Tell Google What You Want: “Tailor your feed” Brings Prompt-Powered Control to Discover

Imagine opening Google Discover and being able to say, in plain English, “Show me cozy home-cooking videos, but only dairy-free recipes,” or “Keep politics out for a while — show me science and college basketball instead.” That’s the idea behind Google’s new experimental Labs feature called “Tailor your feed,” spotted in testing this week.

Why this feels different

For years, Discover has quietly learned from what you search, click, and ignore. It nudges you toward topics it thinks you’ll like, but the control panel has always been a bit clunky: tap three dots, mark something “not interested,” or favorite a source. “Tailor your feed” moves that control into natural language prompts — you talk to Discover like you would a helpful friend, and its AI updates your recommendations instantly.

This is not a full public rollout. It’s a Search Labs experiment in the Google app, currently limited to early testers (US English was reported), but the approach signals a bigger shift in how Google wants us to manage passive, algorithmic content.

What to know right now

• The feature appears in the Google app’s Search Labs (tap the beaker icon in the top-left).
• You open a prompt box labeled “Ask for the kind of content you want,” type a request, and Discover updates your feed instantly.
• Prompts can include topics, formats, tones or “vibes,” publishers to prioritize, or content to avoid (e.g., “Stop showing me negative news”).
• Google says Discover will remember these preferences and you can adjust them anytime; activity links back to My Activity.
• The experiment is early and rolling out slowly — not everyone will see it yet. (Reported Dec 15–16, 2025.)

The practical examples that caught attention

• Add a project-based topic: “I signed up for my first half marathon; give me training advice.”
• Remove a stale topic: “I’m back from a NY trip — stop showing me travel tips.”
• Narrow formats or dietary constraints: “Show me meal-prep videos that are dairy-free.”
• Adjust tone: “Make my feed feel calm and cozy.”
• Favor publishers: “Show more from The Washington Post.”

These examples illustrate how specific you can be — goals, formats, sources, and even mood are fair game.

Why Google is doing this

• Personalization, made faster: Natural-language prompts shortcut the months-long feedback loop of behavior-based learning.
• Engagement and retention: If people get what they want, they’ll spend more time in Discover (and the Google app).
• Better signals for relevance (and ad targeting): More explicit preferences are valuable for content ranking — and for ad relevance.
• Experimentation culture: Google Labs lets the company try riskier UI and AI ideas without committing to a wide release.

The potential upside

• Faster, clearer control: Users can correct misfires quickly without hunting through menus.
• Useful for life changes: Short-term goals (training for a race, planning a move) become easier to surface.
• Better format discovery: If you want videos, explain it — Discover can prioritize that format.
• Reduces noise: If you need a break from heavy topics like politics, you can simply say so.

The trade-offs and concerns

• Filter bubbles deepen: Explicitly asking to favor certain topics or tones may reduce exposure to diverse viewpoints.
• Publisher discoverability: Smaller outlets might lose traction if users ask for a narrow set of sources or vibes.
• Privacy and activity linking: The prompt history links to My Activity; anything you tell Discover becomes another personalization signal.
• Misunderstanding and misuse: Natural-language interfaces can misinterpret vague prompts, requiring additional back-and-forth.

How this changes the Discover experience

Think of Discover sliding along a spectrum from passive surfacing to semi-curated reading list. “Tailor your feed” pushes it closer to a hybrid: still recommendation-driven, but with on-demand curation. That could make Discover feel more intentional for users who want it — and more “sticky” for Google.

My take

Giving users a conversational way to tweak their feed is a smart move. It matches how people already describe preferences — in goals, vibes, and formats — and it reduces friction. But expect the usual tension: personalization makes life easier and more pleasant, yet it also tightens your content bubble. Ideally, Google will offer nudges that encourage variety and let users reset or explore outside their requested tastes.

If you’re curious and see the Labs beaker in your Google app, it’s worth trying — it’s an experiment, after all. Use it deliberately: try a goal-based prompt for a few weeks, then toggle it off to see how much Discover relied on that instruction.

Sources

• Google letting you customize Discover using prompts with ‘Tailor your feed’ Lab — 9to5Google.
  https://9to5google.com/2025/12/15/google-discover-tailor-prompts/

• Google will let you tell Discover what you want to see — Android Authority.
  https://www.androidauthority.com/google-discover-tailor-your-feed-experiment-3625403/

---

Related update: We recently published an article that expands on this topic: read the latest post.

Laid-off workers should use AI to manage their emotions, says Xbox exec - The Verge | Analysis by Brian Moineau

Navigating Job Loss in the Digital Age: Can AI Be Our Emotional Copilot?

