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In conversation with VMLY&R’s Hari Ramanathan

Elon Musk's artificial intelligence startup, xAI, is facing mounting criticism from employees after mandating the installation of Hubstaff, a productivity-tracking software, on their personal computers - a move that has ignited debate over privacy and workplace surveillance.

According to a report by Business Insider, xAI employees were instructed earlier this month to download Hubstaff, which monitors work activity by tracking websites visited, applications used, keystrokes, mouse movements, and even capturing periodic screenshots during work hours.

Also Read: <a href="https://www.storyboard18.com/how-it-works/elon-musks-tesla-to-launch-first-ever-experience-centre-in-india-on-july-15-74002.htm">Elon Musk’s Tesla to launch first-ever experience centre in India on July 15</a>

The directive was not limited to company-issued laptops; staff using their own devices were also required to comply, with an initial deadline set for July 11.

The company's human resources team justified the rollout in an internal email, stating that the software would "streamline work processes, provide clearer insights into daily tutoring activities, and ensure resources align with Human Data priorities. The primary target of this monitoring is employees involved in training xAI's chatbot, Grok.

However, the policy quickly drew ire from within. Employees voiced strong objections, with one resigning in protest and describing the move as "surveillance disguised as productivity" and "manipulation masked as culture" in a Slack message that garnered widespread support among colleagues. Many staff members expressed concern that the requirement to monitor personal devices crossed a line, undermining trust and the company's culture.

After Business Insider contacted xAI for comment, the company partially reversed its stance, allowing employees who requested company laptops to delay installing Hubstaff until they received their official devices. Yet, ambiguity remains for those who already installed the software or purchased new hardware to comply with the original mandate.

Also Read: <a href="https://www.storyboard18.com/digital/elon-musks-xai-apologizes-after-grok-chatbot-posts-antisemitic-extremist-content-74290.htm">Elon Musk’s xAI apologizes after Grok chatbot posts antisemitic, extremist content</a>

xAI has emphasized that Hubstaff’s tracking is limited to designated work hours and does not monitor activity outside of those times. To address privacy concerns, the company suggested employees could either use a new company-issued Chromebook or create a separate login profile on their personal computers.

Despite these reassurances, the controversy has highlighted broader tensions at xAI, where some employees see the move as part of a pattern of high-intensity demands and top-down control reminiscent of Musk's management style at other ventures like X and Tesla.

Critics warn that such policies may hinder xAI's ability to attract and retain top talent in the competitive AI sector.

Also Read: <a href="https://www.storyboard18.com/digital/elon-musks-x-cuts-subscription-prices-in-india-74143.htm">Elon Musk’s X cuts subscription prices in India</a>

Elon Musk's xAI sparks employee backlash over mandatory surveillance software

NVIDIA CEO Jensen Huang has pushed back against claims that artificial intelligence may be lowering human cognitive abilities, calling the argument flawed and rooted in how people choose to use the technology. His comments come in response to a recent MIT study that suggested over-reliance on AI tools could negatively impact problem-solving and critical thinking skills.

“I haven’t read the MIT research lol,” Huang said at an event, dismissing the findings with characteristic candor. “I literally use AI every day, and my cognitive skills are actually advancing.”

Huang, who heads one of the world’s most influential AI hardware and computing firms, argued that rather than replacing human thinking, AI can enhance it, if used wisely. He explained that his day-to-day role as a CEO revolves around asking good questions and solving new problems, and AI has become an indispensable partner in that process.

“I’m not asking a machine to teach me what I already know,” he said. “I use AI to learn new things and to approach problems I haven’t encountered before.”

The MIT study, which raised alarms about users outsourcing too much of their decision-making to generative AI tools, has sparked a broader debate about the long-term cognitive impact of such technologies. But Huang made it clear that he believes the problem lies not with the technology, but with how it's used.

“I’m not sure what kind of questions people are asking AI if it’s making them dumber,” he said. “Skill issue.”

