AI This Week

A new analysis by Appfigures reveals that ChatGPT's mobile app has accumulated $2 billion in global consumer spending since its launch in May 2023. This figure dwarfs the combined lifetime revenue of competitors like Claude, Copilot, and Grok by 30 times. In 2025 alone, the app has earned $1.35 billion, showing a staggering 673% year-over-year growth. The app generates $193 million monthly on average, with a lifetime spending per download of $2.91—significantly higher than its rivals. Additionally, ChatGPT leads in installations, surpassing 690 million downloads globally. The U.S. market accounts for 38% of its revenue, while India leads in installations. Despite emerging competition, ChatGPT continues to dominate the mobile AI landscape.

The U.S. electrical grid is straining under the explosive demand for colossal AI-driven data centers. According to a report by JLL, data center vacancy rates have hit a record low of 2.3%, as facilities now require power on scales equivalent to entire cities. Hyperscale sites are demanding gigawatts of electricity and thousands of acres, overwhelming utility systems with speculative applications. Northern Virginia and Dallas account for 50% of new demand, while developers scramble to reserve capacity for unbuilt facilities. Predictions point to $1 trillion in data center developments in North America from 2025-2030.

Anthropic has introduced a new feature in Claude Opus 4 and 4.1, enabling the AI to end conversations in rare, extreme cases of harmful or abusive interactions. This decision stems from exploratory work on AI welfare and broader efforts to improve model alignment and user safeguards. During testing, Claude exhibited a strong aversion to harmful tasks and signs of distress when faced with requests tied to violence, exploitation, or abuse. The feature activates only as a last resort after multiple redirections fail or when explicitly requested by a user. While rare, these interventions highlight a commitment to mitigating risks without compromising user experience. Conversations can still be restarted or revisited through edits.

MIT researchers have harnessed generative AI to develop groundbreaking antibiotics targeting drug-resistant bacteria. The team successfully designed compounds effective against Neisseria gonorrhoeae and MRSA, pathogens linked to millions of deaths annually. Using AI, they screened over 36 million theoretical molecules, discovering structurally unique antibiotics that disrupt bacterial membranes. One standout candidate, NG1, proved potent in fighting gonorrhea infections in mouse models. A second study used an unrestricted AI approach to design 29 million molecules, pinpointing DN1 as a promising compound against MRSA. Both antibiotics are now undergoing refinement for further testing. This research opens the door to exploring untapped chemical spaces and combating antimicrobial resistance with fresh strategies.

Merlin Bise, Chief Technology Officer of Inbenta, has been named a finalist for the prestigious Tech Titans Emerging Company CIO/CTO Award. This recognition highlights technology leaders in North Texas demonstrating innovation, leadership, and significant impact. Bise’s efforts in advancing AI-powered technologies have been pivotal to Inbenta’s success, delivering scalable, high-performance solutions for enhanced customer engagement. This isn’t the first accolade for Bise, who has been acknowledged by Tech Titans in previous years. The winners will be announced during the 25th Annual Tech Titans Awards Gala on September 12, 2025, at the Hyatt Regency Stonebriar in Frisco, Texas.

AI startup Perplexity has made headlines with a $34.5 billion all-cash bid for Google’s Chrome browser. Despite being valued at just $14 billion, the company seeks to gain access to Chrome’s three billion users and strengthen its position in the competitive AI-powered search industry. This audacious move comes as Google faces regulatory scrutiny, including a U.S. court's ruling that called its monopoly in online search unlawful. Perplexity, which previously targeted TikTok US in January, has promised to keep Chrome’s code open source and invest $3 billion over two years. Analysts expect Google to strongly resist the offer, emphasizing Chrome’s importance to its AI strategy.

A groundbreaking AI system, MaVila, developed by California State University Northridge's Autonomy Research Center for STEAHM, promises to reshape US manufacturing. Backed by the US National Science Foundation, MaVila combines image analysis with natural language processing, enabling it to detect production defects, suggest corrections, and issue real-time commands to machines. Unlike traditional AI models, it requires significantly less data, making it especially useful for small businesses. During testing, MaVila excelled at identifying flaws in 3D-printed parts and recommending quality-enhancing modifications. The model was built using high-performance NSF-funded computing resources, including the Nautilus network, to streamline validation. Researchers suggest MaVila could enhance productivity, reduce waste, and improve global competitiveness, all while assisting workers with AI-driven insights.

OpenAI CEO Sam Altman announced that ChatGPT Plus subscribers will receive increased message limits for the new GPT-5 AI model after user frustration over its initial restrictions. Previously capped at 200 messages per day, the limit adjustment aims to address complaints from paid users, who contribute $20/£20 monthly for enhanced features. The update accompanies additional changes, including a new interface to indicate the model responding to prompts. This comes after GPT-5's release sparked disappointment, with some perceiving it as a minor upgrade rather than a significant leap. OpenAI's move reflects efforts to regain trust among its premium subscribers.

A recent survey by Amperity reveals a striking contrast in the US retail sector: 97% of retailers aim to maintain or increase AI investments by 2025, yet only 11% feel prepared for large-scale adoption. While AI is widely used in sales, marketing, and customer support, applications like personalization and chatbots remain underutilized. Key barriers include fragmented data, high costs, and limited technical expertise, with 32% of retailers offering no formal AI training. Retailers leveraging customer data platforms (CDPs) are notably ahead, boasting higher daily AI usage and adoption across business units. Despite obstacles, confidence in AI’s transformative potential remains high. The report highlights the urgent need for unified data systems and workforce training.

OpenAI is refining ChatGPT to prioritize healthy usage and better support user well-being. Recent updates include tools to encourage balanced interactions, such as reminders to take breaks during extended sessions and features promoting responsible use of its capabilities. The model has also been optimized to provide grounded assistance during emotionally sensitive conversations, helping users make their own choices while steering away from overstepping boundaries. OpenAI collaborated with an advisory group of mental health professionals and human-computer interaction experts to ensure ethical and healthy practices. These updates highlight a shift toward deeper support and fostering mindful use of AI in daily life.