OpenAI is developing new ChatGPT agents that let users create and edit presentations and spreadsheets directly in the chat, according to The Information, which spoke with someone who has access to the features. The files are compatible with PowerPoint and Excel, but don't require Microsoft's apps to use them. Instead, OpenAI relies on Microsoft's open file formats, aiming to make ChatGPT a central work platform and less dependent on Microsoft and Google tools. Other planned agents will be able to generate reports from business or public data and handle basic tasks like booking appointments on websites. The source says these agents can be slow or prone to errors, and while collaborative editing is in the works, it hasn't launched yet. The move is likely to put more strain on the already tense relationship between Microsoft and OpenAI.
Grok has added two interactive AI avatars to its iOS app: Ani, an anime character, and Rudy, a red panda. Users can talk to the avatars via voice, change their backgrounds, and unlock new features through conversation, including an NSFW mode. More avatars, like "Chad," are already in the works. A SuperGrok account is required, and all languages available in Grok’s voice mode are supported. The feature is currently only available on iOS; Android support has not been announced.
Google is expanding its AI-powered note-taking app, NotebookLM, with a curated collection of public notebooks. The new library features content from The Economist, The Atlantic, as well as researchers, authors, and nonprofit organizations. Users can read original texts, ask questions, and get source-backed summaries. The update also introduces auto-generated audio overviews and mind maps for quick topic navigation. The first batch includes resources like longevity advice, a Yellowstone travel guide, the works of Shakespeare, and financial data on major companies. This new feature builds on NotebookLM’s public sharing capabilities - according to Google, users have published over 140,000 notebooks since launch.
Google’s text embedding model "gemini-embedding-001" is now generally available via the Gemini API and Vertex AI. It costs $0.15 per one million input tokens.
The model supports over 100 languages, handles inputs of up to 2048 tokens, and uses Matryoshka Representation Learning (MRL) to reduce output size, which helps cut memory use and computing costs. Google says the model performs better than its earlier models and external alternatives in several tasks. Since its experimental launch in March, Google states the model has held a top position on the MTEB Multilingual Leaderboard.
SpaceX, Elon Musk's aerospace company, is investing $2 billion in Elon Musk's AI lab, xAI. The funding is part of a larger $5 billion round, according to The Wall Street Journal. xAI's chatbot Grok is already used for customer support in SpaceX’s Starlink satellite internet service.
Musk stated on X that "it would be great" if Tesla also invested in xAI, but this requires approval from Tesla's board and shareholders. In March, Musk announced the merger of xAI with his social media company X. The merger allows the companies to share data, AI models, computing power, and staff.
