Gemini Sets the Pace—The Rest Are Trying to Follow

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If you thought AI was everywhere before, wait till you see what Google just unleashed.

Gemini crashed the stage at Google I/O with chart-topping models, video magic that’s 10x better than before, and a new “AI Mode” for Search that pretty much dares you to ask harder questions. Whether you’re shopping, creating, or just trying to keep up, Gemini’s running the show on Search, in your apps, and—yes—even on your face.

But Google wasn’t the only one shaking up the AI world this week. Microsoft’s got its own agent squad turning office chaos into clockwork, OpenAI just promoted Codex from intern to full-blown coder, and Perplexity made shopping as easy as sending a chat.

Bottom line: If your to-do list still looks the same by next week, you haven’t met these new AI updates.

In This Issue:

• 💥 Big News: Gemini steals the show, smashing AI records while Copilot, Codex, and chat-powered shopping keep the industry racing to catch up.

• ⚡ Rapid Recaps: Notebooks in your pocket, avatars that really talk, translation headphones, and an AI playground in Paris?

• ✨ Weekly Spotlight: Cloud, government, and generative AI collide at AWS Summit DC

• 🔥 Hot Tools: 8 new launches—from command-based shopping to automated video and backlink magic

• 🛠️ Deep Dives: Smarter spreadsheets, lightning-fast video edits, and AI agents hustling for your small business

💥 Big News

Gemini Takes the Spotlight—Google’s AI Is Everywhere (And Then Some)

Google dropped a Gemini-powered AI wave at I/O that touches everything: search, productivity, creativity, and even hardware. Gemini 2.5 Pro and Flash now top the global LLM charts, and Veo 3 brings video and audio generation that’s 10x better than before. From real-time translation and 3D video chat to creative tools and agent-powered shopping, Google’s making AI personal—and nearly impossible to ignore.

For example, Gemini’s new “AI Mode” in Search can handle complex, multi-step questions, schedule appointments, and even buy tickets for you. Creators and developers get upgraded coding copilots, next-gen text-to-speech, native audio, and best-in-class image and video models. And with Project Astra, XR glasses, and Gemini Beam, AI is crossing into the real world—in real time.

Gemini Takeover

• Gemini 2.5 Pro & Flash now #1 and #2 on global LLM benchmarks

• Veo 3: new video generation model, 10x faster & better

• AI Mode in Search answers complex, multi-part questions

• Agent Mode: AI that researches, shops, schedules, and acts for you

• Imagen 4: stunning images with creative controls

• Real-time translation in Google Meet, 3D video chat with Beam

• XR glasses and Project Astra: universal assistant anywhere

• Native audio, advanced text-to-speech, and creative music tools

• Watermarking with SynthID for safer, more ethical AI content

• Gemini now processes 480 trillion tokens a month

• 400M+ active Gemini users, 7M+ developers building on Gemini API

Want to see it all in action? Click one of the timestamps above and dive in.

Microsoft’s AI Agents Clock In

Microsoft is shaking up the workplace with its new AI agents, revealed at Build 2025. These agents can work in teams, leveraging multi-agent orchestration to cut task times significantly.

For instance, using the new agents, Wells Fargo has slashed information search times from 10 minutes to just 30 seconds. This update, part of Microsoft 365 Copilot, includes robust security measures, promising to enhance efficiency across industries while maintaining data protection.

AI Agents at Work

• Multi-agent orchestration boosts efficiency

• Specific training using internal data

• Enhanced security with Microsoft Entra Agent ID

Codex Is the Dev You Wish You Hired Sooner

OpenAI has officially launched Codex, a coding assistant integrated into ChatGPT. This AI agent can write and debug code, propose pull requests, and handle tasks simultaneously.

Acting as an around-the-clock junior developer, Codex is set to transform software engineering by streamlining workflows and increasing productivity.

Codex as a Developer

• Automates coding tasks efficiently

• Integrated into ChatGPT for seamless use

• Enhances productivity in software development

Perplexity Just Made “Add to Cart” Feel Ancient

Perplexity has partnered with PayPal to enable users to shop directly through its AI chat platform. This integration allows seamless purchasing of flights, products, & tickets without leaving the interface.

