Neuralink has implanted a chip in its first human brain

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1. Neuralink has implanted a chip in its first human brain

Elon Musk's controversial startup Neuralink has implanted a chip in its first human brain, marking an important milestone for the company's efforts to bring potentially life-transforming technology into the real world. The first product from Neuralink would be called

Telepathy, with initial users being people who have lost the use of their limbs. The company received FDA clearance for human clinical trials in May last year, recruiting patients with quadriplegia caused by cervical spinal cord injury or amyotrophic lateral sclerosis.

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2. ChatGPT users can now invoke GPTs directly in chats

OpenAI is enabling ChatGPT users to invoke third-party apps called GPTs in any chat by typing "@" and selecting a GPT from the list. The chosen GPT will understand the full conversation and different GPTs can be "tagged in" for different use cases and needs. This move comes weeks after the launch of the GPT Store, a marketplace for GPTs accessible through the ChatGPT dashboard.

OpenAI plans to introduce monetization for developers who wish to sell access to their GPTs. Custom GPTs comprise only about 2.7% of ChatGPT's worldwide web traffic so far, and custom GPT traffic has been declining month over month since November. OpenAI has removed some offending apps, but if the volume of GPTs grows, the problem is expected to become more acute.

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3. North Korea now using AI in nuclear program

North Korea is developing AI in various sectors, including military technology and programs to safeguard nuclear reactors, according to a report by 38 North. The authoritarian regime has used AI to develop wargame simulations and has collaborated with Chinese tech researchers. North Korea has been developing AI across industries since the 1990s, but ramped up advancements in 2013 when it created the Artificial Intelligence Research Institute to promote informatization and digitalization.

The country amended its constitution in April 2019 to add "informatization" to its core economic efforts. However, North Korea's recent AI developments are concerning, as they reveal intentions to better understand operational environments against potential adversaries and pose concerns for the sanctions regime.

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4. Studio’s new online school for musicians uses AI to create custom curriculums

Studio has launched its first AI-powered online school for musicians, songwriters, and producers. The platform offers thousands of exclusive lessons taught by over 110 popular artists and instructors, covering over 100 topics. The AI-powered coach uses OpenAI's GPT-4 to deliver personalized curriculums based on students' interests, goals, learning style, and experience.

The platform also uses proprietary frameworks to address limitations in GPT-4, leveraging Studio's video lessons, curriculum design team expertise, and outcome-based student data. Studio's Music School is designed for creatives who already know the basics and want to enhance their skills.

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5. Yelp's new AI features include auto-generated business summaries, among other updates

Yelp has released a significant app update with over 20 new features, including AI-powered summaries of businesses, visual upgrades for the home feed, and a revamped search experience. The AI-powered summaries will help users find the perfect restaurant or service. The home feed will display images from nearby restaurants and videos posted by local businesses.

Business users will now have AI-powered smart budgets and data insights to optimize ad spending. The Recognitions feature will encourage user engagement by allowing users to earn kudos by regularly reviewing certain types of foods. The update is only available on iOS, but an Android version is expected in the coming months.

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