AI Tools

Several U.S. cities are adopting AI tools to modernize and accelerate the complex housing permitting process by handling tasks like scanning applications and flagging errors. Federal initiatives support these efforts through a new Innovation Fund providing $200 million annually, alongside grants from HUD up to $3 million for local deployment of automated systems.

Legend.org, an AI company, is developing tools to help teachers assess students' academic and soft skills through nontraditional grading systems. The AI evaluates student work like essays, presentations, and art using technical criteria and aligns with educational standards, while teachers retain final grading authority. The initiative involves 400 schools in the Mastery Transcript Consortium.

Evoken, the Chinese startup behind AI design agent Lovart, is considering a Hong Kong initial public offering as part of growing investor demand for AI tools following the success of Manus.

A US government official's mislabeled map of Africa at the Aids 2026 conference in Rio de Janeiro highlighted a symbolic failure to recognize the continent's 54 distinct nations. The error, attributed to over-reliance on AI tools, coincided with global HIV program budget cuts of 25% in 2025.

At least 70 House offices used identifiable AI tools in early 2026, with Democrats leading visible spending. Broader use of AI tools is likely undercounted.

A US government map of Africa was mislabeled at the global AIDS conference, with the State Department taking full responsibility and apologizing. The map appeared to have been created using AI tools.

AI is being integrated into healthcare settings like Memorial Healthcare, enhancing patient care by improving doctor-patient interactions, streamlining documentation, and aiding in disease screening. AI tools help physicians like Dr. Jennifer Goldman reduce administrative burdens and enable better communication between providers, while also detecting medical issues more accurately.

Entry-level job postings have decreased by 11% compared to last year, prompting new graduates to adopt targeted application strategies. Priya Rathod of Indeed advises leveraging AI tools, emphasizing specific impact from campus activities, internships, and community service, and considering small businesses as overlooked hiring opportunities.

Entry-level job postings have decreased by 11% compared to last year, according to Indeed. Priya Rathod, a workplace trends editor at Indeed, advises new graduates to target specific roles, use AI tools to tailor applications, and consider opportunities at small businesses. Networking and updated profiles are also emphasized as critical in the competitive job market.

Artificial Intelligence companies claim their tools can replace human labor, as illustrated by charts showing the impact. The article explores whether AI will assist or replace workers.

ChatPlayground offers a bundled AI tool service for $59.97 until July 19, combining features from Claude and ChatGPT. The service positions itself as a unified platform for multiple AI tools.

Capital Region organizations are collaborating with LSU students to develop custom AI tools. The students presented their solutions at an event held at Tiger Stadium's South Stadium Club, which included faculty and an audience requiring INSIDER sign-in.

Mackenzie McAllister graduated with a computer science degree from the University of Missouri but is now seeking data analytics roles after relying heavily on AI tools during her studies. She credits her decision to pivot to challenges with software engineering interviews and the integration of AI in education, which she felt weakened her coding skills.

Figma's product design VP, Noah Levin, expects candidates to use AI tools to create high-fidelity, interactive prototypes during interviews, emphasizing iterative design processes that include failed attempts. He stresses that designers must demonstrate technical experimentation and craftsmanship, not just rely on AI-generated outputs.

Citi's tech chief Tim Ryan emphasizes scaling AI adoption through peer training and balancing metrics with employee autonomy, avoiding granular tracking of AI usage to prevent stifling innovation. The bank prioritizes practical AI use over strict cost monitoring, with nearly 90% of employees utilizing AI tools.

The five largest US banks reported record profits of $49 billion driven by a trading frenzy linked to geopolitical uncertainty and technological upheaval, including SpaceX's recent IPO. JPMorgan's CEO Jamie Dimon described the current market conditions as near peak but uncertain in duration, while banks increased spending on AI tools despite warnings against costly models.

The Marines are exploring cloudless networks to maintain AI tool functionality during cloud outages. The initiative aims to ensure operational continuity without relying on traditional cloud services.

A report reveals that Boko Haram used ChatGPT and other AI tools to plan attacks and build bombs. The report, titled 'God has helped us, and so will AI: How the Terrorist Group Boko Haram Uses Frontier AI', is based on 57 interviews with 27 former Boko Haram members.

Hackers can exploit prompt injection vulnerabilities in 9 popular AI tools to create massive botnets. Large language models (LLMs) cannot distinguish between legitimate and malicious commands, allowing attackers to inject harmful instructions into emails or source code. Current 'push' attacks target individuals but are limited in scale due to the need to send injections directly to victims.

