AI Daily Trends & Tools Update — 2026-05-13

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1. AI Industry and Trends

South Korea Leads World in Rapid AI Adoption

A report from Microsoft's think tank, the AI Economy Institute, titled "Global AI Diffusion Q1 2026 Trends and Insights," identifies South Korea as having the fastest AI adoption growth rate in the world. According to the report, global AI usage among the working-age population rose by 1.5 percentage points in the first quarter of 2026, reaching 17.8%. The report also highlighted a surge in developer productivity metrics, such as a 78% increase in GitHub code pushes due to AI-native tools, while warning of deepening inequality caused by a widening digital divide between the Global North and South.

Global AI Firms Pivot from Tech to Profitability

Global AI companies are quickly shifting their focus from competing on whose model is more advanced to competing on profitability. Industry experts noted that while early AI competition was driven by showcasing technology, profitability has become the core priority as of 2026.

AMD Strengthens Momentum in AI Data Center CPU Market

Analysts suggest that AMD is gaining significant momentum in the AI data center sector as the role of CPUs becomes more prominent. There is a growing trend of re-evaluating the role of CPUs alongside GPUs in AI computation.

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2. Key AI Tool Updates

Google Integrates Gemini Intelligence into Android — Proactive AI Features Unveiled

At the "Android Show 2026," Google announced major AI innovations for the Android platform. The highlight is "Gemini Intelligence," a feature characterized by its proactive nature, where the AI offers necessary information and functions before the user even asks. Google has made it clear that AI is the central direction for Android in 2026.

Google also confirmed the rollout of these proactive AI capabilities on its official blog. These features, introduced at Android Show 2026, operate by understanding the user's context to suggest information or handle tasks automatically.

AI Agents Usage Spreads — Developers Carrying Laptops Everywhere

Business Insider shared stories of developers carrying open laptops through offices, school hallways, and cafes to ensure their AI agents keep running without interruption. This reflects just how widely agentic AI tools are currently being used in professional workflows.

AI Robots Tackle Labor Shortages in Tire Servicing

Automated Tire has unveiled its AI robot platform, "SmartBay." This system automates tire mounting, balancing, and inspection with minimal human intervention, aiming to solve labor shortages in tire repair shops.

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3. Community Insights and Reactions

Colorado Scales Back AI Regulation Bill

Colorado Governor Polis is expected to sign a new, significantly scaled-back AI bill, replacing the broader legislation previously proposed. The new bill focuses on disclosure requirements to prevent AI systems from discriminating against job applicants, marking a compromise following years of legislative debate over AI regulation.

South Korea’s AI Growth Leads Headlines

The news that South Korea has the world's fastest AI adoption rate, as reported by Microsoft, has received extensive coverage from major Korean media outlets like The Korea Economic Daily and The Chosun Ilbo. The reports highlighted both the surge in developer productivity and the warnings regarding the widening digital divide.

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4. Notable New Papers/Announcements

Microsoft AI Economy Institute — Global AI Diffusion Q1 2026 Trends and Insights

Microsoft's AI Economy Institute released "Global AI Diffusion Q1 2026 Trends and Insights." Key points include: reaching a 17.8% AI usage rate among the global working-age population (+1.5%p from the previous quarter); a 78% increase in GitHub code pushes; South Korea ranking #1 in AI diffusion growth; and concerns over deepening inequality due to the global digital divide. The data on software development productivity and the digital divide has drawn significant attention from both academia and industry.

Google Gemini Intelligence — Android Show 2026 Technical Presentation

Google officially presented Gemini Intelligence at Android Show 2026. It is being noted as a proactive AI interface that goes beyond traditional "request-response" models by analyzing user context to suggest information or perform tasks. It is seen as a key example of the transition from a simple AI assistant to a true "Agent AI."

This briefing is based on information released within the 24 hours prior to May 13, 2026.