🎉 Google Unveils Agent Payments, AI Usage Patterns, Hassabis Urges Lifelong Learning, Oracle Surges on AI Contracts, Reve Launches New Image Tools
AI Goes Shopping, Claude Codes, ChatGPT Chats, School Never Ends, Ellison Levels Up, Reve Gets a Glow-Up
Welcome to this week’s edition of AImpulse, a five point summary of the most significant advancements in the world of Artificial Intelligence.
Here’s the pulse on this week’s top stories:
1. Google Launches Agent Payments Protocol
Google has introduced the Agent Payments Protocol (AP2) — an open framework that lets AI agents make purchases securely on behalf of users, with support from over 60 major companies.
How it works:
AI agents issue digital contracts called “mandates” to confirm user authorization.
Purchases require dual approval: an Intent Mandate for search + a Cart Mandate for payment.
Supports cards, bank transfers, and stablecoins via Coinbase and other partners.
Backers include AmEx, Mastercard, PayPal, Salesforce, and Intuit, with specs published on GitHub.
Why it matters: AI agents are about to become autonomous shoppers. AP2 provides the guardrails to make sure transactions are secure and accountable — and with big banks + fintech already on board, adoption looks inevitable.
Further reading: https://cloud.google.com/blog/products/ai-machine-learning/announcing-agents-to-payments-ap2-protocol
2. OpenAI + Anthropic Release Usage Data
Both OpenAI and Anthropic just shared fresh insights into how people are actually using AI, showing clear demographic divides and shifting behaviors.
The trends:
Claude = coding focus, ChatGPT = writing + decision support.
Personal use of ChatGPT grew from 53% in mid-2024 → 73% in 2025.
Growth in low + middle-income countries is 4x faster for ChatGPT than Claude.
Users increasingly rely on AI for search + info-seeking, not just output generation.
Why it matters: AI isn’t just reshaping work — it’s reshaping everyday life. The surge in personal use shows these tools are becoming companions, not just coworkers, while adoption patterns reveal a widening gap between regions and demographics.
Further reading: https://www.anthropic.com/research/anthropic-economic-index-september-2025-report
3. Demis Hassabis: “Learn to Learn”
Speaking in Athens, DeepMind CEO Demis Hassabis said the most important skill in an AI-driven world is learning how to learn — a meta-skill needed to survive constant change.
Key takeaways:
Pace of AI change = “huge disruption is certain.”
AGI could be here in a decade, creating “radical abundance.”
Careers will require continuous learning, not just periodic upskilling.
Meta-skills matter: how quickly you can adapt may trump what you already know.
Why it matters: The days of mastering one skill for a decade-long career are gone. In the AI era, success will depend on adaptability, curiosity, and lifelong learning.
Further reading: https://apnews.com/article/greece-google-artificial-intelligence-hassabis-85bff114c30cbea4b951ab93dcc1e6d1
4. Oracle Stock Soars on AI Deals
Oracle’s stock jumped 40% in a single day after announcing $455B in future AI infrastructure contracts — including a massive $300B deal with OpenAI. The surge made Larry Ellison the world’s richest person, passing Elon Musk.
The numbers:
Four multibillion-dollar AI infrastructure contracts secured this quarter.
OpenAI alone committed to $60B annually starting in 2027.
Oracle cloud revenue projected to grow from $18B → $144B in five years.
Why it matters: First Nvidia, now Oracle. The AI boom is minting new trillion-dollar players in picks-and-shovels infrastructure. And Ellison’s ascent shows just how much money is flowing into compute.
Further reading: https://www.reuters.com/business/oracle-soars-ai-cloud-gains-ellison-closes-musk-worlds-richest-2025-09-10/
5. Reve Revamps AI Image Platform
AI startup Reve unveiled a completely new image platform combining generation, editing, and drag-and-drop controls into one free interface.
The new features:
Uses a “layout representation” system for precise edits without breaking originals.
Drag-and-drop editing for granular changes to objects + scenes.
Chat box for create, blend, and edit commands, with web search built-in.
API (beta) lets devs embed Reve’s tools into external apps.
Why it matters: After Google’s Nano-Banana and ByteDance’s Seedream 4.0, Reve is the latest to push the next frontier: advanced editing. AI can already generate beautiful images — now it can give creators control over every detail.
Take a look: https://venturebeat.com/ai/the-new-best-ai-image-generation-model-is-here-say-hello-to-reve-image-1-0