Welcome to this weeks edition of Neurians AI Digest, our curated newsletter on all things Artificial Intelligence (AI).

Our AI digests will cover insights & updates on how AI is impacting industries such as Healthcare, Education, Finance, Retail, Travel & the Software industry itself.

Here’s a recap of this week in AI:

Healthcare:

Despite the rapid investment in healthcare AI, particularly generative AI, which is expected to reach $11 billion in the U.S. alone, it’s unclear if AI will improve healthcare outcomes or waste billions without benefits. While proponents argue that AI will revolutionize healthcare, critics warn that the industry is unprepared to scale this technology effectively. (Source: The Print)

Without prioritizing patient needs, improving workflows, and building infrastructure, investments in AI will fail to achieve meaningful clinical or commercial outcomes. AI adoption in healthcare has been slow due to data fragmentation, privacy concerns, and regulatory hurdles. A McKinsey survey found that while 62% of healthcare leaders see generative AI as key to improving consumer experience, only 29% have begun implementing it. (Source: McKinsey).

Healthcare should not just adopt AI to improve current practices but aim to prevent health issues before they require treatment. The focus should be on using AI to drive prevention, early diagnosis, and equitable access to care.

For e.g. Leveraging AI to prevent chronic diseases such as Diabetes. Researchers from the Weizmann Institute of Science, Pheno.AI, and NVIDIA have developed GluFormer, an AI model that predicts an individual's glucose levels and other health metrics based on past data from continuous glucose monitoring (CGM). By incorporating dietary intake data, GluFormer can also forecast how a person’s glucose levels will respond to specific foods and changes in diet, enabling precision nutrition. (Source: NVIDIA)

The model could help diagnose prediabetes and diabetes more quickly, identify health anomalies, predict clinical trial outcomes, and forecast health developments up to four years in advance. This is particularly valuable for high-risk individuals, allowing for earlier preventative care, which could improve outcomes and reduce the global economic burden of diabetes, projected to reach $2.5 trillion by 2030.

Thrive AI Health, a venture launched by OpenAI CEO Sam Altman and Arianna Huffington, aims to create an AI-powered assistant that promotes healthier lifestyles by offering personalized advice on sleep, food, fitness, stress management, and social connections. The project, backed by Huffington’s Thrive Global and the OpenAI Startup Fund, was initially announced in a Time op-ed earlier this year. (Source: Techcrunch)

Months later, TechCrunch discovered a demo of the product on the company's website, which reveals a bare-bones version of the AI health assistant. The demo includes a user interface similar to chatbots like ChatGPT and suggests health-related prompts, such as tracking sleep patterns or heart rate. However, the demo is largely nonfunctional, and the product remains in early development.

Healthcare startup Forward, founded in 2017 by former Google and Uber executives, aimed to revolutionize primary care with high-tech clinics. In 2023, it shifted focus to a new offering: AI-powered "CarePods" — futuristic, self-service kiosks that allowed patients to conduct their own health tests and receive consultations without human doctors. The concept was marketed as an "autonomous doctor's office," with the company investing heavily in this new tech. (Source: Business Insider)

However, Forward's ambitious bet failed to materialize. Despite raising $100 million in a Series E funding round in 2023, taking its total funding to over $650 million, the company struggled with logistical issues, technical failures (such as automated blood draws and malfunctioning tests), and a lack of patient adoption. Although it had planned to launch 3,200 CarePods within a year, it had only deployed five by the time it shut down. The company’s slow growth led to significant layoffs and, ultimately, the closure of all its locations in December 2024, after sending out an email to patients canceling visits and cutting off app access. The closure highlights the risks of a tech-first approach in the complex healthcare industry, where bold ideas failed to meet practical demands.

Sword Health, a $3 billion virtual care startup specializing in musculoskeletal conditions, recently laid off 13 physical therapists, representing 17% of its patient-facing clinicians. These cuts aim to align with its push to scale operations using AI technology. The company plans to increase therapists' caseloads from 200-300 patients to 700 by the end of 2024, leveraging AI to streamline patient care, prioritize cases, and generate communication with patients. (Source: Business Insider)

Sword has been integrating AI tools, such as real-time conversational assistants for virtual sessions and prioritization systems for critical cases. Despite the layoffs, Sword claims the reductions were performance-based and has over 30 therapist positions open.

