🏆 Google closes in on ChatGPT

Also: xAI sues ex engineer over trade secrets

Author

Evolving AI
September 01, 2025

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Welcome, AI enthusiasts

Google’s Gemini apps are catching up with ChatGPT in the latest a16z rankings. For the first time, Google has four apps in the Top 50, with Gemini jumping to second place, AI Studio breaking into the top 10, and NotebookLM securing the 13th spot. Let’s dive in!

In today’s insights:

  • Google closes in on ChatGPT

  • Meta tightens AI guardrails for teens

  • xAI sues ex engineer over trade secrets

Read time: 4 minutes

LATEST DEVELOPMENTS

Source: a16z

Evolving AI: Google's Gemini family is closing the gap on ChatGPT in the latest a16z rankings.

Key Points:

  • Gemini now holds 12% of ChatGPT’s web traffic and nearly half its mobile users.

  • Grok surged past 20M mobile users, while Meta AI and Deepseek slowed.

  • Chinese firms dominate mobile apps, with 22 of the top 50 coming from China.

Details:

Google placed four apps in the Top 50 AI consumer rankings for the first time, with Gemini rising to second place. AI Studio broke into the top 10, while NotebookLM landed at 13th. Grok continues to grow fast, boosted by promotion on X. Meanwhile, Chinese developers dominate mobile AI apps, supported by their huge domestic market and local rules. The “vibe coding” niche is steady, with Lovable and Replit making moves.

Why It Matters:

A steadier top 100 means growth now hinges on distribution, not flashy features. Gemini grabs casual use through Android entry points and AI Overviews. The mobile race skews to video and chat where Chinese studios move fast on huge creator datasets; teams in the West will need data partnerships and clear rights to keep pace. Companies building AI apps now face a more stable but crowded market, where regional rules and platform advantages shape who can win. The question is shifting from who launches next to who can keep users coming back daily.

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Evolving AI: xAI claims a former researcher stole confidential data before joining OpenAI.

Key Points:

  • Researcher Xuechen Li accused of stealing sensitive files before resigning.

  • xAI says he cashed out $7M in shares and then copied documents to a personal system.

  • Lawsuit claims stolen data could save rivals billions in research costs.

Details:

xAI has filed a lawsuit against former engineer Xuechen Li, alleging he took confidential documents shortly before leaving to join OpenAI. The company claims Li cashed out $7M worth of shares and then transferred sensitive files from his company laptop to personal devices. These files reportedly included proprietary technologies developed for xAI’s Grok model. Li, who joined xAI in 2024 from Stanford, is accused of trying to hide his actions by deleting logs and renaming files.

Why It Matters:

AI teams are moving from bragging about model wins to locking down access like cash. Expect stricter device controls, read‑only model‑weight access, short‑lived keys, exit audits, and clawbacks baked into offers. For businesses depending on AI innovation, it signals that protecting trade secrets isn’t just legal housekeeping, it can directly impact market advantage.

Source: Financial Times

Evolving AI: Meta is adding stricter safeguards to its AI chatbots to protect teenagers.

Key Points:

  • Meta AI will block harmful topics like self-harm, suicide, and disordered eating.

  • Teen access to certain user-made chatbot characters is being restricted.

  • Lawmakers and regulators are increasing pressure on Meta’s AI safety policies.

Details:

Meta is strengthening protections for teenagers on Instagram and Facebook by retraining its AI and placing new restrictions on conversations. The changes follow reports showing Meta AI could give troubling responses to teen users. The company says its chatbots will no longer engage on sensitive topics but instead direct teens to expert resources. These measures will roll out first in English-speaking countries, with further updates planned.

Why It Matters:

Expect immediate changes if your product or ad work touches teens on Instagram or Facebook: sensitive prompts will be routed to crisis resources, some AI characters go offline, and safety reviews tighten. That lowers the chance of harmful replies but raises risks of false positives, lower engagement, and slower support flows. Schools and parents get clearer guardrails. Creators and marketers using AI personas will need age checks, content audits, and fallback paths. For Meta, it’s a response to federal and state scrutiny and a template other platforms may copy.

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