Welcome back humans and Happy New Year.

We’re starting 2024 out with a bang and rightfully so. I’m calling this year: The Year of AI. If the latter part of 2023 was the appetizer, 2024 is the entree. I’m so excited about the year to come because I know it will be pivotal in how our future is shaped.

Also, keep sending me feedback! I’m listening and the companion podcast I’m launching soon is a result of some feedback I got. I’m all ears! Annnd nowwww….

Here’s what you need to know about AI today:

• OpenAI Launches GPT Store This Week

• AI is Finally Enroute to Your Smartphone

• While we were on break: OpenAI & NYT’s Get Cozy-ish

#1 OpenAI Blesses Us with their GPT App Store This Week

Kicking off 2024 with a bang, OpenAI, the brain behind ChatGPT, is rolling out something pretty groundbreaking: its very own GPT store, set to open shop the week of January 7. This big reveal was supposed to happen at the tail end of 2023, as they hinted at OpenAI DevDay, but hey, better late than never, right?

Now, why should you sit up and take notice?

For Gen Z and Millennial professionals gunning for career stability and financial freedom (especially with the new year vibes), this is big news. With the cost of living shooting up and job security getting shaky, these young hustlers are on the prowl for side gigs. Plus, with AI, especially the generative kind, being the hot ticket in the job market (just peek at those LinkedIn job posts skyrocketing in 2023), mastering this tech is like holding a golden ticket.

Imagine turbocharging your career by mixing GPT prowess with a side hustle that brings in the dough while you sleep. That's the dream, right?

Enter the GPT store. It's set to be a playground for creators to whip up, cash in on, and share their custom GPT goodies with the world. Think of it like the App Store for all things AI, where instead of apps, you're browsing through a treasure trove of GPT creations.

And the cherry on top?

You don't need to be a coding wizard to jump in. It's user-friendly to the max, so even if the closest you've come to coding is using emojis, you're all set.

💡 My take:

It’s go time. If you haven’t read my essay on the massive opportunity that I think this is for creators and entreprenuers you can read it here. While media surrounding the app store hasn’t went into if OpenAI will allow GPTs to be monetized, if my memory serves me correct this is the same playbook Apple ran… rather pioneered. When Apple launched the app store initially it was less about monetization and more about developer app distribution. I’m betting OpenAI will follow the same playbook and as GPTs become more and more integrated they will eventually roll out paid GPTs (connect your payment processor anyone?) and eventually evolve to allow in-GPT monetization just like we have in-app monetization now. Either way this is not rocket science… early movers always gain audience the easiest. It’s go time.

Check out how to create your builder profile here.

#2 AI is coming to your smart phone…soon.

Imagine this: Your iPhone has an AI assistant so savvy it practically reads your mind. Think Siri, but upgraded to 'Siri Deluxe', the kind that actually gets your vibe. It's like having a digital twin who chats like a pro, knows you better than your mom, and predicts your next craving for a caramel macchiato. Picture it now: your AI wingman nudging you, "Hey, text Jess about grabbing coffee at [location] at [time]. I've already peeked at your calendar and your caffeine habits."

But hold up, wasn't this just a pipe dream? Yep, for two hilarious reasons:

First, big tech companies, ahem, Apple, have been dropping the ball with their AI assistants. Siri has been less of a help even though they have a sh*t tone of your data.

Second, running AI models on smartphones? That's like asking a chihuahua to pull a sled. Previously these models needed more juice than our phones could offer.

Plot twist! Qualcomm's CEO Christiano Amon spilt the beans in a chat with FT, saying AI is coming into our smartphones faster than you can say 'update'.

So what's changed?

Well…we've got these monster smartphone chips now that can juggle AI models without breaking a sweat (goodbye, cloud dependency!). Plus, AI models themselves are slimming down.

It's like a tech gladiator showdown now. Samsung's teasing us with its new "AI-powered" Galaxy phones dropping on 1/17. Apple's apparently giving Siri a brain transplant with some AI magic. And Google? Already ahead with its Gemini Nano in the Pixel 8 Pro.

💡 My take:

It’s about time. As an Apple user Siri has been lacking for some time, especially considering the level of data that they have; she should be way more intelligent. If you’ve never done a data request from Apple or Google I definitely encourage you to do so. Here’s a whole playlist by platform:

This is all exciting but my biggest question, rather concern, is that as AI moves to devices will they attempt to lockup our data in an effort to gain market share. You all know how much I love AI and champion it but this my friends is a big concern we all need to be aware of. the only loser in this race will be all of us who actually generate the data.

#3 A Thin Line Between Love and Hate: OpenAI & NYTs

Ok so this actually happened while we were on break but it’s an important development in the world of AI and business. Here’s the rundown:

OpenAI and Apple are sitting at the negotiating table with news publishers, talking about using their content to train their AI whizzes. But there's a plot twist – the money on the table isn't quite making the publishers' eyes sparkle. We're talking about deals that are more appetizer-sized than main course, leaving some publishers feeling like they're handing over the family silver for a handful of loose change.

OpenAI's offering publishers a slice of the pie, but it's looking more like a sliver. Deals are so modest we're talking $1-5 million a year. Thass it. SMH.

It's like offering to buy someone a latte in exchange for a sneak peek at their boss's top-secret project. Meanwhile, Apple's playing the generous host, saying "I'll cover dinner," but with one hand sneaking files onto its hard drive. They're after more freedom to play around with the publishers' content.

Flash forward to last week when the NYT’s filed a lawsuit against OpenAI.

The New York Times is throwing down the legal gauntlet at OpenAI and Microsoft, accusing them of using its content to whip up AI models like ChatGPT. Which is accurate lol.

It's like we're back in the days of Metallica squaring off against Napster. IYKYK.

Here's the beef: The NYT is crying foul over ChatGPT and Bing spitting out parts of its articles word-for-word, without tipping the hat to the source.

That's a major faux pas, which is why OpenAI slammed the brakes on ChatGPT's web surfing and is scrambling to scrub any copyrighted material it might've accidentally shared online.

But wait, there's more: The NYT is also pointing fingers at OpenAI for supposedly using its "uniquely valuable" content as a secret sauce to train ChatGPT. And they're not just asking for an apology; they're talking about raking in "billions" in damages and pulling the plug on any chatbot that's been munching on copyrighted material.

Now, who's got the legal high ground here on point #2? Well, it's a bit of a head-scratcher, and even the law's still trying to figure it out.

On one hand, training ChatGPT did involve making some derivative copies of creative content, which is usually a big no-no under copyright law.

On the other hand, AI models are like those film directors who create something totally new, inspired by a mishmash of movies they've seen. So, it's a bit like asking, "Is it copying, or is it inspiration?" And that, my friends, is the million-dollar question.

💡 My take:

If you’ve been around long enough we have seen this before. In fact media dn technology companies have always had a bit of a love hate relationship. Heavy on the hate from the media side. Tech companies have always understood the value of content but, unfortunately, have a history of acting like a spoiled teenager entitled to everything. Really this also ways boils down to data… I know, I know. Shocker, lol. But it DOES! Aside from data points content is also data and AI companies need it. The dirty little secret is that they actually can’t live without it. On the flip side media companies are fighting to stay relevant and adopting new business models and platforms without totally destroying their business model. Ahhhh, capitalism.

💩Sh*ts & Giggles

It feels sooo good to be back friends! Don’t forget I’ll be launching a companion podcast to this newsletter that will add more commentary and insight. You can subscribe here.

That’s all for today folks!

See you on the interwebs,

AB