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OpenAI’s new ‘Operator AI’ can book reservations, make purchases and plan tasks for you
OpenAI has launched Operator, a semi-autonomous AI agent that can navigate web browsers and perform tasks like booking reservations and ordering tickets, marking the company's first venture into agent-based AI technology. Key features and functionality: Operator works through a dedicated website where users can input requests and watch the AI navigate a cloud-based virtual browser in real-time. Users access Operator through operator.chatgpt.com, where they can input requests for tasks like booking tickets or making restaurant reservations The system uses a virtual browser running on OpenAI's servers rather than taking control of the user's personal browser Users maintain control and can...
read Jan 23, 2025IT leaders are bullish on AI agents, BMC survey finds
The current state of AI adoption: A new survey of 424 IT stakeholders reveals widespread interest in generative AI, with 94% incorporating it into their operations and management strategy, though only 17% have progressed beyond experimentation. Most organizations remain in early stages, with 41% testing simple use cases and 42% conducting initial pilots Only 5% of organizations report having mature generative AI implementations Multiple AI platforms are being deployed simultaneously, with 44% of organizations using two different solutions and 22% using three Platform preferences and adoption trends: Microsoft Copilot leads the pack among generative AI solutions, while a significant portion...
read Jan 23, 2025OpenAI’s computer-controlling AI agent has arrived — here’s what it can do
OpenAI has introduced "Operator," a new AI agent that can autonomously perform web-based tasks for ChatGPT Pro subscribers in the United States. Core technology and capabilities: Operator employs a "Computer-Using Agent" (CUA) model that combines GPT-4o's visual processing abilities with reinforcement learning to interact with web interfaces like a human user. The agent can interpret screenshots and perform basic computer actions like typing, clicking, and scrolling Operator navigates web interfaces independently to complete tasks such as ordering groceries and making reservations Unlike traditional AI models, Operator doesn't rely on predefined APIs, allowing for more flexible interaction with websites Strategic partnerships:...
read Jan 23, 2025Perplexity now available as an AI assistant on Android devices
AI startup Perplexity has launched a new AI-powered assistant for Android devices, expanding the competitive landscape of digital assistants with capabilities similar to ChatGPT, Siri, and Alexa. Key Features and Availability: Perplexity Assistant offers a range of practical functionalities designed to streamline daily tasks and digital interactions. The assistant can perform various tasks including booking dinner reservations, hailing rides, and setting reminders The tool is currently available in 15 languages through the Google Play Store Perplexity has expressed interest in developing an iOS version, pending necessary permissions from Apple Market Context: The launch represents a significant move in the increasingly...
read Jan 23, 2025OpenAI makes ‘o3-mini’ model free for all users — here’s what you need to know
OpenAI has introduced its o3-mini model to ChatGPT's free tier while expanding its availability for paid subscribers, marking a strategic shift in how the company delivers AI capabilities across its user base. Key announcement and timing: OpenAI CEO Sam Altman revealed on January 23 that the free version of ChatGPT will now utilize the o3-mini model, while paid subscribers will receive extensive access to both o3-mini and more advanced models. The announcement came on the same day as a ChatGPT service outage Premium subscribers maintain access to GPT-4-turbo for complex tasks The change affects millions of users across ChatGPT's free...
read Jan 23, 2025New survey suggests majority of Americans believe AI will increase their energy bills
Americans are increasingly concerned about rising energy costs and power grid reliability according to a new survey of 2,000 US consumers conducted by Neara, an AI-powered infrastructure modeling platform. Key survey findings: The data reveals widespread dissatisfaction with current energy costs and growing skepticism about future grid performance. 59% of Americans believe they are paying excessive energy bills 47% anticipate further increases in their energy costs 48% have noticed more frequent power outages in their area over the past five years 43% lack confidence in the grid's ability to handle extreme weather events 70% of consumers expect power restoration within...
