Edit Images Directly in Gemini Using Canva Integration

Edit Images Directly in Gemini Using Canva Integration

On How to

Gemini has evolved beyond just AI-powered search and content creation—it now integrates directly with Canva, letting you edit images on the fly without switching between apps. What's interesting here is how this integration streamlines your workflow, letting you generate, refine, and polish visual content all in one place.

With Canva built right into Gemini, you can create and modify designs including ads, social media posts, banners, posters, and educational materials using simple text prompts. This guide walks you through the entire process of editing images with Canva directly within Gemini.

Important note: You must switch Gemini to English to access this feature.

Start by logging into your Google account, then click on Personal Info in the left sidebar.

Look for the Language section on the right side and click it.

In the language settings screen, click the pencil icon next to your current language to switch to English.

Find English in the list and select it to change your Google account language.

How to Edit Images with Canva in Gemini

Step 1:

Open Gemini and click on Personal Intelligence.

Navigate to the new screen and select Connected Apps to manage your app integrations with Gemini.

Step 2:

In the apps list, click on Canva.

A permission prompt will appear. Click Allow to grant Gemini access to your Canva account.

Click Continue to proceed.

Click Agree and Continue to confirm the action.

Step 3:

You'll need to sign in to your Canva account to continue.

Next, allow the Canva AI Connector to request necessary permissions by clicking Allow.

Success—Gemini is now connected to Canva.

Step 4:

Now describe the image you want to create in Gemini as you normally would.

Once you have an image, type @ and select Canva from the menu that appears.

Type @Canva edit picture to start editing the image in Canva.

Step 5:

Gemini will display a notification with a link to open your image in Canva for editing. Click the link to access Canva.

You're now in Canva's editor, ready to polish your design.

---

Description: Learn how to seamlessly edit images with Canva while working in Gemini. Step-by-step guide to connect and use Canva's design tools.

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Understanding Open Source AI: What Actually Counts as Open?

Understanding Open Source AI: What Actually Counts as Open?

On How to

Here's something that might surprise you: OpenAI doesn't build open AI models. Their GPT and DALL·E offerings? Completely proprietary and closed-source. So what about Meta's Llama? Despite what Mark Zuckerberg says, it's not truly open source either—though it's more open than OpenAI's models, which is saying something.

When we talk about AI models, there are really three main categories:

• Proprietary
• Open source
• Open

These distinctions apply to both large language models (LLMs) and text-to-image generators. The landscape is still forming, and the Open Source Initiative is currently hammering out a strict definition of what qualifies as truly open source AI. Let's break down where things stand right now.

What Does Open Source Actually Mean?

Before diving into open source AI, let's step back and define open source itself. It's not just trendy jargon—the Open Source Initiative maintains a formal definition that outlines the philosophy and core requirements. It's published under the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License, but here's the essence.

Open source doesn't simply mean you can download or access code freely. True open source must be available to anyone who wants to use it, modify it however they see fit, and use it for any purpose. Open source licenses cannot restrict any "field of use"—and this is exactly where many supposedly open source AI models fall short.

The OSI maintains an approved license list, with major ones including Apache 2.0, MIT License, and GNU Public License.

What Are Proprietary AI Models?

Proprietary AI models represent some of the most powerful and widely-used systems available today. Private companies develop and operate them, keeping the source code, training methods, model weights, and even parameter counts under lock and key. You can only access proprietary models through official channels—chatbots, APIs, or applications built on top of these APIs.

Take OpenAI's GPT-4o. We don't know what training data went into it or how many parameters it has. The only way to use it is through ChatGPT, OpenAI's API, or third-party apps like Perplexity or Zapier Chatbots.

And yes, OpenAI charges for access. Want to use GPT-4o—arguably one of the best AI models out there? You're looking at $20 monthly for ChatGPT Plus, API fees, or integrating a paid service. You can't just download GPT-4o and run it on your own servers.

The same applies to virtually every other proprietary AI model:

• GPT-4o mini and DALL·E 3 from OpenAI
• Claude 3 and Claude 3.5 from Anthropic
• Gemini and Imagen 3 from Google
• Command R and R+ from Cohere
• Midjourney

What Is Open Source AI?

Open source AI consists of models released under open source licenses. But here's where it gets complicated: researchers have discovered that many models claiming to be open source actually aren't. This deceptive practice is called "open-washing," and it's created serious confusion—even among AI writers.

Chart showing the "openness" spectrum of various AI models

Currently, the Open Source Initiative is working to define truly open source AI because existing licenses don't fully address the technical realities of modern AI models. Meeting genuine open source standards requires more than just sharing code—you need to provide training data, training code, model parameters, and much more. Code should be shared under open source licenses, while training data and documentation should use Creative Commons or similar open licenses.

