Google has launched enhanced AI-driven fraud detection for Pixel 9 devices in India, introducing features like on-device scam detection and screen-sharing alerts for financial apps. These measures aim to counteract the growing digital fraud epidemic in the region, which saw ₹70 billion in losses during the first five months of 2025. However, limitations include language barriers and restricted device compatibility, as only English-speaking users on Pixel phones can currently access the features. Google is also piloting a screen-sharing scam alert feature with apps like Paytm and Google Pay, and plans to extend the initiatives to other Android devices in the future. Yet, questions remain about the efficacy of these measures, given the persistence of malicious app availability on the Play Store despite review systems.
TechCrunch
ChatGPT Introduces Group Chats
OpenAI has globally rolled out group chat functionality in ChatGPT, enabling up to 20 users to collaborate in shared conversations. This feature allows participants to coordinate tasks such as trip planning or document drafting while interacting with the AI chatbot. OpenAI emphasized the privacy of personal settings within group chats and highlighted the AI's contextual engagement capabilities. This move signals OpenAI’s shift toward positioning ChatGPT as a collaborative platform rather than a solitary tool.
The Verge
TechCrunch
Four Indicted for Smuggling Nvidia Chips to China
U.S. authorities have charged four individuals with illegally exporting Nvidia GPUs and supercomputers containing advanced AI chips to China. This operation allegedly circumvented export controls designed to restrict the flow of high-performance chips used in AI development. Prosecutors claim the group utilized fake companies and falsified customs documents to smuggle hundreds of H200 and H100 GPUs. These chips, critical for AI advancements, could bolster Chinese efforts in military and surveillance technologies. Nvidia has reiterated its strict compliance protocols, while the incident highlights the challenges of enforcing export regulations amidst escalating global competition in AI.
Wired
The Verge
Google's Nano Banana Pro Enhances AI Image Generation
Google has launched Nano Banana Pro, an upgraded AI image generation model built on Gemini 3 Pro, featuring improved text rendering and multilingual support. The tool allows users to create complex visuals such as infographics, 4K resolution outputs, and localized image edits. Additionally, Google has implemented SynthID watermarks to identify AI-generated images, though concerns persist regarding the reliability of such detection systems, especially given known vulnerabilities to watermark removal techniques.
MacRumors
The Register
Microsoft Enables On-Device AI for PowerToys
Microsoft has updated its Advanced Paste tool in PowerToys for Windows 11, enabling on-device AI features through platforms like Foundry Local and Ollama. This update allows users to perform tasks such as text translation and summarization without relying on cloud services, enhancing privacy and reducing operational costs. The tool now also integrates with multiple online AI models, including Azure OpenAI and Mistral, marking a significant step in localizing AI-powered productivity tools.
The Verge
Science
AI Transforming Research Across Disciplines
A new report highlights the transformative potential of ChatGPT-5 in diverse fields like physics, cancer research, and mathematics. The AI demonstrated capabilities such as solving long-standing math problems, interpreting immune cell data, and accelerating nuclear fusion modeling. While it shows promise as a research assistant, experts caution that human oversight remains indispensable due to instances of errors and hallucinated references. The findings underscore the rapid evolution of AI in scientific discovery, though challenges in validation and reproducibility persist.
Scientific American
Origins of Theia, Moon’s Progenitor
A study published in Science has traced the origins of the planet Theia, which collided with Earth to form the Moon, to the inner solar system. The researchers analyzed isotopes in terrestrial and lunar samples, concluding that Theia likely had a composition similar to Earth’s. This discovery provides critical insights into early planetary formation and the unique conditions that shaped the Earth-Moon system, potentially contributing to the development of life on Earth.
Scientific American