read Jan 23, 2025How to leverage AI to build a better society
The big picture: Artificial intelligence is being deployed across multiple sectors to address critical challenges in farming, conservation, and medical care, while helping reduce humanity's environmental impact. Agricultural applications and challenges: Climate change and population growth are putting unprecedented pressure on global food production systems, requiring innovative technological solutions. Professor Patrick Schnable of Iowa State University warns that climate change could cause catastrophic 10-20% reductions in corn yields AI-powered precision agriculture tools, including drones and sensors, help farmers optimize crop management and resource usage Companies like John Deere and Stout are developing AI-guided equipment for automated planting, weeding, and crop...
read Jan 23, 2025Pope warns of AI truth crisis after viral deepfake image
Pope Francis highlights AI's growing impact on truth and society after becoming a deepfake target himself. The central issue: Pope Francis addressed the World Economic Forum in Davos regarding artificial intelligence's role in exacerbating what he termed a "crisis of truth" in public discourse. In a written message delivered by Cardinal Peter Turkson, the Pope emphasized that AI-generated content has become nearly indistinguishable from human-created work He called for increased oversight from governments and businesses in managing AI development The pontiff stressed the importance of maintaining human decision-making in crucial matters, rather than delegating to algorithms Personal experience with AI...
read Jan 23, 2025How a Chinese startup built a world-leading AI model at a fraction of the cost of American behemoths
The Chinese AI start-up DeepSeek has developed a competitive chatbot using significantly fewer resources than its U.S. counterparts, challenging assumptions about the barriers to entry in advanced AI development. Key innovation: DeepSeek has created DeepSeek-V3, an AI system that matches the capabilities of leading chatbots from OpenAI and Google while using only a fraction of the specialized computer chips typically required. The system can answer questions, solve logic problems, and write computer programs at a level comparable to market leaders Engineers built the technology for approximately $6 million in computing costs, roughly one-tenth of what Meta spent on its latest...
read Jan 23, 2025ByteDance to invest $20B in capex in 2025, and most will go to AI
ByteDance has allocated over 150 billion yuan ($20.64 billion) in capital expenditure for 2024, with a significant focus on artificial intelligence infrastructure and development. Investment breakdown: ByteDance plans to spend approximately half of its allocated budget on international AI infrastructure, primarily focusing on data centers and networking equipment. The spending will be distributed among key suppliers including Huawei Technologies, Cambricon Technologies, and U.S.-based Nvidia ByteDance has disputed the accuracy of these spending figures, though without providing specific details The investment follows earlier reports by Financial Times of a $12 billion AI infrastructure plan and The Information's report of up to...
read Jan 23, 2025LinkedIn faces class-action lawsuit for training AI models on user messages
Microsoft's professional networking platform LinkedIn faces a class-action lawsuit in California over allegations it used private messages to train AI models without proper user consent. Key allegations: A LinkedIn Premium subscriber has filed a lawsuit claiming the platform unlawfully shared private direct messages with third parties for AI training purposes. The lawsuit alleges violations of the Stored Communications Act, Breach of Contract, and California's Unfair Competition Law The plaintiff is seeking $1,000 in damages and additional potential relief LinkedIn has denied these claims, stating they are "false claims with no merit" Data privacy concerns: LinkedIn implemented an opt-out setting for...
read Jan 23, 2025Meta’s top AI lawyer explains why he’s leaving the company
A prominent lawyer and Stanford professor has cut ties with Meta over concerns about the company's policy changes and leadership direction. The breaking point: Mark Lemley, a leading copyright attorney, announced his departure from Meta's defense team in the Kadrey v. Meta lawsuit, citing the company's controversial policy shifts and leadership decisions. Lemley explicitly stated he "fired" Meta as a client due to what he characterized as the company's "descent into toxic masculinity and Neo-Nazi madness" under Mark Zuckerberg's leadership A key factor in his decision was Meta's recent policy change allowing users to refer to gay and transgender individuals...
