Writing Assistant on WhatsApp

WhatsApp introduced a new AI-powered smart writing assistant feature for drafting different versions of messages. Users click on the AI icon, followed by the pencil icon, and then select a writing style. After entering a preliminary draft and pressing the “Generate” button, they will receive an improved, refined draft tailored to the chosen style.

Self-Sanitizing Door Handle

Rayvon Stewart, a Jamaican student, invented a door handle that self-sanitizes using ultraviolet light. The handle, named “Xermosol,” is capable of destroying 99.9% of pathogens and is considered a potential breakthrough for hospitals, hotels, and other businesses. The idea originated from his volunteering experience at a hospital, where he noticed the need for improved hygiene to prevent infections. This is an innovative and important idea in the fight against infections.

Google’s AlphaFold 3

DeepMind, in collaboration with Isomorphic Labs, unveiled AlphaFold 3—a revolutionary AI tool expected to pave the way for a new era in developing treatments for incurable diseases. AlphaFold 3 is an AI model capable of accurately predicting not only the complex structure of proteins but also the structure of non-protein molecules like DNA and RNA, and how all these molecules interact and bind to one another.
The new technology is poised to dramatically accelerate the pre-clinical stage of drug development, a phase that currently takes an average of six years. Furthermore, AlphaFold 3 could improve the success rate of drugs reaching the clinical trials stage, where currently about 90% fail. AlphaFold 3’s full impact on the pharmaceutical industry will only become clear in a few years, after its predictions are proven effective in clinical trials.

AI Stethoscope

Researchers from Imperial College London developed an AI-powered stethoscope that can identify three major heart problems in just 15 seconds: heart failure, heart valve diseases, and an irregular heart rhythm (atrial fibrillation). In a study involving over 12,000 patients, it was found that for subjects with symptoms like shortness of breath and fatigue, using the new stethoscope doubled the chance of diagnosing heart failure and increased the chance of diagnosing atrial fibrillation by 3.5 times. This stethoscope will enable doctors to detect issues early and provide patients with life-saving treatment before their condition worsens.

World Models

In recent months, companies like Google have been investing in the development of World Models to create real-world simulations, allowing tens and hundreds of thousands of complex scenarios to be run in a virtual environment. Runway has also entered this field to allow autonomous vehicles and robots to train before being released into the real world.

AI Legal Tool in Israel

“HaTovea” (The Prosecutor) is an AI-based tool developed by the Israeli startup Flash Justice, designed to help people efficiently file small claims lawsuits without needing a lawyer. The tool was trained on thousands of cases and allows users to generate a statement of claim within minutes. A pilot showed that all lawsuits filed using the tool were accepted without technical dismissals, and 85% of filers reported a win or a settlement. The startup is now also operating in the American market, offering three service tiers, including a contingency payment of 20% of the winning amount only in the event of a victory.

Robots Are Changing the World

• German researchers released a four-fingered underwater robot with a giant hand, capable of collecting up to 250 kg of trash from the ocean floor. This represents a sustainable solution for tackling the marine pollution crisis.
• The AI-focused Otonomus Hotel in Las Vegas unveiled Oto—a humanoid robot that serves guests. It speaks over 50 languages, can perform check-ins, tell jokes, and provide room service while remembering guest preferences.
• Chinese robotics company Fourier Robotics unveiled a humanoid robot, the Fourier GR-3, described as “the cutest robot” and designed to demonstrate empathy. Unlike other potentially intimidating humanoids, it was designed to be friendly and charming. Its purpose is to assist people in daily life with household tasks.
• Students from Texas A&M University built a foldable drone that fits in a pocket and can automatically unfold and stabilize itself in the air after being launched manually.
• Moflin is a small pet robot from Casio that is making its way to the United States. Moflin is a palm-sized, intelligent creature powered by emotional artificial intelligence. It recognizes voices, responds to petting and hugs, and develops a unique personality based on user interaction.

Repairing Broken Bones

South Korean researchers developed a glue-gun-like device capable of 3D-printing bone implants directly onto fractures during surgery. The technology is designed to create complex implants in real-time, eliminating the need for pre-operative preparation. The “filament” used consists of two main materials: natural bone and biodegradable plastic, which melts at a low temperature of about 60°C. This temperature is low enough to prevent tissue damage during surgery and flexible enough to conform to the shape of the fracture.

