OpenAI Shifts Towards Greater Intellectual Freedom

OpenAI has updated its AI training policy to embrace intellectual freedom, aiming to offer multiple perspectives on controversial topics. This move might be influenced by the new Trump administration and reflects a broader Silicon Valley trend towards less content moderation, focusing on neutrality and free speech in AI responses.

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BlueSkyHunter Launches, Offering Growth and Analytics Tools for Bluesky Users

BlueSkyHunter, launched by Borut Udovic, offers a comprehensive toolset for managing Bluesky presence with analytics, scheduling, and DM automation. It features a dashboard for tracking growth, engagement, and trends. Priced at $15/month with a 14-day trial, it aims to empower creators and businesses on the platform with 31.5 million users.

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Adobe Launches AI Video Generator

Adobe launched Firefly Video Generator, enabling video creation from text or images in Adobe Premiere and a new Firefly web app. It offers customization, supports 1080p, and is commercially safe with Content Credentials for transparency. Plans include Firefly Standard ($9.99) and Pro ($29.99) monthly.

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Bhavish Aggarwal of Ola Unveils Krutrim AI Lab and Launches Open-Source Krutrim-2 Model

Bhavish Aggarwal announced the Krutrim AI Lab, focusing on India-specific AI. New models like Krutrim-2, Chitrarth-1, and Dhwani-1 were released for better language support. Ola committed Rs. 2,000 crores, aiming for Rs. 10,000 crores by next year. Partnerships with Nvidia for AI infrastructure were also highlighted.

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SoftBank Eyes $500M Investment in Skild AI, Valuing Robotics Firm at $4B

SoftBank is in talks to invest $500 million in Skild AI, valuing the robotics software company at $4 billion. Skild, founded by Carnegie Mellon professors, raised $300 million last year. The AI model can adapt to various robots. Other AI robotics startups like Physical Intelligence and Figure AI have also secured substantial investments from major investors, including Jeff Bezos.

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DeepSeek AI: Disrupting the Tech Landscape


DeepSeek, backed by Chinese hedge fund High-Flyer, has surged in popularity with its AI models, challenging U.S. tech dominance. Using cost-effective techniques, DeepSeek’s models like DeepSeek-V2 and V3 have outshined competitors, leading to price drops by rivals. Despite regulatory constraints, its models are widely used, stirring market reactions.

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IIT Madras Gains Free Access to Perplexity AI’s Pro Version

IIT Madras students, faculty, and staff gain free access to Perplexity AI’s Pro version, announced by alumnus and CEO Aravind Srinivas. This advanced search tool, normally $20/month, offers deeper AI capabilities. The initiative aims to boost AI education and research. Srinivas is also looking to expand Perplexity’s operations in India and recently met PM Modi.

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Google’s Gemini AI Now Empowers Everyone with Advanced Smart Home Control

Google’s Gemini AI smart home controls are now available to all users. The Google Home extension in the Gemini app allows for complex commands like adjusting multiple lights. Users can control devices via natural language, manage settings from the lock screen, and handle media control on smart devices. The rollout begins today, extending over weeks.

Read more on TheVerge.

Pearl: The AI Search Engine Blending AI Answers with Human Expertise


Pearl, a new AI search engine, combines AI answers with human fact-checking and expert consultations. It uses JustAnswer’s data and popular AI models to provide responses, offering a freemium model. Legal clarity under Section 230 remains uncertain. Testing showed mixed results, with some answers not significantly improved by human input, suggesting limited value over free online resources.

Read more on WIRED.

Perplexity Launches Sonar API for AI Search Integration

Perplexity introduced Sonar, an API allowing developers to integrate its AI search tools into applications. Offering two tiers, Sonar and Sonar Pro, it aims to provide real-time, factually accurate answers by connecting to trusted internet sources. Sonar Pro provides more detailed responses and citations. The API is notably affordable, potentially increasing Perplexity’s revenue, with Zoom already utilizing it for real-time answers during video calls.

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