Transforming ChatGPT

The arrival of AI tools that function as virtual assistants, and which can currently perform simple tasks, has brought in a wave of excitement.
OpenAI, it turns out, has even bigger plans in this space. It wants to transform ChatGPT into a “super-assistant”. An internal strategy document that was shared during the antitrust case against Google shows that OpenAI wants this super assistant that “deeply understands you” to become “your interface to the internet”. In this avatar, ChatGPT will handle tedious daily tasks like answering questions and managing calendars, but also more complicated ones like coding.

OpenAI has been dropping hints about this new direction in recent times. The company’s founder Sam Altman recently spoke about how youths are already using the chatbot like a “life advisor”, and its COO Brad Lightcap has been telling reporters about wanting to build an “ambient computer layer” that doesn’t require users to look at a screen.

“…We’ll start evolving ChatGPT into a super-assistant: one that knows you, understands what you care about, and helps with any task,” the strategy document reads. “Today, ChatGPT is in our lives through existing form factors—our website, phone, and desktop apps. But our vision for ChatGPT is to help you with all of your life, no matter where you are.”

ChatGPT at the moment remains an AI tool. But OpenAI is betting it can be remade into something a lot more.

Chat Makeover

Elon Musk is revamping X’s direct messaging feature. He recently introduced a new chat interface called Xchat, which will allow users to communicate with friends and followers seamlessly in the way we use messaging apps like WhatsApp and Telegram. This new interface which will be made available to X’s paying subscribers will have advanced features like Bitcoin-style encryption, disappearing messages, and cross-platform audio and video calls.

You’ve Got Summary

Google is rolling out a new feature for Gmail users which automatically summarises the content of an email or conversation using Gemini. Users earlier had to tap the “Summarize this email” option that appeared below an email. This new feature will be rolled out gradually for subscribers of certain Google and Gemini products like Google Workspace, Google One AI Premium, and others.

Mind Over Matter

 

Paradromics, a neurotech startup that has been developing a brain-computer interface platform, has completed its first brain implant in a human. The device, which is designed to translate neural signals into synthesised speech, text, and cursor control, was implanted during an epilepsy resection surgery to study how epilepsy influences brain signalling. The other big firm in this space, Neuralink, has so far managed to implant its devices in three patients.

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