ChatGPT Introduces Tasks Feature 🎯!

First off, the fact that a company is trying to revive extinct species alone is impressive. But throwing AI innovation into the mix to speed things up? That’s remarkable, to say the least 🤯. 

Hola, forward thinkers, welcome to issue #90 of the Neural Frontier!👋

ChatGPT takes center stage today (or does it?) with the introduction of its new Tasks feature, allowing users to set recurring tasks and to-dos. We played around a bit with it, and its potential is up there! 

Following up, Colossal Biosciences just completed a 200m funding round, as the company seeks to resurrect extinct species. And, closing out this issue, OpenAI is working on robots again, nearly 5 years after disbanding its robotics team due to a lack of training data. 

January is off to a running start, and the AI scene? Flying sky high 🪁. 

In a rush? Here's your quick byte: 

🎯 ChatGPT introduces Tasks feature!  

🐣 Colossal Biosciences raises $200M to revive extinct species.

🦿 OpenAI is reportedly working on robots, again!

🎭 AI Reimagines: Batman meets Anime! 

🎯 Everything else you missed this week.  

⚡ The Neural Frontier’s weekly spotlight: 3 AI tools making the rounds this week.

🎯 ChatGPT introduces Tasks feature!

OpenAI has launched a new beta feature in ChatGPT called Tasks, which allows users to schedule future actions and reminders. But is this really a leap toward transforming ChatGPT from a conversational AI into a versatile digital assistant? 

Let’s find out: 

🚀 Key Features of Tasks

1. Task Scheduling: Users can schedule one-time or recurring tasks by simply telling ChatGPT what to do and when to do it. Examples include setting reminders for daily weather updates, passport renewal, or even lighthearted requests like knock-knock jokes.

2. Proactive Suggestions: ChatGPT can suggest tasks based on ongoing conversations, though these suggestions require explicit user approval before creation.

3. Task Management: A new Tasks section in the profile menu (web-only) allows users to manage, modify, or cancel tasks. Notifications also alert users upon task completion across web, desktop, and mobile platforms.

4. Limitations: Users can have up to 10 active tasks at a time. However, Tasks is currently available only to Plus, Team, and Pro subscribers through the “GPT-4o with scheduled tasks” option in the model picker.

💡 How It Works: Users enable the Tasks feature by selecting the appropriate model in ChatGPT's settings. Tasks can be tailored for specific times or frequencies, and users can tweak them later through the dedicated Tasks interface. Then, once a task is completed, notifications ensure users stay informed.

🤔 Challenges and Open Questions: Tasks is still in beta, and OpenAI acknowledges potential reliability issues, urging users not to depend on it for critical reminders just yet. In addition, previous OpenAI agent demos have shown inaccuracies, raising concerns about the system's dependability.

This begs the question: Will Tasks feel more like a simple script executing predefined commands? Or will it evolve into an AI capable of learning, adapting, and making autonomous decisions? We’ll have to wait and see.

🐣 Colossal Biosciences raises $200M to revive extinct species.

Colossal Biosciences, the company dedicated to resurrecting extinct species like the woolly mammoth, Tasmanian tiger, and dodo bird, has secured $200 million in a Series C funding round. 

This latest round values the company at an impressive $10.2 billion, a significant leap from its previous valuation of $1.5 billion in 2023.

Here’s what you need to know: 

🚀 Key Highlights: Colossal aims to de-extinct three species: the Woolly Mammoth, the Tasmanian Tiger (Thylacine), and the Dodo Bird. The process involves mapping the species' genomes, using CRISPR gene-editing technology to edit cells of the closest living relative, and implanting the edited cells into an egg cell, followed by using artificial wombs or natural surrogates.

Backers include TWG Global, led by Mark Walter (co-founder of Guggenheim Partners), and billionaire Thomas Tull. Overall, the $200M funding reflects confidence in Colossal’s technology development and potential applications beyond de-extinction.

💡 Monetization and Revenue Streams

Despite having no current revenue, Colossal sees potential in three key areas:

1. Technology Spinoffs:

   • Plans to spin off three businesses in the next two years, including one focused on artificial womb technology.

   • Previous spinoffs include:

     • Breaking: Focused on plastic breakdown ($10.5M seed funding).