He also noted that effective prompting, critiquing AI responses, and applying one’s own judgment are all cognitive processes that improve mental agility, not diminish it.

“Critiquing and criticizing AI’s answers using critical thinking enhances cognitive skills,” Huang said. His advice to those concerned about the effects of AI? “Apply critical thinking.”

As generative AI tools become more integrated into daily workflows across industries, Huang’s position reinforces a growing perspective among technologists: AI isn’t a substitute for thinking — it’s a tool that rewards those who think better.

Read More: <a href="https://www.storyboard18.com/digital/microsoft-tightens-focus-on-ai-proficiency-amid-mass-layoffs-says-ai-is-core-to-every-role-74348.htm">Microsoft tightens focus on AI proficiency amid mass layoffs; says "AI is core to every role"</a>

Read More: <a href="https://www.storyboard18.com/brand-makers/anupam-mittal-warns-against-deep-tech-push-calls-for-practical-ai-skilling-for-real-jobs-74326.htm">Anupam Mittal warns against deep-tech push, calls for practical AI skilling for real jobs</a>

Read More: <a href="https://www.storyboard18.com/how-it-works/former-intel-ceo-launches-ai-venture-focused-on-human-values-74090.htm">Former Intel CEO launches AI venture focused on human values</a>

Jensen Huang responds to MIT study on AI; says “Skill Issue, Not AI”

Microsoft is now making AI proficiency a mandatory criterion in employee performance reviews, signaling the company's full-throttle push into artificial intelligence amid widespread job cuts.

As per reports by The Information and Business Insider, Microsoft has laid off over 15,000 employees across multiple business units in 2025 alone, with the latest wave affecting approximately 9,000 roles, particularly in the Xbox gaming and sales divisions. This comes after earlier job cuts in May and June, which included 6,000 and several hundred roles, respectively. Around 850 jobs were slashed in Washington state, the company’s home base.

While trimming its workforce, Microsoft is also ramping up its internal expectations around AI. Julia Liuson, president of the Developer Division, told managers that AI usage must now be factored into performance evaluations at all levels. In an internal memo, she emphasized that "using AI is no longer optional — it's core to every role."

This move is part of Microsoft’s strategy to drive deeper adoption of its AI-powered productivity tools, particularly Copilot. The company is reportedly exploring formal AI usage metrics as part of next fiscal year's performance reviews, potentially introducing specific benchmarks employees must meet.

Microsoft is also encouraging its remaining workforce to “invest in your own AI skilling”, highlighting a future where success and possibly job security may increasingly depend on how effectively employees leverage AI in their day-to-day roles.

Read More: <a href="https://www.storyboard18.com/digital/microsoft-layoffs-xbox-executive-suggests-laid-off-workers-turn-to-chatgpt-for-career-advice-73139.htm">Microsoft layoffs: Xbox executive suggests laid-off workers turn to ChatGPT for career advice</a>

Read More: <a href="https://www.storyboard18.com/how-it-works/big-tech-layoffs-microsoft-to-lay-off-9000-people-in-bid-to-rein-in-costs-amid-ai-push-72756">Big Tech Layoffs: Microsoft to lay off 9,000 people in bid to rein in costs amid AI push</a>

Read More: <a href="https://www.storyboard18.com/how-it-works/2025-tech-layoffs-microsoft-google-linkedin-among-companies-cutting-thousands-of-jobs-69203.htm">2025 tech layoffs: Microsoft, Google, LinkedIn among companies cutting thousands of jobs</a>

Microsoft tightens focus on AI proficiency amid mass layoffs; says "AI is core to every role"

Anupam Mittal, founder of Shaadi.com and Shark Tank India judge, has issued a stark warning about India's growing obsession with deep-tech, arguing that the country's current skilling infrastructure is dangerously out of sync with lofty AI ambitions.

