AI-Powered news roundup: Edition 14
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Our bi-weekly AI news roundup is designed to keep you informed on the latest (and most important) developments, all in under 5 minutes.
In this edition:
1. Siili’s Handbook for AI-Powered Developers now available as a free PDF 🚀
Siili has launched the PDF version of its Handbook for AI-Powered Developers, now accessible for free download. The handbook is a practical roadmap for AI-integrated development. Inside, readers will find detailed sections on the AI-powered development lifecycle, key tools for AI-enhanced coding, security protocols, and an overview of AI agents and coding assistants.
Packed with beautiful illustrations, diagrams and charts, each chapter of the book provides insights into the current landscape of AI in software development, balancing a practical approach with forward-looking perspectives on future advancements.
A paper version is set to follow soon—so stay tuned for updates!
2. OpenAI’s next model, “Orion,” hints at major AI leap by the end of 2024
Link: The Verge
OpenAI is reportedly preparing to launch a new advanced model, codenamed “Orion,” by December, initially limiting access to select business partners rather than a public ChatGPT rollout. Although OpenAI CEO Sam Altman downplayed the rumors as “fake news,” the company has hinted at upcoming technology releases. Microsoft, OpenAI's close collaborator, is readying its Azure platform to potentially host Orion as early as November, emphasizing the anticipated power and versatility of this model.
With Orion described internally as a successor to GPT-4 and possibly up to 100 times more powerful, OpenAI aims to gradually merge its language models to develop increasingly advanced AI systems, inching toward artificial general intelligence (AGI). Orion’s evolution has included input from synthetic data generated by the recent o1 model, indicating OpenAI's structured approach to scaling capabilities.
This release follows OpenAI’s recent $6.6 billion funding round and an organizational restructure to a for-profit model, positioning Orion as a critical development amid leadership changes and intensified competition in the AI space.
3. Anthropic unveils Claude 3.5 Sonnet and Claude 3.5 Haiku, plus new "Computer Use" feature
Link: Anthropic
Summary: Anthropic has introduced two new versions of its Claude models: Claude 3.5 Sonnet, an enhanced AI with industry-leading coding capabilities, and Claude 3.5 Haiku, a high-speed, cost-effective model that surpasses its predecessors in multiple benchmarks. Claude 3.5 Sonnet significantly improves on coding and agentic tool use, outpacing other models on benchmarks like SWE-bench, making it a compelling option for complex, multi-step processes. Meanwhile, Claude 3.5 Haiku, debuting later this month, combines affordability with robust performance, excelling at personalized applications and real-time data processing.
In a groundbreaking addition, Anthropic has launched a public beta for “computer use,” enabling Claude to interact with digital interfaces directly—mimicking how people use computers by navigating screens, clicking buttons, and entering text. This feature, although experimental, is already being leveraged by companies like Replit and Canva to streamline multi-step tasks and evaluate applications during development. The feature represents a notable advancement in general AI functionality, though developers are encouraged to test it cautiously as it improves.
Anthropic’s safety-first approach underpins these developments, with evaluations from AI safety institutes and built-in classifiers to mitigate risks like misinformation and fraud. These enhancements showcase Anthropic’s commitment to expanding AI utility while addressing safety in new, evolving capabilities.
4. Apple Intelligence arrives in the EU amid regulatory adjustments
Source: TechCrunch
Despite initial regulatory concerns, Apple has announced its AI suite, Apple Intelligence, will reach EU users in April 2025, beginning with support for multiple local languages. The announcement follows Apple’s recent iOS 18.1 update, which brought the first of Apple Intelligence’s features to newer iPhone, iPad, and Mac models in the U.S. only. EU access, originally restricted due to the EU’s Digital Markets Act (DMA), will roll out gradually, with iPhone and iPad support set for April and expanded language options arriving by late 2025.
Currently, only Mac users in Europe (with M1 or later models) can access Apple Intelligence by switching to U.S. English, thanks to a DMA stipulation that excludes macOS from certain “gatekeeper” constraints applied to iOS. By 2025, EU iPhone and iPad users will gain access to key Apple Intelligence tools, including enhanced Writing Tools, Genmoji, an advanced Siri, and ChatGPT integration—leaving only notification summaries behind in the U.S.
Apple’s approach reflects a commitment to regulatory compliance and privacy. Although EU users won’t see all features immediately, Apple promises a robust suite designed to align with DMA requirements while delivering core AI-driven enhancements to users in Europe.
5. Notion unveils Notion Mail and more at "Make with Notion" conference
Source: TechCrunch
Summary: Notion is expanding its productivity suite by launching Notion Mail, a new email client designed to blend seamlessly with its collaborative workspace. Announced at the "Make with Notion" conference, Notion Mail is currently in preview and operates as an email interface—rather than a standalone service—enabling users to integrate their Gmail accounts directly with Notion’s workflows. This setup aims to shift from traditional inbox structures to more adaptive, workflow-centered email management.
The email client includes AI features to automatically label and prioritize emails, streamlining follow-ups and scheduling. Users can also link emails to the recently launched Notion Calendar, enabling quick access to scheduling and availability. This latest release builds on Notion’s recent acquisitions, including Cron for calendar integration and Skiff for enhanced security features, marking another step toward a unified productivity platform.
In addition to Notion Mail, the company introduced Notion Forms for data collection, customizable layouts, and automation tools to connect Notion with Gmail. With over 100 million users globally, Notion’s ongoing innovations continue to position it as a comprehensive productivity suite, setting new standards in workflow customization and AI integration.
6. ChatGPT debuts as a Windows app
Source: OpenAI
OpenAI has released a preview of its dedicated ChatGPT app for Windows, expanding access to its AI chatbot platform in a desktop format. Initially available to ChatGPT Plus, Team, Enterprise, and Edu subscribers, this early version provides new features ahead of a broader launch planned later in the year. Users can chat about files, analyze photos, and benefit from OpenAI's latest model updates, including the powerful o1-preview model.
Though compatible with most Windows 10 devices, the app lacks some functionalities found in other ChatGPT clients, such as voice input and certain GPT Store integrations. Similar to the macOS app, ChatGPT for Windows features a "companion" mode, allowing users to keep the app in a small window alongside other tasks. Key functions include summarizing documents, generating visuals with DALL-E 3, and brainstorming ideas.
Reasons to Try ChatGPT for Windows/macOS:
Explore the Windows app to experience ChatGPT's capabilities firsthand.