Good morning ☀️, leader of the next gen.

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 ⚡

• 💰😱 OpenAI planning $20K monthly AI agent pricing. Premium robots come with premium price tags!
• 🔍👷‍♂️ Scale AI under US labor investigation. Government giving AI labelers a closer look!
• 🗣️✨ NaturalReader enters the spotlight. Another AI tool wants attention!
• 🎬🌍 Prime Video testing AI dubbing technology. Movies going multilingual with robots!
• 💣🚫 Schmidt argues against AGI Manhattan Project. Tech billionaire wants more chill approach!
• 💻🤫 Quarter of YC startups using AI-generated code. Silicon Valley's dirty little secret!
• 🦸‍♂️🛡️ Crogl bags $30M for security analyst AI. Digital Iron Man suit for cyber defenders!
• 📜🏛️ Anthropic submits AI policy ideas to White House. Claude maker wants robot rules!
• 🔄🚀 Google co-founder launches new AI startup. Larry Page returns for second act!

⚡ Latest in AI

OpenAI reportedly plans to charge up to $20,000 a month for specialized AI ‘agents’

OpenAI reportedly plans to charge up to $20,000 a month for specialized AI ‘agents’

OpenAI is reportedly developing a suite of specialized AI "agents" with premium pricing that could reach up to $20,000 per month for the most advanced offerings, according to a report from The Information. This strategic move signals the company's push toward enterprise-focused AI solutions and its quest for sustainable revenue streams amid mounting operational costs.

The planned agent lineup includes multiple tiers designed for specific professional applications, with pricing structured according to capability levels and target markets. At the lower end, an agent designed for "high-income knowledge workers" will reportedly be priced at approximately $2,000 monthly. A more specialized offering focused on software development capabilities is expected to command around $10,000 per month. The premium tier, priced at the headline-grabbing $20,000 monthly fee, will reportedly support "PhD-level research" activities.

These specialized agents represent a significant evolution from OpenAI's current consumer and enterprise offerings. Unlike ChatGPT and its API services, which provide general-purpose capabilities across a range of tasks, these agents would be optimized for specific professional workflows and domains. The software development agent, for instance, would likely offer advanced capabilities for code generation, debugging, and software architecture design that go beyond what's currently available in the company's existing products.

Financial pressures appear to be a driving factor behind the premium pricing strategy. OpenAI reportedly lost approximately $5 billion in 2024, primarily due to the substantial computational infrastructure required to operate its services. The company's flagship models require massive GPU clusters that represent both significant capital investments and ongoing operational expenses. These specialized agents, which would likely require even more computational resources per user than standard ChatGPT, necessitate premium pricing to achieve profitability.

Competition in the AI agent space is intensifying rapidly. Google recently launched its Gemini Advanced AI agent for a comparatively modest $20 per month, though this product targets consumers rather than enterprises. Anthropic has been developing its "Claude Agents" technology, which could compete more directly with OpenAI's enterprise offerings. Meanwhile, specialized AI startups focusing on particular professions or industries continue to proliferate, many building on top of OpenAI's own API.

Timing for the launch of these premium agents remains uncertain, as does the qualification process for potential customers. The Information's report suggests that initial availability may be limited to select enterprise customers with established use cases and integration capabilities. This controlled rollout would allow OpenAI to refine the agents' capabilities while ensuring reliable performance before broader availability.

As OpenAI continues its transition from research lab to commercial enterprise, these premium offerings highlight the inherent tension between democratizing access to advanced AI and building a sustainable business. Whether the market will support such premium pricing for AI agents remains to be seen, but the strategy clearly signals OpenAI's belief in the substantial value these specialized systems could deliver to enterprise customers.

⚡ The companies of the future

Scale AI is being investigated by the US Department of Labor

Scale AI Investigation

The US Department of Labor is investigating AI data-labeling company Scale AI for compliance with the Fair Labor Standards Act, an investigation that has been active since at least August 2024. The $13.8 billion startup faces scrutiny over potential unpaid wages and employee misclassification issues.