Education: 

Sal Khan, founder and CEO of Khan Academy, shared his optimism about AI's potential to transform education at UT’s AI Live event on November 15. During the panel, “Sal Khan Live at UT: How AI Will Save Education,” he introduced Khanmigo, an AI-powered tutor and teaching assistant, and discussed its ability to enhance education while addressing concerns about AI misuse in classrooms. (Source: DailyTexan)

Khan acknowledged educators' worries about AI enabling cheating, especially in essays. He emphasized that instead of fearing AI, developers should incorporate safeguards, such as Khanmigo’s writing coach feature. This tool guides students through assignments while providing data to educators, like timestamps and indicators of copied work.

Khanmigo also aids teachers by generating lesson plans, in-class exercises, and potentially grading papers within the next few years. However, Khan stressed that AI is not a replacement for human teachers, who provide vital in-person connections with students. Instead, AI can reduce administrative tasks, allowing teachers to focus on fostering relationships and personalized learning.

Chegg, an ed-tech company once dominant in providing affordable textbook rentals, tutoring, and academic resources, is struggling to survive amidst competition from free AI chatbots. The company reported a Q3 loss of $212.6 million and a subscriber base drop to 3.8 million from a peak of 5.3 million in 2022. Its market cap has plummeted from $14.5 billion in 2021 to under $160 million. (Source: Inc.com)

The rise of free AI tools, such as ChatGPT and Google’s AI Overviews, has significantly impacted Chegg’s business model by offering similar academic assistance with minimal costs. To counteract this trend, Chegg has laid off over 760 employees this year and is testing an AI-powered chatbot developed with Scale AI, aimed at reducing response costs and regaining subscribers.

Despite the pivot to AI, Chegg faces challenges, including scaling its technology quickly enough to compete with established free tools and addressing criticisms that its services may facilitate academic dishonesty. While Chegg's past adaptability gives some hope, the company’s ability to recover remains uncertain.

Utah is launching a new initiative to train K-12 educators on effectively integrating artificial intelligence (AI) into classrooms. Funded with $50,000 from a $500,000 Intermountain Healthcare grant, the program aims to enhance digital literacy and transform student experiences statewide. (Source: KUTV)

The Utah State Board of Education plans to hire an AI project director to develop the program, which will include both basic and advanced AI concepts accessible to all districts. Teachers will receive training to explore AI tools, collaborate with peers, and identify effective ways to improve learning outcomes. A statewide resource hub will also be created to foster innovation and shape AI policies in schools.

Educators like JoAnne Brown, a junior high STEM teacher, are already embracing AI, seeing it as essential for modern teaching. Matthew Winters, an AI education specialist, highlighted the importance of preparing students for future careers involving AI while ensuring safe and effective classroom use.

A recent shift in attitudes toward AI reflects growing acceptance among Utah teachers, with over 90% now somewhat familiar with the technology, compared to a more skeptical view in 2023.

Finance

In 2025, the financial services industry will undergo significant transformations driven by emerging technologies. (Source: Forbes) Key trends include:

1. AI in Back Offices: Automation will streamline tasks like transaction processing and fraud detection, reducing costs and human error. Advanced AI deployments will enable real-time decision-making and risk assessments, with increased challenges around data privacy and ethical AI.

2. AI in Customer Service: Autonomous chatbots will evolve to handle complex tasks and provide proactive, personalized customer service, improving overall customer experience.

3. Generative Financial Planning: AI will provide tailored financial advice by analyzing customer data, offering more personalized savings, investment, and pension strategies.

4. Sustainable Finance: Growing demand for sustainable, ethical investment products will push banks to provide transparent data on environmental impacts, aiding customers in making eco-conscious financial decisions.

5. Central Bank Digital Currencies (CBDCs): Governments will expand their digital currency initiatives, providing secure, blockchain-based alternatives to traditional currencies.

6. Quantum Finance: Quantum computing's potential to revolutionize finance through faster risk analysis, fraud detection, and automated trading may begin to be operational by 2025.

7. Next-Gen Banking and Super-Apps: Fintech challengers and super apps offering integrated services like payments, e-commerce, and communication will continue to disrupt traditional banking.

8. AI Regulation: Increasing AI adoption will lead to new regulations aimed at ensuring transparency, fairness, and reducing bias in AI-driven financial services.

9. Job Transformation: The rise of AI and digital banking will create new roles, requiring upskilling, reskilling, and educational partnerships to address the tech talent gap.

10. Cyber Resilience: Financial institutions will focus on building robust contingency plans to maintain business continuity amidst growing cyber threats, geopolitical tensions, and other global risks.

As digital banking becomes more intelligent, sustainable, and human-centric, banks will need to adapt to these technological shifts to stay competitive and maintain consumer trust.

