Google’s Gemini AI now lets you schedule tasks ahead of time for seamless automation at your convenience[1][2][3].

Google has introduced a new feature called Scheduled Actions in its Gemini AI, designed to automate routine tasks by allowing users to schedule them at specific times or on a recurring basis. This update is now available for users on Android, iOS, and the web who have Google AI Pro or Ultra subscriptions, as well as select Google Workspace business and education plans. Scheduled Actions enable users to streamline daily activities by instructing Gemini to perform tasks automatically without the need for manual input each time. Typical uses include receiving daily calendar summaries, weather updates with outfit suggestions based on a user’s wardrobe, weekly restaurant recommendations, blog idea prompts, or timely summaries of events such as award shows. Users can have up to ten active Scheduled Actions running concurrently, with each action executing within an hour of the programmed time. Managing these scheduled tasks is straightforward. On mobile devices, users tap their profile picture and navigate to the Scheduled Actions section, while the web interface offers more advanced controls such as renaming tasks, editing prompts, and setting frequencies—daily, weekly, or monthly. The aim is to help users stay organized and productive by having Gemini proactively handle personalized and recurring queries. This rollout aligns with Google's broader strategy to make its AI offerings more intelligent, personalized, and integrated across platforms, reflecting CEO Sundar Pichai’s vision shared at the recent I/O developer conference. Scheduled Actions represent a significant step towards enhancing user interaction with AI, making everyday tasks simpler and more efficient through automation.

When AI takes over students' thinking: Unseen threats to critical thinking in the classroom

A notable study led by Professors Pattie Maes and Cynthia Breazeal, both recognized as global leaders in media technology and human-computer interaction, investigated how students’ brains respond when using artificial intelligence (AI) tools to assist with essay writing, in comparison to writing essays without AI assistance. The research took place at MIT’s renowned Media Lab, where Maes leads the Fluid Interfaces group, focusing on augmenting human cognition and learning through technology, and Breazeal directs the Personal Robots group, known for pioneering work in social robotics and AI. Their collaborative study sought to shed light on the cognitive and neural implications of integrating AI into educational workflows. Using advanced neuroimaging and behavioral observation techniques, the study tracked students as they composed essays, measuring brain activity, engagement levels, and learning outcomes. Preliminary findings suggest that using AI as a writing aid may alter how students process information, possibly reducing cognitive load in some tasks but also potentially affecting creativity or intrinsic motivation. The study’s design provides a unique opportunity to understand how AI influences not just the end product—the essay—but also the mental processes and emotional responses that underpin student learning. The implications of this research are broad, touching on educational best practices, the future of AI-assisted learning, and the ethical considerations of technology integration in classrooms. By exploring both the benefits and potential drawbacks, Professors Maes and Breazeal aim to inform educators and policymakers about how to thoughtfully incorporate AI into academic environments, ensuring that technology enhances rather than diminishes the learning experience. <br /> <br /> This study also aligns with ongoing work at the Media Lab that investigates how generative AI and social robots can foster positive emotions, motivation, and engagement in educational settings. The team continues to explore innovative applications for AI, such as generating engaging characters for educational role-playing or providing supportive AI peers, all while considering the ethical and practical implications. The ultimate goal is to leverage technology to enrich learning, while empowering both students and educators to benefit from new possibilities in the digital age.

OpenAI CEO Sam Altman urges caution, warning users not to trust ChatGPT too much due to its tendency to hallucinate and produce unreliable responses[1][2][3].

OpenAI CEO Sam Altman has issued a cautionary message to users about the potential pitfalls of over-reliance on ChatGPT, the widely used AI language model developed by his company. During a recent episode of the OpenAI podcast, Altman expressed surprise at the high degree of trust people place in ChatGPT, despite its well-documented tendency to "hallucinate." In AI terminology, hallucination refers to the phenomenon where the model generates information that sounds confident and plausible but is actually false or fabricated. This is not merely a minor error; such fabricated responses can deceive users by appearing accurate, especially as the AI strives to fulfill user prompts even when it lacks factual data. Altman emphasized that while ChatGPT is remarkably useful and has become integrated into many facets of daily life—from assisting with mental health support to drafting emails—it remains technology that users should approach with caution. He warned against blind acceptance of AI outputs, particularly in critical areas like healthcare, legal advice, and education, where inaccuracies could have serious consequences. Despite its conversational fluency and speed, ChatGPT's hallucinatory nature highlights the importance of maintaining critical thinking and verifying information from trusted sources. This frank admission from the CEO himself underscores a paradox at the heart of AI’s increasing role: people are eager to trust and utilize these tools, yet the technology still harbors significant limitations. Altman's remarks serve as a timely reminder that while AI can augment human tasks effectively, skepticism and careful supervision remain essential to avoid misinformation and potentially harmful reliance on these systems.

