More stories

  • in

    I use Edge as my default browser – but its new AI mode is unreliable and annoying

    Ed Bott / Elyse Betters Picaro / ZDNETMicrosoft’s on a relentless quest to embed its Copilot AI into every software product it owns. That campaign takes another big step forward with the addition of some new generative AI features in the company’s Edge browser.The latest release beefs up the capabilities of Copilot Mode, the chat-based search interface for Edge, on Windows PCs and Macs. You can use natural voice commands to navigate pages, and the chatbot can see all the open tabs in the current browser window instead of being limited to whatever’s on the current page. Also: Microsoft gives Copilot a face – here’s how to try your new Appearance chat buddyIf that sounds appealing, you can go to the Copilot Mode sign-in page and flip a switch that lets you enable Copilot Mode in Edge Settings. Here’s what happened when I turned this feature on.Hands-on with Copilot ModeTurning on Copilot Mode adds a Copilot logo button in the address bar. A separate option customizes the new tab page, replacing the search box with a Copilot chat input box that’s designed to handle search, chat, and web navigation. It also gives you the option to open Copilot Mode in a sidebar, where you can ask it questions about the current set of open tabs. Also: I made Microsoft Edge my default browser because of these three killer featuresIn Copilot Mode, the new tab page becomes an ocean of serenity, a simple input box with a personal greeting above it. If you start typing a question, Edge offers two options: You can send your question to Copilot for an AI-powered answer, or you can choose a traditional search. Here’s what it looks like.   More

  • in

    Is AI overhyped or underhyped? 6 tips to separate fact from fiction

    Mininyx Doodle / Getty Images Who do you believe when it comes to the potential impact of artificial intelligence? An MIT Nobel laureate economist or the former CEO of the world’s biggest tech company? MIT economist Daron Acemoglu, for his part, says the current hype is way over the top. AI might profitably automate only […] More

  • in

    Want AI agents to work together? The Linux Foundation has a plan

    MR.Cole_Photographer/Getty With the rise of AI agents, AI programs that can perform tasks for you without being explicitly told how to carry out every individual step, a problem has arisen. It’s an old one in tech circles: Interoperability. How do you get AI agents to work together? One answer is Cisco’s AGNTCY  (pronounced “agency”) project. […] More

  • in

    This new Photoshop feature can boost image resolution in just one click, thanks to AI

    Adobe / Elyse Betters Picaro / ZDNETAdobe Photoshop is a powerful photo-editing tool; however, learning how to use it can be daunting at first. As a result, Adobe has been sprinkling in AI features that make it easier to do more with a single click — and today’s drop is no different.Also: The best graphic design software of 2025: Feature-packed, professional toolsOn Tuesday, Adobe launched two new generative AI features in beta, powered by Adobe Firefly: Harmonize and Generative Upscale. Even if you are not a creative professional or marketer who uses Photoshop every day as a cornerstone of their workflow, if you have ever taken or kept a photo, you’ll likely be able to benefit from at least one of the new features — coming from someone who saw the demos and can’t wait to try one of them for myself. Generative Upscale More

  • in

    How to get rid of AI Overviews in Google Search: 4 easy ways

    Can I just turn off AI Overviews in Google Search? No. There is no official way to turn off Google’s AI summaries, but you can hide or avoid AI Overviews using the four methods described above. These are the only known workarounds as of July 2025.  Will these workarounds ever break or stop working?Possibly. For instance, Chrome extensions may become unavailable for one reason or another, or Search Labs might end its Web Guide mode experiment. I’ll update this guide if and when any of these hacks stop working. What’s the difference between Google’s Web tab and Web Guide mode? Google’s Web tab, which is typically hidden under the More menu in Google Search (after All, Video, News, Books, etc.,) is pure, classic search results. You get 10 or so blue links and no AI summaries. Also: Google’s AI Mode may be the upgrade Search desperately needs – how to try it for freeWeb Guide, however, is a new Search Labs experiment. It uses Gemini AI to group links by topic into categories. AI snippets are still there, but they have been moved further down below a couple of blue links. Which method should I try first? Honestly, I’ve just gotten use to searching with “-AI” at the end of all my queries. It’s quick and easy and works both on mobile and desktop, no matter the browser or app you’re using — no fuss, no muss.  Want more stories about AI? AI Leaderboard, our weekly newsletter. More