The AI boom is driving major investments from both big banks and private finance groups, with Morgan Stanley advocating for collaboration between these sectors to fund the infrastructure needed to power AI advancements. A Bloomberg analysis estimates that building the necessary data centers, energy supplies, and communications networks will cost $1 trillion to $2 trillion. (Source: PYMNTS)

Banks like JPMorgan Chase are dedicating resources to AI-related infrastructure projects, but the demand exceeds their capacity, prompting calls for partnerships with private capital firms. This market is expected to grow significantly, with Deutsche Bank highlighting the upward trajectory of AI-driven infrastructure financing.

Despite the enthusiasm, many CFOs report limited returns on AI investments. Only 13% of CFOs see strong ROI, down from 27% earlier in the year, with 65% citing this as a drawback to AI adoption. However, companies with over $1 billion in revenue remain committed to increasing investments in generative AI (GenAI) over the next year, reflecting confidence in the technology's long-term potential.

Asset managers, including firms like BlackRock, JPMorgan, and ChinaAMC, are leveraging generative AI (GenAI) to enhance alpha generation and operational efficiency. These tools analyze large datasets, such as social media trends and web activity, to identify investment signals, but require human expertise to refine predictions and manage portfolios effectively. (Source: SCMP)

BlackRock’s systematic investing platform uses over 1,000 signals from 300 alternative data sources, combining AI and human decision-making. JPMorgan has developed tools like SpectrumGPT to streamline analysts’ access to research, and ChinaAMC has applied AI for stock selection and operational efficiency, with plans for an AI-powered internal chatbot.

Hong Kong's Securities and Futures Commission (SFC) supports AI adoption but cautions against risks, such as biased outputs, cybersecurity vulnerabilities, and data privacy breaches. The SFC emphasizes the need for robust risk management, ongoing monitoring, and transparency in AI use for investment recommendations.

Despite challenges, experts see AI as transformative for the industry. Asset managers not adopting AI risk losing competitiveness, with AI poised to become a key driver of innovation and productivity in the sector.

AI is transforming the investment landscape, bringing new tools and capabilities to both institutional and retail investors. Established players like Renaissance Technologies have long used advanced algorithms to identify market patterns, achieving unprecedented returns. Now, generative AI (GenAI) promises to democratize sophisticated investing techniques, offering tools that are accessible to individuals. (Source: Forbes)

Retail investors can use AI tools like Claude.ai, ChatGPT, and Google Gemini for tasks such as equity research, analyzing financial statements, and identifying market risks. These tools, while improving, are better suited for analyzing historical data than predicting future outcomes. Users must remain cautious, verifying sources and cross-referencing results due to AI’s potential for inaccuracies or “hallucinations.”

In the future, AI tools could forecast financial trends, analyze management behavior, and even outperform traditional equity analysts by identifying patterns in data.

Financial firms are testing AI’s potential while addressing concerns about data privacy, security, and the risks of exposing proprietary strategies. Many are adopting AI within secure environments, such as running tools like CoPilot behind internal firewalls.

AI is expected to automate repetitive tasks, such as data entry and report generation, and may even reduce roles like traders and analysts in some firms. However, roles requiring human judgment, trust, and interaction—such as portfolio management and client-facing positions—are less likely to be replaced.

AI will democratize investment strategies, granting retail investors access to techniques once reserved for large institutions. Despite its disruptive potential, the technology will create new roles in AI strategy, risk management, and data science. Proper use and oversight of AI tools will remain crucial to maximizing their benefits while minimizing risks.

Quasar Markets, a financial services platform founded by Steven E. Orr, won two prestigious titles at the FinanceFeeds Awards 2024: Fintech Startup of the Year and AI Startup of the Year. The platform, launched with the ambition to become the "Amazon of finance," integrates AI and Web3 technologies to deliver a personalized and dynamic experience for both institutional and retail traders. (Source: BusinessInsider)

Quasar Markets was conceived when Orr, a Wall Street veteran, identified a gap in the tools available to retail traders. He assembled a diverse team of finance and tech experts to develop a platform that aggregates data from over 15,000 sources, including major institutions like NASDAQ, the World Bank, and the IMF. This data is processed using AI algorithms to provide users with tailored, actionable insights across a wide range of markets, including stocks, commodities, real estate, and cryptocurrency.

The platform's subscription model, starting at $15 per month, offers advanced financial tools to both retail and institutional clients. It has gained praise for its intuitive design, comprehensive data, and AI-driven analytics, which enable better decision-making. In addition, Quasar Markets has expanded its features with new tools and an updated design, ensuring a seamless user experience across multiple platforms, including desktop, mobile, Oculus, Apple Vision Pro, and wearable devices.