Jim Squires, chief marketing officer at Reddit, stated that AI tools can help marketers save time to focus on human judgment and decision-making. He emphasized the CMO role's shift from managing marketing outputs to driving business growth.

20 stocks in the S&P 500 experienced the largest declines in the first half of 2026 due to investor concerns about potential market share losses to AI tools.

The article discusses the future direction of AI, strategies to maximize the AI revolution, and essential tools recommended by an AI expert. It focuses on leveraging current AI advancements and identifying key technologies for immediate use.

Workday is facing a lawsuit alleging its AI tools discriminate against job applicants based on race, age, and disability, violating California and federal laws. A California judge rejected Workday's argument that these laws do not apply to non-California applicants. The case, a proposed class action, was filed in 2023 by Derek Mobley and others, including Jill Hughes, who claims discrimination under the ADA.

The Army Air Assault brigade found AI tools ineffective for tactical planning due to large language models' inability to understand three-dimensional space, as noted by Col. Ryan Bell.

Only 0.28% of nearly 16 lakh daily emergency calls in Telangana are genuine, with domestic disputes and community-related issues accounting for the largest share. The police plan to deploy AI tools to improve the emergency response system.

Investors continue to rely on professional advisers for their final investment decisions despite using AI tools, according to a HSBC survey.

A Gallup poll found that only 7% of US adults use AI tools for news, with 57% not using them at all. Younger adults under 50 are slightly more likely to use AI for news, but social media remains the top news source. A plurality of 39% expressed distrust in AI-produced information.

Jonathan Laramy created Chloe vs. History, an AI-powered YouTube and Instagram channel featuring a virtual character named Chloe who reimagines historical events. The channel uses AI tools to produce realistic content, with videos costing hundreds of pounds and weeks to create. Laramy shifted focus to long-form YouTube documentaries to improve revenue.

State Farm is terminating contracts with its 19,000 agents and reducing pay and benefits, while mandating the use of new AI tools. The changes follow the insurer's loss of its top auto insurer ranking to Progressive.

Cybercrime accounts for over 30% of all offenses in the Asia and South Pacific region, driven by digital infrastructure growth and organized criminal networks. Phishing, AI-enhanced scams, and deepfake technologies are key tactics, with scam centers in countries like Cambodia and the Philippines generating billions annually.

The article discusses the increasing sophistication and scale of cyberattacks, driven by AI-enhanced malware and a fourfold rise in daily attacks reported by Palo Alto Networks. Experts warn of vulnerabilities in internet security, with AI tools enabling faster and more complex hacking methods.

News consumers worldwide are increasingly using social media and video platforms as their primary news sources, surpassing traditional outlets for the first time, according to a Reuters Institute report. The study highlights that younger audiences and AI tools are driving this shift, which is transforming the global news industry and endangering traditional media business models.

The article discusses advancements in solid-state cooling technology to reduce air-conditioning emissions and Tim Cernak's work using AI and robots to design animal-specific drugs through conservation chemistry. Additional updates include Anthropic's model access restrictions, a UK social media ban for under-16s, and investigations into OpenAI.

Jeff Bezos-led AI startup Prometheus has raised $41 billion in a major fundraising round. The company is developing AI tools to streamline the creation of complex products such as jet engines and medical devices.

Visa stated that stablecoins are reshaping the back end of commerce and announced new AI tools, tokenization features, and a partnership with OpenAI. The company is expanding its efforts in AI and tokenization technologies.

Microsoft released its largest Patch Tuesday update on record, addressing vulnerabilities, including one currently under active attack. The company's security leadership noted that AI tools are accelerating vulnerability discovery in the industry.

Doctors and the NHS could face lawsuits for medical negligence if AI tools used in patient diagnosis and treatment make errors. The Medical Protection Society warns that current laws hold medical professionals and the health service liable for harm caused by AI mistakes.

Kenyan graduates are using AI tools and mobile apps to combine traditional agriculture with modern technology, creating livelihoods amid a lack of formal jobs. The initiative addresses employment challenges by integrating digital solutions into farming practices.

A poll by the Walton Family Foundation and Gallup reveals only 18% of K-12 teachers received formal guidance on AI use in classrooms, while 34% received none. Despite 60% of teachers using AI tools, nearly 70% lack specific training for tasks like tutoring.

Chompie, a top ethical hacker, warns that AI tools like Claude Mythos could make it harder for people in her field to compete. The article highlights concerns about AI advancements impacting job opportunities for ethical hackers.