WAYR TODAY

Author: Editor Agent

  • Google Maps Enhances Navigation with AI-Powered ‘Ask Maps’ and ‘Immersive’ Features

    This article was generated by AI and cites original sources.

    Google has unveiled a significant update to Google Maps, introducing a conversational ‘Ask Maps’ feature powered by Gemini AI and enhancing the navigation experience with ‘Immersive Navigation.’ This update aims to provide users with a more informative and engaging experience while navigating.

    The new ‘Ask Maps’ feature allows users to ask complex, real-world questions in natural language, enabling queries like finding charging spots without long coffee lines or locating a well-lit public tennis court for evening play. This feature also assists in trip planning by recommending stops along the way based on user preferences and providing useful tips from real people.

    Personalizing responses based on user search history and saved locations, ‘Ask Maps’ tailors recommendations, such as suggesting vegan-friendly dining spots for specific group sizes and timings. The feature is currently rolling out in the U.S. and India on Android and iOS, with desktop availability expected soon.

    In addition to the conversational feature, the ‘Immersive Navigation’ update introduces a 3D visual representation of surroundings, highlighting nearby buildings, road details like lanes, crosswalks, traffic lights, and stop signs. These enhancements aim to offer drivers a more informative navigation experience.

    Source: TechCrunch

  • Maximizing Idle GPU Utilization: FriendliAI’s InferenceSense Platform

    This article was generated by AI and cites original sources.

    FriendliAI, led by Byung-Gon Chun, has introduced InferenceSense, a platform that aims to optimize the utilization of idle GPU clusters for AI inference tasks. The traditional approach of renting out spare GPU capacity often leaves cloud vendors with underutilized resources and engineers paying for raw compute without attached inference capabilities. In contrast, InferenceSense dynamically processes inference requests, increasing efficiency and revenue generation for operators.

    By leveraging continuous batching techniques, InferenceSense processes inference requests in real-time instead of waiting for fixed batches, improving throughput. The platform, designed for neocloud operators, allows them to monetize idle GPU cycles by filling them with paid AI inference workloads and earning a share of the token revenue. FriendliAI’s engine, built on Kubernetes, spins up isolated containers serving AI workloads on various models and ensures a seamless handoff when the operator’s scheduler reclaims the GPUs.

    Unlike spot GPU markets, InferenceSense differentiates itself by monetizing tokens rather than raw capacity, offering higher throughput and revenue potential. By processing more tokens per GPU-hour and providing custom GPU kernels, FriendliAI’s engine delivers increased efficiency compared to standard inference stacks. This innovation introduces a new economic incentive for neoclouds to keep token prices competitive.

    Source: VentureBeat

  • Microsoft’s Copilot Health Offers Seamless Health Data Management

    This article was generated by AI and cites original sources.

    Microsoft has introduced Copilot Health, a new feature within Copilot that provides a secure platform for users to access lab results, medical records, find healthcare providers, analyze wearable data, and engage in health-related conversations. The rollout will be phased, with interested users able to join a waitlist for access.

    Copilot Health is designed to enhance users’ understanding of their health data rather than replace professional medical advice. It allows users to import medical records from a vast network of US hospitals and healthcare organizations via HealthEx and lab test results using Function. Moreover, the feature is compatible with a wide range of wearable devices, such as Apple, Oura, and Fitbit, displaying data like step count and appointment reminders based on user preferences.

    Additionally, users can leverage Copilot Health to discover healthcare professionals through real-time US provider directories, filtering by specialty, location, language, and accepted insurance plans.

    Microsoft emphasizes the credibility and reliability of information within Copilot Health, citing partnerships with reputable health organizations worldwide. Answers provided are sourced and expertly curated, with links to references and contributions from entities like Harvard Health.

    The privacy and security of user data are paramount, with chats in Copilot Health isolated and safeguarded through stringent access controls. Microsoft assures users of stringent privacy measures to protect their data.

    Source: The Verge

  • Google Leverages AI and News Data to Enhance Flash Flood Prediction

    This article was generated by AI and cites original sources.

    Google has developed a novel approach to predicting flash floods by leveraging old news reports and artificial intelligence (AI). Flash floods, known for their unpredictability, have posed significant challenges for traditional forecasting methods. Google’s solution involves transforming qualitative news reports into quantitative data using Gemini, Google’s large language model (LLM).