In a world where technological advancements are reshaping every aspect of our lives, it's no surprise that even our emotional well-being is getting a digital upgrade. Recently, Xbox executive Matt Turnbull made headlines with a controversial suggestion: using AI to manage emotions during job loss. His post, which was quickly deleted, sparked a lively debate about the role of technology in personal and emotional spheres.

The Emotional Toll of Job Loss

Job loss is an emotional rollercoaster. It can lead to stress, anxiety, and a feeling of uncertainty about the future. Traditionally, people have turned to friends, family, or even professional counselors to navigate these choppy waters. However, Turnbull's suggestion points to a future where artificial intelligence could offer a new kind of support system.

Imagine an AI that can help process emotions, suggest coping strategies, and even provide motivational nudges when you're feeling down. It's not as far-fetched as it sounds. In fact, AI-driven mental health platforms like Woebot and Wysa are already providing support to individuals around the world. These platforms use natural language processing to engage users in therapeutic conversations, offering a glimpse into the potential of AI as a mental health ally.

AI: Friend or Foe?

While the idea of AI as an emotional copilot is intriguing, it's important to approach it with a healthy dose of skepticism. AI lacks the human touch – the empathy and understanding that comes from shared human experience. Critics argue that relying too heavily on AI for emotional support could lead to isolation and a diminished capacity for human connection.

Moreover, there's the question of data privacy. In an age where data is a commodity, users must be cautious about the information they share with AI platforms. Ensuring that personal data is protected and used ethically is paramount.

A Broader Technological Context

Turnbull's suggestion comes at a time when AI is making waves across various industries. From ChatGPT revolutionizing customer service to AI-powered tools enhancing creative processes, the technology is becoming an integral part of our daily lives. However, this rapid integration also raises questions about its impact on employment. AI is automating tasks that were once the domain of humans, leading to concerns about job displacement and the need for upskilling.

Interestingly, similar discussions are happening in other sectors. For example, in sports, AI is being used to analyze player performance and develop strategies, as seen with teams leveraging data analytics to gain a competitive edge. Coaches and players alike are learning to balance human intuition with data-driven insights.

Matt Turnbull: A Brief Commentary

Matt Turnbull, as an executive at Xbox, is no stranger to the intersection of technology and entertainment. His work in the gaming industry involves staying ahead of the curve, anticipating trends, and understanding how technology can enhance user experiences. It’s no wonder he’s pondering AI’s potential beyond gaming, even if his recent suggestion stirred the pot.

Final Thoughts

As we stand on the brink of a new era in technology and mental health, it's crucial to strike a balance. AI has the potential to be a powerful tool in managing emotions, but it should complement, not replace, human interaction. As we explore these new frontiers, let’s remain mindful of the ethical implications and prioritize the human element that makes life rich and meaningful.

In the end, whether you're navigating job loss or any other challenge, remember that reaching out to a trusted friend or professional remains invaluable. After all, some things are best left to the heart, not just the algorithm.

Read more about AI in Business

Read more about Latest Sports Trends

Read more about Technology Innovations

Apple reportedly considers letting Anthropic and OpenAI power Siri - TechCrunch | Analysis by Brian Moineau

Title: Siri's New Brain: A Tale of Collaboration and Innovation

In a move that could redefine the landscape of digital assistants, Apple is reportedly contemplating a collaboration with AI powerhouses OpenAI and Anthropic to infuse Siri with advanced artificial intelligence capabilities. This potential partnership signals a shift from Apple's historical preference for in-house development and underscores the increasing importance of AI in enhancing user experience.

Apple's Strategic Shift

For years, Apple has been a champion of closed ecosystems, opting to develop its technology internally. However, the rapid advancements in AI, particularly in natural language processing and machine learning, have created opportunities—and perhaps pressures—that are difficult to ignore. OpenAI, the creator of ChatGPT, and Anthropic, known for its cutting-edge AI research, are two prominent players in the field. By potentially leveraging these companies' technologies, Apple could catapult Siri into a new era of conversational intelligence, rivaling other digital assistants like Amazon's Alexa or Google's Assistant.

The Changing AI Landscape

The tech world is no stranger to collaboration. Microsoft's significant investment in OpenAI earlier this year was a testament to the growing trend of strategic partnerships aimed at harnessing AI's potential. This move by Apple could be viewed as an acknowledgment of the rapid pace of AI innovation outside its Cupertino walls. With OpenAI's extensive experience in creating conversational AI and Anthropic's focus on AI safety and alignment, Siri could become more intuitive, context-aware, and user-friendly.

