Welcome to AI Insider’s The Week Ahead in AI. See the key developments and events we’re watching May 24- 30.
Weekend AI News Briefs
Pope Leo Will Take on AI Alongside an Anthropic Co-Founder
Pope Leo XIV is set to release his first encyclical, Magnifica Humanitas, on May 25 focused on safeguarding human dignity in the age of artificial intelligence, according to NBC News. The document, which references AI’s social and ethical impacts, will be unveiled alongside Catholic leaders and Anthropic co-founder Chris Olah as the Vatican expands its engagement with AI policy and human-centered technology debates. (NBC News)
‘AI Washing’: Firms are Scrambling to Rebrand Themselves as Tech-Focused
UK public relations executives are warning of growing “AI washing” as companies increasingly stretch definitions of artificial intelligence to market themselves as AI firms, The Guardian reports. Communications professionals said businesses across industries are relabeling automation and existing technologies as AI-powered products, contributing to growing fatigue around AI marketing claims and skepticism among journalists and audiences. (The Guardian)
99% of CEOs Expect AI-Driven Layoffs in the Next Two Years
Nearly all CEOs surveyed in Mercer’s Global Talent Trends report said they expect AI initiatives to lead to layoffs within the next two years, with 99% preparing for short-term workforce reductions tied to automation, according to Gizmodo. The findings come as companies increasingly redesign work around AI, though only 32% of executives said they believe organizations have successfully combined human and machine capabilities, while employee anxiety around AI-driven displacement continues to rise. (Gizmodo)
Google CEO Sundar Pichai Says Graduates Booing AI Will Shape its Future — And Live with Its Consequences
Growing anxiety around AI’s impact on jobs is beginning to spill into public backlash, with graduating students increasingly heckling tech executives over optimistic comments about the technology and its workforce implications. Business Insider reports the reactions come as leaders including Google CEO Sundar Pichai confront concerns over AI-driven disruption, layoffs and a weakening job market for recent graduates, highlighting a widening gap between industry messaging and public sentiment. (Business Insider)
Why AI Likely Means More Work For Humans
According to Forbes, Amazon founder Jeff Bezos said AI is more likely to create a future labor shortage than widespread unemployment, arguing the technology will elevate workers by automating lower-level tasks and enabling higher-value work. The comments come as Every CEO Dan Shipper reported that extensive use of AI agents at his company has coincided with increased hiring, reflecting a broader argument that automation may shift work toward human oversight, judgment and differentiation rather than eliminate it. (Forbes)
Kawasaki Collaborates with Nvidia, Analog Devices, Microsoft, and Fujitsu in Opening Silicon Valley ‘Physical AI Center’
Kawasaki Heavy Industries has launched the Kawasaki Physical AI Center San Jose to accelerate deployment of physical AI technologies and deepen Japan-U.S. collaboration across AI and semiconductor initiatives. The center will initially focus on healthcare and elder care applications while expanding partnerships with Nvidia, Analog Devices, Microsoft and Fujitsu to develop real-world robotics and AI systems across industries including semiconductors, mobility and manufacturing. (AI Insider)
AI is Learning to Fly Airplanes — And Aviation is Starting to Embrace It
AI-powered aviation systems are gaining momentum as companies including Merlin Labs test technologies designed to automate cockpit tasks and reduce pilot workload amid a growing global pilot shortage, CNN reports. The company told CNN its AI pilot system can handle functions beyond traditional autopilot, while industry leaders and regulators continue emphasizing that AI is intended to support human pilots rather than replace them. (CNN)
Upcoming Earnings
Synopsys (SNPS)
Synopsys is expected to report fiscal second-quarter earnings on May 27, after the market closes, for the quarter ending April 2026, with analysts surveyed by Zacks forecasting earnings of $2.24 per share, according to Nasdaq. That compares with earnings per share of $2.59 in the same quarter a year earlier, based on consensus estimates from seven analysts. (Nasdaq)
Marvell Technology (MRVL)
Marvell Technology is expected to report fiscal first-quarter earnings on May 27, after the market closes, for the quarter ending April 2026, with analysts surveyed by Zacks forecasting earnings of $0.61 per share, according to Nasdaq. That compares with earnings per share of $0.47 in the same quarter a year earlier, based on consensus estimates from 12 analysts. (Nasdaq)
Salesforce (CRM)
Salesforce is expected to report fiscal first-quarter earnings on May 27, after the market closes, for the quarter ending April 2026, with analysts surveyed by Zacks forecasting earnings of $2.30 per share, according to Nasdaq. That compares with earnings per share of $1.94 in the same quarter a year earlier, based on consensus estimates from 14 analysts. (Nasdaq)
Snowflake (SNOW)
Snowflake is expected to report fiscal first-quarter earnings on May 27, after the market closes, for the quarter ending April 2026, with analysts surveyed by Zacks forecasting earnings of negative $0.59 per share, according to Nasdaq. That compares with earnings per share of negative $0.91 in the same quarter a year earlier, based on consensus estimates from 12 analysts. (Nasdaq)
Dell Technologies (DELL)
Dell Technologies is expected to report fiscal first-quarter earnings on May 28, after the market closes, for the quarter ending April 2026, with analysts surveyed by Zacks forecasting earnings of $2.74 per share, according to Nasdaq. That compares with earnings per share of $1.41 in the same quarter a year earlier, based on consensus estimates from five analysts. (Nasdaq)
UiPath (PATH)
UiPath is expected to report fiscal first-quarter earnings on May 28, after the market closes, for the quarter ending April 2026, with analysts surveyed by Zacks forecasting earnings of $0.04 per share, according to Nasdaq. That compares with earnings per share of negative $0.02 in the same quarter a year earlier, based on consensus estimates from six analysts. (Nasdaq)
Upcoming Events
Robotics Summit & Expo 2026
May 27–28, Boston, Massachusetts, Robotics Summit & Expo 2026, a major commercial robotics conference and expo focused on the design, development, manufacturing and real-world deployment of intelligent systems across aerospace, defense, healthcare, logistics and manufacturing. The program features keynotes from industry leaders, technical sessions, live demonstrations and a large expo floor showcasing enabling technologies and engineering best practices for scaling robotics solutions. (Robotics Summit & Expo)
Humanoids Summit Tokyo 2026
May 28–29, Tokyo, Japan, Humanoids Summit 2026, is dedicated to humanoid robotics, embodied AI, and physical AI with a strong emphasis on commercialization, mass production and ecosystem development. The program includes an opening keynote and live Geminoid demonstration by Hiroshi Ishiguro, technical discussions on human-robot interaction and real-world deployment, and high-level participation from Japanese government officials and industry stakeholders shaping national robotics strategy. (Humanoids Summit Tokyo)
