OpenAI just got caught using a hard-coded filter that halts ChatGPT whenever users mention specific names like Brian Hood or Jonathan Turley. The kill switch was implemented to dodge defamation lawsuits after past hallucinations, though the names still process normally through OpenAI's API.
OpenAI is reportedly exploring an advertising model to offset soaring compute costs, recently hiring former Google ads exec Shivakumar Venkataraman. While CFO Sarah Friar clarified there are no active rollout plans, the option is clearly on the table. The move contrasts with CEO Sam Altman's stance, who previously called ads a "last resort" and found AI paired with ads "uniquely unsettling."
Elon Musk just filed for a preliminary injunction to freeze OpenAI's transition into a for-profit corporation. The court filing accuses OpenAI and Microsoft of anticompetitive tactics, including blocking investors from backing rivals like xAI. OpenAI dismissed the filing as yet another baseless complaint.
A coalition of major Canadian news organizations just sued OpenAI, accusing the company of scraping their reporting without permission to build and profit from ChatGPT. The outlets are seeking punitive damages and an injunction, while OpenAI maintains that training models on public data constitutes fair use.
OpenAI just added an 'Open SearchGPT' action to Apple's Shortcuts app for iPhone and iPad. Tapping the shortcut immediately launches ChatGPT right into its web search feature without extra clicks. The capability is currently live for Plus and Team subscribers, with rollout to free users planned in the coming months.
OpenAI just teamed up with Common Sense Media to launch a free online training course called "ChatGPT Foundations for K-12 Educators." Designed to take under an hour, it teaches AI basics, data privacy, and practical classroom workflows. It is available to all teachers today without needing a ChatGPT Edu subscription.
ChatGPT's Advanced Voice Mode might finally be getting eyes. Code discovered in the latest v1.2024.317 beta reveals upcoming Live Camera features alongside real-time video processing and visual recognition. Six months after OpenAI first demoed the capability back in May, a broader rollout could be inching closer.
OpenAI just expanded ChatGPT's Advanced Voice Mode to the web, letting users talk to the chatbot directly inside their browser. Powered by GPT-4o's native audio capabilities, the feature supports real-time emotional conversations and nine output voices. It rolls out to paying subscribers first, with free access coming in the next few weeks.
Google just rolled out a memory feature for Gemini Advanced, allowing the AI to recall your preferences, hobbies, and work details across chats. You can view, edit, or clear what it knows on a new "Saved Info" page. It essentially matches ChatGPT's memory tool, though it is currently limited to English.
ChatGPT just outperformed human doctors in a diagnostic study, scoring 90% on medical cases compared to 74% for unassisted physicians. Why it matters: doctors paired with ChatGPT barely improved at 76%, largely because physicians refused to listen when the AI disagreed with them and struggled to leverage its capabilities.
Elon Musk just amended his federal lawsuit against OpenAI, officially naming Microsoft, LinkedIn co-founder Reid Hoffman, and his own startup xAI as plaintiffs. The filing claims OpenAI and Microsoft effectively formed an anticompetitive "de facto merger" that actively shuts out rivals like xAI from vital funding and cloud compute.
OpenAI just launched its ChatGPT desktop app on Windows to all users. The app features an Alt + Space shortcut for instant access and packs Advanced Voice Mode, letting you talk to your PC hands-free while working. It brings native AI utility straight to the desktop without relying on a browser tab.
OpenAI just updated the ChatGPT desktop app for macOS with a new "Work with Apps" feature that automatically reads code from tools like VS Code, Xcode, and Terminal. Developers no longer need to copy and paste code back and forth to give the chatbot context. You will still have to paste its answers back into your editor yourself, though.
OpenAI is rethinking its development playbook as its next flagship model, code-named Orion, shows smaller performance gains than anticipated. Early tests indicate it struggles to deliver dramatic improvements in areas like coding. The company is now leaning into synthetic data and post-training methods, while confirming Orion will not arrive this year.
OpenAI just revealed its safety numbers from the 2024 U.S. election, sharing that ChatGPT rejected over 250,000 requests to generate DALL·E images of candidates like Trump and Harris. The company also routed around 3 million voting and results queries to trusted outlets like Reuters and CanIVote.org, noting no signs of viral influence operations.
A federal judge just tossed out a lawsuit from Raw Story and AlterNet accusing OpenAI of stripping copyright management information from articles to train ChatGPT. The judge ruled the outlets failed to show concrete harm from missing author tags, though they can refile with revisions.
OpenAI just acquired the ultra-premium domain chat.com from HubSpot founder Dharmesh Shah, with Shah implying the $15M+ deal was paid in startup equity. The web address now redirects straight to ChatGPT. Why it matters: Owning the ultimate generic word for conversational AI hints that OpenAI might eventually drop the "GPT" branding altogether as it shifts toward new model architectures.
Apple just released the iOS 18.2 public beta, opening up the second wave of Apple Intelligence features to public testers. Users can now query ChatGPT directly through Siri without needing an account, and iPhone 16 owners get Visual Intelligence camera search. Image Playground and custom Genmoji are also included, though creative tools still sit behind a secondary waitlist.
OpenAI has officially initiated early talks with regulators in California and Delaware to transition from its non-profit structure to a traditional for-profit business. The trickiest part will be legally valuing its intellectual property, including ChatGPT, under state charity laws. It basically clears the path to raise massive capital without the original profit caps.
Apple just introduced ChatGPT usage tracking and Plus upgrade shortcuts in iOS 18.2 Beta 2. Free users get a small daily allowance of GPT-4o requests and two DALL-E 3 images before Siri downgrades to a basic model. If you need more headroom, the Settings app now lets you sign in or subscribe directly to OpenAI's $19.99 monthly Plus tier.
