Technology & Innovation

eBay bans illicit automated shopping rapid rise of AI agents

eBay has banned illicit automated shopping activity as AI-powered shopping agents become more common. The move comes as tools like OpenAI’s ChatGPT shopping features and Instant Checkout make it easier for software agents to browse recommendations and complete purchases.

Google adds your Gmail and Photos to AI Mode to enable "Personal Intelligence"

Google is updating Search’s AI Mode with “Personal Intelligence,” letting users optionally connect Gmail and Google Photos so responses can be tailored using personal context from those services.

UK agency ARIA funds early projects building “AI scientists” that can run lab experiments

The UK’s Advanced Research and Invention Agency (ARIA) has awarded extra funding to 12 teams building “AI scientists” that can design, run, and analyze lab experiments, after receiving 245 proposals. The small, short grants are meant to gauge how quickly automated scientific workflows are advancing and to inform future larger ARIA programs.

BioticsAI gains FDA clearance for AI-powered fetal ultrasound software

BioticsAI, the TechCrunch Disrupt Battlefield 2023 winner, said it received FDA clearance for AI software that helps detect fetal abnormalities in ultrasound images.

Mother of Elon Musk’s child sues xAI over Grok-generated sexually exploitative deepfakes

Ashley St Clair, mother of one of Elon Musk’s children, sued Musk’s AI company xAI alleging Grok enabled users to generate nonconsensual sexualised deepfake images of her. The suit comes as California Attorney General Rob Bonta sent xAI a cease-and-desist demand to stop creation and distribution of such imagery, growing international scrutiny of Grok.

Google appeals US antitrust ruling on online search monopoly

Google appealed a US district judge’s antitrust ruling that found it illegally held a monopoly in online search and asked to pause implementation of court-ordered remedies.

OpenAI plans to test ads inside ChatGPT for US users

OpenAI plans to start testing ads inside ChatGPT in the United States, showing clearly labeled ad boxes below answers for logged-in users on the free tier and the $8-a-month Go tier.

OpenAI begins testing banner ads in ChatGPT for some US users

OpenAI said it will begin testing labeled banner advertisements in the ChatGPT app for some US users of the free tier and the $8-per-month ChatGPT Go plan.

Japan probes X over Grok image generation and seeks immediate changes

Japan began probing X over Elon Musk’s Grok AI service and said it would consider legal measures to prevent the generation of inappropriate images.

Replit raises new funding round as AI coding tools competition intensifies

Replit is raising $400 million in a funding round that would value the company at about $9 billion, as investor interest grows in developer-focused AI tools.

Australia’s under-16 social media ban leads to 4.7 million accounts being revoked

Social media companies revoked access to about 4.7 million accounts identified as belonging to children in Australia under a law banning social media use for users under 16, officials said.

Infosys shares jump on higher fiscal 2026 revenue forecast and AI-led deal momentum

Infosys shares rose 5% after the company unexpectedly raised its fiscal 2026 revenue forecast, lifting India’s Nifty IT index.

Stay ahead with OwlBrief

A daily set of high-signal briefs — what happened, why it matters, what to watch next.

Newsletter

Get OwlBrief in your inbox

A fast, high-signal digest of the day’s most important events — plus the context that makes them make sense.

A handful of briefs — before your coffee gets cold.

No spam. Unsubscribe anytime. We don’t sell your email.