Here's the thing about open source licenses: the strictest ones actually require you to publicly release everything you build with them and credit the original developers. That's the baseline.

What Are Open AI Models?

Open AI models occupy the middle ground between locked-down proprietary systems and the idealized vision of truly open source AI. (Until OSI releases their formal definition, OLMo 7B comes closest to that ideal.)

Simply put, open AI models are made available for free under certain conditions. Usually you can download them from Hugging Face and similar platforms, then run them locally after accepting whatever license terms come with them. You typically can fine-tune them on your own data to build custom versions, create chatbots, and develop applications. In most cases, you can examine model weights and system architecture to understand how they work (to a reasonable degree).

Open licenses still permit broad usage, but they include restrictions you won't find in true open source licenses. For example, Llama 3's license allows commercial use up to 700 million monthly active users and blocks certain use cases. You or I could build something with it, but Apple and Google couldn't. Similarly, Gemma 2's acceptable use policy prohibits "facilitating or encouraging users to engage in any form of criminal activity." That makes sense—Google doesn't want unethical Gemma-powered chatbots flooding social media.

These restrictions, while understandable, contradict open source philosophy. That's why this whole space has become contentious. Many researchers are developing classification systems to clarify exactly how open different models actually are. If any of these gain traction, we'll definitely keep you posted.

The Best Open and Open Source AI Models Today

Here's a rundown of the most noteworthy open and open source models available now. Where they fall on the open source-to-open spectrum is still being debated until we get a solid definition.

AI Model	Developer	Model Type	License	Parameters	Notes
Llama 3.1	Meta	LLM	Custom	8B, 70B, 405B	Usage restrictions and user cap limits
Gemma 2	Google	LLM	Custom	2B, 9B, 27B	Restricted user categories
Phi-3	Microsoft	LLM	MIT	3.8B, 7B, 14B
Mixtral 8x7B	Mistral	LLM	Apache 2.0	8x7B
Mistral 7B	Mistral	LLM	Apache 2.0	7B
DBRX	Databricks/Mosaic	LLM	Custom	Equivalent to 36B	Mixture of Experts—parameter counting is complex
OLMo 7B	Allen Institute for AI	LLM	Apache 2.0	7B	Closest you'll get to truly open source AI right now
FLUX.1 [schnell]	Black Forest Labs	Image Generator	Custom	N/A	Non-commercial use only
FLUX.1 [dev]	Black Forest Labs	Image Generator	Apache 2.0	N/A
Stable Diffusion	Stability AI	Image Generator	Custom	N/A	Earlier versions including 1.5, 2.1, and SDXL available under open licenses

Should You Use Open or Open Source AI?

While truly open source AI models aren't as plentiful as we'd like, the best open models are surprisingly competitive with proprietary alternatives. Llama 3 405B and FLUX.1 can go toe-to-toe with GPT-4o and DALL·E 3. What's interesting here is: if you have the technical chops to work with open source models, you can achieve similar results for significantly less money with substantially more freedom.

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How to Create Mind Map Infographics Using NotebookLM

How to Create Mind Map Infographics Using NotebookLM

On How to

We all face the same challenge: drowning in content. Between textbooks, research papers, and dense reports, retaining key information gets harder by the day. The real issue isn't having access to knowledge—it's organizing it in a way your brain can actually process. That's where mind maps come in. NotebookLM lets you generate structured mind maps automatically, turning chaotic information into visual knowledge you can actually remember and build on.

Creating a mind map in NotebookLM does more than save time—it fundamentally changes how you learn. Your ideas get arranged in a clear hierarchy that's easy to follow, remember, and expand upon. Here's how to build one from scratch.

1. Creating a Mind Map in NotebookLM

Step 1:

Start by gathering your source material. This could be a YouTube video, a PDF document, or any learning resource—for instance, a video about Vietnamese history for grade 12 students. Head to NotebookLM, create a new notebook, and paste your source material in.

Step 2:

Once NotebookLM processes your content, look for the arrow icon next to "Mind Map" in the sidebar and click it to get started.

Now type in your instructions for how you want the mind map structured, then hit Create.

Step 3:

Wait while NotebookLM analyzes your material and generates the mind map. When it's ready, click the map's title to view it.

Click the expand icon to see the complete mind map in full view.

Step 4:

Each branch has its own expand icon—click any branch to reveal the detailed knowledge and information nested inside.

When you click a specific item in the mind map, NotebookLM displays detailed information in the sidebar—concise but complete, giving you exactly what you need to remember the material. You can also add follow-up prompts here if you want to dig deeper.

To download your mind map, hit the save icon and export it as a PNG file.

2. Converting Your Mind Map Into an Infographic

Here's where it gets interesting. Once you've downloaded your NotebookLM mind map as a PNG, you can level it up by transforming it into a professional infographic using ChatGPT—complete with icons, illustrations, and polished design.

