Q&A with Spotify Co-President and CTO Gustav Söderström on AI-generated music, NotebookLM podcasts, AI recommendations, improving discoverability, and more (Alex Kantrowitz/Big Technology)

Roland has unveiled the Mood Pan, a digital version of the handpan, designed for easy play with nine visible pads that represent notes and can be set to various scales. Featuring a built-in speaker system, Bluetooth connectivity, and multiple sound variations, it caters to musical exploration and relaxation, retailing for $660 with USB-C power options. Need More Context? 🔎

A federal judge ruled in favor of Anthropic, stating that training its AI models on legally purchased books without permission constitutes fair use, though the ruling is limited to physical books that were bought and digitized. However, the judge also determined that Anthropic must face a separate trial for allegedly pirating millions of books online, highlighting the complexities of AI copyright cases. Need More Context? 🔎

AT&T is enhancing its next-gen 911 network with the ESInet platform to allow customers to easily share pictures and videos with emergency dispatch centers starting in October, improving response preparation for first responders. This update will also include security features for protecting sensitive data and enable select 2026 Toyota vehicles to automatically transmit crash data to dispatchers. Need More Context? 🔎

Goldman Sachs has launched a generative AI assistant for its employees, with 10,000 already utilizing it for tasks such as document summarization and data analysis. While the company claims the AI will enable staff to focus on higher-value work, reports suggest it may lead to decreased workforce needs, as evidenced by one banker noting that AI now handles 85% of client responses, preventing the hiring of 30 new staff. Need More Context? 🔎

Google has launched its AI mode, a Q&A-style search tool, in India, currently in an experimental phase accessible through Search Labs. Users can opt in to ask queries in English, although Google has not provided details on broader availability or features. Need More Context? 🔎

John Oliver Critiques AI-Generated ContentIn the latest episode of Last Week Tonight, John Oliver criticized the influx of "AI slop," referring to the overwhelming amount of AI-generated images and videos populating social media platforms like TikTok, Instagram, and Facebook. He highlighted the implications of this trend on content quality and authenticity. Need More Context? 🔎