Perplexity Labs The AI Overlords Coming for Your Job?

Week in Review: AI Takes Center Stage, From Browsers to Billion-Dollar Investments

Welcome back to our weekly roundup of the biggest tech stories! This week, we're diving deep into the ever-expanding world of artificial intelligence, covering everything from AI-powered productivity tools to significant investments in the space. Buckle up!

Perplexity Labs: AI Wants to Do Your Work

Google, watch out! Perplexity, the AI-powered search engine, has just released Perplexity Labs, a tool designed to help Pro subscribers create reports, spreadsheets, dashboards, and more.

• What it does: Perplexity Labs conducts research and analysis using web search, code execution, and chart/image creation.
• Speed: It can generate reports and visualizations in around 10 minutes.
• Caveats: While we haven't tested it yet, given the known limitations of AI, perfection isn't guaranteed. However, the potential is undeniably exciting.

Luckey's Reunion: Oculus Founder Teams Up with Facebook for Military XR

The once-strained relationship between Oculus founder Palmer Luckey and Mark Zuckerberg appears to be mended. They've announced a collaboration between Facebook and Luckey's company, Anduril, to develop extended reality (XR) devices for the U.S. military.

• Project Name: EagleEye
• Description: An ecosystem of XR devices designed for military applications.

AI and Job Displacement: A Looming Concern

While the potential of AI is vast, concerns about its impact on employment are growing. A recent World Economic Forum survey revealed a concerning trend:

• 40% of employers plan to cut staff in areas where AI can automate tasks.

This highlights the need for proactive strategies to address potential job displacement and ensure a smooth transition into an AI-driven future.

Browser Wars: AI Edition

The browser landscape is heating up with a focus on AI integration:

• Arc Browser: The Browser Company is considering selling or open-sourcing Arc to focus on a new AI-powered browser called Dia.
• Opera: Also developing a new AI-focused browser.
• Perplexity: Teased its AI-powered browser, Comet, a few months ago.

WhatsApp Finally Arrives on iPad

iPad users, rejoice! A dedicated iPad version of WhatsApp is finally here. Meta promises full utilization of iPadOS multitasking features like Stage Manager, Split View, and Slide Over.

Security Breaches: A Double Whammy

This week brought news of two significant security breaches:

• LexisNexis Risk Solutions: A data breach affecting over 364,000 people, with stolen data including sensitive information like names, SSNs, and driver's license numbers.
• White House Chief of Staff: Hackers accessed the personal phone of Susie Wiles, impersonating her using AI and contacting high-ranking officials.

Gemini Takes Over Gmail Summaries

Gmail users will now see AI-powered summaries of emails automatically generated by Gemini. If you prefer not to use this feature, you'll need to opt out.

Grammarly Secures Massive $1 Billion Investment

Grammarly, the well-known writing assistant startup, has received a $1 billion investment from General Catalyst. This funding will fuel sales and marketing efforts, and enable strategic acquisitions.

Tinder Introduces Height Preferences

Looking for love (and someone of a particular height)? Tinder is testing a new feature that allows users to add a "height preference" to their search criteria. While not a hard filter, it will inform recommendations.

Carma Technology Sues Uber Over Patent Infringement

Carma Technology, founded in 2007, is suing Uber for allegedly infringing on five of its patents. The allegations date back almost a decade.

Conclusion: The AI Revolution Continues

This week's news underscores the pervasive and rapidly evolving influence of AI across various sectors. From productivity tools to security concerns, AI is reshaping the tech landscape and impacting our daily lives. Staying informed and adaptable is crucial as we navigate this exciting and transformative era.

Source: https://techcrunch.com/2025/05/31/week-in-review-perplexity-labs-wants-to-do-your-work/