Upload your mind map image to ChatGPT, then paste the following prompt to have it redesign your map into a visually stunning infographic:

I'm uploading a mind map image. Please read all the content and transform it into a modern, professional infographic.\
\
OBJECTIVES\
\
- Do not recreate the mind map structure.\
- Redesign it into a visually appealing, beautiful, and easy-to-read infographic while preserving 100% of the content and hierarchical structure.\
\
REQUIREMENTS\
\
- Keep all content intact.\
- Do not omit, add, or modify any points.\
- Maintain the original branch order.\
- Number only main branches (1, 2, 3, 4...), not sub-branches.\
- Convert sub-points within the same group into bullet lists to save space.\
- Do not create individual boxes for each small point like in a mind map.\
- Group related content into clear information cards.\
\
DESIGN\
\
- Modern editorial infographic style.\
- Balanced layout with generous whitespace.\
- Main topic highlighted in the center.\
- Primary branches distributed evenly around the main topic.\
- Soft, curved connecting lines.\
- Each main branch gets its own color.\
- Sub-branches use lighter shades of the same color.\
- Rounded content boxes with subtle shadows.\
- Clear typography with strong visual hierarchy.\
\
ILLUSTRATIONS\
\
- Combine relevant illustrations and icons.\
- Each main branch includes one large illustration directly related to its content.\
- Each content group can include a small supporting icon.\
- Add small illustrations or thumbnails next to important information sections where appropriate.\
- Avoid icon overload.\
- Do not replace all illustrations with icons.\
\
ILLUSTRATION STYLE\
\
- Flat vector illustration\
- Editorial illustration\
- Semi-flat\
- Modern\
- Cohesive\
- Harmonious color palette\
\
QUALITY\
\
- Publication-ready quality.\
- Clean and polished.\
- Professional.\
- Readable at a glance.\
- Visual depth.\
- 16:9 aspect ratio.\
- High resolution.\
- Suitable for presentations, Canva, websites, or A3 printing.

What's interesting here is how quickly ChatGPT transforms the map. You'll immediately see an infographic that builds on your original mind map structure. Here's an example mind map created in NotebookLM:

And here's the polished infographic generated from that same map:

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Everything iPhone Users Need to Know About Apple's New AI-Powered Siri

Everything iPhone Users Need to Know About Apple's New AI-Powered Siri

On How to

Apple just unveiled a completely reimagined Siri at WWDC 2026, built on the new Apple Intelligence platform. This is the biggest overhaul to Siri in years, transforming it from a basic voice assistant into something smarter—one that actually understands context and can help you accomplish real tasks without constant app-switching.

The old Siri handled simple requests: set a timer, send a text, make a call, check the weather. The new AI-powered Siri tackles complex tasks by tapping into your personal data, reading what's displayed on screen, and connecting across multiple apps—meaning fewer taps to get things done.

Beyond Voice Commands: How Siri AI Actually Works Differently

The biggest shift isn't better voice recognition. It's contextual understanding.

Think about your typical day. Need to confirm dinner plans? You're bouncing between Messages to read the invite, Maps for the location, Calendar to check availability, and Notes to save the details. It's fragmented and exhausting.

Apple designed Siri AI to eliminate this friction by combining three core capabilities: personal context awareness, on-screen content recognition, and the ability to search the web for answers.

Instead of launching app after app, you simply make a request and let Siri handle the legwork in the background.

If Apple's claims hold up in real use, this could streamline routine tasks noticeably.

Understanding Your Personal Context: Siri Knows Your Data

Apple calls this Personal Context—and it's powerful. Siri AI can search through information already stored across your Apple devices and surface the exact answer you need.

Examples of what you can ask:

• "What's my hotel confirmation code?"
• "Find photos from our beach trip with the family."
• "Where did my friend send that restaurant address?"

Rather than you manually digging through Mail, Messages, and Photos, Siri connects your request to relevant data and delivers an answer.

What's interesting here is it feels more natural. You don't need to remember whether information lives in Mail or iMessages—you just describe what you're looking for.

That said, the feature's effectiveness depends on data quality. Messy email folders or vague message text mean Siri still might need your confirmation before returning results.

Siri Reads What's on Your Screen

Another major capability is on-screen content recognition. Siri can now understand what's being displayed and take immediate action.

See an address in a text message? Ask Siri to navigate there. Got a meeting mentioned in a note? Siri can add it to your calendar. Reading important details? Siri can convert them into reminders.

These aren't groundbreaking features individually, but they're small actions you perform dozens of times daily.

Apple says this screen-awareness will work across Apple Intelligence and integrate with apps like Photos, Safari, Messages, Reminders, and Music.

