Hey Synapticians,

The weekend is here. Take the opportunity to try out the amazing tool we’re showcasing at the end of the newsletter: Recraft.ai.

On today’s menu: Google investing another billion in Anthropic, Perplexity launching an agent exclusively on Android (grrr), but most importantly, OpenAI’s new agent: OPERATOR. For now, it’s only available in the US, but the demo videos look impressive. We’ll let you watch and read our first article on the topic.

We’ll wrap up with a slightly longer bonus on the topic of AI adoption. The authors showed that people with less knowledge about AI are more likely to adopt these techniques. The main argument is the "magic effect," which supposedly leads to a stronger desire for adoption, also referred to in more formal terms as the "lower literacy-higher receptivity" link.

We completely disagree with this conclusion. On the contrary, we ‘believe’ (but we need to prove that 😀) that the more trained and informed we are, the more likely we are to adopt these AI tools (if they are useful). A closer look at the study reveals the small sample sizes used in the analyses (some with only 100 participants) and the confusion between correlation and causality. What do you think?

Top AI news

1. The OpenAI Operator Everyone's Talking About
OpenAI has introduced Operator, an AI agent designed to automate web-based tasks by interacting with on-screen elements such as buttons, menus, and text fields. Currently available to ChatGPT Pro users in the U.S., Operator utilizes the Computer Using Agent (CUA) model, which combines GPT-4o's vision capabilities with advanced reasoning. This enables the agent to autonomously navigate the web, performing actions like making restaurant reservations and managing corporate data. For sensitive tasks, Operator seeks user confirmation to ensure security and accuracy. OpenAI is collaborating with companies like Instacart, Uber, and eBay to enhance Operator's accessibility. While promising, Operator faces challenges in usability and safety, and currently does not handle banking transactions or job application decisions. This launch signifies OpenAI's entry into the competitive AI agent market alongside other tech giants.

2. Perplexity Assistant Enhances Android with Multimodal AI Capabilities
Perplexity has introduced Perplexity Assistant, an AI-powered application for Android smartphones. This assistant allows users to perform various tasks, including booking restaurant reservations, hailing rides via Uber, and setting reminders, directly from their devices. It supports multimodal interactions, enabling users to engage through voice commands or by analyzing on-screen content and images captured by the phone's camera. For instance, it can identify objects or provide contextual information based on what the user shows to the camera. Available for free in 15 languages on the Google Play Store, Perplexity Assistant positions itself as a competitor to other virtual assistants like Apple's Siri, Amazon's Alexa, and OpenAI's ChatGPT.

3. Google Invests Another $1B in Anthropic AI Development
Google has bolstered its partnership with Anthropic by committing an additional $1 billion investment, further emphasizing its dedication to cutting-edge AI research. Anthropic, known for its focus on safe and ethical AI, will utilize this funding to accelerate the development of advanced models aligned with human values. This move underlines the increasing strategic importance of AI in maintaining technological leadership. By backing Anthropic, Google aims to ensure the responsible advancement of artificial intelligence while cementing its position in a rapidly evolving industry. The collaboration highlights a broader industry trend of fostering innovation through significant funding and partnerships.

Bonus. Less AI Knowledge Leads to Greater Adoption, Study Finds
A study in the Journal of Marketing reveals that individuals with less knowledge about artificial intelligence are more receptive to integrating it into their daily lives. This phenomenon, termed the "lower literacy-higher receptivity" link, suggests that those lacking technical understanding perceive AI as "magical" or awe-inspiring, especially when it performs tasks typically associated with human abilities, such as providing emotional support. Conversely, individuals with greater AI literacy, who comprehend the underlying algorithms and data, find the technology less mysterious and are less inclined to adopt it. This insight presents challenges for policymakers and educators in promoting AI literacy while maintaining public enthusiasm.

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Theme of the Week

Image creation with AI - Startup of the week
Recraft AI, established in 2022, has rapidly emerged as a pioneering force in AI-driven design tools. Founded by Anna Veronika Dorogush, the company has successfully secured $12 million in Series A funding and built a user base of over 3 million professionals across 200 countries. The platform specializes in AI-powered visual content creation tools, serving designers, illustrators, and marketing professionals worldwide.

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