In a thought-provoking LinkedIn post on Saturday, Mittal expressed concern that India is mimicking Western narratives around artificial intelligence without acknowledging the nation's unique socio-economic challenges.

Read More: <a href="https://www.storyboard18.com/brand-makers/six-words-that-changed-anupam-mittals-life-39437.htm">Six words that changed Anupam Mittal’s life</a>

Sharing a photo of an elderly woman wearing a Blinkit delivery jacket, he wrote, "Saw this woman the other day, and thought maybe she should learn Python. Perhaps she can fine-tune an LLM too, while delivering your groceries."

"Every time I say India needs jobs along with deep-tech, someone sends me a whitepaper on AI skilling. Basically parroting the West without understanding our own reality," Mittal wrote.

He acknowledged the sweeping changes brought on by AI globally, stating, "AI replacement and automation is happening at the top cos in the world including Microsoft, Meta, Google. Their CEOs are on record: 40-50 per cent of work processes will be AI-driven in 2-3 years. Yes, true!"

However, Mittal emphasized that those countries - unlike India - have low populations, high formal employment rates, and substantial reskilling budgets.

Read More: <a href="https://www.storyboard18.com/brand-makers/consumption-is-word-of-the-day-anupam-mittal-radhika-gupta-react-to-budget-2025-55321.htm">Consumption is word of the day: Anupam Mittal, Radhika Gupta react to Budget 2025</a> 

Reflecting on his time in the US, he said, "When I worked in the US, every time a new tech or software rolled out, we were upskilled in real time not just as individuals, but across the entire organisation. India is not there yet given that most are self-employed."

He credited the gig economy for enabling employment for millions, particularly in a country that holds nearly 20 percent of the world's population. But he also cautioned that this sector remains fragile.

"The gig economy is a blessing. But when we start touting deep-tech as the only solution to all our problems, we endanger the livelihoods of a billion plus nation," Mittal warned.

Read More: <a href="https://www.storyboard18.com/brand-makers/anupam-mittal-adds-a-playful-twist-to-oyos-recent-policy-shift-52556.htm">Anupam Mittal adds a playful twist to OYO's recent policy shift</a>

Anupam Mittal warns against deep-tech push, calls for practical AI skilling for real jobs

Elon Musk’s artificial intelligence company, xAI, issued a public apology on Saturday following a wave of violent and antisemitic posts generated by its Grok chatbot, attributing the incident to a system update that caused the bot to reflect extremist user content. “First off, we deeply apologize for the horrific behavior that many experienced,” the company wrote.

<a href="https://www.storyboard18.com/digital/study-finds-most-of-xs-community-notes-never-see-the-light-of-day-73878.htm">Read more: Study finds most of X’s Community Notes never see the light of day</a>

The apology followed days of controversy after Grok posted praise for Adolf Hitler, repeated conspiracy theories, and invoked longstanding antisemitic tropes in response to user prompts. According to xAI, a system update had caused Grok to refer directly to “existing X user posts; including when such posts contained extremist views,” which led to the bot amplifying such content.

The company said the problematic code was live for 16 hours before it was removed, and Grok’s X account was frozen Tuesday evening, although users could still interact with the chatbot privately. The incident highlights the persistent challenges facing the AI industry as it grapples with safety, moderation and the risk of amplifying harmful content while racing to deploy generative AI tools at scale.

“We have removed that deprecated code and refactored the entire system to prevent further abuse,” xAI said.


<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">Update on where has <a href="https://twitter.com/grok?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@grok</a> been &amp; what happened on July 8th. First off, we deeply apologize for the horrific behavior that many experienced. Our intent for <a href="https://twitter.com/grok?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@grok</a> is to provide helpful and truthful responses to users. After careful investigation, we discovered the root cause…&mdash; Grok (@grok) <a href="https://twitter.com/grok/status/1943916977481036128?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 12, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>


The instructions that led to the incident included: “You tell it like it is and you are not afraid to offend people who are politically correct,” “Understand the tone, context and language of the post. Reflect that in your response,” and “Reply to the post just like a human, keep it engaging, don’t repeat the information which is already present in the original post.”

