In partnership with
The Future of Shopping? AI + Actual Humans.
AI has changed how consumers shop by speeding up research. But one thing hasn’t changed: shoppers still trust people more than AI.
Levanta’s new Affiliate 3.0 Consumer Report reveals a major shift in how shoppers blend AI tools with human influence. Consumers use AI to explore options, but when it comes time to buy, they still turn to creators, communities, and real experiences to validate their decisions.
The data shows:
Only 10% of shoppers buy through AI-recommended links
87% discover products through creators, blogs, or communities they trust
Human sources like reviews and creators rank higher in trust than AI recommendations
The most effective brands are combining AI discovery with authentic human influence to drive measurable conversions.
Affiliate marketing isn’t being replaced by AI, it’s being amplified by it.
Good morning ☀️, leader of the next generation.
Sometimes we give technology too much credit or too much blame.
The truth is, it’s a tool. How we use it is what matters.
Used with purpose, it helps us see more clearly, build faster, and express ourselves in new ways.
It’s not about chasing trends. It’s about creating something real.
WHAT'S AT STAKE TODAY ⚡
- 🤖🏛️ OpenAI, Anthropic and Block join new Linux Foundation effort to standardize the AI agent era
- 🚗🤖 Rivian is building its own AI assistant
- 💻🎯 Why Cursor's CEO believes OpenAI, Anthropic competition won't crush his startup
- 💰🚀 B Capital founding partner Kabir Narang leaves to launch new investment platform
- 🧠🐦 Max Hodak is more worried about Twitter than brain-computer interface hacking
- ☁️🤖 CoreWeave CEO defends AI circular deals as 'working together'
Google introduces budget AI Plus subscription in India
Google launches sub-$5 AI Plus plan in India to compete with ChatGPT Go
Google has unveiled its budget-friendly AI Plus subscription plan in India, marking a strategic move to compete with OpenAI's affordable ChatGPT Go service in the world's most populous nation.
The tech giant is offering new Indian users the AI Plus plan at an introductory rate of ₹199 ($2.21) monthly for the first six months. After this promotional period, subscribers will pay ₹399 ($4.44) per month, maintaining the sub-$5 pricing strategy that has become crucial in price-sensitive markets.
The AI Plus subscription provides users with enhanced limits for Gemini 3 Pro and the image editing model Nano Banana Pro. Subscribers also gain access to video generation capabilities within the Gemini and Flow applications, expanded functionality for deep research in NotebookLM, and 200GB of cloud storage distributed across Google Photos, Drive, and Gmail. Additionally, the plan includes family sharing features, allowing subscribers to extend access to family members.
This launch represents a significant price reduction from Google's previous offerings in India. Before introducing AI Plus, the company's most affordable AI subscription was the AI Pro plan, priced at ₹1,950 ($21.69) monthly – nearly five times more expensive than the new offering.
However, Google's entry into budget AI subscriptions comes several months after competitors. The company initially launched the AI Plus plan in Indonesia in September before expanding to other markets. Meanwhile, OpenAI had already established its presence in the Indian market by debuting ChatGPT Go in August, subsequently rolling it out to additional countries.
OpenAI's ChatGPT Go plan offers users significantly enhanced capabilities compared to the free version, providing 10 times higher limits for messaging, image generation, and file uploads – all while maintaining similar sub-$5 pricing.
The competitive landscape in India has intensified as AI companies recognize the enormous potential of the country's vast user base. Companies have been employing aggressive promotional strategies to capture market share, often partnering with local telecommunications providers to offer attractive deals.
Perplexity made headlines by collaborating with telecom operator Airtel to provide its Pro plan free for an entire year to all Airtel customers. Not to be outdone, OpenAI extended its ChatGPT Go service free for a year to both existing subscribers and new users, demonstrating the lengths companies are willing to go to establish dominance in this crucial market.
Google has also embraced the partnership approach, teaming up with Reliance Jio, one of India's largest telecom operators. Through this collaboration, Google offers its premium AI Pro plan at no cost for 18 months to users subscribed to specific Jio carrier plans, effectively providing thousands of dollars worth of AI services for free.
These promotional strategies reflect the strategic importance of the Indian market for AI companies. With over 1.4 billion people and rapidly increasing internet penetration, India represents one of the largest untapped markets for AI services globally. The country's price-sensitive consumer base has forced international tech companies to develop India-specific pricing strategies that often differ significantly from their global offerings.
The timing of Google's AI Plus launch in India coincides with the broader global expansion of accessible AI tools. As artificial intelligence becomes increasingly mainstream, companies are focusing on making their services affordable and accessible to users in developing markets, recognizing that today's budget-conscious users could become tomorrow's premium subscribers.
The success of these budget AI plans in India will likely influence pricing strategies in other emerging markets, potentially setting new standards for how AI companies approach global expansion and market penetration.
Dresser leaves Slack leadership to join OpenAI revenue team
Slack CEO Denise Dresser to join OpenAI as chief revenue officer
OpenAI has appointed Slack CEO Denise Dresser as its new chief revenue officer. After 14+ years at Salesforce, Dresser will lead OpenAI's enterprise revenue strategy and customer success initiatives.
The hire comes as OpenAI seeks profitability while expanding AI tools across industries. Dresser previously oversaw AI feature development at Slack. Rob Seaman, Slack's chief product officer, will serve as interim CEO. This follows OpenAI's recent executive additions, including former Instacart CEO Fidji Simo.
