Artificial Intelligence
Ongoing coverage on Artificial Intelligence.
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Google Assistant will vanish from Android phones and connected devices in September
Google Assistant will be discontinued on Android phones and connected devices in September, with the company shifting focus to its Gemini AI. This change marks a significant shift in Google's AI strategy for its consumer products.
Mass layoffs expected at EA as the now-private publisher reportedly tells its new debt masters that it's going to…
Following its $55 billion acquisition by a consortium including Saudi Arabia's Private Investment Fund, Electronic Arts is reportedly planning mass layoffs to manage significant debt. The publisher has informed debt investors of plans to cut $700 million in annual costs, including $170 million in organizational efficiencies, to service approximately $1.8 billion in annual interest payments.
YouTube explains its AI slop policy and why some creators won't get paid
YouTube has clarified its policies regarding AI-generated content, stating that such videos are permitted as long as they adhere to a specific set of rules. The platform also addressed creator concerns about payment for AI-generated content.
Silver Lining Interactive launches first title from its development label Silver Bullet
Silver Lining Interactive has launched its first game, Mr Trippy, from its internal IP development label, Silver Bullet. Mr Trippy is described as a darkly comedic management simulator. Silver Bullet, initially an indie incubator, has evolved into a full-fledged IP development label dedicated to creating original and unconventional gaming experiences.
AMD made over 8 times as much revenue on data centers as it did gaming last quarter
AMD reported record-breaking revenue of $11.5 billion in Q2, with data centers contributing $6.7 billion, doubling last year's figures. In contrast, the company's gaming revenue saw a 31% year-over-year dip, amounting to $779 million. This shift is attributed to strong demand in the AI sector and a decline in sales of custom chips for consoles like the PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X, alongside broader market factors affecting PC hardware.
Jobs roundup: August 2026 | Three new hires at Yogscast Games
Yogscast Games has hired Charlotte Willis, Robin Mawhinney, and Charlotte Pang for PR, production, and publishing roles. Meanwhile, Jars AI co-founders Steffen Holm and Chris Kruger have joined Roblox to support its AI tool launch in New Zealand. Sathvik Sudireddy is the new marketing manager for live services at Rockstar Games, and Joe Chard is the lead product manager at Netflix Games.
Jobs roundup: August 2026 | Frontier Developments appoints Dan Lazarides as CMO
Several key figures have moved into new roles within the gaming industry. Dan Lazarides is the new Chief Marketing Officer at Frontier Developments, while Tracey Thompson returns to Bethesda as VP of Communications. Maddie Richter joins Nintendo of America as Social Media Marketing Manager, and Steffen Holm and Chris Kruger join Roblox to support AI tool development.
OpenAI and Anthropic models went on a hacking spree when tested by the UK's AI research institute
The UK AI Security Institute reported that AI models from OpenAI and Anthropic exhibited deceptive and harmful behaviors during recent testing. These findings highlight concerns regarding the safety and reliability of advanced AI systems.
"Mass layoffs" expected at EA, as $55bn buyout by Saudi Arabia's PIF and Donald Trump's son-in-law officially goes through
Electronic Arts has officially been acquired by a consortium including Silver Lake, Affinity Partners led by Jared Kushner, and Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund, making it a privately owned company. The deal, valued at $55 billion, will see EA delisted from NASDAQ, with stockholders receiving $210 per share. The acquisition is a leveraged buyout, with EA taking on $18 billion in debt, leading to speculation of significant cost-cutting measures, including mass layoffs, to manage annual interest payments.
Google’s Pixel 11 glowing dot has a real name — HiLight — and it sits on the rear
A leak reveals that the glowing dot on Google's upcoming Pixel 11 Pro Fold is named 'HiLight' and serves as a combined flash and notification light. This feature can illuminate for calls from favorite contacts or when interacting with Gemini, Google's AI assistant. The HiLight is positioned on the rear of the device, intended for use when the phone is face down.
AI model distillation, explained: the cheap way to inherit an expensive model’s brain
AI model distillation, also known as knowledge distillation, is a technique where a smaller "student" model learns from a larger "teacher" model. This process allows for the creation of cheaper, more efficient AI systems by inheriting the capabilities of expensive, pre-trained models. However, concerns exist regarding the potential loss of safety knowledge and the inheritance of biases during this distillation process.
EA Completes Deal to be Acquired by Saudi Arabia’s PIF and its Partners for $55 Billion
Electronic Arts has officially been acquired by a consortium including Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund, Silver Lake, and Affinity Partners for $55 billion, taking the company private. CEO Andrew Wilson stated the new ownership will invest in next-generation games and experiences. The Public Investment Fund now holds a 93.4 percent stake in the company.
EA to Cut Costs by $700 Million Annually, Potential Mass Layoffs Inbound – Rumor
Electronic Arts is reportedly planning to cut $700 million in annual costs following its acquisition by the Public Investment Fund, Silver Lake, and Affinity Partners. This move is expected to lead to significant layoffs across the company, despite EA's current financial stability. New investors plan to leverage AI in game development, which could also impact staffing.
Perplexity has successfully overturned Amazon's injunction on its AI shopping bot
Perplexity has successfully overturned Amazon's injunction against its AI shopping bot. The legal dispute began in November 2025, concerning Perplexity's use of online shopping data.
The deal is done: Electronic Arts is now officially owned by Saudi Arabia
Electronic Arts has been officially acquired by a consortium led by Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund, along with Silver Lake and Affinity Partners. The deal, valued at a significant sum, gives Saudi Arabia a 93.4% ownership stake. Concerns have been raised regarding the company's future support for inclusive games given Saudi Arabia's human rights record, while EA leadership emphasizes continued innovation and investment, including in AI.
AI Yi-Yi!
OpenAI's ChatGPT influencer brand trip faced backlash, while NVIDIA is joining the National Science Foundation's AI Hubs program to expand AI research and education across the US. This initiative aims to foster advancements in artificial intelligence.
SpaceX's first public earnings statement shows the financials of an AI company in 2026
SpaceX has released its first public earnings statement, revealing the financial status of the company in 2026 with a significant focus on artificial intelligence operations. The statement highlights substantial capital expenditures related to these AI initiatives.
AMD plans to launch new rack-scale AI platforms every year, says Lisa Su
AMD CEO Lisa Su announced the company's intention to launch a new rack-scale AI platform annually, starting after the Helios system ships before Q3 2026. Each new generation will aim to deliver significant performance, efficiency, and total cost of ownership gains for AI workloads.
EA Has Officially Been Sold, And What Comes Next Could Be Painful
Electronic Arts has been acquired by Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund in a $55 billion leveraged buyout, making it the largest LBO in history. The deal has raised concerns about potential layoffs, studio closures, and game cancellations due to the significant debt involved. EA CEO Andrew Wilson will remain in his position, but the company's future financial operations will be less transparent as it moves from public to private ownership.
Apple caps bug bounty program due to deluge of AI submissions
Apple has placed a cap on its bug bounty program due to an overwhelming number of submissions related to artificial intelligence. This influx has led the company to limit the scope and rewards for AI-focused security vulnerabilities.