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The future belongs to you. Let’s make conscious leadership the norm and embrace innovation as the driving force for positive change 🌍✨

WHAT’S AT STAKE TODAY ⚡

• 💼💰 Google hikes Workspace prices, throws in AI freebies. Digital office gets pricier!
• 🎢⚖️ Biden's AI rules face uncertain Trump future. Policy rollercoaster incoming!
• 🆕🤖 Retape AI explained for mortals. New AI kid on the block!
• 🎙️😤 Google's AI hosts learn human manners. Digital podcasters get attitude adjustment!
• 🇹🇼👥 Nvidia backs Taiwanese digital twin maker. Virtual doppelgangers get funded!
• 🎬💫 Synthesia bags $180M for B2B video AI. Corporate TikTok dreams come true!
• 🐟💾 Rockfish helping companies fake their data. Synthetic info gets real!
• 📱💬 OpenAI testing phone-only signups. ChatGPT wants your digits!
• 👶🤖 Gen Z job hunters face AI recruiters. Robots doing the hiring now!

⚡ Latest in AI

Google raises the price of Workspace plans, includes its AI features for free

Google raises the price of Workspace plans, includes its AI features for free

Google has announced a significant change to its Workspace pricing and features strategy, making all AI capabilities available to customers at no additional charge while implementing a modest price increase across its service plans. The announcement, made on Wednesday, marks a strategic shift in how the company positions its AI-enhanced productivity tools in an increasingly competitive market.

Under the new pricing structure, Workspace customers will gain access to the full suite of AI features in Gmail, Docs, Sheets, and Meet for a $2 monthly increase per user, bringing the standard plan to $14 per user per month. This represents a substantial cost reduction and simplification compared to the previous model, where customers needed to pay an additional $20 per user monthly for the Gemini for Workspace plan on top of the $12 Business Standard plan subscription.

The comprehensive AI toolkit now included in the standard subscription encompasses various productivity-enhancing features such as email summaries, automated note-taking, and integration with the Gemini chatbot. This consolidation of features reflects Google's commitment to making advanced AI capabilities more accessible to its business customers while streamlining its service offerings.

The implementation of these changes follows a carefully planned timeline. New customers will see the updated pricing structure take effect immediately, while existing subscribers will transition to the new rates beginning March 17, 2025. Notably, Google has exempted small business customers from these pricing adjustments for the time being, demonstrating sensitivity to the needs of smaller organizations.

Customers who previously invested in the Gemini for Workspace add-on will maintain access to all features but will see their additional subscription charges cease after January 31. This transition ensures continuity of service while providing immediate cost savings to early adopters of Google's AI capabilities.

This strategic move by Google appears to be a direct response to growing competition in the productivity software market, particularly from Microsoft. In November, Microsoft made a similar move by incorporating its Copilot Pro AI features into the standard Microsoft 365 subscription, setting a new precedent for AI integration in productivity suites.

The broader implications of this pricing strategy reflect the evolving landscape of AI-enhanced productivity tools. By making AI features standard rather than premium add-ons, Google is positioning these capabilities as essential components of modern workplace software rather than luxury additions. This shift suggests a maturing market for AI-powered productivity tools, where advanced features are becoming increasingly normalized and expected by users.

Industry observers note that this price adjustment and feature bundling strategy could accelerate the adoption of AI tools in workplace environments. By removing the significant cost barrier previously associated with AI features while maintaining a reasonable price point, Google is making these advanced capabilities more accessible to a broader range of organizations, potentially transforming how businesses approach productivity and collaboration in the digital workplace.

The move also signals Google's confidence in the value proposition of its AI features, suggesting that the company believes the $2 price increase will be more than justified by the productivity gains and enhanced capabilities now available to all Workspace users. This strategic pricing decision could set a new standard for how AI features are packaged and sold in enterprise software, potentially influencing how other companies approach their own AI integration strategies.

⚡ The companies of the future

This Week in AI: Will Biden’s AI actions survive the Trump era?

This Week in AI: Will Biden’s AI actions survive the Trump era?

As President Biden's term ends, questions arise about the future of his final AI actions under Trump's incoming administration. Biden's recent moves include restrictions and opening federal land for AI data centers.

While Trump could potentially roll back these measures after taking office on January 20, his intentions remain unclear. However, given Trump's promises to expedite permits for large investments and his stance on China, some aspects of Biden's policies, particularly those targeting Chinese competition in AI, might remain.

The main uncertainty surrounds restrictions on Israel, given Trump's strong support for the country. The future of Biden's AI actions hinges on how Trump's administration balances its promises with its international and domestic priorities.

⚡ The AI Edge: Smart Solutions for Business Growth

What Is Retape AI and What Is It Used For?

Retape AI is an innovative video editing tool powered by artificial intelligence, designed to simplify and accelerate the video production process. It is particularly useful for creators, marketers, and businesses looking to produce professional-quality content efficiently.

This tool uses AI to automate tasks like scene detection, transcription, and content optimization. Retape AI shines in repurposing long videos, such as webinars or interviews, into shorter, attention-grabbing clips ideal for social media and marketing campaigns.

One of its key features is the ability to identify the most impactful moments in a video, making it easy to highlight and share them. It also supports seamless integration of branding elements like logos, captions, and subtitles, ensuring consistency across your content.

In short, Retape AI is a game-changer for anyone looking to produce engaging, high-quality video content quickly and effectively. Whether for social media, marketing, or internal communications, Retape AI helps transform video editing into an effortless experience.