Important distinction: Siri AI is just one piece of Apple's broader Apple Intelligence ecosystem, not the whole AI platform by itself.

Visual Intelligence: Siri Now Sees Through Your Camera

One of the most exciting additions is Visual Intelligence, letting Siri analyze what your camera is pointing at.

This means Siri understands more than text and voice—it can process images and live camera feeds.

Apple demonstrated scenarios like:

• Identifying objects.
• Looking up nutritional information.
• Answering questions about what the camera sees.
• Analyzing content displayed on iPad, Mac, or Apple Vision Pro screens.

In practice, point your camera at something and ask Siri what it is or request related details. Simple but useful.

That said, Apple cautions that health, nutrition, financial, and safety information should only be treated as initial reference material. Always verify with trusted expert sources before making important decisions.

Writing Assistance Powered by AI

Content creation is one area expected to benefit most from Apple Intelligence.

The Writing Tools suite includes:

Feature	What It Does
Proofreading	Catches spelling and grammar mistakes
Rewriting	Generates multiple versions of the same passage
Summarizing	Condenses lengthy content into key points
Composition Help	Suggests improvements while drafting emails, texts, or notes

These tools work across most text-input fields, including third-party apps and websites.

Practically speaking, Siri AI can draft emails, edit passages, improve phrasing, or create a first draft for you to refine.

Apple emphasizes that you should carefully review important content before sending. Proper names, dates, addresses, prices, medical information, and legal language should never be accepted without verification.

Real-World Applications: Work and Daily Life

At work, Siri AI helps retrieve old information, summarize lengthy content, draft replies, or convert emails and messages into actionable reminders.

In daily life, it manages schedules, finds directions, locates photos, tracks to-do items, and answers quick questions.

Here's what makes it compelling: most of us store data everywhere. Texts in Messages, emails in Mail, photos in Photos, notes in Notes. It's fragmented across apps.

Siri AI aims to act as a connector between these data silos, helping you search faster and act quicker without manually opening every app.

The real concern is this: Siri AI should only support your workflow. You still own the decision of what matters, what gets saved, and what action to take.

How Does Apple Handle Privacy?

As Siri grows smarter about your life, privacy concerns naturally emerge.

Apple says Apple Intelligence processes requests directly on your device whenever possible.

For more complex tasks, it uses Private Cloud Compute technology.

According to Apple, only data needed for your specific request is processed, nothing is stored, and Apple can't access the content. The company notes that independent security experts can audit Private Cloud Compute to ensure transparency.

Still, you should proactively review privacy settings, check which AI features are enabled, and monitor Apple Intelligence activity on your device.

Opening Siri to Third-Party Apps

Apple also announced that developers can integrate their apps with Siri AI through the App Intents platform.

This opens doors to Siri interacting with services beyond Apple's ecosystem.

This is critical because your daily life doesn't happen only in Apple's default apps. You use banking apps, airline booking apps, task managers, fitness trackers, and countless services.

If developers properly use App Intents, Siri AI could become a unified control hub for diverse activities across your iPhone.

---

Apple's announcements sound impressive, but real-world experience will determine Siri AI's success.

Watch how well it handles everyday requests:

• Does it find the correct message?
• Does it confuse people with similar names?
• Does Siri explain where answers come from?
• Does it take action without confirmation?
• Does the writing tone feel natural or robotic?

These small details decide whether Siri AI becomes a daily tool or just an interesting novelty.

Siri AI represents Apple's biggest stride toward creating a genuinely useful personal assistant. Instead of just answering questions, it bridges the gap from question to answer to action—with fewer steps along the way.

For users of iPhone, iPad, Mac, Apple Watch, AirPods, CarPlay, or Apple Vision Pro, Siri AI could soon feel like a natural part of your routine.

The smartest approach remains balancing AI convenience with human judgment. Siri AI can significantly reduce repetitive tasks, but critical decisions should still be verified and confirmed by you.

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3 Powerful Ways Zapier Automates Business Operations

3 Powerful Ways Zapier Automates Business Operations

On How to

Zapier is a powerhouse for automating routine business processes—from daily administrative work to weekly operational tasks. Rather than drowning in repetitive chores, you can let automation handle the heavy lifting. We've organized the most compelling use cases into three categories that cover what really matters for growing teams and businesses.

1. Eliminating Repetitive, Manual Tasks

One of Zapier's greatest strengths is its ability to kill off tedious, repetitive work—freeing up your most valuable resource: time. By setting up automated workflows, you bypass manual data entry entirely and let Zapier work quietly in the background. Here are some real-world scenarios where this shines.

