Future of work

Sam Altman praises rapid AI adoption in India

OpenAI’s new GPT‑5 model has been unveiled, and the company offers it free to all users. Three model versions, gpt‑5, gpt‑5‑mini and gpt‑5‑nano, offer developers a balance of performance, cost and latency.

CEO Sam Altman applauded India’s rapid AI adoption and hinted that India, currently OpenAI’s second‑largest market, may soon become the largest. A visit to India is planned for September.

The new GPT‑5 achieves a level of expertise akin to a PhD‑level professional and is described as a meaningful step towards AGI. OpenAI intends to make the model notably accessible through its free tier.

Head of ChatGPT Nick Turley noted that GPT‑5 significantly enhances understanding across more than twelve Indian languages, reinforcing India as a key market for localisation.

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GPT-5 launch sparks backlash as OpenAI removes ChatGPT model choice

OpenAI has launched GPT-5, replacing previous ChatGPT models and removing the model picker option. CEO Sam Altman called it a PhD-level AI, claiming improvements in reasoning, writing, coding, accuracy, and health-related queries, with fewer hallucinations. The rollout followed right after the announcement.

GPT-5 includes both an efficient and a reasoning model, but users no longer choose which to engage, OpenAI’s system automatically routes queries. The change has frustrated many, as favourite models like GPT-4o and o3 are no longer available.

Users on social media and forums complain that GPT-5 gives shorter, less engaging answers and has less personality. Some say the model ignores instructions, gets basic things wrong, and is slower despite not running in ‘thinking mode’.

Several users allege OpenAI shortened responses deliberately to reduce costs, removing emotional intelligence to discourage casual chatting. Critics believe the move could result in lost subscriptions despite efficiency gains.

Others describe GPT-5 as more organised but clipped in tone, with no clear quality improvement over earlier models. The loss of previous models has left some feeling that the upgrade is a downgrade, with one user saying it feels like ‘watching a close friend die’.

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Microsoft Copilot launches GPT-5 Smart Mode for users

Microsoft has upgraded all its Copilot tools with OpenAI’s latest GPT-5 model, now available through a new Smart Mode.

The update brings enhanced speed and better performance across Microsoft 365 Copilot, Azure AI Foundry, GitHub Copilot, and the Windows AI chatbot pre-installed on PCs.

Users can try the Smart Mode via the Copilot website, which can be selected from a model selector below the text input. Notably, a Microsoft account is not required to use this new mode.

The Smart Mode rollout is gradual, and while not yet visible in the Windows Copilot app for everyone, early users have reported that GPT-5 delivers faster and more accurate responses compared to earlier models.

Unlike the free ChatGPT tier that limits queries and switches automatically to older versions after usage caps, Copilot offers fewer restrictions, allowing more extensive use.

Microsoft’s AI Red Team tested GPT-5 thoroughly before release, highlighting its strong safety profile and improved reasoning capabilities.

Microsoft 365 Copilot benefits from GPT-5’s advanced abilities to answer complex questions, maintain coherence over long conversations, assist with email replies, and analyse documents effectively.

GitHub Copilot has also been enhanced with GPT-5, significantly improving reasoning, code quality, and overall user experience. The upgrade positions Microsoft’s AI tools to support developers and professionals across multiple platforms better.

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GPT-5 launches with ‘PhD-level performance’

OpenAI has unveiled GPT-5, the latest generation of its widely used ChatGPT tool, offering what CEO Sam Altman described as a ‘huge improvement’ in capability.

Now free to all users, the model builds on previous versions but stops short of the human-like reasoning associated with accurate artificial general intelligence.

Altman compared the leap in performance to ‘talking to a PhD-level expert’ instead of a student.

While GPT-5 does not learn continuously from new experiences, it is designed to excel in coding, writing, healthcare and other specialist areas.

Industry observers say the release underscores the rapid acceleration in AI, with rivals such as Google, Meta, Microsoft, Amazon, and Elon Musk’s xAI investing heavily in the race. Chinese startup DeepSeek has also drawn attention for producing powerful models using less costly chips.

OpenAI has emphasised GPT-5’s safety features, with its research team training the system to avoid deception and prevent harmful outputs.

Alongside the flagship release, the company launched two open-weight models that can be freely downloaded and modified, a move seen as both a nod to its nonprofit origins and a challenge to competitors’ open-source offerings.

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Autonomous AI coding tool Jules now publicly available from Google

Google has released its autonomous coding agent Jules for free public use, offering AI-powered code generation, debugging, and optimisation. Built on the Gemini 2.5 Pro model, the tool completed a successful beta phase before entering general availability with both free and paid plans.

Jules supports a range of users, from developers to non-technical staff, automating tasks like building features or integrating APIs. The free version allows 15 tasks per day, while the Pro tier significantly raises the limits, providing access to more powerful tools.

Beta testing began in May 2025 and saw Jules process hundreds of thousands of tasks. Its new interface now includes visual explanations and bug fixes, refining usability. Integrated with GitHub and Gemini CLI, Jules can suggest optimisations, write tests, and even provide audio summaries.

Google positions Jules as a step beyond traditional code assistants by enabling autonomy. However, former researchers warn that oversight remains essential to avoid misuse, especially in sensitive systems where AI errors could be costly.

