Big players, including Microsoft, with Copilot, Google, with Gemini, and OpenAI, with GPT-4o, are making AI chatbot technology previously restricted to test labs more accessible to the general public.
How do these large language model (LLM) programs work? OpenAI’s GPT-3 told us that AI uses “a series of autocomplete-like programs to learn language” and that these programs analyze “the statistical properties of the language” to “make educated guesses based on the words you’ve typed previously.” According to James Vincent, “These AI tools are vast autocomplete systems, trained to predict which word follows the next in any given sentence. As such, they have no hard-coded database of ‘facts’ to draw on — just the ability to write plausible-sounding statements. This means they have a tendency to present false information as truth since whether a given sentence sounds plausible does not guarantee its factuality.”
Rollout of Gemini AI-powered Feature by Google
Google is rolling out a new Gemini AI-powered feature to users with eligible Google Workspace or Google AI plans that pops up a “Catch me up” shortcut to go over recent edits in Google Docs, as well as comments on other types of files, complete with a warning that “Gemini may display inaccurate info.” It’s supposed to roll out over the next couple of weeks, providing either a high-level summary across all of your files in the sidebar or overviews of changes to a specific file via a new activity indicator.
Ripple and Ember AI Writing Coach
The New York Times reports on Ripple, a Washington Post initiative that’s looking to open up its opinion pages to writing from various sources. This initiative would be assisted by the “Ember” AI writing coach with a paint-by-numbers approach to creating strong stories. The report also mentions the potential risks associated with AI models being optimized for engagement.
Evolution of ChatGPT and Future Plans
OpenAI is introducing a “lightweight version” of the memory improvements it launched earlier for paying customers to its free user tier. ChatGPT will now reference both saved memories and recent conversations in chats. According to a report by The Wall Street Journal, fully automated AI ads are on the roadmap for 2026, with plans hinted by Zuckerberg for advertisers to provide product images and set budgets to receive personalized ad campaigns targeting Facebook and Instagram users.
AI in Publishing and Beyond
In an unexpected turn of events, the first lady announced the release of an audiobook version of her memoir narrated entirely by an AI clone of her own voice. This move signifies a shift towards AI-driven content creation and narration in various industries, including publishing.
The Future with AI Agents
The latest web browser by Opera incorporates AI agents that aim to utilize the internet on behalf of users, performing tasks such as research, design, and more. Additionally, Anthropic’s AI chatbot is introducing a conversational mode for users, gradually integrating voice features into its mobile apps.
Conclusion
As AI continues to evolve and integrate into various aspects of our lives, from chatbots to content creation, we are witnessing a transformation in how technology interacts with and supports human activities. The future promises further advancements and innovations in AI technology, reshaping industries and user experiences.
