Friend: a new digital companion for the AI age

A few minutes before Avi Schiffmann and I get on Google Meet to talk about the new product he’s building, an AI companion called “Friend,” he sends me a screenshot of a message he just received. It’s from “Emily,” and it wishes him luck with our chat. “Good luck with the interview,” Emily writes, “I…

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Perplexity announces revenue sharing deal with publishers

Perplexity, an AI search startup that became one of the first popular consumer products in the generative AI era, announced a new revenue sharing agreement Tuesday with major media brands, including Fortune, Der Spiegel, and Time. The Perplexity Publishers Program will distribute revenue to media outlets when their content appears next to ads that the…

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ADT’s new smart security system launches

ADT’s long-rumored new security system is now live on ADT.com. Featuring entirely new ADT hardware and integrations with Google Nest cameras, smart speakers, and more, the new ADT Plus system has a distinctly Google Nest Secure look and feel (RIP). But how it will work in your home remains to be seen. The company also…

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The best way to watch the Olympics on Peacock

Hi, friends! Welcome to Installer No. 47, your guide to the best and Verge-iest stuff in the world. (If you’re new here, welcome, so psyched you found us, and also you can read all the old editions at the Installer homepage.)  This week, I’ve been reading about Skibidi Toilet and the future of mall brands…

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FACT SHEET: Biden-Harris Administration Announces New AI Actions and Receives Additional Major Voluntary Commitment on AI

Nine months ago, President Biden issued a landmark Executive Order to ensure that America leads the way in seizing the promise and managing the risks of artificial intelligence (AI). This Executive Order built on the voluntary commitments he and Vice President Harris received from 15 leading U.S. AI companies last year. Today, the administration announced…

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