Welcome back to Week in Review. This week we’re diving into OpenAI’s newest, biggest model GPT-4.5, Microsoft pulling the plug on Skype, how Anthropic used Pokémon Red to train its Claude 3.7 Sonnet model, the unexpected return of Fyre Festival, and more! Let’s get into it.
OpenAI announced the launch of GPT-4.5, the much-anticipated AI model code-named Orion. GPT-4.5 is OpenAI’s largest model to date, trained using more computing power and data than any of the company’s previous releases. CEO Sam Altman even said that OpenAI was forced to stagger the model’s rollout because the company is “out of GPUs.” Subscribers to the $200-a-month ChatGPT Pro plan have access to GPT-4.5 as part of a research preview, while ChatGPT Plus and ChatGPT Team customers should get the model sometime next week.
A demo from Y Combinator cohort member Optifye.ai sparked intense backlash that resulted in YC deleting it entirely from its social media. According to its YC profile, Optifye says it’s building software to help factory owners know who is and isn’t working in “real time” thanks to AI-powered security cameras it places on assembly lines. The clip was heavily criticized on X, where user @VCBrags called it “sweatshops-as-a-service” and another deemed it “computer vision sweatshop software.”
Amazon introduced a new and improved Alexa experience called Alexa+. The new Alexa starts at $19.99 per month, which is competitive with other generative AI chatbots on the market, but it will be free for Amazon Prime subscribers. Alexa+ will roll out in the U.S. in early access beginning next month. Amazon is also launching Alexa.com, a new web experience designed for “long-form” work, as well as a refreshed Alexa mobile app with a new interface and functionality.
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RIP, Skype: Microsoft is pulling the plug on Skype, marking t …