AI Everywhere: Google Finance Gets Smarter, Microsoft Lens Says Goodbye, and Brain Rot Videos Take Over
Today in AI, we’re seeing the technology continue its march into every corner of our digital lives. From helping us manage our finances to creating bizarre videos, AI’s influence is undeniable. We’re also witnessing how AI can replace existing tools, sometimes with bittersweet results.
First up, Google is testing a revamped Google Finance with significant AI upgrades. Users can now leverage AI to research financial questions, access more advanced charting tools, and get real-time data and news. This move signals Google’s commitment to integrating AI into its core products, aiming to provide users with more intuitive and insightful financial information. It will be interesting to see how well the AI can handle complex queries and whether it can truly offer an edge in understanding market trends.
On a different note, Microsoft is sunsetting Microsoft Lens, a handy mobile scanning app with over 90 million downloads. Lens is being replaced by more comprehensive AI-powered features integrated into other Microsoft products. While this likely means more powerful scanning capabilities overall, there’s a certain nostalgia for simple, single-purpose apps that do one thing well. It highlights the ongoing trend of AI consolidation, where specialized apps are absorbed into larger ecosystems.
Finally, OpenArt, an AI startup founded by former Googlers, now lets users create “brain rot” videos with just one click. These AI-generated clips, featuring bizarre characters and nonsensical scenarios, are gaining traction among younger users. While the term “brain rot” might sound negative, it underscores AI’s ability to generate highly engaging, albeit unconventional, content. This development raises questions about the impact of AI on culture and entertainment, and whether this technology will further shorten our attention spans.
Today’s news paints a multifaceted picture of AI: a powerful tool being integrated into essential services, a force that disrupts existing app ecosystems, and a generator of novel, sometimes bewildering, forms of entertainment. As AI continues to evolve, we can expect even more surprising and impactful applications to emerge.