Google teams up with Walmart and other retailers to enable shopping within Gemini AI chatbot

NEW YORK (AP) — Google is expanding the shopping features in its AI chatbot by teaming up with Walmart, Shopify, Wayfair and other big retailers to turn the Gemini app into a virtual merchant as well as an assistant. An instant checkout function will allow customers to make purchases from some businesses and through a range of payment providers without leaving the Gemini chat they used to find products, according to Walmart and Google. The news was announced Sunday on the first day of the National Retail Federation’s annual convention in New York. The role of artificial intelligence in e-commerce and its impact on consumer behavior are expected to dominate the three-day event.

As protests rage, Iran pulls the plug on contact with the world

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) — Iran has disconnected its internet and phone lines to cut off its 85 million people from the rest of the world. Thursday night's action sharply limits the sharing of images and accounts of the growing protests over Iran's struggling economy. The shutdown follows a pattern seen in past demonstrations. The disruption appears to affect even Starlink, which has been used to share protest information. Iran has been disrupting GPS signals, which Starlink receivers use to position themselves to connect to low-orbit satellites. As the country effectively goes dark, loved ones in Iran's diaspora are frantic for any scrap of news.

VR headsets are 'hope machines' inside California prisons, offering escape and practical experience

CHOWCHILLA, Calif. (AP) — Prisoners are now taking regular trips to far-flung, exotic locales such as Thailand. No passport required, just a virtual reality headset. A Los Angeles-based nonprofit is bringing the technology to California lockups with the goal of providing inmates a brief escape and, more importantly, exposure to real world scenarios that will prepare them to reenter society. During a weeklong program last month, incarcerated men at Valley State Prison near Fresno strapped on VR goggles. Some saw the sights on the other side of the globe, including Bangkok, while others experienced more practical scenes, such as job interviews.

Lyft and Uber drivers protest Waymo robotaxis as California considers further regulations

SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — Lyft and Uber drivers protested Waymo’s self-driving taxis in San Francisco. They urged state regulators to increase oversight of autonomous vehicles after incidents where the cars killed pets and blocked traffic. Around two dozen drivers and supporters gathered Friday outside the California Public Utilities Commission offices. They called for safer streets and greater accountability. Joseph Augusto, a driver for both Uber and Lyft, expressed concerns about unfair treatment compared to autonomous vehicle companies. The California Gig Workers Union wants the vehicles removed until safety issues are addressed. Waymo says it strives to be the world’s most trusted driver. The utilities commission says it has no comment.

Musk's Grok chatbot restricts image generation after global backlash to sexualized deepfakes

LONDON (AP) — Elon Musk's AI chatbot Grok is now restricting image generation and editing to paying users. This change follows global backlash over the creation of sexualized deepfakes, including images of women in explicit positions. Some images reportedly depicted children. Governments worldwide have condemned the platform and launched investigations. On Friday, Grok began limiting these features to subscribers with blue checkmarks on X, Musk's social media platform. Critics, including British officials, argue the changes are insufficient. The European Union has ordered X to retain documents related to Grok as part of a wider investigation. Other countries are also calling for inquiries.

From climbing vacuums to cyber pets: Some highlights of CES 2026

LAS VEGAS (AP) — CES 2026 showcased futuristic tech, from paper-thin screens to AI-driven gadgets. Meanwhile, robots were everywhere on the show floor, assisting and entertaining. Highlights of the annual tech trade show in Las Vegas included Lego introducing Smart Play, a blend of connected bricks with Star Wars themes. Clicks Technology also revived the digital phone keyboard with a magnetic QWERTY mode, while LG unveiled a TV as thin as paper. Roborock presented a vacuum that climbs stairs and Razer demoed AI-powered headphones similar to smart glasses. Strutt introduced a self-driving mobility chair and Uber revealed a premium robotaxi.

Supreme Court will take up Cisco's bid to shut down lawsuit by Falun Gong

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Supreme Court has agreed to take up an appeal from tech giant Cisco seeking to shut down a lawsuit claiming that the company’s technology was used to persecute members of the Falun Gong spiritual movement in China. The justices said Friday they will review an appellate ruling that would allow the lawsuit against Cisco to go forward in U.S. courts. Arguments will take place in the spring. The court acted after the Trump administration weighed in on Cisco’s behalf to urge the justices to hear the case. An Associated Press investigation last year showed that Cisco and other American tech companies to a large degree designed and built China’s surveillance state, despite warnings the tools were being used to persecute religious groups.

Elon Musk's xAI to build $20 billion data center in Mississippi

JACKSON, Miss. (AP) — Elon Musk's AI company, xAI, plans to spend $20 billion on a data center in Southaven, Mississippi. Gov. Tate Reeves announced Thursday that this is the largest private investment in the state's history. The center, called MACROHARDRR, will be near Memphis, Tennessee, and is xAI's third in the area. xAI CFO Anthony Armstrong says it will house the world's largest supercomputer. The project faces scrutiny over environmental concerns, especially regarding air pollution near predominantly Black communities. A local group opposes the development. xAI is expected to start operations next month, with significant tax incentives in place.

Google adds new AI features to Gmail, turning it into a personal assistant

More artificial intelligence is being implanted into Gmail as Google tries to turn the world’s most used email service into a personal assistant that can improve writing, summarize far-flung information buried in inboxes and deliver daily to-do lists. The new AI features announced Thursday could herald a pivotal moment for Gmail, a service that transformed email when it was introduced nearly 22 years ago. Gmail’s new AI options will only be available in English within the U.S. for starters, but Google is promising to introduce them in other countries and other languages as the year unfolds.

'Worst in Show' CES products include AI refrigerators, AI companions and AI doorbells

Artificial intelligence took center stage at this year's CES gadget show, but not always for the right reasons. On Thursday, the “Worst in Show” awards highlighted products seen as invasive, fragile or wasteful. Samsung's “Bespoke AI Family Hub” fridge was criticized for its complexity and poor voice recognition. Amazon's Ring doorbell faced backlash for privacy concerns with its new features. An AI companion called Ami was labeled unsettling for its eye-tracking capabilities. A musical lollipop and an AI-powered treadmill also received criticism for environmental waste and security issues. The awards aim to encourage better design and privacy practices in tech.