Apple has selected Google’s Gemini AI models to enhance its Siri voice assistant, as noted in a joint statement by both companies. The collaboration is expected to provide a compelling foundation for Apple Foundation Models, with Apple expressing enthusiasm about the innovative experiences this partnership will deliver to users. This development follows reports from 2025 indicating that Apple had been in search of an AI partner due to delays in its own efforts to upgrade Siri.
While the financial specifics of the agreement remain undisclosed, Bloomberg previously reported that Apple was contemplating an annual investment of around $1 billion for access to Google’s AI models. Currently, Apple collaborates with OpenAI’s ChatGPT for its Apple Intelligence software, but the company has assured that this new deal with Google will not affect its existing arrangement with OpenAI. Users can expect AI-driven updates to Siri and other Apple software by the end of this year.
In a notable advancement in medical technology, researchers at the Mayo Clinic have developed an AI tool aimed at discovering treatments for rare diseases. The tool, named BabyFORce, was designed after Jorie Kraus, a baby diagnosed with DeSanti-Shinawi syndrome, an extremely rare genetic disorder affecting brain development. The research team has spent over a year focused on identifying existing drugs that could potentially address conditions with no known treatments.
BabyFORce analyzes affected genes to determine whether their activity needs to be intensified or decreased. In Jorie’s case, the activity of the WAC gene required an increase, leading researchers to identify clonazepam, a generic seizure medication, as a promising option. Remarkably, after only a few days on a liquid formulation of the drug, Jorie exhibited significant behavioral improvements, and subsequent blood tests indicated normal gene function. The researchers are now considering a clinical trial for DeSanti-Shinawi syndrome using clonazepam, highlighting the potential of AI in addressing previously untreatable conditions.
On the regulatory front, the Trump administration has announced new tariffs on AI chip sales from U.S. semiconductor companies, including Nvidia and AMD, to China. According to a report from the Financial Times, the U.S. government will impose a 25% tax on sales of AI chips that are imported into the U.S. and then exported to China. This move comes as part of an ongoing effort to maintain competitiveness in the global AI hardware sector. President Trump characterized the deal as favorable for the United States.
This tariff scheme was first hinted at in August 2025, when a lower rate of 15% was initially proposed. The U.S. government has been scrutinizing AI chip exports to China amid concerns over maintaining technological superiority. Nvidia stated that the new policy “strikes a thoughtful balance that is great for America.” The tariffs specifically target Nvidia’s H200 and AMD’s MI325X chips, which are manufactured by Taiwan’s TSMC, a leader in semiconductor production. Unlike previous tariffs enacted under emergency powers laws, these tariffs are being implemented under Section 232 of the Trade Expansion Act of 1962.
In another development, the Wikimedia Foundation has announced new API licensing agreements with several AI developers, including Microsoft, Meta, Amazon, and Perplexity, as reported by Ars Technica. These agreements allow high-volume access to Wikipedia content for AI training, joining previous arrangements with Google and other developers. While Wikipedia content remains freely accessible, the new agreements aim to mitigate the strain on the platform’s infrastructure caused by web scraping. The financial terms of these partnerships have not been disclosed.
Meanwhile, in legislative news, the U.S. Senate has unanimously passed the Disrupt Explicit Forged Images and Non-Consensual Edits (DEFIANCE) Act, aimed at combating nonconsensual AI “deepfakes.” This bill allows individuals whose likenesses have been manipulated into explicit images to pursue civil damages against the creators of such content. The passage of the bill follows scrutiny faced by Elon Musk’s xAI, which has been criticized for its Grok AI model generating sexualized deepfakes. The company has also faced investigations from global regulators.
The DEFIANCE Act’s passage comes after a similar bill stalled in the House last year. As it moves forward, House leadership and President Trump have yet to announce their positions regarding the legislation. The increasing concerns over AI’s impact on personal privacy and consent continue to fuel discussions about the need for regulatory measures.
As these developments unfold, the intersection of artificial intelligence, healthcare, regulation, and ethical considerations remains a focal point for both industry leaders and policymakers. The implications of these advancements, particularly in treating rare diseases and addressing deepfake technology, are likely to generate ongoing debate and scrutiny in the months ahead.
See also
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