• Picture this: form submissions flooding your website every single day. Instead of manually copy-pasting each entry into a spreadsheet or CRM, Zapier captures the data and routes it automatically to wherever you need it—Google Sheets, Excel, or your CRM system. The result? Zero manual entry, zero errors, and complete data consistency without lifting a finger.
• Email management is another area where Zapier truly excels. You're likely receiving similar support requests or inquiries on repeat. Zapier lets you build smart email responses triggered by specific conditions. Set up a Zap that automatically sends a personalized welcome message the moment someone fills out your contact form. This eliminates the need to compose and send individual replies, ensuring every inquiry gets a fast, consistent response.
• Social media posting across multiple platforms can eat up hours each week. Zapier flips this on its head by automating your distribution. Create a Zap that instantly shares new blog posts or website updates across all your social channels the moment they go live. You maintain an active social presence without spending time on manual posts.
• On the project management side, Zapier simplifies task creation and team coordination. When a customer submits a request through a form, a Zap can immediately create a corresponding task in your project tool. No tasks slip through the cracks, and you skip the manual work entirely.

These examples barely scratch the surface of what's possible. With hundreds of integrations and trigger options at your disposal, you can automate virtually any repetitive workflow. The payoff is significant: you reclaim hours each week and redirect your energy toward strategic work that actually moves the needle.

2. Streamlining Workflows Across Connected Systems

Think of workflow optimization as your secret competitive advantage. Zapier bridges different applications and orchestrates complex sequences automatically, turning chaotic multi-step processes into lean, efficient operations. Let's look at how this plays out in practice.

• Suppose you run an e-commerce shop. Every new order triggers a cascade of tasks: update inventory, notify your fulfillment team, and email the customer a confirmation. Normally, someone would handle each step manually. With Zapier, one order arrival launches all three actions simultaneously. It's like having a tireless digital assistant managing every handoff, keeping your stock levels accurate, your team informed, and your customers happy.
• Customer relationship management and lead nurturing traditionally consume enormous chunks of time. With Zapier, the critical steps unfold automatically. A new lead comes in through your web form. Instantly, Zapier creates their contact record in your CRM, sends a tailored welcome email, and schedules a follow-up task for your sales team. The outcome? Faster, more personal lead handling that scales without adding headcount.
• Team collaboration thrives on good communication. Zapier streamlines how your team stays connected by automating notifications and updates. Want your Slack channel to light up whenever someone gets assigned a task in your project management tool? Done. Everyone stays in sync, status updates happen automatically, and collaboration flows without friction.
• Syncing data across platforms is typically a nightmare—multiple sources of truth, constant manual updates, inevitable inconsistencies. Zapier solves this elegantly. Imagine leads collected through your website form automatically flowing into your email marketing platform, CRM, and project management tool, all in real time. Your data stays fresh and consistent everywhere, eliminating duplicate entry and confusion.

In short, Zapier is the backbone of efficient operations. It wires your apps together, handles the connective tissue between systems, and keeps your team perfectly aligned. The result is measurably higher productivity, fewer errors, and the mental space to focus on what genuinely matters for your business.

3. Real-Time Notifications and Intelligent Alerts

Speed matters. The ability to spot critical events instantly and respond without delay can be the difference between capturing an opportunity and missing it entirely. Zapier excels at this—its real-time notification capabilities are genuinely impressive. By leveraging its automation engine, you can set up instant alerts that keep you perpetually in the loop. Here's what that looks like in action.

• Running an e-commerce business means staying aware of orders the moment they arrive. Zapier lets you create instant notifications via your preferred channel—Slack, SMS, email, you name it—so you never miss an order. Fast order processing becomes second nature, and your customers experience genuinely responsive service.
• In customer support, speed is everything. When customer requests land in your inbox or support system, Zapier can flag high-priority or urgent tickets immediately. You spot problems before they snowball, tackle important issues head-on, and watch satisfaction scores climb as a result.
• Social media monitoring is another arena where real-time alerts make a huge difference. Set Zapier to watch for specific keywords or brand mentions across social platforms. The instant someone mentions your company or a relevant topic, you get pinged—allowing you to jump into conversations while they're hot and build genuine audience relationships.
• For teams managing projects and collaborating constantly, real-time alerts are essential for keeping everyone synchronized. Zapier sends instant notifications when tasks are assigned, completed, or modified in your project tool. Team members learn about changes, deadlines, and updates without delay, enabling the kind of smooth coordination that prevents mistakes and keeps momentum going.
• In data monitoring scenarios, Zapier keeps you informed when important events occur. If you track inventory levels in a database, set a Zap to alert you the moment stock drops below a critical threshold. You can reorder or adjust pricing proactively, prevent stockouts, and maintain seamless operations.

These examples showcase why Zapier is such a powerful ally for real-time management. Its automation capabilities help you catch critical events as they unfold, react swiftly, and stay ahead of the curve. With connections to countless channels and communication platforms, you can customize notifications to match your exact needs—ensuring you're always informed and ready to act.

