It’s time for Bits & Bytes…

… where we bring you news, innovations, and thought-provoking insights from AI, IT, and beyond. In this week’s newsletter we’re looking at:

• Google Makes AI Free with a Price Twist

• OpenAI Evolve from Chat to Tasks

• Meta’s Secret LibGen Training Exposed

IN THE SPOTLIGHT

💰 Google Makes AI Free, But There’s a Catch

Google is democratizing AI access by including all Workspace AI features at no extra charge, eliminating the previous $20 monthly Gemini Business fee. However, this comes with a price increase of $2 per user across all Workspace plans, as the tech giant races to compete with Microsoft in the AI-powered office suite battle.

The strategic move puts powerful tools like email summaries, automated note-taking, and the Gemini bot in everyone’s hands, marking a significant shift in how AI features are being monetized in enterprise software.

TL;DR

• AI features now included in basic Workspace plans.

• Base subscription increases from $12 to $14.

• Follows Microsoft’s similar move with Copilot.

TECH HEADLINES FROM ACROSS THE WEB

📚 Meta’s AI Training Scandal Exposed

Meta’s internal documents reveal the company used book piracy site LibGen to train its AI models, with direct approval from Mark Zuckerberg. The leaked emails show Meta deliberately hid copyright information while racing to compete with OpenAI, highlighting the desperate measures tech giants are taking to feed their AI models amid a growing data scarcity.

🤖 ChatGPT Gets Personal Assistant Features

OpenAI is transforming ChatGPT into a virtual assistant with its new Tasks feature, allowing Plus and Pro subscribers to schedule reminders and recurring actions. While the beta launch suggests ambitious plans for autonomous AI agents, including projects codenamed “Operator” and “Caterpillar,” the company is starting cautiously with basic scheduling capabilities.

⚡ Microsoft Launches Pay-Per-Use AI Agents

Microsoft unveils a free-plus-metered version of its 365 Copilot Chat, offering enterprise customers access to AI agents without the full $30 monthly subscription. The move comes as major tech companies pivot towards practical AI agents, with Anthropic, OpenAI, and Google all racing to deploy task-specific AI solutions.

TECH FOR GOOD

⚕️Movano’s AI Chatbot Promises 99% Medical Accuracy

Movano is revolutionizing health tech with EvieAI, a medical chatbot trained exclusively on peer-reviewed journals and FDA-approved sources. Unlike typical AI assistants, this bounded LLM focuses solely on verified medical information, updated monthly with new research, while prioritizing user privacy and avoiding diagnostic claims. The free tool, launching first to Evie Ring users, aims to help people better prepare for doctor visits and understand health concerns without falling into misinformation traps.

Interested in contributing a story to next week’s tech newsletter? Hit us up and let’s collab 💥

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