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Published 01.09.2025.09.00.MON
Bias, Benchmarks, and Battlefields: AI’s Expanding Reach
Tech continues to accelerate at a dizzying pace, with AI at the center of nearly every headline. This week, Trump Media experiments with AI-powered search, OpenAI launches GPT-5, Microsoft steps into building its own models, EA revives Battlefield with a return to form, and Google pushes its Pixel phones further into AI territory. The competition is fierce, innovation relentless, and the implications global. I love how this is becoming a standard of how we go over tech each week, the idea is to reduce the noise and gain focus with RSNs. Let’s unpack what happened, why it matters to you, and why it matters to the world.
1. Trump Media Tests AI Search with Perplexity
Truth Social tries an AI-powered leap.
What’s Happening: Trump Media is beta-testing “Truth Search AI,” built on Perplexity’s tech, for Truth Social users. Instead of just showing links, the system summarizes information conversationally, making it easier to digest. While generative AI search is reshaping the web, Truth Search raises questions of political bias. Early reports suggest it leans toward conservative outlets, though some surprising answers — like critiques of tariffs — show it isn’t entirely one-sided. With AI search dominated by Google and OpenAI, Trump Media’s experiment signals how political platforms may build their own AI-driven ecosystems.
Why it matters to you: Truth Search AI could shift how news is consumed, especially if bias impacts what users see daily.
Why it matters to the world: It underscores how AI is becoming a political tool, shaping narratives and potentially deepening polarization in information ecosystems.
2. OpenAI Launches GPT-5
A new flagship raises the bar.
What’s Happening: OpenAI has launched GPT-5, its first “unified” model combining the reasoning abilities of its o-series with the speed of GPT. GPT-5 can now act more like an assistant, helping with coding, scheduling, and research. It’s also designed to “think” when needed, using a router to decide between quick or detailed responses. Benchmarks show GPT-5 outperforming rivals in coding, science, and health-related tasks, with significantly fewer hallucinations. It’s rolling out to all ChatGPT users, including free accounts, marking a big accessibility step for advanced reasoning models.
Why it matters to you: ChatGPT now feels smarter, safer, and more useful — even free users get access to advanced reasoning.
Why it matters to the world: GPT-5 sets a new industry benchmark, influencing competitors and regulators while edging AI closer to agent-like behavior.
3. Microsoft AI Launches In-House Models
Redmond steps out of OpenAI’s shadow.
What’s Happening: Microsoft AI unveiled its first proprietary models: MAI-Voice-1 and MAI-1-preview. MAI-Voice-1 can generate a minute of audio in under one second, powering features like Copilot Daily’s AI news narration. MAI-1-preview, trained on 15,000 Nvidia H100 GPUs, offers text capabilities for everyday tasks. Microsoft emphasizes consumer use over enterprise, positioning its models for personalized AI companions. This move shows Microsoft hedging its bets, building independence from OpenAI while still collaborating. By orchestrating specialized models for different use cases, Microsoft hopes to deliver more tailored AI across its ecosystem.
Why it matters to you: You’ll see faster, more flexible AI inside Microsoft products, with new voices, tools, and customization options.
Why it matters to the world: Microsoft’s entry signals bigger competition in AI, diversifying the market beyond OpenAI, Anthropic, and Google.
4. Battlefield 6 Brings Back the Glory Days
Nostalgia-fueled combat makes a comeback.
What’s Happening: EA and DICE’s Battlefield 6 aims to recapture the franchise’s peak, echoing Battlefield 3 and 4 with class-based gameplay, destructible environments, and large-scale Conquest battles. The new installment refines core mechanics — bringing back defined roles like Assault and Recon — while adding tweaks like dragging downed allies to safety. A new “Kinesthetic Combat System” offers smoother movement, though impressions are mixed. Maps feature sprawling urban and mountainous layouts, balancing authenticity with chaos. Fans hope Battlefield 6 restores confidence after shaky recent entries, positioning the series as the antidote to predictable shooters.
Why it matters to you: If you miss classic Battlefield, this iteration promises the large-scale, explosive chaos that defined its best years.
Why it matters to the world: It shows gaming’s trend toward reviving past successes, betting on nostalgia while refining mechanics for modern audiences.
5. Google Pixel 10 Series Review
Hardware shines, AI leaves mixed feelings.
What’s Happening: Google’s Pixel 10, Pixel 10 Pro, and Pro XL push AI integration further, with features like real-time voice translation, Pro Res Zoom up to 100X, and conversational editing in Google Photos. Some tools, like Camera Coach, feel genuinely helpful, while others, like Photo-to-Video, seem gimmicky. Hardware remains solid: brighter displays, louder speakers, Qi2 wireless charging, and telephoto zoom that beats Apple and Samsung rivals. But limitations remain — middling raw performance, no SIM slot, and eSIM frustrations. The Pixels balance smart software with capable hardware, though AI overload risks alienating some users.
Why it matters to you: Pixel 10 offers standout photography and smart tools, but some AI features may feel unnecessary or intrusive. If you decide to buy, you will be in Google’s new AI ecosystem.
Why it matters to the world: It highlights how smartphone makers are testing the boundaries of AI integration, reshaping expectations for everyday devices. A new kind of smartphone, sometimes I think of it and feels like the world will get a “smarter” smartphone.
Conclusion
This week reflects AI’s expanding reach into politics, products, and play. Trump Media’s AI search stirs questions of bias, OpenAI’s GPT-5 brings frontier AI to everyone, Microsoft flexes its independence, and gaming revives its roots. Meanwhile, Google shows the tensions of layering too much AI into consumer tech. The race is not just about innovation but about balance, between usefulness and overload, openness and control. Tech’s future will depend on how well these boundaries are navigated. I hope people who are making all this technology possible are following their hearts. It will be needed for that vision to truly serve humanity and bring in the care that will make the next great tool. A tool for the heart.
— Ritik Sharma, Founder, RSN (Ritik Sharma Newsletter)