Researchers from Ruhr University and the Max Planck Institute examined how generative AI search tools differ from traditional Google results. Their analysis of Google AI Overviews, Gemini‑2.5‑Flash, and GPT‑4o showed these systems regularly cite websites that rank lower on popularity metrics such as Tranco, often missing from the top 10 or even top 100 Google links for the same queries. The findings highlight a shift in the sources presented to users when AI-driven search replaces classic link lists. Read more →

OpenAI has introduced ChatGPT Atlas, a Chromium‑based browser that places its AI chatbot at the center of the web experience. Designed for macOS initially, the browser offers a minimalist interface, integrated search, and an “Ask ChatGPT” feature that can answer questions about the current page. Paid users gain access to an “agentic mode” that attempts to perform tasks such as adding items to shopping carts or scheduling appointments. Early testing shows the browser’s AI‑driven capabilities are functional but slower than competing AI browsers, and the overall browsing experience remains limited compared with traditional browsers. Read more →

Proton, the company behind Proton Mail, has begun rolling out Lumo 1.1, an upgraded version of its privacy‑focused AI chatbot, to both free and paying users. The update promises markedly better performance across several dimensions, including a 170 percent jump in context understanding, a 40 percent improvement in code generation, and a 200 percent increase in handling multi‑step problems. A revamped web‑search tool aims to deliver more accurate current‑event answers while reducing hallucinations. As before, all conversations remain encrypted, and Proton is releasing the iOS and Android app code as open source to reinforce its security claims. Read more →