obsolete. “The new realities of artificial intelligence... have led to plummeting revenue,” the company admitted in a statement at the time. Chegg’s challenges extended beyond AI. The company filed a lawsuit against Google, alleging that the search engine’s AI-generated summaries at the top of search results were “stealing” its traffic. By providing instant answers to students, Google cut off the flow of visitors to Chegg’s website, a claim echoed by other publications. The combined impact of ChatGPT’s instant solutions and Google’s AI-driven search results squeezed Chegg’s traditional business model into near-extinction. The decline was rapid and severe.#google #ai #chatgpt #new_york_stock_exchange #chegg