Tech Report: Google’s AI spending raises eyebrows, Tesla earnings slip, Walmart hires AI exec

Google is pouring tens of billions of dollars into artificial intelligence, integrating it across its core products.

(LILAMAX)- Google is pouring tens of billions of dollars into artificial intelligence, integrating it across its core products. While the tech giant says it’s adding new AI-powered features to services like Google Photos and YouTube Shorts—including the ability to transform photos into videos—its aggressive spending is starting to worry Wall Street analysts.

Tesla reported $1.2 billion in profit from April through June, down from $1.4 billion a year ago. The drop has sparked concern among investors, some of whom fear CEO Elon Musk is prioritizing futuristic projects like autonomous driving, robotaxis, and humanoid robots over the company’s core electric vehicle business. Musk has said those innovations will eventually make Tesla the most valuable company in the world.

Meanwhile, Walmart is boosting its artificial intelligence push by hiring former Instacart executive Daniel Danker. Danker will serve as Executive Vice President of AI Acceleration, Product, and Design. Walmart says AI is helping tailor promotions to individual shoppers and streamline its supply chain.

Uber is also rolling out a new feature aimed at safety and comfort. Starting next month, the company will begin piloting a program in Los Angeles, San Francisco, and Detroit that pairs women drivers with women riders when possible. Riders can set a preference, and women drivers can also choose to drive only women.