Greetings, AI Explorers!

Today’s edition is packed with major AI breakthroughs and new developments. From “Gemini in your Car” to “TikTok launching something new”, the landscape is shifting fast.

As AI continues to integrate into everyday life, staying ahead of these developments is crucial. Let’s dive in!

Here’s what’s in store for you today:

• 🖼️ TikTok Launches TikTok AI Alive, a New Image-to-Video Tool

• 🚗 Google’s Bringing Gemini to Your Car with Android Auto

• 📡 Google I/O 2025: How to Watch All the AI and Android Reveals

LATEST DEVELOPMENT

Visualize 

🎥 TikTok Launches “AI Alive,” an Image-to-Video Tool 

TikTok has introduced AI Alive, a new feature that transforms still photos into dynamic videos using generative AI. Available through TikTok Stories, it adds movement and atmospheric effects to static images. This puts TikTok ahead of rivals like Instagram and Snapchat, who are only now experimenting with similar AI video capabilities.

Key Points 🔑:

• AI Alive allows users to animate photos via TikTok’s Story Camera with effects like moving skies, ambient sounds, and expressive highlights.

• Videos created with AI Alive will carry an AI-generated label and C2PA metadata to flag their synthetic nature even outside TikTok.

• TikTok emphasizes safety, running multiple moderation checks on images, prompts, and videos before content is shown or shared.

• Content flagged by users undergoes final safety reviews to ensure alignment with TikTok’s policies.

• How to use: Access Story Camera > tap the blue “+” from Inbox/Profile > pick a photo > use the AI Alive icon to generate video.

Importance 🌟:
AI Alive marks a bold move in social media’s generative evolution, positioning TikTok as a frontrunner in AI-powered creativity. By letting users animate memories or artful visuals with ease, TikTok isn’t just catching the wave- it’s setting the current for how next-gen content gets created, shared, and regulated online.

Gemini

🚗 Google’s Bringing AI to the Driver’s Seat

Google is integrating its generative AI assistant, Gemini, into Android Auto and eventually into Google Built-In vehicles. Drivers will soon have access to a smarter, more conversational assistant that remembers preferences and helps with tasks like messaging and finding restaurants. The always-on Gemini Live mode adds full-on chat capabilities to your commute.

🔑 Key Points

• Natural AI Assistant: Gemini replaces Google Assistant in Android Auto with more natural, context-aware conversations.

• Smart Preferences: Gemini can remember language preferences, perform live translations, and give tailored suggestions along a route.

• Gemini Live: An optional feature that keeps Gemini always listening - for everything from travel planning to dinner ideas.

• Edge Ambitions: While initially cloud-based, Google is working with automakers to run Gemini locally on vehicles for better speed and reliability.

• Future Possibilities: While not official yet, Gemini might eventually tap into onboard car cameras and sensors for next-level assistance.

🌍 Importance
This marks a massive shift in the in-car tech experience - from static, limited commands to fluid, conversational AI that can assist with everyday tasks on the road. As Google leans into natural language processing and explores edge computing, Gemini could redefine how we think about productivity and safety behind the wheel. Buckle up - your car’s about to get a whole lot smarter.

I/O

📡 Google I/O 2025: How to Watch All the AI and Android Reveals

Google I/O 2025, the company’s biggest developer event of the year, takes place May 20–21 with a strong focus on AI innovation. Expect major announcements around Gemini, Project Astra, and how AI is transforming Search, Android, and more. Keynotes will feature Sundar Pichai, Demis Hassabis, and top Google execs - and it’s all livestreamed.

🔑 Key Points

• Event Dates: May 20–21 at the Shoreline Amphitheater in Mountain View, CA.

• Keynote Speakers: Sundar Pichai, DeepMind’s Demis Hassabis, and heads of Android, Search, and Cloud.

• AI in Focus: Massive updates expected around Gemini and DeepMind’s Project Astra, a multimodal AI platform.

• AI in Everything: Sessions on AI’s role in Search, autonomous driving (Waymo), science, and app-based agents.

• Streaming Schedule:

  • 10 a.m. PT: Opening keynote

  • 1:30 p.m. PT: Developer keynote

  • 3:30 p.m. PT: Hassabis in conversation + simultaneous talks on Android, Chrome, and Cloud

🌍 Importance
Google I/O 2025 is shaping up to be a landmark moment in the AI arms race. With Gemini at the core of its strategy, Google is going all in on embedding AI across its ecosystem - from Search to self-driving. If you want a glimpse into the future of consumer and enterprise tech, this is the event to watch.

QUICK HITS

🛠️ Trending AI Tools

• 🤖 HunyuanCustom – Custom videos, consistent subjects

• 📝 Granola iOS – AI notepad for busy schedules

• 🧠 Deep Research – Link GitHub to AI agent

• 🦌 Deer Flow – ByteDance's open-source research tool

 💰 Money in AI

• 💸 Legora eyes $675M valuation

• 💸 Markopolo AI raises $2M

• 💸 Relevance AI lands $24M

📰 Everything else in AI today

• 🔬 Google backs AI startup growth

• 💸 Softbank-OpenAI deal hits pause

• 🚀 Perplexity nears $14B raise

• 🧱 LegoGPT builds from text

• 🤖 Saudi launches AI initiative

• 🏛️ FDA adopts AI by June