Retail

Nordstrom has enhanced its mobile app for the holiday season, incorporating generative AI to streamline the shopping experience. Key updates include trend reports powered by AI and Nordstrom stylists, an improved search experience, personalized recommendations, and a Style Swipes tool that offers product suggestions based on user preferences. The app also allows customers to request personal stylist consultations or in-store appointments. Additionally, Nordstrom will launch an immersive holiday installation, "The Blizz on 57th Street," at its flagship New York City store on Nov. 27. The updates are part of Nordstrom's broader strategy to bring the in-person shopping experience to the digital space. This follows a broader trend, with other brands, like Revolve and fast-food chains, also upgrading their apps to enhance user experiences. (Source: RetailDive)

In 2025, the retail industry is poised for a transformative shift in logistics and last-mile delivery, driven by advancements in AI technology. Retailers are increasingly turning to innovative startups to improve delivery speed, reduce costs, and enhance flexibility. A standout example is UniUni, a Vancouver-based disruptor that uses AI and a gig-economy driver network to streamline the last-mile delivery process. UniUni’s AI-powered model optimizes delivery routes, reducing costs and delivery times by leveraging real-time data, including traffic patterns. (Source: NRF).

The company has notably reduced delivery times for Shein from 10-14 days to just 4-5 days across North America. UniUni’s growing network of over 6,000 drivers processes more than 200,000 packages daily and is expanding into major U.S. cities with the support of a recent CAD$20 million Series B funding round. The company is focused on improving operational efficiency and driving down shipping costs for customers.

UniUni will be showcased alongside other cutting-edge logistics technologies at NRF 2025: Retail’s Big Show in January, highlighting advancements such as Bops (a tool for synchronizing retail data to avoid stock issues), Portless (a logistics platform for faster fulfillment from China), and Orderful (which streamlines EDI trading partner connections for efficient transactions).

Travel

The travel industry is poised for significant transformation by 2030, with AI-driven innovations revolutionizing how holidays are booked and experienced. A recent Hotels.com survey highlighted the time-consuming and often frustrating process of booking vacations, with many travelers spending up to 10 hours searching for the right options. AI aims to solve this by offering personalized travel recommendations, simplifying the booking process, and even preemptively planning holidays based on travelers' preferences. (Source: The National News)

AI is already being used across the industry, including in flight scheduling, baggage handling, and hotel concierge services, to enhance personalization and efficiency. With AI’s growing capabilities, travelers will benefit from customized itineraries, real-time problem-solving, and dynamic pricing that makes booking easier and more affordable.

While AI is revolutionizing the booking experience and creating seamless travel journeys, experts caution that its full potential is still years away. Many systems in the industry are based on outdated technology, making implementation challenging. Despite the excitement around AI, travel professionals emphasize that human interaction remains a crucial aspect of the travel experience, ensuring that technology complements rather than replaces personal service.

Big Lincoln, the AI chatbot mascot for Enjoy Illinois, launched by the Illinois Office of Tourism in June 2023, has received over 8,000 user interactions. This AI tool, powered by GuideGeek, will soon expand to handle responses on social media platforms like Messenger, Instagram, and WhatsApp. It’s part of a broader trend where destination marketing organizations (DMOs) are adopting AI tools to improve tourism marketing and traveler engagement. (Source: SKIFT)

Many DMOs, including Brand USA, are integrating AI to stay competitive and adapt to the shifting landscape where AI impacts how travelers search, plan, and book trips. AI in tourism helps streamline trip planning, offering personalized recommendations, tailored itineraries, and even real-time booking links for flights and hotels.

DMOs using AI can gain insights into traveler interests by analyzing chatbot interactions. GuideGeek, which powers several AI-driven tools for DMOs, continues to expand, with clients including Visit Idaho, Tourism Greece, and Visit Aruba. It’s improving its AI’s accuracy and is now planning to expand its offerings to hotels and airlines as well.

While the return on investment for these tools is hard to measure, the focus for DMOs like Illinois is on quality engagement with the next generation of travelers. The rise of AI in travel is seen as essential to keep up with evolving consumer expectations, offering a more streamlined, personalized experience.

Software

Marie Potel-Saville, a French lawyer and entrepreneur, is tackling the issue of dark patterns in the digital world through her company, Fair Patterns. Dark patterns are manipulative design techniques used by websites and apps to trick users into making decisions they might not otherwise make—such as signing up for unwanted subscriptions or clicking on misleading ads. Potel-Saville’s mission is to identify and eliminate these practices, helping businesses adopt more ethical designs while protecting users.

