News – General

California is positioning 2026 as a major year for AI leadership, with a mix of new laws, regulatory efforts, workforce initiatives, and policy debates shaping how the state navigates the technology’s benefits and risks. The Transparency in Frontier AI Act (SB 53) — which took effect January 1 — requires major AI developers to ....

Apple and Google have entered a multi-year agreement for Google’s Gemini AI models to power a revamped version of Apple’s Siri and future Apple Intelligence features later in 2026, marking a major expansion of their existing collaboration and a strategic boost for Google in the AI race with OpenAI. Apple chose Gemini after evaluating ....

The article reports that advances in generative AI now allow systems to design novel proteins and DNA sequences with growing speed and accuracy, raising urgent biosecurity concerns among scientists. While these tools promise major benefits for medicine, materials science, and disease research, experts warn they could also lower barriers to creating harmful biological agents ....

The article argues that a people-first strategy is becoming a major driver of financial growth heading into 2026, especially as companies navigate economic uncertainty and rapid technological change. It suggests that organizations investing in employee well-being, purpose, and long-term development are seeing stronger performance, higher retention, and greater resilience than those focused solely on ....

The article explains that rather than disappearing entirely, entry-level roles are being redefined by AI and the workers who embrace it. Some employers, like the CEO of an AI legal services startup, say they’re now seeking fresh college grads with an “AI-first mindset,” because those employees can automate tasks and produce output far beyond ....

The piece highlights how Wheel the World, a travel startup focused on accessibility, is using conversational AI to make travel planning easier for people with disabilities and other accessibility needs. The company — known for helping users find and book accessible hotels, tours, and experiences worldwide — is developing an AI chatbot that delivers ....

AI is reshaping travel marketing by enabling brands to respond faster and smarter to evolving traveler behavior, especially shorter booking windows and shifting search patterns. Marketers are increasingly using AI to analyze performance data, spot real-time patterns, personalize messages, automate content creation, and optimize bids across channels to improve ROI and relevance. AI tools ....

The article explains that while leaders approach AI from very different perspectives, ranging from innovation and growth to risk management and ethics, they all share a common responsibility to act decisively. It argues that avoiding AI or delegating it entirely to technical teams is no longer viable, because AI now affects strategy, culture, and ....

United Airlines is rolling out new AI powered features in its mobile app to make navigating airports easier and reduce stress during travel. The updates include personalized, step by step directions through airports, real time guidance to gates, lounges, and baggage claim, and proactive alerts that adjust if conditions change, such as delays or ....

Zoom has released AI Companion 3.0, the latest version of its AI assistant designed to help users go from conversation to completion by turning meeting discussions, chats, and documents into actionable summaries, follow-up tasks, drafts, and insights. The update introduces a browser-based interface and agentic workflows that automate multi-step work like task creation, document ....