Business Tech News: Google Rolls Out A Bunch Of AI Tech At It's I/O Conference
Google chief executive Sundar Pichai speaks during the tech titan's annual I/O developers conference ... More on May 14, 2024, in Mountain View, California. Google on Tuesday said it would introduce AI-generated answers to online queries made by users in the United States, in one of the biggest updates to its search engine in 25 years. (Photo by Glenn CHAPMAN / AFP) (Photo by GLENN CHAPMAN/AFP via Getty Images)
Here are five things in business tech news that happened this week and how they affect your business. Did you miss them?
Google's I/O 2025 keynote focused heavily on AI advancements, particularly with its Gemini AI models. The company showcased AI Mode in Google Search, which allows users to ask complex queries and receive AI-generated summaries. Google also introduced Project Astra, an AI assistant designed to handle everyday tasks like finding information in emails and making calls. Additionally, Google unveiled Android XR glasses, which provide augmented reality features, including real-time language translation and AI-powered assistance. Other highlights were Google Beam, a new AI-driven video communication platform, and Flow, an AI-powered filmmaking tool that integrates Google's advanced video and image generation models. (Source: Google)
It's worth reading the entire post referenced above because Google has announced so many different AI-leveraged technologies that the only way to see what will impact your business is to dig into the details. Filmmakers and creators especially will be impressed. But so will small business owners and consumers who will see this technology offering many ways to improve productivity from writing emails to getting search results faster and more accurately.
Uber Freight is making a major push into AI-driven logistics, aiming to streamline supply chain operations with its Insights AI platform. The company has developed over 30 AI agents designed to automate key logistics tasks throughout the freight lifecycle. Insights AI – which was quietly launched in 2023 – helps shippers analyze vast amounts of data, uncover hidden opportunities, and improve decision-making. Uber Freight is betting that its AI solutions will provide immediate benefits to both large enterprise customers and the nearly 10,000 shippers it works with. Additionally, Uber Freight has launched the industry's first scaled AI logistics network, powered by a proprietary logistics-specific large language model (LLM). This AI system integrates directly into Uber Freight's transportation management system (TMS), offering real-time intelligence and automation across the freight lifecycle. (Source: TechCrunch)
The logistics industry has been one of the leaders in AI technology and it's understandable why. This industry relies on lots of data from different systems to schedule, track and deliver packages as quickly and affordably as possible. It's a scenario ripe for AI tools to help users query scenarios and pick the best that most suitable for their situation. Uber Freight is an example of a larger company that has developed applications for use internally and is now commercializing by rolling out these tools to the public.
Microsoft has officially transitioned the Microsoft 365 app into the Microsoft 365 Copilot app, integrating AI-powered assistance across web, mobile, and Windows. This update enhances productivity by allowing users to ask questions, create content, draft documents, and build AI agents directly within the app. It's also unveiled Copilot Tuning that allows users to build AI models that work with their company's specific data and processes. Copilot Chat is available at no additional cost for Microsoft 365 license holders and those with a Microsoft 365 Copilot license. For personal accounts, Copilot Chat is accessible to Microsoft 365 Personal and Family subscribers, but not to users without these subscriptions. (Source: Engadget)
There's a massive change happening in how Office products are to be used and these are the initial steps towards that. Instead of launching applications within Office (and similar platforms) we'll instead be using interfaces similar to ChatGPT where users explain what they're trying to do ('write a proposal' or 'do an analysis' or 'create a presentation') and the right applications will be chosen for us, running behind the scenes, taking requests from users and then creating results.
Amazon's 2024 Small Business Empowerment Report highlights the significant impact independent sellers have had on the platform. Over the past 25 years, small businesses selling through Amazon have generated more than $2.5 trillion in sales and now account for over 60 percent of total sales on the site. In 2024 alone, U.S.-based independent sellers averaged $290,000 in annual sales, with over 55,000 sellers surpassing $1 million in revenue. These businesses have also created over 2 million jobs across the U.S., marking an 11 percent year-over-year increase in employment. Amazon attributes this success to its Fulfillment by Amazon (FBA) program, which has shipped over 80 billion items since its launch in 2006. The report also highlights the growing adoption of AI-powered tools, such as Amazon's Seller Assistant and generative AI listing enhancements, which help small businesses optimize their operations. (Source: Amazon)
Like all corporate reports, there's always an agenda and Amazon's aim is to prove to the world that, rather than the common perception that it's putting small businesses out of business the platform actually provides huge opportunities for millions of small businesses. I agree with that and the numbers reported above don't lie. Going forward, look for more data from Amazon showing how their smaller merchants are leveraging AI to sell more products. It's early days for this but my expectation is that this usage will grow heavily – and be essential – in the years to come.
Agentic AI is transforming ecommerce by streamlining the shopping experience, reducing friction, and automating purchasing decisions. Instead of traditional browsing, consumers increasingly rely on AI-powered assistants to find, compare, and buy products instantly. This shift is forcing merchants to rethink their strategies, as AI agents can now compress browsing, selection, and checkout into a single conversation. These AI systems integrate directly with merchant catalogs and payment platforms, allowing them to add items to carts and complete transactions autonomously. The technology is also reducing cart abandonment by removing common obstacles like account creation and payment re-entry. (Source: PYMNTS)
And…speaking of Amazon. Agentic tools like the ones mentioned above are being deployed by many ecommerce providers. Merchants need to test, play and lean into them as they become more reliable.
Each week I report on five business tech news stories and how they impact your business and mine.
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