Google's AI Shopping Protocol, NFL's Injury Prediction Tool, Apollo's $5.4B xAI Investment - Daily AI Brief #364
January 12, 2026 -
Daily AI Brief
Hi there,
Welcome to today's AI Brief.
In today's edition, Google has introduced a Universal Commerce Protocol aimed at enhancing AI shopping experiences. Meanwhile, the NFL has launched a new AI tool designed to predict player injuries. Apollo has made a significant investment of $5.4 billion in xAI infrastructure, and Google has decided to remove AI overviews for medical queries.
Additionally, Anthropic has restricted access to its Claude AI models, and Torq has secured $140 million, reaching a valuation of $1.2 billion. OpenAI and Common Sense Media have collaborated on an AI safety initiative, while Indonesia has blocked xAI's Grok chatbot due to deepfake concerns. PayPal and Microsoft have launched an AI-powered Copilot Checkout, and Ant International has partnered with Google to launch the Universal Commerce Protocol.
Welcome to today's AI Brief.
In today's edition, Google has introduced a Universal Commerce Protocol aimed at enhancing AI shopping experiences. Meanwhile, the NFL has launched a new AI tool designed to predict player injuries. Apollo has made a significant investment of $5.4 billion in xAI infrastructure, and Google has decided to remove AI overviews for medical queries.
Additionally, Anthropic has restricted access to its Claude AI models, and Torq has secured $140 million, reaching a valuation of $1.2 billion. OpenAI and Common Sense Media have collaborated on an AI safety initiative, while Indonesia has blocked xAI's Grok chatbot due to deepfake concerns. PayPal and Microsoft have launched an AI-powered Copilot Checkout, and Ant International has partnered with Google to launch the Universal Commerce Protocol.
Google Introduces Universal Commerce Protocol for AI Shopping
At the National Retail Federation conference, Google unveiled the Universal Commerce Protocol, an open standard to improve AI agent-based shopping, developed with partners like Shopify and Walmart. Read more
NFL Launches AI Tool for Injury Prediction
The NFL has introduced the Digital Athlete, an AI tool aimed at predicting injuries and improving player health by analyzing data from various activities. Read more
Apollo Invests $5.4 Billion in xAI Infrastructure
On January 7, 2026, Apollo announced a significant investment to support xAI with a $5.4 billion capital solution managed by Valor Equity Partners. This funding is intended to enhance xAI's AI capabilities through advanced data center infrastructure. Read more
Google Removes AI Overviews for Medical Queries
Google has removed AI Overviews for certain health-related queries following reports of misleading information. This action comes after an investigation highlighted inaccuracies in AI-generated summaries for medical topics. Read more
Türkiye Sets AI Ethical Guidelines for Schools
The Ministry of National Education in Türkiye has introduced ethical guidelines for AI use in schools, requiring educators to submit ethical declarations and establishing oversight for compliance. Read more
Anthropic Restricts Access to Claude AI Models
Anthropic has implemented technical safeguards to restrict unauthorized access to its Claude AI models by third-party applications, affecting tools like OpenCode and Cursor, and leading to xAI losing access. This measure aims to protect intellectual property and maintain model integrity. Read more
Torq Secures $140 Million, Reaches $1.2 Billion Valuation
Torq, an Israeli cybersecurity startup, has raised $140 million in a funding round, increasing its valuation to $1.2 billion. The funds will be used to enhance its AI-driven security platform and expand into the U.S. market. Read more
OpenAI and Common Sense Media Collaborate on AI Safety Initiative
OpenAI has partnered with Common Sense Media to propose a California ballot measure focused on children's safety in AI interactions, aiming to establish age verification and data protection standards. Read more
Indonesia Blocks xAI's Grok Chatbot Over Deepfake Concerns
The Indonesian government has temporarily blocked access to xAI's Grok chatbot due to concerns over non-consensual, sexualized deepfakes involving real women and minors. Read more
PayPal and Microsoft Launch AI-Powered Copilot Checkout
On January 8, 2026, PayPal and Microsoft announced a collaboration to introduce Copilot Checkout, integrating AI-driven shopping with seamless payment solutions. Read more
Ant International and Google Collaborate on Universal Commerce Protocol
Ant International is partnering with Google to introduce the Universal Commerce Protocol, an open standard aimed at improving AI-driven shopping experiences by streamlining interactions among consumers, businesses, and payment providers. Read more
Macquarie Group Invests €117 Million in Polarise GmbH
Macquarie Group is providing up to €117 million to Polarise GmbH for the development of a Deutsche Telekom AG data center and other European projects, reflecting the rising demand for AI data centers in Europe. Read more
X Square Robot Secures $140 Million in Funding
X Square Robot, a China-based company, has raised approximately $140 million in a Series A++ funding round. The investment was led by ByteDance and Meituan, with participation from Sequoia China and Shenzhen Capital Group. Read more
Welsh Government Funds £2.1 Million for AI in SMEs
The Welsh Government has allocated £2.1 million to help small and medium-sized enterprises in Wales adopt artificial intelligence, aiming to boost productivity and competitiveness. Read more
Anthropic Launches Claude for Healthcare
Anthropic has introduced Claude for Healthcare, offering HIPAA-compliant tools for healthcare providers, insurers, and consumers. This launch aims to enhance AI integration in medical workflows. Read more
OpenAI and Handshake AI Request Work Samples from Contractors
OpenAI and Handshake AI are asking contractors to submit past work examples to assess AI models' performance, while ensuring confidentiality is maintained. Read more
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