Tools like Zapier and Activepieces open up countless additional use cases beyond what we've covered here. The best approach? Pick a simple workflow you're already thinking about, jump into the platform, and experiment with automating it. You'll be surprised how quickly you unlock value.

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Prevent Your Personal Data From Training AI Models

Prevent Your Personal Data From Training AI Models

On How to

Stop Google From Using Your Search History to Train AI

Google has rolled out a feature called Search Services History that collects far more than just your search keywords. The system now stores images you upload to Google Lens, photos used in visual searches, voice recordings from voice searches, and much more. Here's the thing: all this data can feed directly into Google's AI model improvements unless you actively disable it.

Disable Media Storage on Google

Head to your Google Activity page using this link:

https://myactivity.google.com

Next, click on Search Services History to adjust your settings.

Now turn off the "Save audio and visual content" option to prevent Google from storing media files associated with your searches.

Once disabled:

• Google won't save images uploaded to Google Lens.
• Voice search recordings won't be stored.
• Multimedia data used for AI search won't be retained.

Turn Off Google Search History Completely

Disable Search Services History entirely by clicking the "On" toggle and selecting "Turn Off." You can also choose "Turn Off and Delete Activity" to remove your previous search history right away.

Click "I understand" to confirm turning off Search Services History.

Disable Personalized Search Results on Google

Even if you keep your search history, you can prevent Google from using it to personalize your results.

Within the Search Services History settings, scroll down and tap "Personalization of Search."

Click the "On" toggle to turn off personalized recommendations.

This will:

• Reduce customization in your search results.
• Limit recommendations based on your activity history.
• Lower the effectiveness of targeted advertising.

What Happens After You Disable These Settings?

Once you turn off these Google features:

• Google stops collecting new search data.
• Images uploaded to Google Lens won't be saved.
• Voice recordings won't be stored.
• Your new data won't train Google's AI models.

But here's what you should know:

• Data already collected may still exist according to Google's retention policies.
• Your personalized experience will suffer.
• Smart recommendations will become less accurate.

Block Data Usage on ChatGPT

In ChatGPT, click your profile picture, then go to Settings → Data Controls. Turn off "Improve the model for everyone" to prevent future conversations from being used for training. You can also use Temporary Chats, which don't retain memory and aren't used for training. One catch though: if you provide feedback on a conversation using the thumbs up or down icons, that entire conversation could be used for training even if you've disabled this setting. Also worth noting—ChatGPT temporarily stores each conversation for abuse monitoring and safety purposes.

Block Data Usage on Gemini

If you use Gemini, opting out is straightforward. Go to Settings and Help → Activity, then click "Turn Off" in the "Keep Activity" dropdown menu. Once enabled, Gemini will store new conversations for up to 72 hours without using them for training. You can also delete past activity using the "Delete Activity" option on the same page. This won't affect previous conversations flagged for manual review—data from those may be retained for up to 3 years, according to Gemini's Privacy Hub.

Block Data Usage on Claude

Claude uses your conversations and coding sessions to improve its model. To disable this, click your profile picture, then go to Settings → Privacy and turn off "Help Improve Claude for Everyone." Unlike ChatGPT and Gemini, once you opt out, your previous data won't be used to improve the model. If you want a specific conversation excluded from training, simply delete it. One important caveat: if you provide feedback on a response, the entire conversation gets saved and used for improvement, even with the opt-out enabled.

Creative Tools Are Also Training on Your Work

Protect Your Original Designs From AI Training

Adobe's Privacy Policy Page

Design software providers Adobe and Figma both use your content to improve their AI models. What's interesting here is how differently they approach it.

With Adobe, anything you upload to Adobe Stock Marketplace gets used for AI training. Files stored in Adobe Creative Cloud can be analyzed to improve Adobe software, but they won't be used for model training. Local files don't have this restriction. So if you want to keep Adobe from training on your work, don't upload it to Adobe Stock. If you want to opt out of content analysis entirely, visit Adobe's privacy policy page and disable "Content Analysis for Product Improvement."

Figma uses your content data and usage patterns to improve its AI features. Content data includes text, images, comments, annotations, layer names, layer properties, and anything else you create or upload. Usage data covers how you interact with and access Figma. To opt out, go to the AI tab in Figma Settings and turn off "Content Improvement."

Social Media Platforms Are Training AI on Your Posts

LinkedIn Gives You Control—Meta Doesn't

LinkedIn's Data Privacy Settings Page

AI companies aren't the only ones mining your data for model training. LinkedIn and Meta are also pulling your posts and profile information to improve their AI systems.

