Beginners in AI

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Welcome to this week's edition of Beginners in AI, where we explore the latest trends, tools, and news in the world of AI and the tech that surrounds it.

This week, we're looking into OpenAI’s rumored $200/month ChatGPT Pro plan, which could change the subscription based landscape around AI models. From groundbreaking advancements like the tiniest walking robot to Google’s transformative plans for search, the tech landscape is evolving faster than ever. We'll also look at Amazon teaming up with Anthropic for an AI supercomputer, Microsoft’s visual Copilot innovations, and more!

Get ready to uncover fascinating terms, fun facts, and a holiday-themed prompt designed to bring a little AI magic to your seasonal celebrations. Let’s get started!

AI TOP STORY
OPENAI’S CHATGPT PRO PLAN TO BE AS HIGH AS $200 PER MONTH

The Story

OpenAI is reportedly working on a premium ChatGPT Pro plan priced at $200/month. Sam Altman announced this on his X account last week. This plan may offer faster response times, more reliable access during peak hours, and advanced capabilities, building on the success of its existing Plus tier. OpenAI aims to cater to high-demand users, such as enterprises and power users, needing enhanced features.

Context & Insights

The move aligns with OpenAI's ongoing efforts to monetize its groundbreaking technology while sustaining the costs of running its large-scale AI infrastructure. Competitors like Microsoft’s Copilot and Google’s Bard have been exploring similar premium offerings, making the AI subscription market increasingly competitive.

Implications

If launched, this plan could redefine how businesses integrate AI into workflows, offering efficiency and scalability. However, the high price tag may prompt users to weigh costs against benefits carefully. For everyday users, this signals a growing divide between free and premium AI access—a trend worth watching. The good news is that there are reliable open source and free models available as alternatives, should the paid versions become too rich for the average user to afford. The tool spotlighted for today’s newsletter is one such alternative.
Read More Here

LAST WEEK IN AI AND TECH

Super Compute Squad: Amazon and Anthropic Join Forces

Amazon and Anthropic are collaborating to build a state-of-the-art AI supercomputer. Designed for training large language models, this partnership strengthens Amazon’s standing in the AI hardware space while giving Anthropic a major computational boost. They’ll be competing against the most powerful AI training in existence, currently owned by Elon Musk through is xAI company to train Grok.
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Selling the Conversation: Ads May Come to ChatGPT

OpenAI may add ads to ChatGPT, despite CEO Sam Altman previously voicing opposition. If implemented, this change could introduce free-tier monetization and pave the way for in-app advertising, albeit potentially altering user experience. Competitor Perplexity has already started rolling out ads and others will likely follow suit.
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X Marks the Chat: Grok AI Rolls Out to All Users

Elon Musk’s Grok chatbot is now available to all X users. With a style described as “irreverent” and a focus on dynamic interaction, Grok represents X’s effort to establish a foothold in the chatbot space alongside OpenAI and Google The next generation Grok is currently being trained by the most powerful hardware array publicly known. Grok is also know for having less political bias than other models.
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Search of the Future: Google Prepares a Profound Overhaul

Google CEO Sundar Pichai hints at transformative changes to Google Search by 2025. Expect AI-driven personalization and a radically new search interface that could shift how users interact with the internet’s most popular search engine. Google is on the back foot for the first time in years, as competitors to its search results, powered by AI, have risen up to challenge them.
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See What I See: Copilot Vision Debuts in Preview

Microsoft has introduced "Copilot Vision," an innovative feature that allows users to browse the web via visual prompts. This cutting-edge tool can analyze uploaded images or live camera feeds and provide insights, making browsing more interactive and intuitive. This is yet another competitor to Google. Microsoft has a financial interest in OpenAI(maker of ChatGPT), who has included a search featured on their ChatGPT platform in recent weeks.
Read More Here

TECH TERMS TO KNOW

Neural Dust: tiny, implantable sensors powered wirelessly to monitor nerve signals in real time. Though experimental, this could redefine brain-computer interfaces and health monitoring.

TOOL SPOTLIGHT (non-sponsored)

Jan.ai is an open-source and free alternative to ChatGPT that operates entirely offline, making it a unique tool for users who prioritize privacy and control over their data. Here’s a simple breakdown of what Jan.ai is and what you can do with it:

• Ask Questions: You can interact with Jan by asking questions or seeking information, similar to how you would with other AI chatbots.

• Brainstorm Ideas: Use Jan to generate ideas or explore different topics, enhancing your creativity and productivity.

• Personalized AI Assistants: Customize Jan to create AI assistants tailored to your specific needs. This includes remembering past conversations and performing tasks for you.

• Extensions and Customization: Enhance Jan's capabilities with various extensions that connect to cloud services or other tools. You can also adjust settings related to moderation and content filtering according to your preferences.

COURSE
Join the growing community of AI enthusiasts starting from the ground up right here

ROBOTICS AND AI

World’s Tiniest Walking Robot Built at Just 2 Microns

Scientists have created the smallest-ever walking robot, measuring just 2 microns in length—smaller than a human red blood cell. This groundbreaking achievement combines nanoscale engineering with advanced robotics to design a machine capable of autonomous movement. The robot’s tiny legs, controlled by laser pulses, allow it to "walk" in a manner similar to living organisms.

This innovation is more than a technological marvel; it paves the way for future applications in medicine, such as performing precise surgeries or delivering targeted drug treatments at the cellular level. It could also revolutionize the way researchers interact with microscopic environment.

Read More Here

TRY THIS PROMPT (copy and paste)

Holiday-Themed ChatGPT Prompt to generate a comprehensive and customized holiday plan to make your celebration stress-free and memorable.
  
I’m planning a [holiday name, e.g., Christmas] celebration for [number] people and want it to be [adjective, e.g., cozy, elegant, unique]. Please help me:  

1. Create a themed menu with appetizer, main course, dessert, and drink ideas.  
2. Suggest budget-friendly decoration tips that fit the theme.  
3. Recommend a fun activity or game for guests to enjoy.  
4. Provide a checklist to ensure I don’t forget any essentials.

DID YOU KNOW?

In 2018, an AI named "DeepArt" helped create the designs for an entire clothing line. By analyzing art styles from famous painters, it turned runway models into walking works of art.

AI-GENERATED IMAGE OF THE WEEK

Thank you for reading. We’re all beginners in something. With that in mind, your questions and feedback are always welcome and I read every single email!

-James

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