Her company audits digital platforms, using AI tools to flag these manipulative tactics, and helps companies align with ethical practices and legal standards. The OECD and studies from the FTC have highlighted the widespread use of dark patterns, with over 97% of popular websites in the EU employing such tactics. Potel-Saville warns that generative AI will likely exacerbate this problem by enabling hyper-targeted manipulative tactics at scale. For example, AI chatbots could exploit personal data to push products users did not intend to buy, blurring the line between helpful personalization and exploitation.

Fair Patterns’ solution is not to eliminate influence entirely, but to make it transparent and ethical. Their AI-driven approach scans websites and apps to flag dark patterns, linking each case to the legal risks businesses face, which vary by region. Violations could result in significant fines, particularly under laws like GDPR or the Digital Services Act in Europe. Potel-Saville believes that these regulations, alongside growing consumer awareness, will push companies to adopt more ethical practices.

Companies like Canva and Bumble have already begun addressing dark patterns by following Fair Patterns’ guidelines. Potel-Saville stresses that while dark patterns may boost short-term profits, they damage long-term consumer trust, eroding customer loyalty and lifetime value.

Her ultimate goal is to create a digital marketplace where fairness is the norm, not the exception, advocating for a future where companies no longer rely on manipulative design tactics to drive sales or data collection.

Three leading AI companies – OpenAI, Google, and Anthropic – are facing unexpected challenges in advancing their AI models, according to Bloomberg. Despite years of rapid progress, these companies have encountered setbacks with their latest iterations. OpenAI's Orion model failed to meet performance expectations, particularly in tasks like coding outside its training data. It’s not seen as a major leap forward compared to previous models like GPT-4. Similarly, Google’s upcoming Gemini software and Anthropic’s Claude 3.5 Opus are also facing hurdles. (Source: NASDAQ)

Key issues contributing to these delays include the difficulty of sourcing high-quality, human-made training data and the soaring costs of developing and running new models. These challenges have led some experts to question the viability of the so-called "scaling laws" theory, which suggests that more data, computing power, and larger models will naturally lead to AI breakthroughs. AI researchers are now exploring alternative approaches, such as partnering with publishers for better data, hiring experts to label specialized data, and experimenting with synthetic data, though this too has limitations.

Despite these setbacks, AI companies are continuing to invest heavily in refining their models, with a shift in focus toward finding new applications for existing systems. OpenAI’s CEO, Sam Altman, has suggested that while models will continue to improve, the next big breakthrough in AI will likely come from developing agents—more advanced AI systems capable of handling a broader range of tasks autonomously.

A recent survey from the Institute for Family Studies (IFS) and YouGov has revealed divided views among young adults about the impact of Artificial Intelligence (AI) on relationships and society. Some see AI as a potential threat, while others view it as an exciting opportunity. 25% of young adults believe AI could eventually replace real-life romantic relationships. A small percentage (1%) already has an AI friend, while 10% are open to having one. Among unpartnered young adults, 7% are open to AI romantic relationships. Young men are more open to AI companionship than women, and those who spend more time online are more likely to embrace AI friends.

Top CEOs like Tim Cook, Mark Cuban, and Bill Gates are leveraging AI tools to improve productivity, and their methods are accessible to anyone. (Source: Inc.com) Here’s how they’re using AI to save time and streamline daily tasks:

1. Tim Cook: AI for Email Summaries

• Challenge: Managing 800+ emails daily.

• Solution: Cook uses Apple’s AI tool to summarize his inbox, saving significant time.

• Takeaway: AI email summary tools are widely available for users of different platforms, offering an easy way to reduce email overload.

2. Mark Cuban: AI for Email Replies

• Challenge: Handling thousands of repetitive emails.

• Solution: Cuban uses Google’s AI assistant Gemini to draft routine email replies, enabling quick review and sending.

• Takeaway: AI-powered assistants can efficiently manage routine tasks, making them ideal for busy professionals.

3. Bill Gates: AI for Meeting Notes

• Challenge: Keeping detailed, searchable meeting records.

• Solution: Gates employs AI in Microsoft Teams to transcribe, summarize, and allow interactive querying of meeting notes.

• Takeaway: AI tools can enhance note-taking and information retrieval, even for those traditionally reliant on pen and paper.

Key Insights:

• These CEOs demonstrate how AI tools can simplify tasks like email management, meeting documentation, and decision-making.

• While they often promote company-specific solutions, numerous alternative AI tools exist for users to experiment with and tailor to their needs.

• Incorporating AI into daily routines is a valuable opportunity for time savings and efficiency that anyone can adopt.

Hope you enjoyed this weeks Neurians AI Digest! Till next week…