In 2025, artificial intelligence has become inescapable. From office software and education to national defence and dating apps, AI is everywhere. And while many of these advancements inspire excitement, others raise ethical concerns - or even alarm.

Let’s explore the growing reach of AI, the latest headlines, and what it means for how we work and live.

Mainstream tools get a brain

AI isn’t just powering standalone tools anymore - it’s being embedded into everyday platforms:

• Microsoft Copilot is now integrated into Word, Excel, and even Notepad, transforming classic tools into smart assistants. Microsoft news

• Apple Intelligence, the tech giant’s flagship AI initiative, made headlines not only for its ambitions - but for publishing inaccurate news digests. Wikipedia: Apple Intelligence

• GitLab and AWS have joined forces to bring generative AI to developer tools, helping engineers write, review, and manage code. GitLab

• Perplexity AI is reportedly in talks with Samsung and Motorola to become the default assistant on future Android devices. Android Central

Unexpected use cases: AI gets weird

AI is also turning up in unusual places:

• Warfare: Domino Data Lab secured a $16.5M Navy contract to develop AI-powered undersea drones. Axios

• Cinema: Films made with the help of AI can now qualify for the Oscars, according to new Academy rules. The Verge

• "Vibe coding": A growing trend where developers - or non-developers - use AI to build software without deep coding knowledge. Business Insider

• Dating apps: Sitch, a new AI-powered platform, uses machine learning to deliver up to five high-quality matches per week based on deep profile analysis. Business Insider

The darker side of ubiquity

Alongside innovation, AI has sparked scandals and regulatory concerns:

• Political propaganda: Italian opposition accused the far-right Lega party of using AI to generate racist imagery. The Guardian

• Child safety: The IWF reported a sharp rise in AI-generated child abuse imagery - becoming alarmingly realistic. The Guardian

• Media missteps: The LA Times pulled an AI tool after it incorrectly portrayed the Ku Klux Klan in positive terms. The Guardian

Ulla’s position: simplicity, not monopoly

In a world where every platform is racing to embed AI into every pixel, Ulla chooses a different path.

• Transparency: Ulla doesn’t try to replace every workflow - it focuses on doing one thing exceptionally well: transcribing and summarising meetings.

• Security: Ulla can be deployed locally, ensuring total data control. No OpenAI connections, no third-party access. Just your data - your rules.

• Flexibility: Ulla integrates with the tools you already use, from Google Meet to Microsoft Teams, without locking you into a proprietary system.

We don’t believe in monopolising productivity. We believe in elevating it - quietly, securely, and clearly. Ulla