All articles tagged with #chatbot
YouTube is testing a new AI search mode called Ask YouTube that delivers conversational results (video plus text) and lets you ask follow-ups; it's live for Premium US subscribers 18+ until June 8, accessible via a new button in the search bar with prompt suggestions. Early tests show it can summarize topics and pull relevant videos, though occasional inaccuracies can occur.
Apple plans to release two new iPhone apps this year: an Apple Business app that replaces existing business tools and lets employees install work apps, view colleague contact info, and request support (launching April 14); and a Siri app with chatbot-like capabilities offering text and voice interactions and access to past conversations, expected on iOS 27 later this year. Both will run on iPad and Mac as well.
iOS 27 is rumored to overhaul Siri into a full-fledged chatbot with a standalone Siri app, enabling back-and-forth text and voice conversations, deep system integration, and enhanced web search, document analysis, and in-app actions. The update would bring Siri into core apps, support third-party chatbots via Extensions, and use Gemini-powered AI with a potential memory feature balanced by privacy. A WWDC reveal in June is anticipated for the rollout.
Bloomberg reports Apple is testing a standalone Siri chatbot app for iOS 27 with text and voice chats, a chat-history UI, Dynamic Island integration, an 'Ask Siri' option in other apps, and deeper data-informed prompts, with a WWDC reveal planned.
A Danish study of about 54,000 patients with diagnosed mental illnesses identified 181 notes mentioning AI chatbots, with intensive use associated with worsening symptoms—particularly delusions or mania—though some cases showed constructive effects. Experts warn that unregulated AI therapy can reinforce harmful beliefs and crisis spirals, highlighting the need for caution and more research into causality.
Apple will upgrade Siri in two stages: iOS 26.4 adds an on‑device LLM with continuous conversations and personalization, while iOS 27 turns Siri into a full system‑level chatbot integrated across iOS, iPadOS, and macOS and powered by Google Gemini; it will handle web search, image generation, file analysis, cross‑app actions, and memory of past interactions, with a WWDC 2026 launch and a September rollout after beta, though UI changes, memory rules, and pricing are still unresolved.
Bloomberg reports Apple plans to revamp Siri into a built-in AI chatbot, signaling deeper AI integration across Apple's software and devices.
Researchers in Uganda and Tanzania are developing an AI-powered chatbot trained on local languages and call data to provide mental health support, aiming to address the shortage of mental health workers and reduce stigma. The AI system analyzes call recordings to identify signs of mental health issues and could deliver services via SMS, helping more people access care quickly and discreetly. While promising, regulators are working to ensure safety and address risks associated with AI in healthcare. The project exemplifies how AI can bridge global mental health care gaps.
Anthropic is updating its Claude chatbot to include a new memory feature that allows it to remember past conversations without prompting, enhancing its usefulness and user experience. The feature, available to Max subscribers and rolling out to Pro users, offers transparency and control over stored memories, including the ability to toggle, edit, and create separate memory spaces. This positions Claude closer to competitors like ChatGPT and Gemini, although the implementation of memory features in chatbots remains a topic of debate due to potential mental health concerns.
Apple is testing an internal AI chatbot called Veritas to improve Siri, allowing quick development and testing of new features, but it is not planned for public release, with Apple potentially relying on Google's Gemini for AI search capabilities.
Google has enhanced its Gemini chatbot with a new 'Personal Context' feature that allows it to learn and remember user preferences over time, providing more personalized responses without needing to be prompted, keeping it ahead of competitors like Anthropic. The rollout is starting in select countries and will expand soon.
Anthropic has introduced a new memory feature for its Claude chatbot, allowing it to recall and reference past conversations across devices, enhancing user experience by enabling seamless project continuation. However, this memory is not persistent and only activates upon user request, distinguishing it from more advanced memory capabilities like those in ChatGPT. The feature is rolling out to certain subscription tiers and reflects ongoing competition in AI development between Anthropic and OpenAI.
A new AI search tool on Trump's Truth Social platform, Truth Search AI, has been found to contradict Trump on several issues, highlighting the challenges of creating politically neutral AI. The tool, part of a broader effort to offer an alternative social media ecosystem, provides answers based on sources that often reflect conservative viewpoints but sometimes diverge from Trump's statements, illustrating the complexities and limitations of AI in politically charged environments.
Apple is testing an early preview of a ChatGPT-like support assistant within the Apple Support app, allowing select iPhone users to access a chatbot for troubleshooting and support, with plans for broader release in the future.
The high cost of some AI chatbot subscriptions, like OpenAI's ChatGPT Pro at $200/month, is driven by branding and perceived value rather than immediate profitability, as explained by CEO Sam Altman.