With secure payment systems and one-click purchases, Perplexity positions itself ahead of competitors, offering a streamlined shopping experience.

Shopping with Perplexity

• Direct purchases via AI chat

• Secure, password-free transactions

• Competitive edge in AI shopping

⚡ Rapid Recaps

📓 Google NotebookLM Goes Mobile

Google launches NotebookLM as a mobile app, evolving from its desktop origins. The app integrates with Google Drive, offering source-backed summaries & AI-generated audio overviews.

🎥 HeyGen’s Avatar IV Literally Talks Your Ear Off

HeyGen's Avatar IV enables users to create lifelike talking videos from static images, offering a simple tool for dynamic content creation with practical tips for best results.

🎧 These Headphones Speak Fluent Chaos

University of Washington debuts Spatial Speech Translation headphones. These devices translate multiple speakers in noisy environments, enhancing real-time communication.

📊 NVIDIA’s Building a Parisian AI Playground

NVIDIA is embarking on a massive project to build Europe’s largest AI campus in Paris. This facility aims to foster innovation & collaboration in AI development.

📚 Mark Cuban’s Giving Away AI Bootcamps

The Mark Cuban Foundation has expanded access to free AI bootcamps across the US, providing high school students with skills in AI development, fostering the next generation of tech leaders.

💫 Check out all of the 187 AI products, features, & news Big Tech released this week.

✨ Weekly Spotlight

Explore Cloud Innovation & AI at AWS Summit DC

Join the AWS Summit in Washington, DC, to discover how cloud computing & generative AI are transforming public sector services. With 340+ sessions and hands-on workshops, you’ll learn from AWS experts how to modernize infrastructure, accelerate innovation, & build secure AI applications tailored for government, education, healthcare, and more.

• Attend keynotes & deep-dive sessions on AI, compute, & storage

• Connect with peers across federal, state, local, & nonprofit sectors

• Access Expo exhibits showcasing the latest cloud tech & tools

• Gain personalized support from AWS experts to scale your projects

🔥 Hot Tools

8 Top & Trending AI Tool Releases This Week

• Pantera Deals: Deals surfaced from commands, not keywords**

• Wan: Create stunning videos and images**

• Backlink Management: Automates outreach, monitors links, boosts organic traffic**

• BnbIcons: Create Airbnb-style isometric icons

• Distro: Automates digital content distribution across platforms

• eSelf AI: Enhances engagement with AI-driven video chatbots

• BLACKBOX.AI: Generates code and optimizes existing code bases

• Overlap: Automate your video production from script to edit

**Featured

🚀 Login to Futurepedia to see your 5 personalized tool recommendations.

🛠️ Deep Dives

1. Zoho Sheet: AI-Powered Spreadsheet Collaboration

Why It’s Worth Your Time

• Automate data tasks and analyze with AI assistance

• Zia AI assistant creates charts, pivot tables, and answers queries

• Convert images to data with AI-powered OCR for quick edits

• Fill patterns automatically without complex formulas

• ChatGPT integration generates formulas, codes, and explanations

• Real-time collaboration with change tracking & version control

Pricing

• Free: Use Zoho Sheet with robust features at no cost.

2. Gling: AI Video Editing For YouTubers

Why It’s Worth Your Time

• Cut editing time by removing silences & filler words automatically

• Sync scripts with footage to trim videos via a text-based interface

• Clean audio by removing background noise like wind and traffic

• Auto-framing keeps subjects centered in dynamic talking head shots

• Generate optimized titles to boost video visibility on YouTube

Pricing

• Free: limited AI features with up to 1 hour of media processing

• Plus: $20 per month for unlimited AI and 10 hours of media processing

• Pro: $40 per month for unlimited AI and 300 hours of media processing

3. enso: AI Agents For Small Business Growth

Why It’s Worth Your Time

• Automate repetitive tasks and focus on strategic growth

• User-friendly setup with a 1-minute, no-code onboarding

• Automatically generate & schedule social media posts, videos, and stories

• Find leads & engage prospects with personalized email pitches

• Create SEO-optimized content to boost search engine rankings

• Supports 100+ industries for scalable automation

Pricing

• Free Trial: 14-day free trial with no credit card required

• Paid Plan: Unlimited usage of AI Agents for $49 per month