LinkedIn uses your data—posts, images, and more—to train its generative AI content models, though not its personalization, safety, or abuse-prevention models. You can opt out by disabling "Data for Generative AI Improvement" in the "Data Privacy" tab under Settings. This only applies to future posts and content.

Meta is frankly terrible when it comes to giving you control over your data. All your public posts and interactions on Facebook, Instagram, and Threads feed into Meta AI training, and you barely have a say in it. You can submit an objection form—though it requires concerning personal information—to request your data not be used, but approval depends on your country's data protection laws. The real concern is that most people won't go through the hassle.

Most AI platforms automatically exclude business user data from model training. That same protection should extend to regular users too.

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How to Connect Claude Code to Discord Using Claude Code Channels

How to Connect Claude Code to Discord Using Claude Code Channels

On How to

Claude Code just got a lot more interesting. Instead of being stuck in a terminal window, you can now send commands to your Claude Code session directly from Discord. The feature is called Claude Code Channels, and it actually works really well.

This guide covers everything: what Channels are, what you need to prepare beforehand, and the entire setup process—from installing the plugin to getting your first bot response in Discord.

If you already have Claude Code installed and a Discord account ready, skip ahead. Otherwise, let's get started.

Prerequisites: What You Need Before Starting

Gather these things before doing anything else. Skipping any step will waste your time later.

• Claude Code version 2.1.80 or later installed on your machine
• A Claude.ai account logged in through Claude Code (not API key authentication)
• A Pro or Max subscription plan
• Bun installed, since the Discord channel plugin depends on it
• A Discord account with access to a server where you can add bots

Here's the tricky part many people stumble on: Claude Code Channels won't work with API key authentication or console-only logins.

You must log in with your actual Claude.ai account. If you're using Claude Code exclusively through API keys for billing purposes, Channels won't be available until you switch.

Step 1: Install Claude Code

If you already have Claude Code running, jump to Step 2. For everyone else, head to the official Claude Code website and grab the installation command for your platform.

Installation works on Windows, macOS, Linux, and WSL. On Windows using PowerShell, run:

irm https://claude.ai/install.ps1 | iex

After installation, create a project folder, navigate into it, and start Claude Code:

mkdir cc-channels
cd cc-channels
claude

This opens Claude Code in your terminal and starts a local session. That running session is the foundation for everything that follows—Channels only works inside an active Claude Code instance.

Step 2: Log In With Your Claude.ai Account

Channels requires Claude.ai account authentication. When you first open Claude Code, it usually prompts you to log in. If it doesn't, run this command inside Claude Code:

/login

This opens a browser window for authentication. Complete the login, return to your terminal window, and you're done.

Skip this step and Channels won't work. You'll spend hours wondering why your bot isn't responding.

Step 3: Install Bun

Claude Code's official channel plugins require Bun. If you don't have it installed yet, here's the Windows PowerShell command:

irm bun.sh/install.ps1 | iex

After installation, verify it worked:

bun --version

If a version number appears, you're good. If nothing shows up, the installation failed. Check whether your terminal session has access to the updated PATH.

Step 4: Add the Official Marketplace Plugin and Install Discord

Claude Code uses a plugin system for Channels, and the Discord plugin lives in Anthropic's official plugin marketplace. Before you can install anything, you need to make sure the marketplace is added and up to date.

Run these two commands in Claude Code:

/plugin marketplace add anthropics/claude-plugins-official
/plugin marketplace update claude-plugins-official

Skip this and Claude Code won't find the Discord plugin—it'll just say it doesn't exist. The error message isn't helpful, so run these commands first to avoid confusion.

Once the marketplace is ready, install the Discord plugin:

/plugin install discord@claude-plugins-official

Then reload plugins so the new commands are available in your current session:

/reload-plugins

This reload is mandatory. Claude Code might not recognize Discord plugin commands until you refresh the plugin state explicitly.

Step 5: Create a Bot in Discord Developer Portal

Open the Discord Developer Portal and click New Application. Give it any name you want—something like "CC-Bot" works fine.

Once created, navigate to the Bot section:

1. Click Reset Token and copy your new bot token
2. Save that token somewhere safe—you'll need it in Step 7
3. Scroll down and enable Message Content Intent

That last part is critical. Without Message Content Intent enabled, Discord sends your bot empty message content fields. Your Claude Code session won't know who's talking to it. It's a specific Discord requirement for bots that read incoming message text.

Step 6: Invite the Bot to Your Discord Server

Still in Developer Portal, open the OAuth2 tab and scroll down to "OAuth2 URL Generator". Select bot in the Scopes section.

Then select these Bot Permissions:

• View Channels
• Send Messages
• Send Messages in Threads
• Read Message History
• Attach Files
• Add Reactions
• Send Voice Messages

Discord generates an invite URL at the bottom of the page. Copy it, paste it into your browser, select the server where you want to add the bot, and click Authorize.