ChatGPT Updates

• OpenAI announced changes to its safety policy, including parental supervision and improved responsiveness to sensitive issues among teenagers to reduce risks. It operates a multi-layered monitoring system that actively scans millions of conversations taking place on ChatGPT. The system aims to detect and flag potentially harmful content, such as severe physical harm, and in some cases, report users to law enforcement. These conversations are passed to a team of human reviewers who determine the course of action. This system is similar to social media content moderation, but conversations on ChatGPT can be more personal or sensitive. The company does not disclose information on the rate of false reports for flagged conversations.
• An option to split a conversation into branches by selecting “Branch in new” has been added, allowing users to create different variations of a general idea within an initial conversation.
• It now includes full support for MCP Tools, allowing integration with a variety of tools and applications.
• The ability to create Projects has been opened up to free users as well.
• GPT-5’s thinking pace can be controlled: Light (especially fast and swift), Standard (balanced), Extended (deep thinking), and Heavy (deeper and more thorough thinking).
• OpenAI launched a new Consulting Division to help large companies integrate AI into their workflows. It aims to create a business model similar to leading consulting firms like McKinsey, but focusing on practical results. OpenAI embeds engineers within client organizations to adapt models and assist in implementing customized AI solutions.
• OpenAI announced the OpenAI Jobs Platform, which will allow companies to find and recruit AI talent certified through the OpenAI Academy.
• ChatGPT’s new pulse: OpenAI released Pulse ChatGPT, a new experience for Pro users where ChatGPT initiates conversations and provides personalized updates. The system proactively conducts research and can connect to external applications like Gmail and Google Calendar for additional context, sending relevant information every morning.

Google Updates

• NotebookLM now allows the creation of audio segments based on four new options: Deep Dive (a conversation between two hosts), Brief (a short and concise review), Critique (a review with critical analysis), and Debate (an in-depth discussion between two hosts).
• It also allows users to create Flashcards, Quizzes, and customized Reports by defining the structure, tone, and style.
• New features in Google Photos enable converting still images into short clips and the option to transform any picture into a new artistic style.
• The Pixel 10 mobile device was upgraded, adding simultaneous translation capabilities.
• Gemini now supports all file types, including audio files, enabling their transcription and summarization.
• Google now allows the sharing of Gems (custom-built chatbots).

Anthropic Updates

• Claude gained the ability to create and edit Excel, PDF, presentation, and document files.
• It also acquired a memory feature, allowing it to remember information from previous conversations. Users can edit the memory, view what it remembers, and delete information.
• Claude allows users to conduct conversations in Incognito Chat mode without saving them.
• It received an update for iPhone and Android, transforming it into a personal assistant. With user permission, it can perform actions like finding nearby coffee shops, providing meeting information, and scheduling appointments and events.
• Anthropic released a new model of Claude—Sonnet 4.5—for paying subscribers. The model excels in working with code, in-depth data analysis, and creating documents, presentations, and Excel files. It is more accurate and features a context window of one million tokens.

Microsoft Updates

• Microsoft released Gaming Copilot, a personal AI assistant that provides answers to in-game questions without pausing the game.
• It upgraded Teams with AI agents: a Meetings Agent (similar to TimeOS), a Knowledge Agent that organizes and summarizes files in SharePoint, and a Channels Agent that saves a history of everything and allows users to ask it questions.

AI Tool Updates and Releases

• Genspark launched a new agent for video creation and editing. It also released a new browser with 169 AI models that will run locally on your computer without requiring an internet connection.
• ESET researchers discovered PromptLock—ransomware that uses a language model to generate malicious scripts and evade defenses.
• ElevenLabs launched an AI tool that creates multi-participant podcasts based on text scripts, with the participants’ voices sounding natural and human.
• At the Made on YouTube event, YouTube announced new AI-based features for creators.
• Perplexity now allows connection to email, calendar, GitHub, and other applications, transforming it into a personal assistant.
• Gamma allows building automation processes via API. It also launched an AI agent that performs multiple changes with a single command.
• Base44 launched integration with WhatsApp, enabling its AI agent to perform actions directly from WhatsApp, such as managing data in systems like CRM, triggering processes via voice messages, and processing OCR images like scanned PDF files.