read Jan 23, 2025Pipeshift secures seed funding to help enterprises deploy open-source AI models
AI startup Pipeshift has raised $2.5 million in seed funding to help enterprises deploy open-source large language models (LLMs) more efficiently and cost-effectively. The core innovation: Pipeshift's platform serves as a comprehensive solution for enterprises looking to implement open-source LLMs, streamlining the typically complex process of training, deployment, and scaling. The platform provides pre-built capabilities that significantly reduce the engineering resources typically required for LLM implementation Companies can more easily switch between different models or combine multiple LLMs based on their needs The solution aims to make open-source AI more accessible to businesses that lack extensive technical resources Market positioning...
read Jan 23, 2025L’Oréal and IBM partner on first-of-its-kind AI model for cosmetic formulation
IBM and L'Oréal have partnered to create an innovative AI foundation model designed to enhance sustainable cosmetic product development and reduce waste. Key partnership details: The collaboration pairs IBM's generative AI technology with L'Oréal's cosmetic formulation expertise to create what IBM calls a first-of-its-kind AI model for the beauty industry. The system will leverage extensive formulation and component data to speed up new product development The AI model will assist in reformulating existing products and optimizing scaled production The technology aims to support L'Oréal's 4,000 researchers worldwide in their development efforts Sustainability goals: L'Oréal is leveraging this AI partnership to...
read Jan 23, 2025How to foster an AI growth mindset at your organization
The rise of generative AI (genAI) presents organizations with new opportunities to enhance human capabilities, but success requires developing the right mindset and skills for effective implementation. Key principles for AI adoption; Two fundamental concepts can help organizations better integrate generative AI into their operations and culture. The concept of "augmentation excellence" focuses on developing proficiency in using AI tools effectively, similar to how professionals master other technological tools "Excellent augmentation" represents the strategic application of AI in ways that create meaningful value and enhance human capabilities These principles work together to create a framework for successful AI implementation that...
read Jan 23, 2025Hugging Face just made its small AI models even smaller (and multimodal)
Hugging Face has released two new additions to the SmolVLM model family. The new compact Vision Language Models - a 256M parameter version and a 500M parameter version - are designed to deliver efficient multimodal AI capabilities while maintaining a small computational footprint. Core innovations; The new SmolVLM models represent significant architectural improvements over their 2B parameter predecessor, introducing key optimizations for real-world applications. The models now utilize a streamlined 93M parameter SigLIP vision encoder, drastically reduced from the previous 400M version Higher resolution image processing capabilities enable enhanced visual comprehension New tokenization optimizations boost performance in practical applications The...
read Jan 23, 2025Survey: Higher ed leaders believe today’s students aren’t prepared for AI
A new survey from the American Association of Colleges & Universities and Elon University reveals significant concerns among higher education leaders about students' readiness to effectively use artificial intelligence tools. Key Survey Details: The study gathered insights from 337 university administrators regarding the impact of generative AI technologies on their institutions and students. 53% of leaders indicated that spring 2024 graduates are "not very prepared" to use AI effectively Only 1% believed their graduating students were "very prepared" for AI implementation The survey revealed a stark contrast between faculty and administrator AI adoption, with 83% of leaders using AI tools...
read Jan 23, 2025AI and mobile commerce fueled record US holiday sales
Mobile shopping and AI drive record 2024 US holiday sales, with online purchases reaching $282 billion in the United States according to Salesforce data. Key performance metrics: The 2024 holiday shopping season demonstrated significant growth in both traditional and digital retail channels. Total global online holiday sales reached $1.2 trillion in 2024 US online and non-store sales ranged between $295.1 billion and $297.9 billion Key shopping days showed strong performance with Thanksgiving ($6.1 billion), Black Friday ($10.8 billion), and Cyber Monday ($13.3 billion) all posting substantial figures Mobile commerce dominance: Mobile shopping emerged as the preferred method for holiday purchases,...
