š Apple Tests Gemini Search, AI Alters Podcast Language, MIT AI Predicts Flu, Meta Lab Faces Turmoil, Court Lets Google Keep Chrome
Siri Phones a Friend, Everyone Says āDelveā Now, Robot Doctors Pick Shots, Zuckās Lab, Zuckās Drama, Sorry Sam, No Chrome
Welcome to this weekās edition of AImpulse, a five point summary of the most significant advancements in the world of Artificial Intelligence.
Hereās the pulse on this weekās top stories:
1. Apple + Google: Testing Gemini-Powered Siri Search
Bloomberg reports Apple has struck a deal with Google to test a Gemini model inside Siriās next-gen search tools ā part of an internal project called World Knowledge Answers. The goal: turn Siri into a true answer engine that blends text, images, videos, and local info.
Key details:
Googleās Gemini will run on Appleās private cloud, with more favorable economics than Anthropicās reported $1.5B/year deal.
Apple shelved talks to acquire Perplexity, opting to build competing search in-house.
The company continues to suffer a brain drain, with robotics lead Jian Zhang leaving for Meta and others to OAI/Anthropic.
Why it matters: Apple partnering with a rival is striking, but with Siriās major AI upgrade delayed to spring 2026, it may be the only way forward. Given the exodus of talent, any big promises now are a classic case of: see it to believe it.
2. FSU Study: ChatGPT Changed Podcast Language
Florida State researchers found that AI buzzwords are creeping into podcasts at scale since ChatGPTās late-2022 release. They call it a linguistic āseep-in effect.ā
What they found:
Analyzed 22.1M words from unscripted podcasts.
75% of AI-associated words (like āboast,ā āmeticulous,ā ādelveā) spiked post-ChatGPT.
Patterns match a German study showing the same linguistic drift on YouTube.
Science & tech podcasts ā where hosts likely use ChatGPT ā are the earliest adopters.
Why it matters: It only took a few years for AI to start rewiring how humans talk. Today, itās podcast vocab. Tomorrow, itās web design patterns, codebases, and who knows what else.
3. MITās VaxSeer Predicts Flu Strains
MIT researchers built VaxSeer, an AI system that can predict which flu strains will dominate ā and which vaccines will work best ā months ahead of health agencies.
The science:
Trained on decades of viral sequence + lab data.
Outperformed WHOās flu vaccine picks in 15 of 20 past seasons.
Correctly spotted a winning 2016 vaccine formula a year before officials did.
Predictions lined up with real-world patient outcomes.
Why it matters: Flu vaccines are often a guessing game ā and misses mean weaker protection. If VaxSeer works in practice, it could dramatically reduce flu cases by giving scientists a head start on the right strain.
4. Metaās Superintelligence Labs Already in Chaos
Metaās new Superintelligence Labs (MSL) is off to a rocky start, with early departures and internal clashes ā despite the billions being poured in.
Inside the drama:
Researcher Shengjia Zhao nearly quit days after joining, before being named chief scientist.
Meta staff reportedly view Scale AIās data as subpar, despite the $14.3B stake in Wangās company.
Several new hires either left quickly or never started, with some already back at OpenAI.
Why it matters: The summer was all about Metaās flashy AI poaching spree. But building a cohesive team is harder than buying one ā and even Zuckās billions canāt buy away execution challenges.
5. Judge: Google Keeps Chrome & Android
In a major antitrust ruling, Judge Amit Mehta decided Google will not be forced to sell Chrome or Android ā but must loosen exclusivity deals and share more data with rivals.
The ruling highlights:
The rise of GenAI changed the case, with ChatGPT et al now seen as competition for search.
DOJās push for a breakup was called an āoverreach.ā
Google can keep paying Apple $20B/year for default placement ā but not via exclusives.
Both Sam Altman and Perplexity had expressed interest in buying Chrome if it went to market.
Why it matters: The vultures (OpenAI, Perplexity) donāt get Chrome after all. Ironically, the threat from GenAI rivals is what helped Google keep its core products intact. With clarity secured, expect Google to double down on Gemini-powered search + browser experiments.