A Broader Context

This development comes at a time when AI is becoming increasingly integrated into our daily lives, from chatbots handling customer service queries to AI-driven recommendations on streaming platforms. In education, AI tools are being used to personalize learning experiences, while in healthcare, they're being employed to predict patient outcomes. The potential enhancement of Siri fits into this broader narrative of AI's transformative power across industries.

Moreover, Apple's potential collaboration with OpenAI and Anthropic might reflect a new chapter in the company's history, one where openness to external innovation becomes a strategic advantage. This could set a precedent for other tech giants, encouraging them to seek external partnerships to accelerate technological advancement.

Final Thoughts

As Apple mulls over the integration of external AI models into Siri, it faces the daunting task of maintaining its commitment to user privacy and security—an area where Apple has consistently set industry standards. Balancing this with the need to stay at the forefront of AI technology will be crucial.

This anticipated collaboration is more than just a technical upgrade; it's a testament to the power of collaboration in the tech industry. It suggests that even giants like Apple recognize the value of external innovation in propelling their products and services into the future. As we watch this story unfold, one thing is certain: the future of Siri, and digital assistants in general, is promising and full of potential.

Read more about AI in Business

Read more about Latest Sports Trends

Read more about Technology Innovations

IBM acquires data analysis startup Seek AI, opens AI accelerator in NYC - TechCrunch | Analysis by Brian Moineau

IBM's Latest Move: A Game-Changer in the AI Arena

Ah, IBM – the venerable titan of technology, always finding ways to reinvent itself and stay relevant in an ever-evolving digital landscape. In their latest power move, IBM has acquired Seek AI, a data analysis startup that’s making waves by enabling users to interact with enterprise data through natural language queries. This acquisition, though the financial details remain under wraps, could be more significant than it seems at first glance.

The Power of Natural Language Processing

For those of us who’ve spent hours deciphering the complex hieroglyphics of spreadsheets, the promise of simply asking questions about data and getting intelligible answers is nothing short of a dream come true. Seek AI’s platform leverages natural language processing (NLP) to make this possible, a technology that has been gaining traction across various sectors. Remember when OpenAI’s GPT models first demonstrated the potential of conversational AI? Seek AI seems to be taking a page out of that book, but with a focus on enterprise data.

Why This Matters for IBM

IBM has long been a player in the AI space, with its Watson platform being one of the most well-known AI systems out there. However, the tech giant is not resting on its laurels. By acquiring Seek AI, IBM is not just expanding its AI portfolio but is also reinforcing its commitment to making AI accessible and useful in real-world business scenarios. This move is in line with IBM's broader strategy of bolstering its AI capabilities and integrating them into its cloud services, a critical area for the company's future growth.

The Big Apple Gets a Taste of AI

In addition to the acquisition, IBM is opening an AI accelerator in New York City. This initiative is part of a broader push to foster innovation and nurture startups that are poised to make significant contributions to AI technology. New York, with its vibrant tech scene and a melting pot of talent, is an ideal location for such an endeavor. This move also echoes the trend of tech giants turning to urban hubs to tap into their unique resources – a strategy that has been adopted by companies like Google and Amazon in recent years.

A Broader Context

The acquisition of Seek AI and the opening of the AI accelerator come at a time when AI is rapidly transforming industries across the globe. From healthcare to finance, the ability to process and analyze large volumes of data is becoming indispensable. According to a report by PwC, AI could contribute up to $15.7 trillion to the global economy by 2030. IBM's strategic moves are a testament to how seriously it is taking this AI revolution.

Moreover, this acquisition might remind some of similar moves by other tech giants. For instance, Microsoft's acquisition of Nuance Communications earlier this year emphasized the importance of conversational AI in enterprise solutions. Such acquisitions highlight a broader trend where leading tech companies are investing heavily in AI startups to stay ahead in the competitive landscape.

Final Thoughts

IBM’s acquisition of Seek AI is not just a business transaction; it’s a statement. It’s a declaration that IBM is keenly aware of the future trajectory of data analysis and AI integration. As AI continues to redefine how businesses operate, IBM is positioning itself as a leader equipped to guide companies through this transformative era.

So, while the details of the deal are still under wraps, one thing is clear: IBM is playing the long game, and with strategic moves like these, they might just be holding a winning hand. As AI becomes more ingrained in the fabric of business operations, IBM’s investments today may well become the cornerstones of tomorrow's technological landscape.

Read more about AI in Business

Read more about Latest Sports Trends

Read more about Technology Innovations