read Jan 23, 2025Marc Benioff at Davos: Today’s CEOs will be the last to manage all-human workforces
Breaking development: Salesforce CEO Marc Benioff declared at the World Economic Forum that current CEOs represent the last generation to manage exclusively human workforces. Key context: The transformation of workforce management reflects the rapid integration of AI into business operations, with tangible examples already emerging. Salesforce demonstrated this shift by introducing an AI agent in their Davos conference app to help attendees navigate panel selections This marks the first time the company has incorporated AI into their decade-long management of the conference's software systems Benioff emphasized that AI would augment rather than replace human workers, creating a partnership model Expert...
read Jan 23, 2025ChatGPT outage affects thousands of users globally
ChatGPT, OpenAI's flagship AI chatbot, experienced a significant global outage before returning to service on Thursday. Service disruption details: The outage affected thousands of users worldwide, with more than 10,000 people in the UK alone reporting access issues. The disruption began around 11:00 GMT when users encountered a "bad gateway error" message OpenAI implemented a fix at 15:09 GMT and continued monitoring the system's performance The company has not disclosed the specific cause of the outage Impact and user response: The temporary shutdown of the AI tool highlighted its integration into daily workflows and sparked social media discussion. Users took...
read Jan 23, 2025MeetMinutes is an AI assistant that implements Bill Gates’ best practices for productive meetings
MeetMinutes, a new AI-powered meeting assistant, has launched on Product Hunt, achieving significant early traction with a 4.69/5 rating and 369 upvotes. Product Overview: MeetMinutes leverages agentic AI technology to streamline the entire meeting workflow process, from preparation through follow-up. The platform implements Bill Gates' note-taking methodology to automatically capture key points, questions, and action items during meetings Custom integrations and multilingual support enhance the tool's versatility across different team environments AI-powered chat functionality allows users to interact with their meeting content after sessions conclude Core Features and Benefits: The solution aims to improve team productivity by 4x through structured...
read Jan 23, 2025With Builder.io and Lovable you can turn a Figma design into a full-blown app with AI
Builder.io has partnered with Lovable to enable automatic conversion of Figma designs into functioning full-stack applications using AI technology. Key functionality; The new integration allows designers and developers to transform Figma design files directly into working applications complete with both frontend interfaces and backend functionality. Users can generate production-ready applications or quick prototypes by providing design files and text prompts The system promises pixel-perfect recreation of original Figma designs in the final application output Both rapid prototyping and full production applications are supported through this automated conversion process Technical capabilities; The partnership combines Builder.io's visual development platform with Lovable's AI...
read Jan 23, 2025Tech giants clash over Trump’s $500B AI project
Trump's newly announced Stargate project aims to invest up to $500 billion in U.S. artificial intelligence infrastructure through a joint venture between OpenAI, Oracle, and Softbank, sparking debate among tech industry leaders. Project overview and key players: The White House unveiled the Stargate initiative with initial commitments of $100 billion from major technology companies and investors, potentially scaling to $500 billion over four years. Softbank CEO Masayoshi Son will chair the project, with Arm, Microsoft, Nvidia, Oracle, and OpenAI serving as primary technology partners The initiative focuses on expanding domestic computing capacity to enhance U.S. AI development capabilities Key executives...
read Jan 23, 2025How AI drives efficiency and profitability in procurement
AI technology is transforming procurement operations by providing enhanced visibility, automation, and decision-making capabilities that help organizations manage increasingly complex supply chains. Current procurement landscape: Supply chain complexity continues to grow, with Gartner reporting that 90% of procurement leaders anticipate even more intricate systems and processes over the next two years. Procurement teams now face expanded responsibilities beyond cost savings, including risk management and sustainability initiatives Manual processes and inconsistent workflows create operational bottlenecks and limit scalability Data silos between procurement and enterprise systems hinder effective collaboration Lack of real-time visibility impedes quick, data-driven decision making Key challenges and pain...
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