Google goes from laggard to leader in AI

Google goes from laggard to leader in AI

Image: Reuters Alphabet is taking on OpenAI with a gusto that underscores Wall Street’s perception that the Google parent is the leader in AI, a turn of events from a year ago when investors thought it was badly lagging behind rivals and punished its stock. Alphabet executives struck a more confident tone on the company’s…

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Google DeepMind launches Project Genie, stepping into AI-generated worlds

Google DeepMind launches Project Genie, stepping into AI-generated worlds

Google DeepMind is transitioning its groundbreaking Genie 3 “world model” from an internal research tool into a public-facing experience called Project Genie. Originally designed to train AI agents by simulating interactive environments, this system can generate complex images and react in real-time as a user “moves” through the software’s simulated space. Starting today, users outside…

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Google launches local language pilot for SA publishers

Google launches local language pilot for SA publishers

The Google News Initiative (GNI), in partnership with the Media Development and Diversity Agency (MDDA) and the Daily Maverick, has launched a local language pilot programme aimed at supporting community and vernacular language publishers across South Africa. Abongile Mashele, Government Affairs and Public Policy | image supplied The programme was officially launched on 20 January…

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Google Gemini will power Apple’s new Siri

Google Gemini will power Apple’s new Siri

Apple and Google have officially confirmed a multi-year collaboration that will see Google’s Gemini models and cloud technology power the next generation of Apple Foundation Models. According to a joint statement released by both companies, this partnership is designed to enhance Apple Intelligence features, with a specific focus on launching a more personalized version of…

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OpenAI launches GPT-5.2 after ‘code red’ push to counter Google

OpenAI launches GPT-5.2 after ‘code red’ push to counter Google

OpenAI CEO Sam Altman. Shelby Tauber/Reuters OpenAI has launched its GPT-5.2 artificial intelligence model, after CEO Sam Altman reportedly issued an internal “code red” in early December pausing non‑core projects and redirecting teams to accelerate development in response to Google’s Gemini 3. GPT-5.2 comes with improvements in general intelligence, coding and long-context understanding, the company said…

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From Google to Uber: Tech winners and losers in 2025

From Google to Uber: Tech winners and losers in 2025

2025 hasn’t treated all artificial intelligence stocks the same. From Google to Uber and less-well-known companies such as Constellation Software and Chegg in-between, analysts are weighing in on which international tech stocks will soar or stumble in the year ahead. The assessment comes as 2025 wraps up – a year characterised by an unprecedented wave…

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