ChatGPT was 2025's most downloaded free app in the US iOS App Store, up from No. 4 in 2024, followed by Threads, Google, TikTok, WhatsApp, and Instagram (Sarah Perez/TechCrunch)

A man named Tunick was arrested for allegedly wiping the contents of his Google Pixel phone before a search by Customs and Border Protection (CBP) on January 24. A grand jury indicted him on November 13, with the arrest warrant issued the same day, indicating he intended to obstruct government authorities from seizing the device.

A coalition of state attorneys general has issued a warning to major tech companies, including Meta, Microsoft, Google, and Apple, regarding the potential legal implications of their chatbots producing what they describe as 'delusional outputs.' This letter emphasizes concerns that such outputs may violate state laws, highlighting the need for accountability in AI technologies.

Amin Vahdat has been promoted to chief technologist for AI infrastructure at Google, a newly established role that reports directly to CEO Sundar Pichai. This appointment underscores the company's strategic focus on enhancing its AI capabilities and infrastructure to meet increasing demand.

Google is testing AI-powered article overviews on select publications' Google News pages, including Der Spiegel, El País, and The Washington Post, as part of a pilot program that compensates participating publishers. This initiative aims to enhance user engagement and streamline content consumption on the platform.

State attorneys general have issued a warning to major AI companies, including Microsoft, OpenAI, and Google, demanding the implementation of new safeguards to prevent harmful psychological impacts from their AI outputs, which have been described as 'delusional.'

Spotify has announced the testing of a new feature called 'Prompted Playlists,' which allows users to write prompts for playlists that will generate unique song selections based on their previous listening behavior. This marks a significant shift in how users can interact with the platform's algorithm, providing them with more personalized music experiences.

Sarah Kunst, Managing Director of Cleo Capital, expressed concerns about Adobe's future growth prospects for its core subscription business following the launch of Google's Nana Banana Pro, which poses a competitive threat to Adobe's creative tools.

Google has appointed Amin Vahdat, who previously led the company's AI and infrastructure team, as the new chief technologist for AI infrastructure, according to an internal memo. This newly established role is part of Google's strategy to enhance its AI capabilities amid increasing competition in the tech industry.