Microsoft launches Scout, an OpenClaw-inspired personal assistant
TechCrunch AI1h agoNew ToolMicrosoft introduced Scout at Build as a new AI personal assistant for the Microsoft 365 ecosystem. The product is inspired by OpenClaw and is intended to bring similar power and flexibility into Microsoft's productivity environment. The provided source excerpt does not specify Scout's features, availability, pricing, supported platforms, or rollout timeline.
Gemini's new AI agent is about as good as Google's demo
The Verge AI23h agoNew ToolGoogle's new 24/7 AI agent, Gemini Spark, can take on tasks for users and continue working on them. After receiving access last week, The Verge's reviewer found that Spark can perform surprisingly well, roughly matching Google's demo. The remaining question is whether that capability justifies the financial cost and potential privacy tradeoffs.
I put Google’s 24/7 AI assistant Gemini Spark to work, and it’s useful
TechCrunch AI3d agoNew ToolTechCrunch tested Google’s 24/7 AI assistant Gemini Spark and found it genuinely useful for everyday automation. The article highlights tasks such as inbox summaries and local event planning, suggesting Google is pushing Gemini toward a more persistent assistant experience. Still, the author questions why Google chose to make Gemini Spark a separate product instead of folding it into existing Gemini or Google services.
As browser wars heat up, top Chrome and Safari alternatives in 2026
TechCrunch AI3d agoCommentaryTechCrunch frames 2026’s browser competition around alternatives to Chrome and Safari. The roundup covers AI-centric browsers like Perplexity Comet, Dia, Opera Neon, OpenAI Atlas, and Aside, alongside privacy-focused options such as Brave, DuckDuckGo, Ladybird, and Vivaldi. It also highlights niche products including Opera Air, SigmaOS, and Zen Browser, showing how browsers are becoming AI assistants, productivity hubs, privacy layers, and wellness-oriented tools.
Microsoft 365 Copilot gets a speed boost and cleaner design
The Verge AI4d agoReleaseMicrosoft is launching a revamped Microsoft 365 Copilot with a cleaner design and claimed 2x faster loading. The update also aims to make Copilot responses more reliable, structured, and easier to scan. The redesign is rolling out across desktop and mobile devices, focusing on everyday usability rather than a stated model upgrade.
Tech CEOs are apparently suffering from AI psychosis
TechCrunch AI6d agoCommentaryTechCrunch highlights a pointed comment from Box CEO Aaron Levie, who says CEOs are uniquely prone to “AI psychosis.” The piece frames this as a possible explanation for executives’ near-religious belief in AI-driven productivity gains. It does not present a product launch, model update, or research finding, but instead functions as a brief commentary on executive AI hype.
BenQ and MetaAge Adopt AWS Generative AI for Agentic Coding Productivity Gains
INSIDE 硬塞 AI6d agoBusinessBenQ is expanding AI across its education and business display ecosystem, including software products such as SummarAI and Meeting Room System. The article says BenQ partnered with MetaAge to adopt Amazon Web Services generative AI. Its main claim is a 20x productivity improvement through Agentic Coding, though the provided excerpt does not include implementation details or measurement methodology.
What ClickUp’s Mass Layoff Tells Us About the Future of Work★ 85
TechCrunch AI8d agoBusinessProductivity startup ClickUp is undergoing a massive restructuring, laying off hundreds of human workers to deploy thousands of AI agents in their place. This move by the nine-year-old company highlights a pivotal and controversial shift in how tech firms scale operations. It serves as a stark real-world example of AI-driven labor displacement and the evolving nature of knowledge work.