AI gadgets could change everything about how we interact with technology

Happy Friday! Oompa Loompa, Doompetidoo.i have A new Willy Wonka character for you.

This is: Elon Musk sued ChatGPT developer OpenAI and CEO Sam Altman said the company had abandoned its original nonprofit mission.

What’s on deck:

First of all, there are new trends in AI.

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AI (literally) in your pocket

What if you could wear artificial intelligence around your neck, put it in your pocket, or pin it to your chest?

AI-powered gadgets may seem like the opposite of progress – isn’t that the future? virtual? –But there are some who don’t think so.

In fact, influential figures like legendary investor Vinod Khosla believe that AI devices will completely change the way we interact with technology.

It is a prediction that It has captivated and divided the tech scene in recent months.Business Insider’s Samantha Stokes and Vishal Persaud write:

Rabbit’s portable AI assistant is an example of that trend. Pocket-sized devices are Perform tasks in your app via voice control. In January, the first units (10,000 devices priced at $199 each) sold out in just 24 hours.

According to AI gadget evangelists like Khosla, these devices will flip the script on human-computer interaction. AI learns how to interact with modern apps and tools rather than understanding how to operate them. you.

Still, there are several reasons to be skeptical about AI devices.

Humane’s Ai Pin, which can project text into users’ hands and translate voice messages, was not well-received. When it was released late last year.

The hardware business is difficult. SaaS conversion This means that global investors often prefer companies with recurring revenue streams over those that rely on one-time sales.

But the biggest criticism is much simpler.

Why do we need an AI gadget when we already have a very powerful device in our pocket at all times?

This was the perspective of one developer I texted who said he didn’t really care about trends in their network. They also pointed to rumors that hardware giant Apple’s CEO Tim Cook is planning to make a big announcement on AI. It was suggested at the company’s annual general meeting.

But on the other hand, some of the biggest names in the tech industry clearly believe that AI gadgets are the future. Salesforce’s Marc Benioff and OpenAI’s Sam Altman are both Humane backers, and Khosla Ventures is an investor in Rabbit.

Three things in the market

1. Don’t trust “vibe sessions”. says the bad mood spreading across the economy is unwarranted. Nobel Prize winner Paul Krugman. He said Americans shouldn’t feel bitter about Bidennomics just because food prices have increased.

2. The baby boom generation is driving the US economy. One hedge fund manager said we are. “Boomer Renaissance” — and told investors to focus on tourism, health care, and biotech for profits.

3. Bitcoin ETFs could become even more mainstream. Wells Fargo and Bank of America Merrill now offering ETF that invests directly in virtual currencies According to the report, some of the customers. Bitcoin started 2024 on a tear and is currently trading at $62,000, just $7,000 shy of its record price in November 2021.

Three things about technology

1. The Trade Desk is about to face its biggest challenge yet. The future of the $40 billion ad tech company depends on its ability to spread its work. Cookie replacement technology Across the digital ecosystem, advertising experts and former employees told BI.

2. Shopify’s ecosystem is becoming saturated with apps. E-commerce giant’s App Store is experiencing rapid growth, developers say It’s getting harder and harder to stand out.

3. GTA RTO: Rockstar Games reportedly gave its staff an ultimatum: Grand Theft Auto VI enters final stages of development. Security is one factor that drives publisher decisions. The first official trailer for the game has been leaked During December.

3 things in business

1. The NFL could change team ownership rules. The league is inching closer to opening its doors to a host of institutional investors, including private equity firms and venture capital funds.It would be so Wall Street’s big win.

2. The New York Times has big plans for its cooking app. NYT Cooking helped the media become a digital success story while other media companies struggled. The editor is Biggest expansion in app history.

3. Oprah is leaving Weight Watchers. master of media I will not seek re-election to the WW International Board of Directors., according to SEC filings. The diet company’s stock has already fallen 18% after Oprah announced her resignation, due to the rise of weight loss drugs like Ozempic.

In other news

What happened today

• According to the meteorological seasons, it is the first day of spring.

• Alexei Navalny’s funeral will be held today.

Insider Today Team: Dan DeFrancesco, deputy editor and anchor based in New York. Hallam Block, editor, lives in London. Jordan Parker Erb is an editor based in New York. Reporter George Glover lives in London.