(This column originally appeared in Forbes)
Let’s Recap:
- Meta’s using AI to take their Ray-Ban smart glasses to a new level;
- Googlebook laptops are built around Gemini;
- Claude is now connecting to popular small business applications;
- The FBI and banks are warning of a new online spoof;
- An AI agent runs a Swedish coffee shop
Will Meta’s new glasses finally be a game-changer? They’re getting closer.
Meta is advancing their Ray-Ban smart glasses to the next level. Meta’s chief technology officer Andrew Bosworth has called them a “game changer” — and he isn’t kidding! The Ray-Ban Meta “Display” glasses are being developed to use AI to provide real-time assistance such as live language translation of conversations with subtitles appearing on the lenses; memory aids that will help users remember where they parked or left their keys; calculating tips at restaurants; camera activation by using simple hand movements; and visual information that will identify objects. With these new capabilities are inevitable concerns about privacy and covert recording, despite Meta adding safeguards like visible recording indicators. (Source: New York Post)
Why this is important for your small business:
It seems inevitable that — within the next decade — most glasses will be sold equipped with the AI functionality that Meta’s including in its new Ray-Ban offerings. And, as the New York Post article implies, that will raise all sorts of privacy and other issues. But the benefits could outweigh the costs, particularly for businesses who want to add an extra level of information gathering and display to workers out in the field, on the production line or providing services. Why carry a phone if you can have it all in a normal pair of glasses?
Will we buy Googlebooks?
Aisha Malik of TechCrunch reported on Google’s recent announcement of “Googlebook” — a new category of AI-first laptops designed around its Gemini AI platform. According to Google, these devices are meant to act more like AI assistants rather than conventional laptops. Planned to be released this fall, Googlebooks will come with “Magic Pointer” — an AI-powered cursor that can analyze what’s on screen and offer contextual help, summaries, translations, or suggested actions such as scheduling meetings by pointing to a date in an email. With enhanced Android integration, users will be able to use phone apps on the laptop and access files on their phone. AI-generated widgets can be created through natural-language prompts instead of manual setup. On this latest development, Google is partnering with companies like Acer, Dell and HP. Stay tuned … (Source: TechCrunch)
Why this is important for your small business:
Will this replace Chromebooks? I’m not sure. To me, this line of hardware will only be popular if the price is right. Right now I’m not hearing any of my clients or other small business owners demand these features. But if they’re incorporated in a reasonably priced, reliable device than this could become a thing. As said above, stay tuned…
Claude’s new version for small business looks like a big step in the right direction
Anthropic has announced Claude of Small Business — “a toggle install that puts Claude to work inside the tools small business owners already use,” the company stated. For professionals who rely on tools like QuickBooks, Canva, DocuSign or PayPal, Claude will plan payroll, manage expenses, run a sales campaign, review contracts and much more. Anthropic says the system works through “Claude Cowork,” where business owners connect their existing apps, choose a workflow, and then review or approve actions before anything is sent or paid. According to the company Claude for Small Business comes with “15 ready-to-run agentic workflows” across finance, sales, marketing, operations and HR. Anthropic intends to bring enterprise-style AI automation to smaller companies that will benefit from this package that also includes a free “AI Fluency for Small Business” training course developed with PayPal. (Source: Anthropic)
Why this is important for your small business:
Anthropic is hitting the nail on the head with this offering. Why? Because every small business owner I know wants to use AI in their business and they don’t know where to start. Claude’s small business offering now packages integrations with many popular platforms we use so we start prompting the chatbot based on our company’s data. Many of these integrations already existed but they were buried, and business owners weren’t aware of them. Offering them in this way brings more attention to Claude’s capabilities. I’m sure Anthropic’s competitors — who have similar integrations — won’t be far behind in offering their small business versions.
A new banking spoof is scamming small businesses — don’t be dumb
The FBI and financial institutions like Chase Bank have alerted the public about a growing wave of “bank spoofing” scams in which criminals impersonate bank fraud departments or even law enforcement to convince people to move money out of their own accounts. JPMorgan Chase customer Jennifer Licthardt shared that she was a victim of one of these scams losing $40,000. Using ID spoofing technology, the culprits called from an official Chase phone number and read Jennifer’s account number — and then claimed employees were accessing her account — a convincing decoy that resulted in the forty-thousand-dollar theft. In these situations, scammers instruct victims to transfer money into supposedly “secure” accounts, but the money goes directly to criminals. Officials say to watch for these red flags: Callers pretending to be from your bank, the FBI, or fraud departments; urgent pressure to act immediately; requests to transfer funds for “safekeeping.” (Source: Fox Business)
Why this is important for your small business:
These situations of fraud are only going to get worse, thanks to AI. Don’t be dumb. Get regular training from your IT firm. Implement internal controls requiring multiple approvals before disbursements are made. And most importantly, at least where your money is involved, get a phone number and call the person back. Record your calls and check the validity of the number as well.
Another AI-operated business makes the news. I don’t buy it.
Andon Café — an “experimental” establishment in Stockholm, Sweden — is home to an AI system nicknamed “Mona” which functions as the café’s business manager. Created by San Francisco-based startup Andon Labs, Mona takes on numerous tasks except serving the costumers, which is handled by human baristas. Mona’s creators instructed it to “be friendly and easygoing and figure out operational details.” The experiment is a valuable real-world test of AI autonomy, but researchers warn that giving AI authority over employees and business decisions raises ethical and legal questions. To learn more about Mona’s performance, visit the link. (Source: Associated Press)
Why this is important for your small business:
Every so often there’s a story in the media designed to panic people that robots are taking over the world. I don’t buy it. According to the article, the results so far have been mixed: Mona successfully set up internet service, arranged permits, communicated with vendors, and set up commercial accounts. However, it made some strange inventory decisions such as ordering 6,000 napkins, thousands of rubber gloves, multiple first-aid kits, and canned tomatoes. The café has reportedly brought in more than $5,700 in sales but has yet to become profitable.
Note: Have a technology story that small business owners should know about? Don’t mind me sharing my opinion? Share it with me on X @genemarks.
