The artificial intelligence (AI) realm witnesses rapid developments around the world, reshaping the world of digital transformation and accelerating the pace of AI adoption. In this weekly newsletter, FollowICT is highlighting the most important news and advancements in AI around the globe.
Tools
– Google’s new AI-powered feature lets you try on clothes virtually
On Thursday, Google announced a new AI feature that allows users to try on clothes virtually. The tech giant is also launching updated price alerts and teased an upcoming tool to help users discover shopping items and get interior design inspiration using AI-generated images.
After two months of testing, the virtual try-on feature is now officially live. Users can upload a photo of themselves and try on clothing items virtually.
The feature is currently available in the U.S., allowing users to try on clothes from Google’s Shopping Graph via Google Search, Shopping, and product results on Google Images.
– Google Photos adds AI-powered remix tools and photo-to-video transformations
Google Photos is receiving major AI upgrades. On Wednesday, Google announced new features allowing users to creatively remix their photos, including turning pictures into videos and applying styles like anime, comics, sketches, and 3D animations.
The app will also consolidate creative tools—traditional and AI-powered—under a new “Create” tab. These new tools will join existing features like collage-making, video highlights, and more.
These AI enhancements bring fresh capabilities to Google Photos, a platform with over 1.5 billion users. It also gives Google a large user base to learn from as it experiments with new creative features.
– YouTube Shorts adds AI photo-to-video tool and new AI effects
YouTube announced that creators using Shorts can now access new AI features, including a tool that turns still images into six-second videos.
Users upload a photo, and YouTube offers suggestions to animate it—such as adding motion to landscapes or making group photos come alive.
In one example, YouTube showed a pedestrian crossing sign morphing into a short video with a dancing stick figure.
This feature will roll out next week in the U.S., Canada, Australia, and New Zealand, with more regions to follow later in 2025. Google Photos is also getting a similar tool.
– “Lumo”: The first smart assistant that encrypts all conversations
Proton, a privacy-focused productivity company, has launched its smart assistant, Lumo, which emphasizes user data protection.
Lumo does not keep chat logs, uses end-to-end encryption for storage, and offers a secret mode that deletes conversations once the window is closed.
Available on the web, Android, and iOS, Lumo does not require users to create an account to ask questions.
Top Headlines
– Meta hires key ChatGPT co-creator in intensifying AI talent war with OpenAI
Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg announced Friday that Xingjia Zhao, a former OpenAI researcher, will lead Meta’s new AI unit, Meta Superior Labs (MSL).
Zhao played a major role in OpenAI’s milestones, including ChatGPT, GPT-4, and the company’s first reasoning model, o1.
Zuckerberg wrote on Threads: “Excited to share that Xingjia Zhao is now our Chief Scientist at MSL. He helped establish the lab and has been leading since day one.”
– Samsung backs $8M funding round for AI video startup Memories.ai
AI video analysis startup Memories.ai raised $8 million in a seed round led by Susa Ventures.
Other investors include Samsung Next, Fusion Fund, Crane Ventures, Seedcamp, and Creator Ventures.
Founded by former Meta employees Dr. Sean Shen and Enmin Zhou, the platform processes up to 10 million hours of video and enables searchable indexing and tagging—supporting industries like marketing and security.
– Amazon acquires Bee, the wearable AI device that records everything you say
Amazon has acquired wearable startup Bee, known for its independent wristband ($49.99 plus $19/month subscription) and Apple Watch app.
The device records everything it hears—unless muted—to help users create reminders and to-do lists.
This move signals Amazon’s interest in AI-powered wearables, a shift from its smart home products like Echo. OpenAI is working on similar devices, while Meta integrates AI into smart glasses, and Apple is rumored to be doing the same.
– Korean AI chip startup FuriosaAI signs major deal, rejects Meta’s acquisition offer
South Korean startup FuriosaAI has partnered with LG AI Research to provide its RNGD AI chip for the recently unveiled hybrid model EXAONE 4.0.
RNGD is optimized for running large language models (LLMs).
This follows FuriosaAI’s rejection of an $800 million acquisition offer from Meta, citing disagreements on post-acquisition strategy—not pricing.
Meta’s interest reflects its broader aim to reduce dependency on external chip providers like Nvidia.
– China proposes a global AI cooperation organization
Chinese Premier Li Qiang proposed the creation of a global organization for AI cooperation on Saturday, urging nations to coordinate the development and safety of rapidly advancing AI technologies.
Speaking at the opening of the annual World AI Conference in Shanghai, he called AI a new growth driver but stressed the fragmented state of governance and the need for global coordination.
– OpenAI reportedly preparing to launch GPT-5 in August
OpenAI is gearing up to launch GPT-5 in August.
Expected this summer, the new model will integrate multiple AI capabilities—rather than being just a single-function tool—allowing for broader and more flexible performance.
– Tencent launches AI-powered coding environment “CodeBuddy”
Chinese tech giant Tencent launched a closed beta of CodeBuddy, a smart development environment that uses AI and natural language to help developers design, build, and deploy new applications.
The 24-hour test included over 50,000 invited users.
CodeBuddy was developed by Tencent Cloud, the company’s AI and cloud computing division based in Shenzhen.
– Alibaba unveils advanced open-source AI coding model “Qwen3-Coder”
Alibaba has released Qwen3-Coder, an open-source AI model for software development that the company claims is its most advanced coding tool yet.
Designed for tasks like code generation and managing complex workflows, Qwen3-Coder excels in “agent coding” where AI systems autonomously handle programming tasks.
According to performance benchmarks, it outperforms competitors like DeepSeek and Moonshot AI’s K2.
Watch This
– China unveils world’s first robot that works 24/7 and swaps its own battery
One of this year’s most impressive humanoid robots is Walker S2, developed by China’s UBTECH.
Standing at 5’3″ (162 cm) and weighing 95 lbs (43 kg), Walker S2 can operate autonomously 24/7.
It uses a dual-battery system with a 48V lithium battery, allowing it to walk for two hours or stand for four. Recharging takes 90 minutes.
Its standout feature? It can independently replace its battery pack—no human help required.
Watch the video here: https://youtu.be/mHP1WGlw5Wk?si=i8KEYPGu8OVI5oLl
