Another Crazy Day in AI: Google in Court and the AI Question
- Wowza Team
- Sep 5
- 4 min read
Hello, AI Enthusiasts.
As we edge toward the weekend, the AI news cycle isn’t showing signs of slowing.
Google escaped a potential shake-up when a U.S. judge decided Chrome can stay under Alphabet’s umbrella. What caught analysts off guard was AI’s unexpected weight in the judge’s decision.
California, on the other hand, is launching one of the first statewide AI-in-education task forces.
And the momentum doesn’t stop at the state level—Microsoft is backing national efforts with major new commitments to bring AI into classrooms across the U.S.
Looks like the AI homework is piling up for all of us.
Here's another crazy day in AI:
Google survives major antitrust challenge
California launches statewide AI in education workgroup
White House and Microsoft expand AI learning commitments
Some AI tools to try out
TODAY'S FEATURED ITEM: Court Lets Google Keep Chrome Browser
Image Credit: Wowza (created with Ideogram)
What happens when a courtroom decision collides with rapid changes in technology?
In a recent FT News Briefing episode, Marc Filippino spoke with John Foley (Head of the Lex Column, Financial Times) and Diana Mariska (FT journalist) about how Google narrowly avoided a major setback in court. A U.S. judge ruled that Alphabet, Google's parent company, will not be forced to divest its Chrome browser, a decision that sent Google's shares soaring. Interestingly, artificial intelligence—once peripheral to the case—ended up playing a central role in shaping the court's perspective.
The Numbers Behind the Victory:
Alphabet's market value increased by over $220 billion in a single day after the ruling
Investors had been bracing for potentially devastating breakup scenarios
The relief was immediate and substantial, showing how much uncertainty had been weighing on the stock
Appeals could still complicate the picture, though Google has clearly won this round
How Competition Changed the Game:
ChatGPT amassed 700 million weekly users during the legal proceedings
Judge Amit Mehta recognized that generative tools were fundamentally altering information retrieval
Google began integrating similar capabilities into its own search results to compete
The court saw this natural competition as potentially more effective than forced company restructuring
What Google Gets to Keep:
Chrome browser remains under Google's control, maintaining its role in roughly 20% of US internet searches
Partnerships with Apple and other device manufacturers for default search settings can continue
Some new restrictions will limit how Google can expand its search advantages into other product areas
Regulatory oversight will monitor future business moves more closely
The legal system found itself in an unusual position with this case. When antitrust proceedings began in 2023, most consumers had never used or even heard of ChatGPT. By the time Judge Mehta rendered his decision, these tools had become part of daily routines for hundreds of millions of people worldwide. The judge had to weigh whether traditional remedies like breaking up companies still made sense when the competitive landscape was already transforming so dramatically.
This decision may represent a new approach to regulating technology companies. Rather than immediately restructuring dominant players, courts might increasingly allow technological innovation to create its own competitive pressures while maintaining regulatory oversight. Whether this proves effective remains to be seen. The pace of technological change shows no signs of slowing, and new platforms continue emerging that could reshape entire industries. The Google case provides a template for how courts might handle similar situations involving other major technology companies, but it also raises questions about whether regulatory systems can keep up with the speed of innovation in these markets.
Read the full Podcast transcript here.
Listen on Appe Podcasts here.
Listen on Spotify here.
OTHER INTERESTING AI HIGHLIGHTS:
California Launches Statewide AI in Education Workgroup
/News Staff, on Government Technology
California has launched its first statewide AI in Education Workgroup to study how AI can be safely integrated into K-12 schools. Led by Superintendent Tony Thurmond and mandated by Senate Bill 1288, the group brings together teachers, students, administrators, and experts to shape policies on AI’s role in classrooms. Its charge includes creating statewide guidance on academic integrity, privacy, and equity, with recommendations due by early 2026. The effort positions California as one of the first states to take a legislatively mandated approach to AI in education.
Read more here.
White House and Microsoft Expand AI Learning Commitments
/Brad Smith (Vice Chair & President, Microsoft) and Ryan Roslansky (CEO, LinkedIn & EVP, Microsoft Office), on Microsoft Blogs
At the White House’s AI Education Task Force, Microsoft announced a major set of commitments to expand AI learning tools and training across the U.S. Students will gain free access to Microsoft 365 with Copilot, while teachers will receive $1.25 million in educator grants and expanded AI resources. LinkedIn Learning will unlock nearly 100 AI courses for students, teachers, and job seekers, with new certifications to boost career opportunities. The initiatives aim to empower learners at all levels and close the AI skills gap nationwide.
Read more here.
SOME AI TOOLS TO TRY OUT:
Ghost – Create polished slide decks from ideas in minutes.
Receiptor AI – Auto-extract and organize receipts, sync with QuickBooks/Xero.
AssemblyAI – Speech-to-text API with speaker detection in 99+ languages.
That’s a wrap on today’s Almost Daily craziness.
Catch us almost every day—almost! 😉
EXCITING NEWS:
The Another Crazy Day in AI newsletter is on LinkedIn!!!
Leveraging AI for Enhanced Content: As part of our commitment to exploring new technologies, we used AI to help curate and refine our newsletters. This enriches our content and keeps us at the forefront of digital innovation, ensuring you stay informed with the latest trends and developments.
Comments