AI Cohort #14: Weekly Insights

Welcome to another exciting edition of AI Cohort and the last one for this year! This week's roundup is packed with innovations that are transforming how we interact with technology. Whether you're a developer, a business leader, or just an AI enthusiast, there's something here for everyone. Dive in and discover how these advancements can elevate your projects and streamline your workflows!

xAI Launches Beta for Standalone iOS App of Grok Chatbot

Elon Musk's AI company, xAI, is currently testing a standalone iOS app for its Grok chatbot, which was previously only accessible to users on X (formerly Twitter). This app is now available in beta in Australia and select other countries. The Grok app offers several features, including:

• Real-time Data Access: It can pull information from the web and X, providing users with up-to-date responses.

• Generative AI Capabilities: Users can rewrite text, summarize lengthy content, engage in Q&A sessions, and generate images from text prompts.

• User-Friendly Design: The app aims to be a helpful assistant that is "maximally truthful, useful, and curious," allowing users to ask questions and explore various topics.

NVIDIA Unveils Palm-Sized Generative AI Powerhouse

NVIDIA has introduced the Jetson Orin Nano Super Developer Kit, a compact generative AI supercomputer that fits in the palm of your hand. This new device offers significant performance improvements at a reduced price of $249, down from $499. The kit delivers up to 1.7x increase in generative AI inference performance, 70% boost in overall performance to 67 INT8 TOPS, and 50% higher memory bandwidth at 102GB/s compared to its predecessor.

The Jetson Orin Nano Super is designed for a wide range of users, from commercial AI developers to hobbyists and students. It's ideal for creating LLM chatbots, building visual AI agents, or deploying AI-based robots. The kit includes an 8GB system-on-module with an NVIDIA Ampere architecture GPU and a 6-core Arm CPU, supporting up to four cameras with higher resolution and frame rates.

GitHub Introduces Free Copilot Access in Visual Studio Code

GitHub has launched a free tier for GitHub Copilot in Visual Studio Code, offering developers significant AI-powered coding assistance without any cost. Here are the key details: Free Plan Highlights:

• 2000 code completions per month (approximately 80 per working day)

• 50 chat requests per month

• Access to AI models: Claude 3.5 Sonnet and GPT-4o

• No trial, no subscription, no credit card required

ChatGPT Goes Mobile: Connect with AI at 1-800-CHATGPT

OpenAI has recently launched a new service allowing users in the U.S. to interact with ChatGPT via phone calls and WhatsApp messaging. The designated phone number is 1-800-CHATGPT (1-800-242-8478), enabling users to engage in voice conversations with the AI assistant for up to 15 minutes per month at no cost.

This service is available to anyone within the U.S. with a valid phone number, making it particularly beneficial for individuals without access to smartphones or high-speed internet. OpenAI aims to improve accessibility for various demographics, including older adults and those with disabilities.

Five Essential AI Trends to Watch in 2025

Google Cloud has released its 2025 AI Business Trends Report, highlighting five key ways artificial intelligence will shape businesses in the coming years. As AI continues to evolve, it's poised to revolutionize how companies operate, compete, and innovate.

• Multimodal AI: Enhancing Context

• AI Agents: Simplifying Complex Tasks

• Enhanced Enterprise Search

• Improved AI-Powered Customer Experiences

• AI-Enhanced Security Systems

And that's a wrap for this edition of AI Cohort. If you have liked the insights, reply to this newsletter - let's foster a vibrant community of AI enthusiasts. Stay curious, keep exploring!