5 Biggest AI Stories This Week: ChatGPT Ads, Gemini 3.1 Pro, and More
From ChatGPT showing its first ads to Google dropping Gemini 3.1 Pro — here's everything that happened in AI this week.
It's been a packed week in AI. Here are the 5 biggest stories you need to know about heading into the weekend.
1. ChatGPT Now Shows Ads
This is the one everyone's talking about. As of February 19, 2026, ads have started appearing inside ChatGPT responses. Brands like Expedia, Qualcomm, Best Buy, and Enterprise Mobility are among the first advertisers.
According to Adthena, an AI search intelligence platform, ads can trigger as early as your very first prompt. OpenAI confirmed the rollout to Adweek.
Why it matters: ChatGPT has over 300 million weekly users. Introducing ads changes the dynamic from "neutral assistant" to "monetized platform." It's a big shift, and worth watching how users react.
> Tip: If you want ad-free AI chat, check out our AI chatbot comparison to see which alternatives fit your needs.
2. Google Launches Gemini 3.1 Pro
Google released Gemini 3.1 Pro on February 19, 2026, calling it "a smarter model for your most complex tasks." It's built on the same core intelligence behind Gemini 3 Deep Think.
Gemini 3.1 Pro is now available in:
- Google AI Studio and the Gemini API
- Gemini CLI for developers
- Google Antigravity (Google's agentic development platform)
- Vertex AI for enterprise
- The Gemini app and NotebookLM for consumers
Google says it scores significantly higher on complex reasoning benchmarks and is designed for synthesizing data, explaining complex topics, and powering agentic workflows.
> Related: See how Gemini stacks up in our ChatGPT vs Claude vs Gemini comparison.
3. Samsung's New Bixby Enters Beta
Samsung's revamped Bixby AI assistant hit beta this week. The new version is powered by Samsung's own large language model and aims to compete more directly with Siri, Google Assistant, and Alexa.
It's still early days, but Samsung is clearly betting that on-device AI assistants are the next battleground.
4. YouTube Brings AI Chat to Your TV
YouTube is testing its conversational AI tool on smart TVs, gaming consoles, and streaming devices. The feature — first introduced in 2023 — lets you ask questions about the video you're watching.
Imagine watching a cooking video and asking "What can I substitute for saffron?" right from your remote. It's rolling out to a small test group first.
5. Meta Spending $65 Million to Influence AI Legislation
Meta announced plans to pour $65 million into pro-AI political action committees (PACs). Two new PACs — "Forge the Future Project" (Republican-focused) and "Making Our Tomorrow" (Democrat-focused) — will back politicians friendly to AI and push back against restrictive legislation.
This signals how seriously Big Tech is treating the AI regulatory landscape in 2026.
The Bottom Line
This week made one thing clear: AI is no longer just a technology story — it's an advertising, political, and consumer story. Whether it's ads in your chatbot or lobbyists in Washington, the stakes keep getting higher.
Stay on top of the latest tools and trends on NextPj.net. Check out our AI prompts to get more out of whichever AI you're using.
What was the biggest AI story of the week for you? The ChatGPT ads definitely got people talking.
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