    By analyzing 5 million news articles worldwide and extracting data on 2.6 million floods, Google created a geo-tagged time series called ‘Groundsource.’ This innovative methodology marks Google’s first application of language models for such weather-related tasks.

    Using the Groundsource dataset as a foundation, Google’s researchers developed a predictive model based on a Long Short-Term Memory (LSTM) neural network. This model integrates global weather forecasts to estimate the likelihood of flash floods in specific regions.

    The impact of Google’s flash flood prediction model is already evident, with urban areas in 150 countries benefiting from risk assessments on Google’s Flood Hub platform. Emergency response agencies worldwide are leveraging this data to enhance their flood response strategies.

    While the model has limitations, such as lower resolution and precision compared to existing systems, it represents a significant step forward in leveraging AI and data to improve flood prediction capabilities.

    Source: TechCrunch

  • Chinese Startup Gestala Raises $21M for Non-Invasive Ultrasound Brain Technology

    This article was generated by AI and cites original sources.

    Chinese startup Gestala, focused on non-invasive ultrasound-based brain-computer interface (BCI) technology, has successfully raised $21.6 million in funding just two months after its launch. This funding round, co-led by Guosheng Capital and Dalton Venture, marks a significant milestone for the Chinese BCI industry.

    Founder and CEO Phoenix Peng stated that the investment will support Gestala’s research and development efforts, team expansion, and the establishment of a manufacturing facility in China. The startup aims to grow its team from 15 to 35 employees by the end of the year and plans to unveil its first-generation prototype by year-end.

    Gestala’s focus on non-invasive ultrasound technology sets it apart in the BCI sector, offering potential advantages in terms of safety and accessibility compared to implanted electrode systems. By leveraging phased-array ultrasound, the technology can provide broader brain access and enable new ways to interact with neural activity.

    This influx of funding highlights the growing interest and investment in ultrasound BCI technology globally. While companies like Neuralink and Merge Labs are leading efforts in the U.S., Gestala’s emergence in China marks a significant step in advancing BCI capabilities.

    Source: TechCrunch

  • Google’s AI Agents Adapt and Cooperate Through Diverse Opponent Training

    This article was generated by AI and cites original sources.

    Google’s Paradigms of Intelligence team has discovered a novel approach to fostering cooperation among AI agents by training them against diverse and unpredictable opponents. Rather than relying on complex hardcoded coordination rules, the team found that training AI models through decentralized reinforcement learning against a mixed pool of opponents results in adaptive and cooperative multi-agent systems. This method enables agents to dynamically adapt their behavior in real-time based on interactions, offering a scalable and computationally efficient solution for deploying enterprise multi-agent systems without the need for specialized scaffolding.

    The traditional challenge in multi-agent systems lies in managing interactions among autonomous agents with competing goals. Google’s approach addresses this by utilizing decentralized MARL, where agents learn to interact with limited local data and observations. By avoiding mutual defection scenarios and suboptimal states, the AI agents can achieve stable and cooperative behaviors in shared environments.

    Developers using frameworks like LangGraph, CrewAI, or AutoGen can benefit from Google’s findings in creating advanced multi-agent systems that adapt and cooperate effectively. The research team introduced Predictive Policy Improvement (PPI) as a method to validate their approach, emphasizing that standard reinforcement learning algorithms can reproduce these cooperative dynamics.

    Through a decentralized training setup against a diverse pool of opponents, Google demonstrated that AI agents can deduce strategies and adapt dynamically in real-time. By focusing on in-context learning efficiency, developers can optimize agent behavior without requiring larger context windows, ensuring adaptive and cooperative interactions in multi-agent systems.

    The results from Google’s research suggest a shift in the developer’s role from crafting rigid interaction rules to providing architectural oversight for training environments. As AI applications evolve towards in-context behavioral adaptation, developers are expected to play a strategic role in ensuring agents learn to collaborate effectively in various scenarios.

    Source: VentureBeat

  • Meta Unveils Four New Chips to Enhance AI Capabilities

    This article was generated by AI and cites original sources.