     • Form Bio: A computational biology platform ($30M raised).

2. Government Collaborations:

   • Assisting governments in endangered species conservation and exploring de-extinction projects for culturally significant animals.

3. Biodiversity Credits:

   • If successful in reintroducing extinct species, Colossal could generate revenue from biodiversity credits, similar to carbon credit markets.

🧪 Challenges and Future Outlook: While the complexity of de-extinction raises ethical, ecological, and technical challenges, Colossal Biosciences remains unfazed. In fact, the first mammoth and thylacine are expected by 2028, but achieving scalability remains uncertain.

Colossal’s innovative approach positions it at the intersection of science, technology (yes, AI 😏), and environmental conservation, making it a fascinating company to watch as it seeks to reshape the future of biodiversity.

🦿 OpenAI is reportedly working on robots, again!

After previously disbanding its robotics division, OpenAI is reigniting its efforts in the robotics field, as revealed by social media updates and newly published job listings. 

The company appears to be charting an ambitious course, aiming to build general-purpose robots equipped with human-like intelligence and custom hardware components.

Here’s the scoop: 

🔑 Key Highlights

1. Rebuilding Robotics: Caitlin Kalinowski, OpenAI’s hardware director (formerly with Meta’s AR glasses division), confirmed OpenAI’s renewed robotics focus via a post on X. The robotics initiative includes plans to develop custom sensor suites and new computational elements for its robots.

2. Ambitious Goals: OpenAI’s robotics team aims to create adaptive and versatile robots capable of operating in dynamic, real-world environments. The robots will integrate high-level AI models with the physical constraints of robotics platforms.

3. Humanoid Potential: Job descriptions hint that OpenAI may be working on humanoid robots, potentially featuring limbs.

4. Hardware and Prototypes: OpenAI plans to test prototypes with contract workers and is recruiting engineers with expertise in mechanical systems for large-scale production. The company is also exploring humanoid robots, similar to efforts by startups like X1 and Figure, both backed by OpenAI.

Overall, OpenAI’s job listings suggest the company is laying the groundwork for mass-market robotics, with an emphasis on cutting-edge AI integration and large-scale manufacturing. 

While details about the specific form factors or applications remain sparse, the company’s ambition to create general-purpose robots capable of tackling real-world challenges positions it at the forefront of robotics innovation.

🎭 AI Reimagines: Batman meets Anime!

Yep, that’s Two Face, and a pretty accurate anime reimagination, we must add! This week, we take you to Gotham City, the home of one of the most iconic superheroes.

But there’s a twist. This time, you’re viewing Gotham City through an anime filter. Enjoy 😏! 

🎯 Everything else you missed this week. 

1. Adobe’s new Firefly Bulk Create tool can automatically edit thousands of images in once click. Yes, that includes batch-removing backgrounds from thousands of images. 

2. China considers selling TikTok US operations to Elon Musk, amidst looming Supreme Court decision. 

3. xAI launches iOS application for Grok in multiple countries, including the US, Australia, and India. 

4. Chief Executive Officer of Global Infrastructure Partners, Adebayo Ogunlesi joins OpenAI’s board of directors. 

⚡ The Neural Frontier’s weekly spotlight: 3 AI tools making the rounds this week. 

1.   Spreadify is a comprehensive social media management platform that centralizes multi-platform content creation and distribution. The tool's impressive core features include a unified social media dashboard, advanced content composer, and flexible post scheduling.

2. 🤖 APOB AI is a complete toolkit for faceless creators, offering everything from initial portrait creation to dynamic video content. It allows users to customize every aspect of their AI influencer, from physical attributes to environmental settings, making it suitable for beginners and AI experts.

3. ✔️ FactSnap presents itself as a browser extension designed to combat misinformation through instant fact-checking. This Chrome-based tool offers one-click fact verification, AI-powered claim comparison, and source exploration. 

At the end of the day…

We genuinely think January has a LOT more to offer. We’re mid-way through, and I don’t think we ever imagined it would be this eventful. 

But hey, we could be wrong. The rest of the month could be pretty mundane. 

But how often does that happen in the AI space 😏?

In any case, there’s only one way to find out: stay tuned, hit that Subscribe button, and we’ll catch you next week; same time, same place! 👋