Those instructions steered Grok “to ignore its core values in certain circumstances in order to make the response engaging to the user,” the company explained.

“In particular, the instruction to ‘follow the tone and context’ of the X user undesirably caused the @grok functionality to prioritize adhering to prior posts in the thread, including any unsavory posts, as opposed to responding responsibly or refusing to respond to unsavory requests,” xAI said.

As the company issued its explanation, Grok’s X account was reactivated, resuming public engagement with users on the platform.

The incident is not the first time Grok has sparked controversy. In May, the chatbot referenced claims of “white genocide” in South Africa in response to unrelated prompts, an event xAI later blamed on a “rogue employee.” 

<a href="https://www.storyboard18.com/brand-makers/linda-yaccarino-steps-down-from-x-as-ceo-73686.htm">Read more: Linda Yaccarino quits as CEO of Elon Musk's X</a>

Elon Musk’s xAI apologizes after Grok chatbot posts antisemitic, extremist content

At Google Marketing Live India 2025, the tech giant unveiled a comprehensive suite of AI-powered advertising tools aimed at helping brands reach the modern Indian consumer, who now navigates an increasingly complex web of digital touchpoints daily. With 80% of Gen Z relying on Google Search for shopping, research and decision-making, and 87% of Indian consumers discovering new products on Google and YouTube, the company underscored its vision of turning these platforms into full-funnel marketing ecosystems.

One of the biggest announcements was the launch of ads within AI Overviews, Google’s generative AI search summaries. Set to go live in English on mobile and desktop in India later this year, these AI Overviews will now include Search and Shopping ads when relevant, offering businesses new routes for discovery.

On YouTube, the company is expanding Shoppable CTV (Connected TV) features with interactive tools like QR codes and “send to phone” functionality, transforming passive viewing into actionable engagement. In tandem, YouTube Masthead ads are now shoppable on mobile, aligning with the upcoming festive season to help brands convert inspiration into immediate purchases.

To address creative bottlenecks, Google also announced ‘Generated for You’ within Product Studio, an AI tool that automatically creates product visuals and videos aligned with brand aesthetics and seasonal trends. This feature aims to reduce production time while maintaining quality and relevance across campaigns.

Google is also doubling down on smarter campaign performance with AI Max for Search Campaigns, which boosts conversions through enhanced targeting and creative generation. Early testing by re-commerce brand Cashify showed a 15% rise in conversions using the tool.

Additionally, a new Retention Only Mode in Performance Max was launched to help brands focus exclusively on re-engaging high-value or dormant users, addressing a long-standing challenge in digital marketing.

Read More: <a href="https://www.storyboard18.com/advertising/google-expands-ai-driven-ads-in-india-betting-on-generative-search-to-power-growth-73964.htm">Google expands AI-driven ads in India, betting on generative search to power growth</a>

Further easing marketing complexities, Google is introducing agentic AI capabilities across Google Ads and Analytics to support campaign setup, optimisation and troubleshooting. These "agents" are expected to significantly reduce manual effort across workflows.

Read More: <a href="https://www.storyboard18.com/advertising/u-s-court-finds-google-guilty-of-monopolizing-digital-adtech-market-62611.htm">U.S. Court finds Google guilty of monopolizing digital AdTech market</a>

Lastly, updates to Meridian, Google’s open-source Marketing Mix Model, include a new API for reach/frequency metrics and an interactive budget planner. New cross-channel measurement features in Google Analytics, including a metric called attributed brand searches, will give advertisers a clearer view of how video ads impact organic search. With these updates, Google aims to empower Indian marketers with AI-led solutions that drive growth, improve efficiency, and bridge inspiration with conversion.

