Remote workers are facing fresh threats of unemployment after a US tech giant launched a new, smarter artificial intelligence (AI) app to automate dozens of office tasks, academics have warned.

The announcement followed a global backlash over sexualized images of women and children, including bans and warnings by some governments.

An AI powerful enough to analyze DNA, file taxes, and grow tomato plants is being redesigned for everyday work, pointing toward life beyond chatbots.

NEW YORK (AP) — Google said Sunday that it 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.

Chatbots may worsen delusions in people by reinforcing false beliefs, psychiatrists warn. Mental health experts document cases where AI strengthened distorted thinking.

Last week at CES, Lego introduced its new Smart Play system, with a tech-packed Smart Brick that can recognize and interact with sets and minifigures. It was unexpected and delightful to see Lego come up with a way to modernize its bricks without the need for apps,

Researchers warn that AI chatbots often fabricate or distort news, urging users to treat AI-generated news summaries with caution.

New studies and data from online safety company Aurora suggest many children are turning to AI chatbots for companionship, sometimes engaging in violent or sexual conversations, prompting experts to urge parents to watch for warning signs like isolation and irritability and to treat digital detoxes as more than a short-term fix.