Top 10 AI News Items That Affect Everyday People (21–27 June 2025)
Artificial intelligence isn’t just tech-world chatter – it’s popping up in our daily lives, from the apps we use to the places we work and learn. Here are the week’s top 10 AI news stories for everyday people and small businesses, ranked by buzz and impact.
1. WhatsApp rolls out AI-powered chat summaries
What happened – WhatsApp now lets Meta AI create bullet-point digests of unread chats, saving you the slog of scrolling through hundreds of messages. The optional feature, launched in English on 25 June, works on-device to keep end-to-end encryption intact.
Why it matters – Busy parents, friends and small-biz teams can catch up in seconds without suffering message-backlog FOMO. Because processing happens on your phone, you keep privacy and time—nice combo.
Source – WhatsApp blog
2. Apple eyes AI search startup Perplexity for Safari super-powers
What happened – Reuters revealed on 21 June that Apple executives have quietly discussed buying Perplexity, the £11 bn-valued chatbot-search darling, as Cupertino scouts fresh AI talent. Talks are early-stage; no offer yet.
Why it matters – A deal could bake a chatty, privacy-minded AI search into Safari—ending Google’s long run as default search and giving everyday users faster, more natural answers (with fewer ads).
Source – Reuters
3. Authors sue Microsoft, claim pirated books fed its Megatron AI
What happened – On 25 June a Pulitzer-winning group of writers sued Microsoft, alleging it trained its “Megatron” model on 200,000 stolen e-books—copying their voices without permission.
Why it matters – The case may set new rules on what AI firms can legally learn from. If courts side with authors, expect licensing costs (and maybe subscription prices) to rise; if not, creators risk losing control—and pay-cheques.
Source – Reuters
4. Google and Pearson partner to put AI tutors in classrooms
What happened – Education behemoth Pearson struck a multi-year deal with Google Cloud on 26 June to build generative-AI study aids that personalise lessons and relieve teachers of marking.
Why it matters – Kids get bespoke homework help; teachers gain time for one-to-one support. Parents and small tutoring firms should prep for an education landscape where “my AI coach” becomes as common as a calculator.
Source – Reuters
5. Feeling low? More people are turning to AI chatbots for DIY therapy
What happened – A 27 June KCRG report shows students and professionals alike venting to ChatGPT for emotional support, echoing Harvard data that “therapy & companionship” top 2025 AI-use charts.
Why it matters – Chatbots are free, private and 24/7—lowering barriers to mental-health help. But experts warn bots lack true empathy and can mishandle crises. Great for quick coping tips; not a human therapist replacement.
Source – KCRG
6. Graduate job ads hit seven-year low, with AI cited as culprit
What happened – UK data on 24 June showed vacancies down 5 % since spring, but graduate openings plunged the most. Indeed analysts link the drop to AI automating entry-level tasks in HR, marketing and accounting.
Why it matters – New grads face fiercer competition and need AI skills on their CVs. Small firms may save costs via automation—but lose the pipeline of junior talent they once trained in-house.
Source – Reuters
7. Applebee’s and IHOP cook up AI-driven menu personalisation
What happened – Dine Brands (owner of Applebee’s & IHOP) said on 20 June it will embed AI across 3,500 restaurants—from camera systems that flag dirty tables to a “personalisation engine” suggesting dishes you’ll love.
Why it matters – Diners get quicker service and tailored deals; managers fill staffing gaps with smarter scheduling. Welcome to the era of “Would you like the syrup we know you adore?”
Source – PYMNTS
8. Teen prodigy builds £12 m AI research startup at 16
What happened – India Today profiled Pranjali Awasthi (23 June): she launched Delv.AI at 16, now valued at ~£12 m, and is building “Dash,” an AI assistant that acts on commands—“ChatGPT with hands.”
Why it matters – Proof that everyday enthusiasts (even teens) can create serious AI businesses. Inspires would-be founders and highlights low barriers to entry when cloud models and grants abound.
Source – India Today
9. Wikipedia editors rebel against AI-generated articles
What happened – Volunteer editors are debating bans on bot-written text after spotting error-prone AI entries creeping into the encyclopaedia, reports The Guardian tech roundup on 24 June.
Why it matters – Millions rely on Wikipedia for homework and quick facts. If AI fills pages with unverified info, everyone loses. The pushback aims to keep the site trustworthy—and reminds us good old humans still matter in the information age.
Source – The Guardian
10. John Oliver blasts “AI slop” on prime-time TV
What happened – On 23 June Last Week Tonight unpacked AI’s worst excesses—deepfakes, bias, and “creative bankruptcy”—calling some tech “potentially very dangerous.” The segment went viral.
Why it matters – When late-night comedy explains AI ethics, the conversation has truly gone mainstream. Oliver’s humour educates millions who’d never read a white-paper, nudging public debate (and maybe regulators).
Source – The Guardian
🤔 Curious-reader question: Which of these AI stories do you think will change your daily routine first—and why?
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