The bot appears in your server but stays offline until you connect it.

Step 7: Connect Your Bot Token to Claude Code

Back in Claude Code, run:

/discord:configure YOUR_DISCORD_BOT_TOKEN

Replace YOUR_DISCORD_BOT_TOKEN with the token you copied in Step 5. Claude Code automatically saves the token to:

~/.claude/channels/discord/.env

You don't need to edit that file manually—the command handles it automatically.

Common problem: If /discord:configure doesn't work, close your terminal completely, reopen it, navigate back to your project folder, and launch Claude Code again. Sometimes the plugin state needs a clean session to register correctly.

Step 8: Launch Claude Code With Channels Enabled

At this point everything is configured, but your Discord bot is still offline. Channels only activates when you explicitly start Claude Code with the channels flag.

Exit your current Claude Code session, then relaunch with:

claude --channels plugin:discord@claude-plugins-official

This starts a new Claude Code session with the Discord plugin loaded and listening. Your bot is now online on Discord.

If it's not showing online, double-check that the token is correct and Claude Code is actually running with the --channels flag.

Step 9: Pair Your Discord Account

With Claude Code running and your bot online, open Discord and send your bot a direct message. The bot responds with a pairing code.

If the bot doesn't respond, your Claude Code session either closed or started without the --channels flag.

Once you have the pairing code, go back to Claude Code and run:

/discord:access pair YOUR_PAIRING_CODE

Replace YOUR_PAIRING_CODE with the code your bot sent you.

After pairing, lock down access so only approved Discord accounts can message your session:

/discord:access policy allowlist

Don't skip this. Without an allowlist, anyone who messages your bot could potentially interact with your live Claude Code session—including people who accidentally discover it.

Step 10: Test Your Setup

Send a message to your bot in Discord. Ask it something simple, request a task, or tell it to check something.

The message gets sent to your running Claude Code session, Claude processes it, and the response comes back in Discord.

A few things to watch during testing:

Permission prompts can pause the bot. Claude Code is designed to ask before executing actions like running shell commands or writing files. If your request triggers a permission check, it stops and waits for approval in the terminal before responding in Discord. You'll need to approve it manually.

For less interruption during testing, you can launch Claude Code like this:

claude --dangerously-skip-permissions --channels plugin:discord@claude-plugins-official

This flag skips all permission prompts entirely. It's convenient for testing, but only use it in environments you fully control. The name says it all.

Conclusion

Claude Code's Channels feature is genuinely useful once it's set up. The setup has more steps than you'd expect, but most only need to happen once.

After that, your Discord bot becomes a direct interface to your local Claude Code session—you can interact with it from anywhere you can access Discord.

Here's the full process: Install Claude Code, log in with Claude.ai, install Bun, add the official plugin marketplace, install the Discord plugin, create and configure your Discord bot, launch Claude Code with Channels enabled, pair your Discord account, and test.

That's ten steps, each one fairly straightforward. What's interesting here is that once running, you've essentially built a bridge between Discord and your development environment—a genuinely useful workflow for keeping context across platforms.

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Building Letter Unscramble Games on Educaplay: A Quick Tutorial

Building Letter Unscramble Games on Educaplay: A Quick Tutorial

On How to

Letter unscramble games on Educaplay offer an engaging way to boost language learning. Instead of drilling vocabulary the old-fashioned way, learners tackle scrambled letters to form complete words or phrases. It's an interactive approach that strengthens letter recognition and builds vocabulary retention—especially useful for language students.

What makes Educaplay stand out is its intuitive interface combined with solid customization options. Teachers, parents, and students alike can quickly set up engaging online learning activities. Here's everything you need to know to build your own unscramble game.

How to Build a Letter Unscramble Game on Educaplay

Step 1:

Head over to the Educaplay platform and create an account if you don't already have one.

https://www.educaplay.com/resource-editor/

Next, select the Unscramble Letters game option.

Step 2:

You'll land in the game editor. Here you get two content creation routes: leverage AI or input your own words manually.

Going the manual route, you'll type the target word and provide a hint or clue to guide players toward the answer.

If you'd rather let AI generate words for you, click the settings gear icon.

You'll want to set the language to Vietnamese and configure the remaining settings as needed.

Finally, enter a topic or theme for the AI to generate random words from, then hit Generate.

Step 3:

Give it a moment to process, and your game will be ready. Click Start to preview how it plays.

Players must click letters in the correct sequence to spell out meaningful words. Correct answers earn points, which display on the right side of the screen.

Step 4:

Ready to share your creation? Click the Publish button on the right side.

Next, click the share button next to your game's title.

Copy the game URL and you're all set to distribute it to your students.

• Game access link

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