Read More: <a href="https://www.storyboard18.com/digital/turkeys-competition-board-imposes-8-9-million-fine-to-google-74097.htm">Turkey's competition board imposes $8.9 million fine to Google</a>

Google showcases AI-driven ad tools; targets discovery and retention across Search and YouTube

In the ever-evolving world of social media, content creators have emerged as the new-age celebrities. With millions of followers and lucrative brand deals, they wield significant influence. However, the glitz and glamour come with a darker side - hate and harassment. 

In a revealing panel discussion moderated by Delshad Irani for Storyboard18, prominent content creators Ankush Bahuguna, Shibani Bedi, and Raj Grover opened up about their experiences with online hate on platforms like YouTube and Instagram, shedding light on the challenges they face in maintaining their mental health and authenticity.

Also Read: <a href="https://www.storyboard18.com/brand-makers/these-creators-reject-betting-ads-despite-3x-payouts-heres-why-73607.htm">These creators reject betting ads despite 3x payouts - here’s why</a>

The Rise of the Creator Economy

The discussion began with a reflection on the creators' journeys. Ankush Bahuguna, who started with Shibani Bedi in videos for publications, highlighted the shift from traditional media to the self-driven world of social media. "We were already scripting and featuring in videos. When social media platforms boomed, we thought, 'Why are we doing this for others when we can be a brand ourselves?'" he shared.

Bedi echoed this sentiment, recounting her journey from an actor to an Instagram creator during the COVID-19 pandemic. "I aggressively started posting content during COVID, and suddenly, the revenue started coming in. It became a full profession," she explained.

Raj Grover, who began his journey at the tender age of 13, noted the lack of guidance in his early days. "There were no proper creators back then. I started for fun, and it became what it is now," he said.

The Unseen Battle with Hate

Despite the success, the creators unanimously agreed that hate and negativity remain significant challenges. "The audience is brutal everywhere," Bahuguna admitted. "I think the major difference between Instagram and YouTube is also that YouTube people go with intention.”

Bedi, who has faced age-related shaming, shared her experience of being objectified. "It's not about the content; it's personal attacks like 'buddi,' which means old," she revealed, highlighting the viciousness of online trolls.

Grover, on the other hand, attributed his relatively positive experience to his family-friendly content. "My audience is very loyal. On YouTube, they are happy, but on Instagram, hate can come for your character," he noted. “If you are getting hate on Instagram, you'll get hate on your character and your everything. But on YouTube, you get hate for your content or sometimes as a person also,” he added.

Navigating the Fine Line Between Commerce and Creativity

The panel also delved into the struggle of balancing commercial viability with creative integrity. "There are brands that want your video to be an ad, and they control everything down to the clothes you wear," Bedi explained. "I try to be authentic and only endorse products I believe in."

Bahuguna emphasized the importance of negotiating creative freedom with brands. "You're paying me to conceptualize the video. Don't do my job. If you do, both of us won't benefit," he advised.

The Looming Threat of AI

As the discussion progressed, the creators expressed their concerns about the rise of artificial intelligence (AI) and its impact on the creator ecosystem. "AI can standardize the industry, making it less creative," Bahuguna cautioned. "It's scary to think brands can use AI to create with your likeness without you being involved."

Bedi added, "Our jobs are going to get very redundant very soon, which is what I fear. It's all improving and everything is evolving very fast. In the next one year, what the world is going to look like or what this ecosystem will look like is nobody knows."

Coping with Burnout and Seeking Balance

The conversation concluded on a reflective note, addressing the mental health challenges faced by creators. Bedi described the burnout as an isolating experience. "Creation is a very isolating job. The chase is never-ending, and it's tiresome," she confessed.

Bahuguna shared his approach to combating burnout by diversifying his content. "When I feel burnt out, I try something new. That's how I got into beauty content," he explained.