    Meta has announced the development of four new computer chips aimed at bolstering generative AI features and content ranking systems within its applications. These chips, part of the MTIA series, mark Meta’s venture into producing its own AI hardware alongside its existing collaborations with industry leaders like Nvidia. The new semiconductors, crafted in partnership with Broadcom and based on the RISC-V architecture, are being manufactured by Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Corporation, a prominent player in the chip industry.

    The MTIA 300 chip, already in production, focuses on training algorithms used to rank and recommend content to millions of users across Meta’s platforms such as Facebook and Instagram. Additionally, Meta plans to roll out the MTIA 400, 450, and 500 chips between early and late 2027 to support inference tasks, which involve executing trained AI models to generate outputs like text and images. Meta’s vice president of engineering, YJ Song, emphasized the iterative approach taken in developing these chips to adapt rapidly to evolving AI workloads.

    Meta’s foray into designing its own hardware signifies a significant shift for the social media company, traditionally reliant on external suppliers for its computing infrastructure. This move underscores Meta’s commitment to enhancing its AI capabilities and highlights the growing importance of specialized hardware in powering advanced AI functionalities.

    Source: WIRED

  • Manufact Secures $6.3M to Advance AI Integration with Model Context Protocol

    This article was generated by AI and cites original sources.

    Manufact, a startup aiming to streamline AI integration, has secured $6.3 million in seed funding to further develop its Model Context Protocol (MCP). The MCP is a standard that enables seamless communication between AI agents and software tools, positioning Manufact as a key player in the growing AI ecosystem.

    Founded by Pietro Zullo and Luigi Pederzani, Manufact offers open-source tools like the mcp-use SDK to simplify the development and deployment of AI agents connected to MCP-compatible software. The company’s comprehensive approach spans from SDKs supporting large language models to cloud platforms facilitating quick server deployment. Additionally, Manufact’s venture into MCP apps expands its reach, allowing developers to embed interactive components within chat interfaces like ChatGPT.

    Despite facing competition from major cloud providers entering the MCP hosting space, Manufact remains focused on community-building and open-source contributions. The company’s strategy prioritizes user experience and accessibility for AI agents, aiming to prevent software products from becoming mere ‘systems of record’ in the AI-driven era.

    Source: VentureBeat

  • AI Fuels Surge in Billion-Dollar Startups in 2026

    This article was generated by AI and cites original sources.

    In 2026, the tech landscape has been transformed by advancements in artificial intelligence (AI), leading to the emergence of nearly 40 new startups valued at over $1 billion, as reported by TechCrunch. These companies, backed by venture capital, have reached unicorn status, leveraging AI technologies to drive innovation across various sectors.

    Among the notable additions to the unicorn club in February are:

    • Positron – A semiconductor startup specializing in AI, securing over $300 million in funding.
    • Skyryse – Developer of a semi-automated flight operating system, raising more than $540 million.
    • TRM Labs – A platform aiding crypto businesses in fraud prevention, with around $219 million in funding.
    • Midi Health – Offering a telemedicine platform focused on menopausal health, raising over $250 million.
    • Lunar Energy – Manufacturer of home energy storage batteries, with funding exceeding $230 million.

    These unicorns exemplify the diverse applications of AI, extending beyond traditional tech domains into healthcare, energy, and finance. The continuous influx of billion-dollar startups underscores the growing influence of AI in reshaping industries and driving economic growth.

    Source: TechCrunch

  • Microsoft Enhances PC Gaming Experience with ‘Xbox Mode’ on Windows 11

    This article was generated by AI and cites original sources.

    Microsoft is taking steps to bridge the gap between its Xbox gaming platform and Windows PCs. The company will soon roll out an ‘Xbox mode’ to all Windows 11 PCs, including laptops, desktops, and tablets, starting in April.

    The Xbox Full Screen Experience (FSE), which has been available in preview since November 2025 for users in the Windows Insider and Xbox Insider Programs, will be rebranded as ‘Xbox mode.’ Microsoft acknowledges the need for improvements, as initial feedback on the feature when it debuted on Xbox Ally devices was mixed, with critics noting it didn’t seamlessly transition the PC gaming experience to an Xbox-friendly interface.

    By emphasizing the PC as the future of Xbox gaming, Microsoft aims to refine the Xbox experience on diverse devices. The company continues to enhance the Xbox Ally, improving its reliability and performance. At the 2026 Game Developers Conference, Microsoft announced the opening of Advanced Shader Delivery to all Xbox store developers, facilitating faster game load times by providing precompiled shaders during game downloads.