Scale AI has also been hit with two recent lawsuits from former workers alleging underpayment and improper contractor classification. The company denies any wrongdoing, stating it ensures pay rates meet local living wage standards and that its platform provides flexible work opportunities to hundreds of thousands of people.

Why it matters: As AI companies grow, regulatory scrutiny over labor practices is intensifying, raising important questions about fair pay and worker classification in the digital gig economy.

⚡ The AI Edge: Smart Solutions for Business Growth

What is NaturalReader Used For?

NaturalReader is a text-to-speech application that converts written content into spoken audio. It supports multiple voices in over 25 languages, including AI-powered emotional voices and custom voice creation.

Many people use NaturalReader to improve accessibility, making it easier for individuals with reading difficulties or visual impairments to consume written content. It also helps boost productivity by allowing users to listen to text while multitasking. Some rely on it to enhance learning through auditory input, which can improve comprehension and retention. Others use it to reduce eye strain by offering an alternative to prolonged screen reading.

Language learners benefit from its ability to assist with pronunciation and listening skills. Additionally, content creators and professionals use NaturalReader to generate voiceovers for videos, presentations, and other commercial projects.

With high-quality voices and cross-device compatibility, NaturalReader is a versatile tool for anyone who prefers listening over reading.

⚡ More AI Bites

1. 🎬 🗣️ Prime Video tests AI dubbing for select movies and TV series.
2. 💭 ⚛️ Eric Schmidt argues against a 'Manhattan Project' for AGI.
3. 💻 🤖 A quarter of startups in YC's current cohort have codebases that are almost entirely AI-generated.
4. 🛡️ 💪 Crogl, armed with $30M, says it's built an AI 'Iron Man suit' for security analysts.
5. 📋 🏛️ Anthropic submits AI policy recommendations to the White House.
6. 🚀 👨‍💻 Google co-founder Larry Page reportedly has a new AI startup.

⚡ Trends for the Future

Faireez Secures $7.5M to Bring AI-Enhanced Hotel-Style Housekeeping to Rental Properties

Faireez AI Housekeeping Service

The details:

Faireez, a startup aiming to provide "5-star hotel-style housekeeping" to multifamily buildings, has emerged from stealth with $7.5 million in seed funding. The New York-based company, founded in 2023, revealed the funding exclusively to TechCrunch.

The startup offers a subscription model where each multifamily property is assigned a dedicated housekeeper—called a "fairy"—who provides personalized cleaning services to subscribed residents. Faireez's platform allows residents in high-rise apartments or condos to book cleaning appointments through its website or app, with the distinctive feature of booking by specific tasks rather than hourly rates. Users can schedule services such as daily dish washing or weekly floor mopping.

While declining to reveal specific revenue figures, co-founders Omer Agiv and Ori Fingerer said the company has established relationships with "top 50 property management companies and landlords" across four states: New York, New Jersey, Florida, and Illinois. These partners, which include Silverstein Properties, Charney Companies, First Service Residential, Ironstate, and BNE, collectively manage approximately one million multifamily units.

Artificial intelligence plays a central role in Faireez's service model. The company has developed an AI-powered auto-scan technology that analyzes residents' homes through video to create customized cleaning plans—a feature set to launch later this year. "That dynamic pricing will turn housekeeping into a SKU-based service so that there is a price tag for every chore," Fingerer explained. "Our engine will price the chore by size and that will change based on supply and demand."

The startup has also implemented an AI quality assurance system that uses time-stamped photos to document each cleaning visit. These before-and-after images are analyzed by AI for quality control and shared with clients through real-time notifications.

Rather than employing cleaners directly, Faireez partners with established professional cleaning companies, selecting what it describes as "the top 5% of employees" from those companies to serve as fairies. The startup provides these workers with standardized protocols, uniforms, and equipment. According to Faireez, these fairies earn 30-40% more than the market average and are eligible for bonuses.

