In a week filled with significant developments in the tech industry, General Motors has made the surprising decision to exit the commercial robotaxi business, while Google has sparked intrigue with hints of a multiverse existence. Meanwhile, AI innovations continue to push boundaries, with advancements in video capabilities, language models, and more.

General Motors' decision to absorb its self-driving car subsidiary, Cruise, and focus on developing driver-assistance features and fully autonomous personal vehicles has left several Cruise employees feeling "blindsided." This move marks a significant shift for the automaker, which acquired Cruise in 2016 for $1 billion and has since invested over $10 billion in the company's efforts.

In other news, Google has unveiled its first-ever AI agent, Project Mariner, which can take actions on the web by controlling a user's Chrome browser, moving the cursor, clicking buttons, and filling out forms. This prototype, developed by Google's DeepMind division, represents a significant step towards changing how users interact with websites.

OpenAI has also made headlines with the release of its real-time video capabilities for ChatGPT, allowing users to point their phones at objects and receive near-instant responses. This feature, available to ChatGPT Plus, Team, and Pro subscribers, can also understand what's on a device's screen through screen sharing.

Furthermore, Google has sparked curiosity with its claim that its latest quantum computing chip, Willow, is so fast that it must have borrowed computational power from other universes. While this statement may seem far-fetched, it has generated significant buzz in the tech community.

In other AI-related news, Duolingo has partnered with Netflix to help viewers learn Korean ahead of the release of the next season of "Squid Game." The companies have also released an exclusive TikTok filter inspired by the show's Red Light, Green Light game.

Additionally, Bluesky has teased a paid subscription tier, which may include features such as custom app icons, post analytics, and bookmark folders. Grok has released its latest image generator, Aurora, which is capable of reproducing public figures with remarkable accuracy.

In a more unusual development, Freysa.ai is offering a challenge to users, tasking them with getting its AI character Freysa to say "I love you." The first person to succeed could win tens of thousands of dollars, raising questions about AI safety and the potential consequences of creating emotionally manipulative AI systems.

In other news, Krispy Kreme has disclosed a security incident that has caused "certain operational disruptions," while Spotify has officially discontinued its in-car streaming device, Car Thing. Firefox has also removed its "Do Not Track" feature, citing its ineffectiveness. Finally, Amazon has expanded into the online car sales market with the launch of Amazon Autos.

As the tech industry continues to evolve at a rapid pace, these developments highlight the significant advancements being made in AI, autonomous vehicles, and other areas. As we look to the future, it will be fascinating to see how these innovations shape the world around us.