Models & Assistants
GPT-6 Astra is here: OpenAI's most capable model yet, and a possible AGI milestone
OpenAI launched GPT-6 Astra on 3 September 2026, with Greg Brockman calling it a generational leap and suggesting it may represent AGI.
Consumer AI
Google Assistant is being permanently removed from Android from 4 September 2026
Google Assistant is gone from Android, Wear OS, and Android Auto from 4 September 2026, replaced by Gemini with no option to revert.
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Security & Governance
OpenAI pledges $1 billion to put AI cyber tools in the hands of critical infrastructure defenders
OpenAI's Daybreak for Frontline Defenders commits $1bn in subsidised AI access to water systems, electric grids, and local governments.
Models & Assistants
Gemini 3.8 Flash is now generally available, with a locked-down cyber sibling for vetted defenders
Google's Gemini 3.8 Flash launched on 2 September 2026 at the same $0.75/$3.75 introductory price as 3.7 Flash, with stronger agentic and coding scores.
Agents & Automation
Anthropic's open-source commerce agents blueprint: what it means for retailers and developers
Anthropic released a forkable commerce agents blueprint on 2 September 2025, with shopper and merchant reference implementations deployable via Claude API, Bedrock, Foundry, or Vertex.
Developer Tools & APIs
Google sets 30 September 2026 deadline to drop gemini-omni-flash-preview
Google deprecates gemini-omni-flash-preview on 30 September 2026. Teams must migrate to the GA gemini-omni-1.1-flash endpoint before that date.
Consumer AI
Google Assistant is gone from Android on 4 September 2026: Gemini is the only option
Google begins removing Assistant from Android phones, tablets, Wear OS, headphones, and Android Auto on 4 September 2026, with no way to switch back.
Models & Assistants
Claude Fable 5.1 and Mythos 5.1 are now generally available: same price, much cheaper caching
Anthropic launches Claude Fable 5.1 with cache reads cut 75% to $0.25/MTok, saving up to 45% on agentic workloads. Mythos 5.1 stays restricted.
Developer Tools & APIs
Google is shutting down gemini-robotics-er-1.6-preview on 31 August 2026
Google retires gemini-robotics-er-1.6-preview on 31 August 2026. The replacement, gemini-robotics-er-2-preview, adds multi-robot coordination and agentic code execution.
Weekly Digest
AI product notes: week of 24 August 2026
A weekly roundup of smaller AI product updates, release-note items, and admin changes worth tracking.
Consumer AI
ChatGPT Ads hits $1 billion annualised revenue in under 200 days and opens self-serve buying across India, Europe, and MENA
OpenAI's ad business reaches $1B annualised run rate. From 31 August 2026, advertisers in India, Europe, the Middle East, and North Africa can buy directly.
Developer Tools & APIs
GPT-5.4 and GPT-5.4 mini are now retired from Codex for ChatGPT-authenticated users
From 31 August 2026, GPT-5.4 and GPT-5.4 mini no longer work in Codex under ChatGPT sign-in. Here is what to do.
Consumer AI
OpenAI's official DALL·E GPT shuts down on 30 August 2026: download your images before they're gone
The official DALL·E GPT in ChatGPT closes permanently on 30 August 2026. Any images stored there must be downloaded before the deadline.