"The same fairy comes every time so that builds an element of trust," Agiv said. "And we use an AI-based image engine to make sure that the chores are performed the same way every time. Consistency is very important."

Looking ahead, Faireez plans to introduce robotic companions in the coming months to assist fairies with basic chores. The company envisions housekeepers in locations like Mexico remotely operating these robotic assistants in U.S. homes. Its ambitious goal is to service one million multifamily units by 2030.

The company currently employs 12 people and plans to use the new capital for technology research and development, as well as U.S. expansion. Faireez intends to move into four additional states in 2026, with the West Coast under consideration, though specific locations weren't disclosed.

This venture represents a second collaboration for the founders, who previously started WeissBeerger, an Israeli data company for the beer industry that was acquired by Anheuser-Busch for $80 million in 2018. "Both companies are examples of bringing high tech into a low-tech space," Fingerer noted. "And when you look at the thing that people are spending time on, you find that daily chores are one of them. The average American spends 4.2 years throughout their lifetime doing chores."

What makes this crucial: Aristagora VC led the seed round, with participation from Longevity Venture Partners, Hetz Ventures, Secret Chord Ventures, RE Angels, NFX founding partner Gigi Levy-Weiss, and others. Moshe Sarfati, managing partner at Aristagora VC, expressed confidence in Faireez's potential, stating that he believes the company is "revolutionizing a 1,000-year-old industry" and has "what it takes to be a game changer in this 'blue ocean space of residential buildings' amenities."

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: Boost Your Business Efficiency 🤖

🔧 This Week’s Tool: Microsoft Power Platform 🔧

Overview: Microsoft Power Platform is a suite of low-code development tools that enables users to build custom business applications, automate workflows, and analyze data. Designed to be accessible to users with varying levels of technical expertise, it empowers organizations to streamline processes and gain insights from their data. 🚀

Why Is It Better Than Other Tools? ✨

• ⚡ Integration: Seamlessly integrates with other Microsoft services like Azure, Dynamics 365, and Teams, as well as third-party applications.
• 🤖 Low-Code Development: Allows users to create applications and automate processes with minimal coding, reducing development time and costs.
• 📊 Comprehensive Suite: Combines data analysis, app development, and process automation in one platform, providing a holistic solution for business needs.

What Does It Do Best? 🌟

• 🛠️ Custom App Development: Empowers users to build tailored applications that address specific business challenges.
• 🔄 Process Automation: Streamlines repetitive tasks and workflows, enhancing operational efficiency.
• 📈 Data Analysis: Provides powerful tools for visualizing and analyzing data, facilitating informed decision-making.

Applications 💼:

• 📊 Business Intelligence: Analyze sales data to identify trends and opportunities.
• 📝 Project Management: Develop custom tools to track project progress and resource allocation.
• 💼 Customer Relationship Management: Create applications to manage customer interactions and data.
• 🔧 Operational Efficiency: Automate routine tasks such as data entry and report generation.
• 🌐 Website Development: Build low-code websites to enhance online presence and customer engagement.

Follow This Simple Guide to Get Started with Microsoft Power Platform:

1. 🌐 Visit the Website: Go to Microsoft Power Platform and explore the available tools.
2. 🛠️ Choose a Tool: Select from Power BI, Power Apps, Power Automate, or Power Pages based on your business needs.
3. 📚 Learn and Experiment: Utilize tutorials and resources to understand how to use the selected tool effectively.
4. 🚀 Implement Solutions: Start building applications, automating processes, or analyzing data to address your business challenges.
5. 🔄 Iterate and Improve: Continuously refine your solutions based on feedback and evolving business requirements.

Microsoft Power Platform is your comprehensive solution for enhancing business processes and driving innovation. 🌟

💡 Challenge: Identify a repetitive task in your business and use Microsoft Power Platform to automate it. Share your experience by replying to this email for a chance to win a special prize! 🎁 Start transforming your business processes today! 🚀