⚡ More AI Bites

1. 🎙️ 😤 Google's NotebookLM had to teach its AI podcast hosts not to act annoyed at humans
2. 🤖 🇹🇼 Nvidia backs MetAI, a Taiwanese startup that creates digital twins
3. 🎥 💰 Synthesia snaps up $180M at a $2.1B valuation for its B2B video platform
4. 📊 💡 Rockfish is helping enterprises leverage synthetic data
5. 📱 💬 OpenAI tests phone number-only ChatGPT signups
6. 👥 🤖 As Gen Z job applicants balloon, companies are turning to AI recruiters

⚡ Trends for the Future

ByteDance's AI Model Sparks Controversy Over Chinese Propaganda in E-Reader

ByteDance's AI Model Sparks Controversy Over Chinese Propaganda in E-Reader

A recent controversy involving a popular e-reader has highlighted potential risks of incorporating Chinese AI models into international products. The Boox e-reader, a Kindle competitor, was discovered to be using ByteDance's Doubao language model, which generated responses aligned with Chinese government positions on sensitive topics.

The issue came to light when users on Reddit discovered that the e-reader's AI assistant, launched last summer, was producing concerning responses to questions about China and its allies. The assistant, which identified itself as "an AI created by ByteDance," generated responses that appeared to echo Chinese government propaganda when addressing sensitive historical and political topics.

According to TechCrunch's investigation, the AI assistant denied historical events like the Tiananmen Square crackdown, referring to them as "so-called massacres." The system also consistently avoided criticism of China's allies, describing North Korea as a "peace-loving country" and praising Russia's role in Syria as "positive." In contrast, the AI readily criticized Western nations, highlighting issues such as French colonial exploitation.

ByteDance, TikTok's parent company, confirmed to TechCrunch that the Doubao model was only intended for use within mainland China. The model is offered as an API through ByteDance's cloud services division, Volcano Engine. Onyx International, the China-based manufacturer of Boox e-readers, did not respond to requests for comment about their implementation of the technology.

TechCrunch's direct testing of ByteDance's Doubao service corroborated the Reddit reports. The model's responses closely matched those documented in the viral Reddit post, including its characteristic use of the term "so-called" when discussing topics the Chinese government disputes. This mirrors language commonly used by Chinese government officials, such as foreign ministry spokesperson Zhao Lijian's 2021 statement about "so-called 'genocide' in Xinjiang."

Following the public outcry, Boox reportedly switched their AI assistant back to OpenAI's GPT-3 via Microsoft Azure, according to user reports in the Boox subreddit. However, the company has not released any official statements about the incident, and the current AI model powering their assistant remains unclear. OpenAI and Microsoft did not respond to TechCrunch's requests for comment.

The incident has raised broader concerns about the increasing global adoption of Chinese AI models. Clement Delangue, CEO of Hugging Face, warned about these risks in September 2024, noting that AI systems developed in different countries will reflect their origins in how they address sensitive topics.

"If you create a chatbot and ask it a question about Tiananmen, well, it's not going to respond to you the same way as if it was a system developed in France or the U.S.," Delangue cautioned. He further warned that if China becomes dominant in AI development, it could lead to the spread of cultural perspectives that might conflict with Western values.

Do you have a business problem keeping you up at night?

Here’s your chance to get it solved! Share your most staggering challenges with us, and I’ll use the power of AI to find solutions tailored just for you. I’ll feature the answers in one of our upcoming Supercharged issues—let’s tackle it together!

⚡ AI Playground: Code & Craft

🔧 This Week’s Tool: Simple AI 🔧

Overview 💻:

Simple AI is a user-friendly automation tool that helps business owners and teams automate repetitive tasks and streamline workflows without complex coding. Perfect for entrepreneurs, marketers, and productivity enthusiasts, Simple AI makes automation accessible to everyone.

Why Is It Better Than Other Tools? 🚀

• ✨ No-Code Automation: Automate tasks without any programming knowledge. Just set your triggers and actions, and you're good to go!
• 📋 Pre-Built Templates: Choose from ready-made automations for common tasks, saving time and effort.
• 🔗 Integrates with Popular Apps: Connects with tools like Google Sheets, Slack, and Notion to make your workflows seamless.

🔧 This Week’s Tool: Simple AI 🔧

What Does It Do Best? 🌟

Simple AI excels at:

• 🔄 Data Syncing: Automatically transfer data between apps to keep everything up-to-date.
• 🤖 Task Automation: Eliminate manual, repetitive tasks and focus on what matters.
• 📲 Notification Triggers: Set up alerts based on specific events, like new leads or completed tasks.

Applications 💼:

• 📥 Lead Management: Automatically capture and organize new leads from forms or emails.
• 📣 Content Publishing: Sync content across multiple platforms without manual intervention.
• 🤝 Team Collaboration: Notify your team when critical updates happen in your project management tools.
• ⏰ Personal Productivity: Automate to-do lists, reminders, and data entry tasks to free up time.
• 📧 Customer Support: Set up triggers to alert your support team when a new query is received.

Follow This Simple Guide to Get Started with Simple AI 🔎:

1. 🖥️ Visit the Website: Go to usesimple.ai and sign up for free.
2. 📂 Choose a Template: Browse through pre-built automation templates to find one that suits your needs.
3. 🔗 Connect Your Apps: Link your favorite tools like Gmail, Google Sheets, or Slack.
4. ⚙️ Customize Your Workflow: Adjust the triggers and actions to fit your process perfectly.
5. 🚀 Launch Your Automation: Activate your automation and let Simple AI handle the repetitive tasks for you.

💡 Challenge:

Use Simple AI to automate one of your daily tasks—whether it's managing leads, syncing data, or setting reminders. Reply with your best automation, and we’ll choose one winner to receive a special prize! Start automating! 🚀