AI This Week

OpenAI has deployed a new system within ChatGPT that actively predicts a user’s age. The company is shifting away from relying on self-reported birthdates and will now use behavioral analysis to identify minors. The model examines account age, typical activity times, and usage patterns to make its determination. Any account the system identifies as belonging to someone under 18 will automatically face new restrictions. These filters block the generation of content related to graphic violence, self-harm, and unhealthy dieting standards. OpenAI says the goal is to protect teens while allowing more freedom for verified adults. Adults misidentified as minors must verify their age with a government ID.

The AI hype that captivated Davos last year is over. Now, global leaders are confronting the difficult reality of making the technology work at scale. Conversations at the World Economic Forum focus on the practical challenges of implementation, with executives sharing strategies to move past pilot projects and achieve a return on investment. Experts stressed that successful large-scale adoption requires strong CEO leadership, clean data, and clear business goals.

OpenAI is making a major shift for its flagship AI product. ChatGPT will soon begin displaying advertisements alongside its answers for users in the United States. This move introduces a significant new revenue stream for the company. The ads, based on the context of a user’s conversation, will appear in tinted boxes either above or below the AI’s response. OpenAI confirmed that ads will not appear for sensitive topics like health or politics. The decision marks a change from CEO Sam Altman’s previous reluctance to use an ad-based model. The company is also launching a low-cost subscription tier called ChatGPT Go.

Alphabet just made history. The technology giant surpassed a $4 trillion market capitalization for the first time, cementing its position as the world’s second-most valuable company. The surge follows a period of investor doubt, now erased by powerful AI momentum. A key driver is a landmark deal with Apple, which will use Google’s Gemini AI as the foundation for its next generation of Siri. This partnership gives Alphabet an unmatched distribution advantage. Beyond AI, Alphabet’s Wing drone delivery service announced a major expansion with Walmart, planning to scale operations to an additional 150 stores. The valuation reflects strong confidence in Alphabet’s ability to monetize new technologies.

Google has launched a major update for its Gemini AI. A new beta feature, ‘Personal Intelligence,’ connects the chatbot to a user’s private data across Google’s services, including Gmail, Photos, and Search history. Now, users can ask Gemini to find specific vacation details buried in old emails or retrieve information from past online activity. The upgrade aims to make the AI a more capable personal assistant, giving it a distinct advantage over competitors by using Google’s extensive ecosystem of user information. This opt-in functionality is currently rolling out to select AI plan subscribers in the United States before a wider release.