    Moreover, Microsoft teases the possibility of bringing classic Xbox games to PC, promising new ways to access iconic titles as part of its 25th-anniversary celebrations later this year.

    Source: The Verge

  • Grammarly Disables ‘Expert Review’ Feature Amid Concerns Over Misrepresentation

    This article was generated by AI and cites original sources.

    Grammarly, a popular writing assistant tool, has announced the discontinuation of its ‘Expert Review’ AI feature following feedback from experts concerned about misrepresentation. The feature, which aimed to provide writing suggestions inspired by influential voices, drew criticism for allegedly cloning experts’ writing styles without permission.

    Superhuman CEO Shishir Mehrotra explained that the agent utilized publicly available information to generate suggestions based on the work of prominent writers. However, concerns arose when experts felt that their voices were misrepresented by the AI.

    In response to the feedback, Grammarly has decided to disable the ‘Expert Review’ feature temporarily. The company aims to reevaluate the feature to ensure it adds value to users while granting experts greater control over how their work is portrayed.

    By acknowledging the shortcomings of the AI tool, Grammarly emphasizes its commitment to improving products based on user input. The move aligns with the company’s vision to enhance the writing experience for millions of users while fostering meaningful interactions between experts and their audience.

    This decision reflects Grammarly’s dedication to ethical AI practices and respect for content creators’ intellectual property. As the company reimagines its approach, it envisions a future where experts can actively participate in shaping how their knowledge is utilized within the platform.

    Source: The Verge

  • Netflix Acquires Ben Affleck’s AI Startup, Signaling AI’s Growing Role in Content Production

    This article was generated by AI and cites original sources.

    Netflix has acquired InterPositive, an AI company co-founded by Ben Affleck, in a deal potentially valued at $600 million, according to Bloomberg. The acquisition aligns with Netflix’s strategy of incorporating AI into content creation, as seen in its use of generative AI in productions like the Argentinian series ‘The Eternaut.’

    InterPositive’s tools focus on enhancing filmmakers’ efficiency in post-production tasks such as addressing continuity issues and scene improvements. This acquisition reflects a broader industry trend towards AI integration, with competitors like Amazon and Disney also exploring AI applications in film and television projects.

    However, concerns have been raised within the film industry regarding potential job displacement and fair compensation for creators contributing to AI training data.

    Source: TechCrunch

  • India’s Fi Neobank Discontinues Banking Services: Navigating the Fintech Landscape

    This article was generated by AI and cites original sources.

    India’s neobank Fi, founded by former Google Pay executives, is discontinuing its banking services after over four years of operation. The fintech, in partnership with Federal Bank, will now direct customers to access their savings accounts through the bank’s mobile app as it phases out the Fi interface.

    Launched in 2019, Fi offered digital savings accounts and money management tools through its app, catering to a younger user base. With more than 3.5 million customers and over a billion transactions completed, the Bengaluru-based startup had attracted investments from Ribbit Capital, B Capital, Alpha Wave Global, and Sequoia Capital India, now known as Peak XV Partners.

    This move comes as a surprise to customers who received emails notifying them of the impending discontinuation of banking services on the Fi app. However, the company reassured users that their savings accounts with Federal Bank remain active and accessible through the bank’s mobile banking app, FedMobile.

    Federal Bank also informed customers about the partnership termination with Fi, attributing it to a ‘business re-alignment’ and instructing users to transition to the bank’s digital channels for account access.

    The neobanking space in India has seen competition from players like Jupiter, Open, and Slice. Having raised approximately $169 million through multiple funding rounds, Fi’s decision to wind down its banking services marks a significant transition in the Indian fintech landscape.

    Source: TechCrunch

  • Zendesk Acquires Forethought, Advancing AI-Powered Customer Service

    This article was generated by AI and cites original sources.

    Zendesk, a prominent customer service software provider, has acquired Forethought, a startup specializing in automating customer service interactions. The deal, set to be finalized by the end of March, highlights the evolving landscape of AI-powered customer service solutions.

    Forethought’s approach to AI agents, recognized by winning the 2018 TechCrunch Battlefield competition, positioned the company as an early player in the industry. Despite the current popularity of AI agents in customer service, Forethought’s success underscores its role in the field.

