Ai Assistants news and trends

Instinct Nears $2.5 Billion Valuation as AI Assistants Take Over Daily Chores
Artificial Intelligence // August 26, 2026

Instinct, the developer of an artificial intelligence (AI)-powered assistant that seems to be gaining traction among early adopters, is raising a $250 million Series B at a $2.5 billion valuation, the Wall Street Journal reported Wednesday (Aug. 26), citing its interview with Instinct Founder Noah...

Meta’s Consumer-Focused AI Agent Could Be Weeks From Launch
Artificial Intelligence // August 25, 2026

Meta is reportedly ready to unveil its consumer-focused AI agent designed to rival OpenClaw. Get the Full Story Complete the form to unlock this article and enjoy unlimited free access to all PYMNTS content — no additional logins required. yesSubscribe to our daily newsletter, PYMNTS...

Pinterest’s AI Push Pays Off in Record Users and Revenue
Earnings // August 04, 2026

Pinterest set out to reinvent itself as an artificial intelligence-driven shopping destination, and its second quarter results suggest the strategy is working. Get the Full Story Complete the form to unlock this article and enjoy unlimited free access to all PYMNTS content — no additional...

Chow Tai Fook Arms 24,000 Workers With AI
Artificial Intelligence // July 29, 2026

Jewelry retailer Chow Tai Fook has deployed more than 400 artificial intelligence agents to support more than 24,000 employees, and none of them talk to customers directly. Sales associates use the system, called AI Fook, to pull product details, check inventory and generate recommendations in...

Interviews & Exclusives
AI Coding Assistants Give Big-Tech Powers to Small Businesses 

June 02, 2025
Small businesses are increasingly turning to artificial intelligence (AI)-powered coding assistants to slash their technology development expenses while maintaining competitive digital capabilities, according to industry practitioners. Get the Full Story Complete the form to unlock this article and enjoy unlimited free access to all PYMNTS content — no additional logins required. yesSubscribe to our daily […]

Weave Snaps Up TrueLark to Put AI Muscle Behind Patient Calls

May 05, 2025
Much of the white space opportunity in healthcare innovation can be found reshaping how small and mid-sized healthcare practices engage with patients. Get the Full Story Complete the form to...

AI Gives Customer Service Positive Revenue Spin

March 24, 2025
Enterprises are expanding their use of artificial intelligence (AI) in customer experience to encompass the entirety of the process, not just relegating it to back-office tasks. In addition to speeding...

Amazon and Walmart Go Head-to-Head Over Logistics and AI

March 21, 2025
Tariff pressures are squeezing the retail and eCommerce sectors. What are the two behemoths dominating the space, Walmart and Amazon, doing in response? Get the Full Story Complete the form...

Quick Reads
Instinct Nears $2.5 Billion Valuation as AI Assistants Take Over Daily Chores

August 26, 2026
Instinct, the developer of an artificial intelligence (AI)-powered assistant that seems to be gaining traction among early adopters, is raising a $250 million Series B at a $2.5 billion valuation, the Wall Street Journal reported Wednesday (Aug. 26), citing its interview with Instinct Founder Noah Shinn. Get the Full Story Complete the form to unlock […]

Meta’s Consumer-Focused AI Agent Could Be Weeks From Launch

August 25, 2026
Meta is reportedly ready to unveil its consumer-focused AI agent designed to rival OpenClaw. Get the Full Story Complete the form to unlock this article and enjoy unlimited free access...

Apple to Add Virtual Shopping Assistant to App Store

July 23, 2026
Apple appears to be preparing a virtual shopping assistant for its App Store. Get the Full Story Complete the form to unlock this article and enjoy unlimited free access to...

Michaels Debuts Google-Powered AI Shopping Assistant

July 22, 2026
Arts and crafts retailer Michaels has introduced an artificial intelligence (AI)-powered shopping assistant dubbed “Ask Mike.” Get the Full Story Complete the form to unlock this article and enjoy unlimited...