Jony Ive’s Debut AI Device Takes Shape as an Innovative Pen, Signaling a New Era in Tech Design

The hottest new collaboration in Silicon Valley brings together OpenAI CEO Sam Altman and legendary Apple designer Jony Ive, known for shaping iconic products like the iPhone and Mac. On May 21, 2025, they officially launched a new venture called "io," born from a two-year partnership within the design collective LoveFrom. This company aims to create a revolutionary family of AI-powered hardware and software that fundamentally redefines human-computer interaction. Their vision is to build AI-native devices from the ground up, signaling a shift beyond traditional apps to integral AI embodiment in physical products. OpenAI’s acquisition of io for around $6.4 billion—the largest in OpenAI’s history—ushers Jony Ive into leading design and creative efforts at OpenAI. The io team includes engineers, scientists, and creatives from OpenAI, LoveFrom, and other top labs, and functions as an independent department within OpenAI. Sam Altman has expressed high enthusiasm for the collaboration, stating that the prototype devices Ive has developed are among the coolest technology the world will have seen. These devices are expected to push current limits, possibly challenging the capabilities of laptops with AI-enhanced functionality. This partnership marks a strategic move for OpenAI to own more of the AI delivery stack—from models to hardware to user interfaces—contrasting with competitors like Google or Meta that depend on existing hardware ecosystems. It also poses a competitive challenge to Apple, which is still formulating its AI device strategy. The first series of io’s AI-integrated products is anticipated to launch in 2026, potentially igniting a new platform race centered on the physical manifestation of AI technology.

Salesforce CEO Marc Benioff reveals AI now handles 30 to 50 percent of the company’s workload, transforming operations across the business.

Salesforce CEO Marc Benioff has emphasized the transformative role AI is playing in the tech industry, particularly within Salesforce, where AI now handles 30% to 50% of the work. This marks a significant shift as the company leverages AI to automate tasks that were traditionally done by human employees, including customer service, engineering, coding, and support functions. Benioff highlighted that Salesforce’s AI systems are achieving around 93% accuracy in customer interactions, even for large clients such as Disney. This level of performance underscores AI’s growing reliability and impact in business operations. Benioff refers to this shift as a "digital labor revolution" with a staggering economic potential estimated between $3 trillion and $12 trillion. While acknowledging the efficiency gains AI offers, he stresses that it is up to CEOs to ensure these technological changes align with ethical values and responsible management. Despite laying off over a thousand employees in 2025, Salesforce continues to hire, particularly for roles focused on selling and supporting AI technologies like its Agentforce platform, which builds AI agents to handle customer queries effectively. Benioff also uses AI personally, for example, in crafting his annual business plan, reflecting how AI is integrated even at the highest levels of leadership. His remarks come amid a broader industry trend where major tech corporations are adopting AI to boost productivity and reduce costs. However, this rapid adoption also raises concerns about job displacement and the need for workers to adapt to new, higher-value tasks as AI takes over routine activities. Overall, Benioff’s stance illustrates both the promise and challenges of AI reshaping the future of work and the tech workforce. <br /> <br /> This perspective is crucial as companies navigate AI’s dual role: enhancing productivity and reshaping the labor market, pushing leaders to balance innovation with social responsibility.

How Gen Z Is Transforming Careers from Climbing Ladders to Creating Launchpads

Gen Z is fundamentally changing how career growth and success are perceived in the workforce. Unlike previous generations who typically focused on climbing the corporate ladder—step-by-step progression through hierarchical ranks—Gen Z is building "launchpads" that emphasize launching diverse career opportunities and skills development rather than traditional upward mobility. This shift reflects broader changes in values, priorities, and the evolving workplace environment. Primarily, Gen Z values work-life integration over strict work-life balance, prioritizing flexibility such as remote work and non-traditional schedules. They seek purpose-driven employment, where their work aligns with personal values and societal impact rather than just monetary rewards. This generation is highly focused on continuous learning and skill acquisition. In fact, 70% of Gen Z report actively developing new skills weekly, both during and outside of work hours, driven by the need to remain adaptable in a rapidly changing world dominated by technology such as generative AI. Gen AI introduces both opportunities and anxieties, with many Gen Z workers concerned about job displacement but also recognizing the importance of acquiring AI-related skills to future-proof their careers. Beyond technical skills, they emphasize soft skills like empathy and leadership as essential for growth. Financial security, meaningful work, and well-being are interconnected pillars influencing their career decisions, with many feeling financially insecure yet highly valuing purpose in their jobs. For leaders and organizations, this means redesigning traditional models of career growth—moving away from rigid ladders toward flexible, dynamic launchpads that support continuous development, well-being, and evolving worker expectations. Companies that fail to adapt risk losing top Gen Z talent in today’s fluid job market where two-thirds plan to switch roles in the near term. Embracing this new mindset is critical to thriving in a world of constant change and innovation. <br /> <br /> In essence, Gen Z’s approach to work is less about climbing fixed ladders and more about constructing personalized launchpads that propel them in multiple directions. Leaders must respond by creating environments that support this holistic, flexible view of career advancement.