    With notable clients like Upwork, Grammarly, Airtable, and Datadog, Forethought had established itself as a key player in enhancing customer interactions, handling over a billion monthly interactions by 2025. The acquisition marks a significant milestone for Forethought, which had raised $115 million in funding from various investors.

    The acquisition reflects the broader trend of AI integration into various industries beyond customer service, showcasing the expanding applications of AI technology.

    Source: TechCrunch

  • inDrive Expands Grocery Delivery Services with Krave Mart Acquisition

    This article was generated by AI and cites original sources.

    Ride-hailing company inDrive has finalized its acquisition of Krave Mart, a quick-commerce startup based in Pakistan, to enhance its grocery delivery services in South Asia. This move marks inDrive’s strategic entry into the grocery delivery market, challenging established players like Foodpanda.

    inDrive, known for its bid-based pricing model, has successfully completed an all-stock deal with Krave Mart, a grocery delivery service operating in Karachi, Rawalpindi, and Lahore. Krave Mart differentiates itself by promising fast grocery deliveries within 30 minutes through a network of dark stores.

    The acquisition aligns with inDrive’s broader strategy to diversify its services beyond ride-hailing, particularly focusing on expanding its presence in the grocery delivery sector. By integrating Krave Mart’s operations, inDrive aims to strengthen its position in the market and provide fast and reliable grocery delivery services across Pakistan.

    Andries Smit, Chief Growth Businesses Officer at inDrive, emphasized the company’s commitment to enhancing grocery delivery accessibility, following the approval from the Competition Commission of Pakistan. The combined efforts of Krave Mart and inDrive are set to bring convenience to customers, with plans to launch inDrive.Groceries in Lahore while maintaining operations under both brand names in Karachi.

    Source: TechCrunch

  • Google Play Expands Gaming Offerings with New Features and PC Integration

    This article was generated by AI and cites original sources.

    Google Play has announced a series of updates aimed at enhancing the gaming experience for users. Unveiled at GDC 2026, Google’s latest additions to Google Play include the introduction of paid and PC indie games, game trials, ‘buy once, play anywhere’ pricing, wishlists, and community posts.

    These updates signify Google’s efforts to expand Google Play into a comprehensive gaming platform. Players can now sample games before purchasing, seamlessly transition between mobile and PC gameplay, synchronize progress, and engage with the gaming community, all within Google Play.

    Upcoming additions to the gaming library include titles like Moonlight Peaks, Sledding Game, 9 Kings, Potion Craft, and Low-Budget Repairs. These games will be accessible on both mobile and PC through Google Play Games, with progress synced across devices.

    To assist users in their purchasing decisions, Google is introducing game trials. Players can test games and seamlessly continue their progress upon purchase. Game trials will initially be available for select paid mobile games, with plans to expand to Google Play Games on PC in the future.

    Additionally, Google Play will offer ‘Buy once, play anywhere’ pricing for certain titles like the Reigns series, OTTTD, and Dungeon Crawler, granting users access to both mobile and PC versions of a game with a single purchase.

    For PC enthusiasts, Google is launching a dedicated PC section on the Play Store’s Games tab, catering to games optimized for Windows PCs. Users can also create wishlists for their favorite games and receive notifications for discounts.

    Furthermore, Google is introducing community posts within Google Play, enabling users to engage in discussions, ask questions, and share insights about games directly on the platform.

    Source: TechCrunch

  • Nuro Expands Autonomous Vehicle Testing to Tokyo, Aiming for Global Deployment

    This article was generated by AI and cites original sources.

    Nuro, a Silicon Valley startup known for its autonomous vehicle technology, has commenced testing its self-driving software on the streets of Tokyo, marking its first international expansion in the field of autonomous vehicles.

    The testing involves Toyota Prius vehicles equipped with Nuro’s self-driving software, accompanied by human safety operators as backups, navigating the unique challenges posed by Tokyo’s roads. These challenges include driving on the left side of the road, dense traffic, and differing road signs and lane markings compared to the US.

    As Nuro explores the complexities of Tokyo’s streets, the company has hinted at potential future expansions, emphasizing the broader benefits of global deployment. Founded in 2016, Nuro initially focused on low-speed, on-road delivery bots before transitioning to licensing its technology to industry players like automakers and mobility providers.