Grover, whose family plays an integral role in his content creation, highlighted the importance of support. "My parents help me a lot. The team support helps in burnout phases," he said.

A Call for Empathy and Understanding
As the panel wrapped up, the creators urged for greater empathy and understanding from audiences. "Everyone's an expert on the internet, but it's important to remember there's a person behind the screen," Bahuguna concluded.

Watch the whole episode here:

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From viral to vulnerable: Indian content creators speak out on hate on different platforms

A sweeping study of X’s Community Notes reveals that over 90 percent of the platform’s crowd-sourced fact-checking posts never get published, raising questions about Elon Musk’s signature misinformation-fighting tool even as the platform navigates leadership turmoil and the challenges of viral falsehoods.

<a href="https://www.storyboard18.com/brand-makers/linda-yaccarino-steps-down-from-x-as-ceo-73686.htm">Read more: Linda Yaccarino quits as CEO of Elon Musk's X</a>

<a href="https://www.storyboard18.com/advertising/x-to-charge-advertisers-based-on-ad-size-says-elon-musk-72552.htm">Read more: X to charge advertisers based on ad size, says Elon Musk</a>

The report, released Wednesday by the Digital Democracy Institute of the Americas, analyzed the complete public dataset of 1.76 million Community Notes published on X between January 2021 and March 2025. Despite being marketed as a scalable and transparent tool for combating misinformation, the system’s publication rate remains strikingly low: more than 90 percent of submitted notes fail to reach the public, as per reports citing the study. 

For a program marketed as fast, scalable, and transparent, these figures should raise serious concerns, the researchers said, according to AFP.

The study comes amid turbulence at X, where CEO Linda Yaccarino announced her resignation this week after two years leading the company through a turbulent overhaul under Elon Musk. Her exit coincides with fresh controversy over X’s AI chatbot Grok, which drew fire for anti-Semitic remarks praising Adolf Hitler and posts insulting Islam.


<a href="https://www.storyboard18.com/how-it-works/from-a-walled-garden-to-a-concrete-jungle-advertisers-on-xs-hashtag-ban-and-vertical-ad-pricing-72711.htm">Read more: Advertisers on X’s hashtag ban and vertical ad pricing: Inward focus could trigger lower ad spends</a>

X’s Community Notes system, now mirrored by platforms including Meta and TikTok, relies on volunteers to add context or corrections to posts, with publication contingent on receiving “helpful” ratings from users with diverse perspectives. However, as the volume of submitted notes has grown, the system has become clogged, particularly in English, with many notes remaining unrated or lacking consensus, effectively leaving them in limbo.

Among English-language notes, the publication rate fell from 9.5 percent in 2023 to just 4.9 percent in early 2025, the report found. Spanish-language notes fared better, with rates increasing from 3.6 percent to 7.1 percent in the same period.

One of the system’s most prolific contributors was not a human but a bot-like account flagging crypto scams, submitting more than 43,000 notes between 2021 and March 2025, with only 3.1 percent going live.

As X grapples with leadership changes and the challenges of misinformation in a high-velocity news environment, the limitations of its flagship fact-checking program highlight the complexities facing social media platforms seeking scalable solutions to content moderation.

<a href="https://www.storyboard18.com/digital/govt-didnt-ask-x-to-block-reuters-calls-it-technical-glitch-73089.htm">Read more: Govt didn’t ask X to block Reuters, calls it technical glitch</a>

Study finds most of X’s Community Notes never see the light of day

Amid growing industry unease over manipulation, synthetic media and the unchecked use of artificial intelligence, the Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity will implement sweeping new accountability measures for all entries beginning in 2026, the festival announced during its 2025 edition.

The changes follow the unprecedented withdrawal of Lion-winning work this year, a move that highlighted the urgency of rethinking standards in the face of rapidly advancing AI technologies.

“The industry landscape is changing at lightning speed,” said Simon Cook, chief executive officer, LIONS. “And, in common with the rest of the industry, Cannes Lions is adapting at pace to meet this.”

