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Story of the day
Canva Unveils Craft, Its First In-House AI Image Model
Canva has launched Craft, its first in-house AI image generation model designed to enhance precision and control in creating images.
The model utilizes a two-stage architecture and has already ranked fourth overall in performance on the DesignArena platform, excelling particularly in portraits and landscapes.
Future iterations, Craft-fast and Craft-ultrafast, are also planned for release.
Top in AI
AI Fails to Deliver Financial Gains for Most Companies
Torsten Slok, Chief Economist at Apollo Global Management, has revealed that AI investments have yielded zero financial benefits for the majority of companies outside the tech sector, specifically the S&P 493.
Despite the significant hype surrounding AI, metrics such as profit margins and revenue per worker remain unchanged, indicating a lack of productivity growth across corporate America.
OpenAI Partners with Poland's NASK for AI Safety Research
OpenAI has entered into a partnership with Poland's NASK to enhance research on AI safety and security.
This collaboration aims to leverage NASK's expertise to strengthen safeguards and public trust in AI technologies, with a focus on detecting synthetic AI-generated content across multiple languages.
Microsoft AI Diagnostic Tool Outperforms Physicians
Microsoft's AI Diagnostic Orchestrator (MAI-DxO) has demonstrated superior diagnostic accuracy compared to generalist doctors, achieving 83.2% accuracy in complex medical cases.
In emergency department evaluations, the AI tool diagnosed 80.3% of cases correctly, significantly outperforming doctors who scored only 36.1% in the same study.
Top in Robotics
Nvidia open-sources Flora to make robot video labeling 125x cheaper than GPT-6 Astra
Nvidia has introduced Flora, an open-source data engine that labels one hour of robot video for just 72 cents, a significant reduction from the $88 cost associated with GPT-6 Astra.
This new system, built on three fine-tuned Qwen3.5 models, not only lowers costs but also enhances the reliability of error detection in robot actions compared to competitors.
However, it occasionally struggles with descriptive accuracy. Nvidia aims to integrate Flora into its broader strategy to dominate the robotics value chain.
TechCrunch Mobility: Blue-green is the color of autonomy
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has proposed new lighting requirements for autonomous vehicles, suggesting the use of cyan-colored lights to indicate when a vehicle is operating autonomously without human oversight.
This proposal aims to establish uniform identification for autonomous vehicles, specifying equipment details such as light color and mounting locations.
Additionally, GM announced plans to enhance its vehicles' AI capabilities, set to debut with the Cadillac Escalade IQ in 2028, which will feature a custom conversational AI assistant and an autonomous highway driving feature.
Top in Markets
Microsoft, McDonald’s, Verizon, and Others Tell Crypto Platform Not to Tokenize Their Stocks
Microsoft, Alphabet, McDonald's, Goldman Sachs, and Wells Fargo have joined the growing list of companies rejecting the tokenization of their stocks, with at least 22 firms formally objecting to plans by crypto platform OKXICE.
This follows a public dispute between AMC Entertainment's CEO Adam Aron and Robinhood over the unauthorized tokenization of AMC shares.
OKXICE, co-chaired by former New York Governor Andrew Cuomo, aims to offer trading in 63 U.S.-listed stocks, but many companies express concerns about the implications for pricing and investor perception.
Top in Tech
Instagram Reels Now Available on Apple TV
Instagram has officially launched its app for Apple TV, allowing users to access Reels, longer videos, and live broadcasts.
This move follows testing that began in December 2025, aimed at enhancing user engagement and capitalizing on the growing popularity of microdramas.
Top in Startups
OpenAI Targets $1.25 Trillion Valuation in New Funding Round
OpenAI has reduced its funding round valuation from $1.4 trillion to $1.25 trillion as it seeks to raise up to $30 billion, primarily led by investors from the UAE.
The company has confidentially filed for an IPO, aiming for a public listing in 2027 while facing a challenging investment climate characterized by weakened demand.
Top in Design
Smart bulbs are easy to install, but this smart home upgrade is more inclusive
Smart bulbs have gained popularity for their easy installation and colorful options, but they face significant usability issues when someone flips the wall switch, cutting off power and connectivity.
In contrast, smart switches replace traditional wall switches, allowing anyone to control lighting without needing an app or special knowledge.
This is particularly beneficial for households with varying tech comfort levels, as smart switches can manage multiple bulbs simultaneously and maintain consistent automation.
They also tend to be more cost-effective, especially for multi-bulb fixtures, making them a practical choice for smart home upgrades.
