Samsung May Partner with Perplexity, Google AI Runs Locally, and Brain-Computer Interface Advances

Samsung's Potential Perplexity Partnership

• 🤝 Sources suggest Samsung is close to a deal to integrate Perplexity's generative models into its phones, potentially preloading the app and assistant.
• 🌐 This partnership could also involve integrating Perplexity Search into Samsung's web browser, directly competing with Google's territory.
• 📱 The deal might also see Perplexity become the default assistant on the Galaxy S26 in 2026, though Gemini would likely remain an option.
• 🍎 This move mirrors Apple's rumored discussions with Perplexity and could help Samsung deflect monopolization accusations against Google.

Google AI Edge Gallery for Local Model Execution

• ☁️ Google has released an Android app, with an iOS version coming soon, allowing users to run AI models locally on their devices without an internet connection.
• 🖼️ The Google AI Edge Gallery, available via GitHub, supports models from HuggingFace, including Google's own Gemma 3, for tasks like image generation and code writing.
• 🔒 This offers enhanced privacy as sensitive queries and data processing remain on the user's phone, not sent to the cloud.

Advancements in Brain-Computer Interfaces (BCIs)

• 🧠 A company called Paradromics successfully implanted its Kexus BCI into a patient undergoing epilepsy surgery at the University of Michigan.
• ⚡ The temporary implant recorded neural activity, demonstrating potential for future clinical trials aimed at helping patients with severe motor impairments communicate.
• 📈 This milestone is a step towards long-term BCI use, following similar advancements from companies like Synchron and Neuralink.

Music Industry and AI Music Generation

• 🎶 Major music labels like Universal, Warner, and Sony are reportedly in talks with AI music generators Udio and Suno to license their technology.
• ⚖️ An agreement could resolve ongoing copyright infringement lawsuits and potentially allow prompts that reference major artists' styles or names.
• 🎤 The future landscape for artists regarding AI-generated music and the use of their likeness remains a key question.

UK Civil Servants Boost Productivity with Microsoft Copilot

• 📊 A trial with 20,000 UK civil servants using Microsoft Copilot showed an average saving of 26 minutes per employee per day.
• ⏱️ This productivity gain was observed in tasks like drafting documents, summarizing emails, and updating records, leading to faster service for citizens.

Other Tech News Briefs

• 💡 SoftBank and Intel have formed a joint venture, SA Memory, to develop stacked DRAM that matches high bandwidth memory performance while using less power.
• 📱 Twitch will introduce portrait mode streaming for easier mobile viewing and is rolling out 1440p streams in open beta.
• ⚖️ Google's search advertising antitrust case has closed arguments, with the judge expected to rule by August, though appeals are likely.
• 🇪🇺 Apple is challenging an EU order to increase OS interoperability, citing user privacy risks.
• 🎮 Upcoming events include Summer GameFest starting June 6th and Apple's WWDC beginning June 9th.