    Nuro’s approach to autonomy centers on an AI foundation model termed ‘zero-shot autonomous driving,’ enabling its software to continuously learn and adapt as it navigates real-world scenarios. This strategic shift reflects Nuro’s commitment to advancing autonomous driving capabilities in collaboration with global partners.

    Source: TechCrunch

  • Nvidia’s Nemotron 3 Super: Enhancing Enterprise AI Workflows

    This article was generated by AI and cites original sources.

    Nvidia has announced the Nemotron 3 Super, a 120-billion-parameter hybrid model designed to improve agentic reasoning workflows within enterprises. By combining state-space models, transformers, and a Latent mixture-of-experts design, Nemotron 3 Super offers specialized depth without the typical bloat of dense reasoning models. This innovation aims to address the challenge of handling long-horizon tasks efficiently, such as software engineering and cybersecurity triaging.

    The core of Nemotron 3 Super lies in its Triple hybrid architecture, featuring a Hybrid Mamba-Transformer backbone that balances memory efficiency and precision reasoning. Additionally, the model introduces Latent Mixture-of-Experts (LatentMoE) for expert compression, enabling consultations with more specialists at the same computational cost.

    Moreover, Nemotron 3 Super leverages Multi-Token Prediction (MTP) for accelerated structured generation tasks, predicting multiple future tokens simultaneously to enhance speed and efficiency.

    One of the key advantages of Nemotron 3 Super is its optimization for the Nvidia Blackwell GPU platform, delivering 4x faster inference compared to previous architectures without compromising accuracy.

    Released under the Nvidia Open Model License Agreement, Nemotron 3 Super offers commercial usability with specific provisions for enterprise users, emphasizing ownership of outputs and the ability to create derivative models with attribution.

    This model has already gained traction among industry leaders, with companies like CodeRabbit, Greptile, Siemens, and Palantir adopting it for various applications, from large-scale codebase analysis to automating workflows in manufacturing and cybersecurity.

    Source: VentureBeat

  • AltStore PAL Integrates with Fediverse, Enabling Federated App Marketplace

    This article was generated by AI and cites original sources.

    AltStore PAL, an alternative app store for iOS, has integrated with the fediverse, an open social web platform enabled by ActivityPub, as reported by TechCrunch. This integration allows iOS developers to share app updates and alerts across platforms like Mastodon, Threads, and other apps that support the fediverse.

    The fediverse is a network where users on independent servers can communicate across various social platforms. AltStore PAL has become the first federated app marketplace by launching its own Mastodon server. This provides developers with a unique channel to share news, updates, and alerts about their apps. These posts are federated, enabling interactions from users on platforms like Mastodon, Threads, and Bluesky.

    AltStore PAL’s co-founder, Riley Testut, explained that users with Mastodon or Bluesky accounts can now follow app updates directly from the Mastodon server, enhancing the discoverability of new releases. The platform aims to create a seamless experience where interactions on these posts reflect on the AltStore PAL app, allowing users to engage with app updates within the marketplace.

    Initial participants include apps like Loops, PeerTube, and iPhanpy, showcasing the diverse range of federated apps already involved in this approach.

    Source: TechCrunch

  • Grammarly Faces Class Action Lawsuit Over AI-Generated ‘Expert’ Content

    This article was generated by AI and cites original sources.

    Grammarly, the popular writing software company, is facing a class action lawsuit over an AI feature that generated editing suggestions attributed to established authors and academics without their consent.

    The ‘Expert Review’ feature falsely presented insights from notable figures like Stephen King and Neil deGrasse Tyson to Grammarly users. The lawsuit, filed by investigative journalist Julia Angwin, alleges that Grammarly profited by misusing the identities of numerous writers and editors.

    The lawsuit, seeking damages exceeding $5 million, was lodged in the Southern District of New York. Following public criticism, Grammarly disabled the contentious feature, acknowledging the need to better empower experts regarding their representation within the tool.

    Grammarly’s product management director, Ailian Gan, expressed regret over the misstep, emphasizing the intent to enhance user experience while respecting experts’ preferences. The incident underscores the complexities of utilizing AI in content creation and the importance of ethical considerations when leveraging prominent personalities’ identities.

    Source: WIRED