While its free tier may appeal to startups and hobbyists, concerns over code originality and job displacement persist. Nonetheless, Jules could reshape development workflows and lower barriers to coding for a much broader user base.

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Scientists use AI to teach drones to program themselves

A computer scientist has shown that robots can now write the brains of other robots, thanks to generative AI.

Professor Peter Burke from the University of California, Irvine, has demonstrated a drone capable of creating and hosting its own control system using AI-written code, significantly reducing the time usually needed to build such infrastructure.

The project used several AI models and coding tools to prompt the creation of a real-time, web-based command centre hosted on the drone itself. The final system, which runs on a Raspberry Pi Zero 2 W, allows the drone to operate independently while remaining accessible over the internet.

Unlike traditional systems, where ground control is handled externally, the drone manages its own mission planning and navigation through a built-in AI-generated website.

Burke’s team used tools such as Claude, Gemini, ChatGPT, Cursor, and Windsurf to build the system across several sprints. Despite context limitations in each model, the final version was completed in just over 100 hours, around twenty times faster than a previous project of similar complexity.

The final codebase consisted of 10,000 lines and included everything from flight commands to map-based interaction and GPS tracking.

Although the technology shows promising potential in fields like aerial imagery and spatial AI, experts have raised safety concerns.

While a manual override system was included in the experiment, the ability for robots to self-generate control logic introduces new ethical and operational challenges, especially as such systems evolve to operate in unpredictable environments.

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Endex brings AI to Excel with OpenAI Startup Fund support

Endex.ai has secured $14 million in funding to bring AI directly into Microsoft Excel. The funding round was led by the OpenAI Startup Fund, marking a significant moment for traditional tools in the business world.

Founded in 2022 by Tarun Amasa and Kevin Yang, the startup has spent the past year collaborating quietly with financial institutions to refine its product.

Now available to the public through limited invites, the tool embeds itself within Excel and helps users manage tasks like financial modelling, data cleanup, and detailed analysis (without switching applications).

Unlike broader AI tools, Endex has been designed specifically for finance professionals. It understands financial terminology, adapts to user habits, and references trusted data sources such as SEC filings, CapIQ, and earnings reports.

The company describes its product as Excel-native, aiming to enhance rather than replace a tool already deeply integrated into finance work.

With the new funding, Endex plans to expand development and scale its reach. The AI agent already works on both Mac and Windows, and its frictionless interface is proving attractive in a field where saving time and improving accuracy can make a substantial difference.

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Apple pledges $100 billion more to boost US chip production

Apple is increasing its domestic investment by an additional $100 billion, bringing its total commitment to US manufacturing to $600 billion over the next four years.

The announcement was made by CEO Tim Cook during a joint appearance with President Donald Trump at the White House, as the administration signals plans to impose steep tariffs on foreign-made semiconductors.

The investment includes a new American Manufacturing Program aimed at expanding US production of key Apple components, such as AI servers and rare earth magnets. Facilities are already under development in states including Texas, Kentucky, and Arizona.

Apple says the initiative will support 450,000 jobs across all 50 states and reduce reliance on overseas supply chains.

Apple’s expanded spending arrives amid criticism of its slow progress in AI. With its ‘Apple Intelligence’ software struggling for traction, and the recent departure of foundation model head Rouming Pang to Meta, the company is now shifting focus.

Cook confirmed that investment in AI infrastructure is accelerating, with data centres expanding in five states.

While Apple’s move has drawn praise for supporting American jobs, it has also stirred controversy. Some users expressed discontent with Cook’s public alignment with Trump, despite the strategic importance of avoiding tariffs.

Trump stated that companies investing in the US would not face the proposed import charges.

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Game developers fear job loss as Google unveils Genie 3

Google’s new AI model, Genie 3, can generate interactive game worlds from simple text prompts. It creates rich, explorable environments in minutes, which previously took developers weeks to build by hand.

The technology offers eye-catching scenarios like flying over mountains, exploring volcanoes, or swimming through deep oceans. Although the graphics still show AI hallmarks, the functionality is advanced enough to raise concerns across the game industry.

Many fear that Genie 3 could render traditional development tools, such as Unity and Unreal, less essential, especially for prototyping or indie games. With just a few words, AI can now build what teams of artists and designers once did.

Job losses driven by AI are already happening in other sectors. Customer support, design, and language learning platforms have replaced humans with bots. Game developers may be next in line as studios seek to cut costs.

Some players may continue to favour human-made games, but the pressure is growing. Genie 3 shows that AI is no longer just assisting developers; it’s beginning to replace them.

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Cyber Force proposal gains momentum in Washington

A new commission will begin work next month to explore creating a standalone Cyber Force as a military service. The Centre for Strategic and International Studies leads the effort in collaboration with the Cyber Solarium Commission 2.0.

The study responds to ongoing weaknesses in how the US military organises, trains and equips personnel for cyber operations. These shortcomings have prompted calls for a dedicated force with a focused mission.

The Cyber Force would aim to improve readiness and capability in the digital domain, mirroring the structure of other service branches. Cyber operations are seen as increasingly central to national security.

Details of the commission’s work will emerge in the coming months as discussions shape what such a force might look like.

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