The Tech Transparency Project: Apple's App Store and Google's Play Store host dozens of apps for US-sanctioned companies; Google removed 17 and Apple removed 35 (Joseph Menn/Washington Post)

Google has launched open-source Gemini CLI extensions for its Data Cloud services, enhancing the functionality of applications and data analysis directly from local development environments. This initiative follows the introduction of the Gemini CLI, an AI agent designed to streamline data interactions across various Google services like Cloud SQL, AlloyDB, and BigQuery.

Starcloud, a startup backed by Nvidia, has successfully launched a satellite equipped with an Nvidia H100 chip, which is now operational and querying responses from Google's AI model, Gemma. This marks a significant milestone as it represents the first instance of training an AI model from space, showcasing the potential of orbital data centers in AI development.

ChatGPT has become the most downloaded app on the U.S. App Store in 2025, marking its first year at the top of this category. This achievement underscores the growing popularity and acceptance of AI-driven applications among users in the United States.

Google has launched managed MCP servers designed to make its services, including Maps and BigQuery, ready for AI agents. This initiative aims to streamline integrations and enhance the usability of AI tools within its ecosystem.

Developer Mark Russo discovered child sexual abuse material (CSAM) within an AI dataset and reported it to the appropriate organizations. Despite his actions, he faced a prolonged account ban from Google, raising concerns about the company's response to such serious findings.

A San Francisco-based startup, Quilter, has achieved a significant milestone by using artificial intelligence to design a fully functional Linux computer in just one week, a task that typically takes skilled engineers nearly three months. The AI-driven project, named Project Speedrun, resulted in a two-board computer system that successfully booted on its first attempt, requiring only 38.5 hours of human labor compared to the 428 hours estimated by professional designers.

Google has launched a new AI Plus subscription plan in India, priced at approximately $2.21 per month for the first six months and $4.44 thereafter, aiming to compete with OpenAI's ChatGPT Go. This initiative reflects Google's strategy to enhance its presence in the AI market by offering affordable options to users in India.

Google has announced new AI-driven security measures for its Chrome browser, aimed at preventing hacking attempts. This initiative includes a $20,000 bounty for researchers who can successfully breach the new security boundaries, highlighting the company's proactive approach to cybersecurity.