All In on AI: This Week in Artificial Intelligence

Hello, Niuralogists!

Welcome to this week’s edition, where we dive into the latest advancements in artificial intelligence. We’ll explore how these innovations are shaping various aspects of our lives—from the workplace and business to policies and personal experiences. This issue highlights some fascinating updates, including OpenAI’s Ph.D.-level SuperAgents, Parlex shaping UK policy, TikTok’s potential merger with Perplexity AI, and more.

For more in-depth coverage, keep reading…?

OpenAI Prepares to Launch Ph.D.-Level AI SuperAgents

OpenAI is set to unveil a major breakthrough: Ph.D.-level SuperAgents capable of performing complex, goal-oriented tasks traditionally handled by highly skilled professionals. Expected to be announced in a private briefing on January 30, these AI tools can design software, conduct financial analyses, and manage logistics at unparalleled speed and accuracy.

While hailed as transformative for industries like health, science, and education, challenges like AI reliability and hallucinations remain. OpenAI’s "Economic Blueprint" advocates for AI-driven reindustrialization, sparking debate over its impact on jobs. Experts predict Congress will explore AI infrastructure legislation to address these shifts.

This development signals a new frontier in generative AI, with profound implications for productivity and the global workforce.

OpenAI and SoftBank Lead the Charge for U.S. AI Leadership

The Stargate Project, a groundbreaking initiative led by SoftBank and OpenAI, will invest $500 billion over the next four years to build cutting-edge AI infrastructure in the United States, with $100 billion already being deployed. This bold endeavor aims to secure U.S. leadership in AI, create hundreds of thousands of jobs, and drive economic and strategic advancements.

Technology partners like Arm, Microsoft, NVIDIA, Oracle, and OpenAI are collaborating to develop advanced computing systems, starting with a buildout in Texas. OpenAI’s partnership with Microsoft’s Azure and NVIDIA will expand to support the training of leading AI models.

With Masayoshi Son as chairman, Stargate promises to re-industrialize the U.S., enhance global AI capabilities, and advance AGI for humanity’s benefit. The timing and size of this investment suggests an emphasis of speed and progression over safety.

Parlex AI is Shaping Policy Planning in the UK Government

The UK government is piloting Parlex, an AI tool designed to predict how MPs might react to proposed policies, providing ministers and civil servants with a "parliamentary vibe check." By analyzing historical parliamentary data, Parlex identifies potential supporters or detractors of policies, offering insights to shape parliamentary strategies.

Part of the Humphrey AI suite, Parlex complements tools like Minute (meeting transcription) and Lex (legislative analysis). These innovations align with the government’s broader strategy to modernize public services, increase efficiency, and foster a digitally-driven government.

Alongside Parlex, initiatives like Redbox and Consult aim to streamline administrative tasks and improve public consultations, potentially saving millions annually. However, concerns about data privacy and past algorithmic errors highlight the importance of robust safeguards as the UK invests billions into becoming a global AI leader.

UBTech and Apple Manufacturer to Utilize Humanoid Robotics

UBTech Robotics, China’s leading humanoid robot maker, has announced a long-term partnership with Apple supplier Foxconn to integrate humanoid robots into factory operations. These robots will handle complex tasks such as moving, sorting, and quality inspection, aiming to enhance efficiency while reducing strain on human workers.

The partnership includes the development of UBTech’s next-generation Walker S2 robot, set for launch in Q2 2025. Building on the success of the Walker S1, which has undergone training in Foxconn’s Shenzhen factories, this collaboration will focus on improving motion, perception, and decision-making capabilities.

As China leads the global adoption of industrial robotics, this alliance positions UBTech and Foxconn at the forefront of smart manufacturing. The partnership aims to achieve commercial mass production of humanoid robots, accelerating automation and reducing production costs globally.

The UK is Building a New Supercomputer for AI Drug Discovery

The Isambard-AI supercomputer, set to become fully operational in Bristol this summer, represents a ￡225 million investment in advancing artificial intelligence for drug and vaccine development. Once online, it will be the most powerful supercomputer in the UK and among the top 10 globally.

Already in use, Isambard-AI is aiding researchers in developing treatments for Alzheimer’s, cancer, heart disease, and more. Its AI capabilities simulate molecular interactions, drastically accelerating drug discovery by analyzing millions of potential compounds virtually—saving time and reducing costs.

Beyond healthcare, Isambard-AI’s innovative design includes energy efficiency features, with waste heat potentially being used to warm local homes and businesses. Funded by the UK government, the project underscores AI’s transformative potential, with far-reaching benefits for public health and beyond.

Q&Ai

Can AI increase precision and objectivity when judging sports?

The X Games Aspen 2025 will debut an AI judge for the snowboard superpipe events, powered by Google Cloud's Vertex AI platform. While its scores won’t influence outcomes yet, the AI system is designed to enhance precision and objectivity in judging by analyzing competitors’ runs in real time.

Trained on extensive snowboarding data, the AI can detect intricate details like hand drags, landing quality, and motion efficiency with exceptional accuracy. Its analysis will be showcased during broadcasts on ABC and ESPN, offering viewers real-time insights and commentary in the contestants’ languages.

This innovation, developed with input from Sergey Brin and led by X Games CEO Jeremy Bloom, promises a glimpse into the future of AI in sports. Expect to see broader adoption in upcoming events as the technology evolves.

Can Perplexity’s bold bid save TikTok in the US and expand their AI video capabilities?

Perplexity AI has submitted a bid to ByteDance to form a new entity merging Perplexity, TikTok U.S., and new capital partners, CNBC reports. This proposal would allow ByteDance’s existing investors to retain equity stakes while integrating more video into Perplexity’s AI-driven platform.

Perplexity, valued at $9 billion in late 2024, aims to leverage this merger to expand its reach in generative AI and video content. The bid comes as TikTok faces potential restrictions in the U.S., with President-elect Donald Trump signaling a possible 90-day extension to resolve regulatory concerns.

Unlike a full sale, the merger structure offers ByteDance an alternative path to retain control while addressing U.S. government scrutiny. The deal’s success hinges on negotiations and shareholder decisions, with a valuation expected to exceed $50 billion.

Tools

?? Sonar is Perplexity’s new API for incorporating grounded, real-time search to third-party applications.

?? Hunyuan 3D 2.0 is Tencent’s new open-source AI system for creating and animating high-quality 3D assets.

?? Lovable + Builder.io turns Figma designs into full-stack apps with AI.

?? MeetMinutes transforms your pre-and-post meeting workflows with AI note-taking.

?? Kimi is a new multimodal model with joint reasoning over text and vision.