Alibaba’s AI chatbot Qwen temporarily halted coupon distribution after overwhelming demand during its Spring Festival promotional campaign. The initiative, part of a 3-billion-yuan ($433 million) strategy, allows users to shop and complete in-app purchases directly through chatbot prompts. Within nine hours of launch, 10 million orders were placed, triggering system overloads and repeated purchase refusals. Qwen acknowledged oversubscription on Weibo, assuring users coupons remain valid until February 28. The disruption highlights both strong consumer interest in AI shopping and technical challenges in Alibaba’s Agentic AI rollout.
The European Union has suggested implementing temporary regulations against Meta regarding its WhatsApp platform, following claims that the company may block rival AI services. The EU's antitrust authority stated that such actions could hamper competition and innovation in the AI sector. Meta criticized the move, arguing it limits consumer choice. The potential regulations aim to ensure fair access for AI competitors, maintaining a balanced market dynamic.
As the Chinese New Year approaches, four humanoid robot startups—Unitree, Galbot, Noetix, and MagicLab—prepare to showcase their innovations at the upcoming CCTV Spring Festival Gala. Notably, Unitree's robots earned acclaim after their performance in the 2025 gala, while Agibot's recent live-streamed event attracted 1.4 million viewers. “When robots begin to understand Chinese New Year and have a sense of humour, human-computer interaction may accelerate,” says photographer Ma Hongyun, highlighting industry optimism.
Google Gemini secured the top position in the 22nd Kellogg School Super Bowl Advertising Review with its emotional “New Home” ad, highlighting how AI supports life transitions through creativity and human connection. The win marks Google’s fourth first-place ranking. Anthropic’s Claude and Novartis also earned high praise, while Coinbase and ai.com received low grades for unclear messaging. Artificial intelligence dominated this year’s Super Bowl ads, alongside nostalgia, celebrity appearances, and a surge in health-focused campaigns, including weight-loss medications and wellness products.
The Los Angeles County Superior Court opens arguments this week in a significant case against Meta (Instagram) and Google (YouTube), regarding child addiction to their platforms. Sacha Haworth from the Tech Oversight Project highlights the trial's broader implications for similar lawsuits. A central plaintiff, identified as "KGM," claims social media use has worsened her mental health due to designed addictiveness. The outcome could reshape regulations for social media companies, mirroring previous Big Tobacco liabilities.
Elon Musk announced that SpaceX is pivoting towards building a “self-growing city” on the Moon, achievable within a decade, rather than focusing on Mars, which will now see an uncrewed landing pushed to March 2027. This strategic shift, made to prioritize the future of civilization amid competition from China, coincides with SpaceX's recent acquisition of AI firm xAI, increasing its valuation to USD 1 trillion. Musk revealed plans for a public offering that could raise up to USD 50 billion.
OpenAI is reportedly developing a new hardware product named "Dime," potentially earbuds designed for hands-free access to its AI models and real-time assistance. Tech commentator Mark Kretschmann suggests that OpenAI has filed a patent for "Dime," indicating a launch might be imminent in the latter half of 2026. While AirPods excel in user experience, achieving practicality in AI features remains a challenge for OpenAI as it enters this competitive market.
Google Maps has introduced a hands-free feature that allows users to interact with Gemini while walking or cycling. Users can ask questions like, "What are must-see attractions nearby?" or "Text Emily I’m 10 minutes behind," without disrupting their navigation. This serves to enhance real-time, conversational navigation alongside its existing features, including restaurant suggestions and neighborhood details. The feature is rolling out globally on iOS, with Android support coming soon.
Apple reported record Q1 earnings, surpassing expectations with iPhone revenue of $85.3 billion, beating forecasts of $78.3 billion. CEO Tim Cook warned of potential margin impacts due to a global memory shortage, projecting Q2 margins of 48-49%. Overall, Apple earned $2.84 per share on $143.8 billion in revenue, exceeding analyst predictions of $2.68 EPS on $138.4 billion. Additionally, China sales surged 38% to $25.5 billion, indicating a resurgence in that market.
Sundar Pichai, CEO of Google, announced a collaboration between Google’s Gemini AI and the International Cricket Council (ICC) aimed at enhancing viewer engagement during cricket matches. Pichai stated, “Now Google can help with your Googly,” emphasizing the technology's ability to provide real-time insights and analytics. This partnership is expected to transform the way cricket is experienced by fans worldwide, reflecting Google’s commitment to innovation in sports tech.