Google's Gemini AI tops 1 billion users; Meta advocates for open AI distribution

Google's Gemini AI has achieved a significant milestone, surpassing one billion monthly active users. CEO Sundar Pichai announced the rapid growth, noting that users employ the application for "sparking new ideas and getting tasks done." This achievement makes Gemini Google's 14th product to reach such a user base, joining stalwarts like Search, Gmail, Android, and YouTube.

The announcement came during the 'Made by Google' event in New York, where the company also unveiled new hardware, including the Pixel 11 smartphones and the Pixel Watch 5. Meanwhile, Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg published a manifesto titled 'The Future is for Everyone,' arguing against concentrated control of artificial intelligence. He advocates for broad distribution of superintelligence to empower individuals, implicitly criticizing approaches from rivals like OpenAI and Anthropic that favor stricter regulations.

In line with his advocacy, Meta also released Muse Glimmer, an open-source version of its powerful AI model capable of generating code, text, and images. This release mirrors the capabilities of its closed-source counterpart, Muse Spark. The tech landscape is also seeing the emergence of new consumer products and trends.

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sparking new ideas and getting tasks done.

Google is launching the Pixel Tag, a stainless steel object locator designed for items like keys and wallets. It uses the Find Hub network, boasts a one-year battery life, and is priced at $29 individually or $99 for a four-pack, available November 11. The locator is IP67 water and dust resistant and features Ultra-Wideband technology for precise searching. Uniquely, it can also make an Android phone ring if misplaced, functioning in reverse to Apple's AirTag.

Additionally, 'live shopping,' a blend of e-commerce and entertainment, is rapidly expanding. Sellers offer products during live streams where viewers can interact and make instant purchases. While dominant in Asia, platforms like WhatNot and Tilt are driving its growth in the West. Consulting firm Ark Invest projects the live shopping market to reach $3 trillion by 2030.

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The Future is for Everyone