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Welcome, AI enthusiasts.
OpenAI brings AI to landlines while GitHub democratizes coding assistance – today's updates bridge the gap between cutting-edge AI and everyday accessibility.
In today's news:
OpenAI's phone & WhatsApp integration
GitHub Copilot's free tier launch
Perplexity's $9B valuation milestone
AI accessibility expansion
Read time: 2 minutes
Let's dive in...
OpenAI launches ChatGPT via phone & WhatsApp
OpenAI launches ChatGPT via phone & WhatsApp
What: OpenAI introduced 1-800-CHATGPT for US users with 15 minutes of free monthly calls, alongside WhatsApp integration for international users. The service works on any phone device, from smartphones to vintage rotaries.
Why: The initiative aims to make AI accessible to non-tech-savvy users through familiar communication channels, bridging the digital divide.
Impact: This retro approach to AI access could revolutionize how people interact with AI, particularly benefiting those less comfortable with modern tech interfaces.
GitHub Copilot introduces free tier
What: GitHub launched a free version of Copilot offering 2,000 monthly code completions and 50 chat messages, featuring Claude 3.5 Sonnet or GPT-4o models. This coincides with reaching 150M developers on the platform.
Why: The move aims to democratize AI coding assistance and prevent user migration to competing free services.
Impact: Removing price barriers could accelerate AI coding adoption and help GitHub reach its goal of 1B developers globally.
Perplexity secures $500M at $9B valuation
What: AI search startup Perplexity tripled its valuation to $9B, boasting 15M active users and new features like one-click shopping and financial analysis.
Why: The company's rapid growth and publisher partnerships demonstrate the increasing demand for AI-powered search alternatives.
Impact: This funding signals a major shift in the search engine landscape, challenging traditional players while addressing content creator concerns through revenue-sharing deals.
Apple explores Chinese AI partnerships
What: Apple is in early discussions with Tencent and ByteDance to integrate their AI models into Chinese iPhones, addressing the ChatGPT ban in China.
Why: Declining iPhone market share and competition from AI-equipped rivals like Huawei necessitate local AI partnerships.
Impact: Successful collaboration could reshape China's AI landscape while helping Apple maintain competitiveness in this crucial market.