AI Daily: Google launches new AI search features to plan travel

Catch up on the top artificial intelligence news and commentary by Wall Street analysts on publicly traded companies in the space with this daily recap compiled by The Fly:

AI TRAVEL SEARCH: Alphabet’s (GOOG, GOOGL) Google announced new search features designed to plan travel with artificial intelligence. “Canvas is a tool in AI Mode that gives you a space to organize plans and projects over time. And now, you can use Canvas to build travel plans that are customized for your specific needs. Just tell AI Mode what type of trip you’re planning and the recommendations you’re looking for, then select the option to ‘Create Canvas.’ Right away, you’ll get a plan in the Canvas side panel that brings together real-time Search data for flights and hotels, details from Google Maps like photos and reviews and relevant information from sites across the web. You’ll find suggestions that fit your criteria, like hotel comparisons based on pricing and amenities or ideas for restaurants and activities optimized by travel time from where you’re staying,” Google said in a blog post. Names in the online travel space include Booking Holdings (BKNG), Expedia (EXPE), TripAdvisor (TRIP), and Airbnb (ABNB).

AI GLASSES: Meta (META) has opened up pop-up stores in Los Angeles, Las Vegas, New York City, and more to build hype around its AI glasses, WSJ reports. According to Matt Jacobson, Meta’s VP and creative director for AI wearables, “We want people to take pictures. We want them to come with their friends. We don’t want them in and out of the store quickly.”

ENTERPRISE AI: Dell Technologies (DELL) and Nvidia (NVDA) are “delivering the future” of enterprise AI with advancements to the Dell AI Factory with Nvidia. The companies said, “A new era of high-performance computing and enterprise AI is here. As enterprises scale, many face challenges such as managing complex ecosystems of hardware and software or gaining control over their data. According to recent research, 95% of enterprises believe working with a trusted technology partner like Dell Technologies reduces the risks associated with adopting new technologies.2 Additionally, 90% agree that bringing AI to their data creates greater value through enhanced control, fresh insights and secure access. Enter the Dell AI Factory with NVIDIA-a game-changer for enterprises looking to accelerate outcomes, reduce complexity and maximize ROI. By integrating Dell’s robust end-to-end infrastructure with NVIDIA AI technology, backed by expert guidance from Dell Professional Services, organizations can transform ideas into tangible results and stay ahead of evolving technologies and scaling needs.”

AGENTIC AI: Levi Strauss (LEVI), in partnership with Microsoft (MSFT), announced the development of an integrated agentic AI orchestration platform built around a single “super-agent” to simplify and automate task-driven work throughout the organization. Developed for Levi ‘s corporate employees, the agent is built on an agentic framework embedded within Microsoft Teams and powered by Azure. The agent is currently being built and tested and will be rolled out in early 2026, with expansion to global offices throughout the year.

TECH COMPANIES: With the belief AI is going to transform the tech industry and global economy, Microsoft (MSFT), Google (GOOG ; GOOGL), and Amazon (AMZN) have collectively spent over $600B between 2023 and this year on AI, Asa Fitch of The Wall Street Journal reports. The three companies entered the AI boom with strong balance sheets, low debt, and growing revenue, so the investments have not yet presented many problems. The cash drain, however, is beginning to make a dent in their balance sheets, indicating the businesses may need to be reshaped if its AI expenditures continue to grow.

INVESTMENT: Accenture (ACN) announced an investment in Alembic, an AI-powered causal marketing intelligence platform. As part of the investment, the companies are entering into a strategic partnership to help clients dynamically measure marketing effectiveness and use AI-driven insights to boost revenue. Alembic’s Causal AI platform collects and analyzes data across multiple marketing channels to identify links between marketing campaigns and revenue impact.