🎙️ NEW EPISODE DROP:
Inventing the Future with Pablos Holman
I sat down with Pablos Holman — hacker, inventor, futurist, and founder of Deep Future — for one of the most mind-expanding conversations I’ve ever had.
We talked about using AI to solve real problems, what most entrepreneurs get completely wrong, and how Pablos has spent his career inventing the tools of tomorrow — from laser-powered mosquito killers to nuclear reactors powered by waste.
If you care about the future, technology, or building what others say is impossible — this episode is for you.
⚡ Trends for the Future
Cashew Research is going after the $90B market research industry with AI
AI-powered startup makes market research faster and affordable.
The $90 billion market research industry is ripe for disruption, and Calgary-based Cashew Research believes AI is the key to transformation. The startup uses artificial intelligence to develop customized market research plans and surveys for brands, then collects data from real people and uses AI to analyze and summarize findings.
Cashew recently won the Enterprise Stage pitch competition at TechCrunch Disrupt, standing out among 200 startups in the Startup Battlefield competition. The company positions itself as a middle ground between expensive traditional research firms and generic AI-generated insights from existing internet data.
CEO and co-founder Addy Graves, who has over a decade of market research experience, identified the problem when clients consistently requested full research projects completed within days - something previously impossible with traditional methods. "It wasn't until the onset of AI that we were actually able to automate these processes," Graves explained.
The automation doesn't just speed up research; it dramatically reduces costs, making market research accessible to small and medium-sized brands that previously couldn't afford traditional firms. Founded in 2023 alongside COO Rose Wong, Cashew initially focused on consumer packaged goods, particularly food and beverage sectors.
What sets Cashew apart in the crowded AI marketing tools space is its hybrid approach - combining automation with fresh human data collection. The company builds a competitive advantage by anonymizing and storing real-world data from client projects, creating a proprietary database that enhances future research.
Having raised C$1.5 million in pre-seed funding, Cashew plans to launch a seed round in early 2026, targeting up to $5 million for continued product development. The company's 2025 priorities include expanding its U.S. presence and building its B2B business.
Graves sees enormous potential beyond existing research buyers: "We're actually creating this new category for marketers to gain access to answers to these questions that they've had" but couldn't previously afford or execute quickly enough.
⚡ You’re Smart. Strategic. Intentional. So Let’s Be Real:
Where Are You Holding Back— On Purpose?
Every smart operator has something they’re intentionally avoiding.
Not because they’re lazy — but because it’s risky, unknown, or just... a bit *uncomfortable*.
So what’s that thing for you?
That one decision, move, or experiment you know would push you forward — but you’ve been choosing not to do it.
Tell us — and we’ll share a tactical POV or tool to help you rethink it.
No fluff. Just momentum.
AI represents the ultimate amplifier of human potential, giving us unprecedented power to solve complex challenges and create innovations that benefit all of humanity.
Travis Kalanick is the co-founder and former CEO of Uber, where he pioneered the ride-sharing revolution that transformed urban transportation and created economic opportunities for millions of drivers worldwide. His entrepreneurial vision disrupted the traditional taxi industry and changed how people think about mobility and the sharing economy, though his journey also highlighted the importance of balancing rapid innovation with corporate culture and ethical leadership in building sustainable technology companies.
🎬 How to Use AI Agents to Build High-Converting Video Ads
Build once. Scale everywhere. In just minutes.
What if: Instead of spending weeks scripting, editing, and testing ads… you could build 10 variations of a high-converting video in 15 minutes — with agents handling the voiceover, visuals, call-to-action, and even the hook testing?
That’s exactly what we’ll show you this week — live.
Why This Changes Everything for Founders 🧠
- 🎥 Fast-Track Ad Creation: From idea to launch-ready video in under an hour — no team needed.
- 🔁 Test Like a Pro: Run A/B tests on 10 hooks, CTAs, or visuals — while you sleep.
- 💰 Better ROAS, Less Guessing: Let agents learn what your audience *actually* responds to.
- 📦 Works for Any Product: Digital or physical — agents adapt to your niche & brand voice.
📅 Join the Live Session w code Supercharged
We’ll walk you step-by-step through building your own ad-generating agent — no code needed.
👉 Click here to save your seat for the webinar
You’ll leave with a working prototype, free templates, and 5x more speed in your next ad campaign.
🎁 Bonus for Attendees:
- ✅ AI Agent Template for Ad Generation
- ✅ "Top 10 Hooks That Convert" Prompt Pack
- ✅ Entry to win a Free AI Strategy Audit
🌡️ Use the Satisfaction Thermometer to show us how much you enjoyed The Supercharged today ;)
The Supercharged is aiming to be the world's #1 AI business magazine and is on a mission to empower 1,000,000 entrepreneurs worldwide by 2025, guiding them through the transition into the AI-driven creative age. We're dedicated to breaking down complex technologies, sharing actionable insights, and fostering a community that thrives on innovation, to become the ultimate resource for businesses navigating the AI revolution.
The Supercharged is the #1 AI Newsletter for Entrepreneurs, with 25,000 + readers working at the world’s leading startups and enterprises. The Supercharged is free for the readers. Main ads are typically sold out 2 weeks in advance. You can book future ad spots here.
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