OpenAI COO Talks Screenless Devices, OpenAI’s Strategy Document From 2024, Apple Appeals EU Interoperability Rules
Happy Tuesday.
My original plan to finalize Monday’s update after spending a few hours at the local amusement park for an end-of-year school event didn’t exactly go to plan. I can say with confidence that I have officially reached the “Dad probably should think twice about going on that ride” age. What was supposed to be Monday’s update is now ready. We will simply shift the updates back a day this week.
My new audio podcast, AVALON, launches today. The first episode will likely be out by time you read this email.
Based on a few incoming member questions regarding AVALON and Above Avalon membership, it’s worth clarifying a few things. Please bear with me as odds are good other members may have similar questions. I want to make sure this information is seen.
AVALON is my all-new, paid audio podcast ($10/month or $100/year) available as a standalone subscription. This means someone who isn’t an Above Avalon member can subscribe just to AVALON for $10/month or $100/year.
AVALON, my first unscripted podcast, is very different from these daily updates (officially called the Above Avalon Daily newsletter and the cornerstone of Above Avalon membership). The two utilize dramatically different creation processes and consumption patterns.
Listening to AVALON as a member. For Above Avalon members who are interested in listening to AVALON, to avoid needing to keep track of two different subscriptions, the podcast can be bundled with your Above Avalon membership at a special rate (just +$6/month or +$60/year). This isn’t too different from Above Avalon members bundling an Inside Orchard subscription with their membership at a special rate (just +$5/month or +$50/year).
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Let's jump into today's update with OpenAI.
OpenAI COO Talks Screenless Devices
Here’s the WSJ:
“OpenAI Chief Operating Officer Brad Lightcap said the AI revolution has ushered in an opportunity to create a new set of devices.
Lightcap, speaking at The Wall Street Journal’s Future of Everything event on Thursday, said that OpenAI is focused on building AI that is ‘truly personal.’
Right now, users access ChatGPT through web browsers and apps on a smartphone. OpenAI wants to build an ‘ambient computer layer’ that can detach people from always having to be looking at a screen, he said. ‘There’s a lot that we have to do to develop models to succeed in that environment.’
Lightcap said he has ‘no idea’ what device Chief Executive Sam Altman is working on with former Apple designer Jony Ive. The pair announced earlier this month that OpenAI is acquiring Ive’s company io in an all-equity deal that values it at $6.5 billion."
This 28-minute interview (available here via YouTube) provided a good summary of how OpenAI is thinking about business strategy. One reason the talk jumped out at me is Lightcap didn’t come across as trying to sell me something which is common in many AI-focused chats and talks.
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An audio version of this update is available to members who have the podcast add-on attached to their membership.
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