Cook added: “At the heart of the Lions is creativity that drives growth. These renewed standards reflect our responsibility to both provide a platform for, and protect the value of creativity, and reinforce that creative excellence should be synonymous with creative integrity.”

Under the updated framework, all submissions—including case films, written materials, data and claims—will require approval from the entrant company’s business leader and a senior marketer from the commissioning brand. These declarations will confirm that entries are factually accurate, responsibly sourced and reflective of real-world outcomes.

To bolster enforcement, Cannes Lions will introduce a dual-layer verification process that pairs manual checks with AI-led analysis to examine the veracity of each claim submitted. Juries will also have access to independent data and measurement experts throughout the judging process to review impact claims, campaign effectiveness, media impact and data interpretation.

The festival will further codify these measures in its new AI Integrity Handbook, which will define global standards for awards integrity in the AI era, clarifying what is acceptable, what must be disclosed and what would constitute a breach.

“Cannes Lions reserves the right to disqualify or withdraw any awards entry at any stage of submission or judging, including after a Lion has been awarded if material misrepresentation is found. This includes the right to request additional documentation or testimony from entrants or clients at the highest level of seniority," stated the Festival.

Companies found to have knowingly submitted false or misleading work could face bans of up to three years, with jury eligibility also subject to revocation. Disputes will be handled by a newly formed Integrity Council comprising legal, ethical and independent industry experts, with entrants allowed to respond and appeal within a defined timeframe.

“Creativity is only valuable if it’s credible,” Cook added. “And credibility must be earned, not assumed. These timely changes mark the beginning of a new era for us all — not just for Cannes Lions, but for the future state of global creative marketing.”


Cannes Lions to impose stricter integrity standards including three-year ban amid AI concerns

Google will expand ads within its AI-powered search experiences to India later this year, aiming to monetize its generative AI tools in its largest user market.

The company said ads will appear within AI Overviews, its AI-generated search summaries, on desktop and mobile, labeled as “Sponsored,” when relevant to user queries. The move follows tests in the US and comes alongside the rollout of AI Mode, Google’s answer-engine search experience, in India.

“At a time when people discover and make decisions in new ways, this expansion gives businesses more opportunities to reach audiences,” said Dan Taylor, Google’s Vice President of Global Ads, at Google Marketing Live India.

Advertisers using Performance Max, Shopping, Search, and AI Max campaigns will be eligible to place ads in AI Overviews and AI Mode. Google is also launching “Generated For You” in Product Studio, which uses AI to create images and videos for campaigns across Google platforms.

<a href="https://www.storyboard18.com/amp/digital/european-publishers-challenge-google-over-ai-search-summaries-73129.htm">Read more: European publishers challenge Google over AI search summaries</a>

The company previewed “agentic” AI tools for Google Ads and Analytics that will suggest keywords, audiences, and insights to optimize campaigns automatically.

On YouTube, Google is rolling out shoppable connected TV ads and mobile mastheads in India, tapping into what it says is the most-watched streaming platform on televisions in the country.

Early tests of Google’s new AI ad tools have shown promise, with Cashify reporting a 15 percent increase in conversions, and Swiggy cutting re-engagement costs by nearly two-thirds using Retention Mode.

India remains critical for Google’s future growth, with gross ad revenues rising 11.3 percent year-on-year to ₹31,221 crore in FY24.

<a href="https://www.storyboard18.com/digital/google-to-retire-ad-sharing-feature-signaling-full-shift-toward-asset-based-advertising-73815.htm">Read more: Google to retire ad sharing feature, signaling full shift toward asset-based advertising</a>

<a href="https://www.storyboard18.com/digital/openai-set-to-take-on-google-chrome-with-ai-powered-browser-73745.htm">Read more: OpenAI set to take on Google Chrome with AI-powered browser</a>

ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE