Welcome to this week's edition of Jumble, your go-to source for the latest in AI. This issue covers OpenAI’s holiday event and the recent murder of insurance CEO, Brian Thompson. It’s a packed week in AI and here’s what you need to know ⬇️

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12 Days of OpenAI Kicks off With ChatGPT Pro 🎁

OpenAI has launched an exciting 12-day event called "ship-mas" to unveil new features, products, and demos. This event, which began on December 5th, 2024, comes just shy of ChatGPT's second anniversary.

The first day of the event announced a significant upgrade to its product lineup, introducing a new premium tier called ChatGPT Pro. This exclusive subscription, priced at $200 per month, offers users unlimited access to OpenAI's most advanced models, including the newly released o1, GPT-4o, and Advanced Voice mode.

Key Features of ChatGPT Pro

• Exclusive o1 Pro Mode: A more powerful version of the o1 model, utilizing increased computational resources to tackle complex problems

• Unlimited Access: Subscribers gain unrestricted use of OpenAI's top-tier AI models

• Advanced Voice Mode: Enhanced voice interaction capabilities

o1 Model Improvements
The full version of the o1 model, which replaces the preview version released in September, boasts several enhancements:

• Faster and more accurate performance

• Improved coding and mathematical capabilities

• Ability to provide "reasoning" responses to images

• More concise outputs, resulting in quicker response time

However, many users have expressed frustration regarding the performance of the $200/month ChatGPT subscription, citing that the quality of results does not justify the high cost. These concerns primarily revolve around the expectation of receiving top-tier, reliable AI interactions, which users feel are not being met given the subscription's premium price point.

Murdered Insurance CEO Linked to Controversial AI Claims Denial System 🏥

UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson's tragic murder has brought renewed attention to a lawsuit filed against the company last year. The lawsuit alleges that UnitedHealthcare used an AI algorithm called nH Predict to deny claims for elderly patients, overriding doctors' approvals. This AI system reportedly had a 90% error rate, yet the company continued to use it, sparking outrage and speculation about the killer's motives.

Controversial AI System
The nH Predict algorithm was allegedly used to:

• Automatically deny claims for elderly patients

• Override doctors' approvals for treatment

• Continue operating despite a 90% error rate

Public Reaction
The murder has unleashed a torrent of public anger towards the insurance industry:

• Social media platforms flooded with caustic commentary and dark humor

• Some viewed the killing as "karmic justice" for perceived systemic failures

• Reactions highlight deep-seated frustration with the U.S. healthcare system

While the shooter's identity and exact motives remain unknown, reports suggest the shell casings were inscribed with words like "deny," "defend," and "depose," potentially indicating a grievance against insurance industry practices. The incident has brought to light the intense emotions surrounding healthcare coverage in America and the perceived cruelty of automated claims denial systems.

Bests and Busts

Here's a look at this week's AI highlights and lowlights:

⭐ Best: Maryland Deploys AI-Powered Traffic Management to Ease Congestion
The Maryland State Highway Administration has implemented NoTraffic's AI-driven smart sensors at five key intersections in Anne Arundel and Baltimore counties to improve traffic flow. This innovative system uses cameras and radar to track vehicles, bicycles, and pedestrians, adjusting traffic light timing based on real-time demand. The technology aims to reduce congestion, enhance safety, and optimize road capacity, particularly in areas affected by the Key Bridge collapse. With statewide approval, the system is set to expand to more locations, offering a promising solution to Maryland's traffic problem.

💩 Bust: Faculty Fear AI Takeover in Wisconsin Universities
Professors at the Universities of Wisconsin System (25 campuses) are protesting a proposed copyright policy change that would give the university system ownership of instructional materials, including syllabi. Faculty members worry this could lead to AI-run classes and the devaluation of student-professor relationships, while university officials maintain these concerns are unfounded.

The Scoop 🍦

🚨 FBI Warns: Hang Up and Create a Secret Word to Combat AI Scams
The FBI has issued a public service announcement warning smartphone users about the increasing use of generative AI in fraud schemes. To protect against these sophisticated attacks, the FBI advises people to hang up on suspicious calls and create a secret word or phrase known only to family members and trusted contacts. This measure aims to verify identities in case of emergency calls, as AI deepfakes become increasingly difficult to distinguish from reality.

🏛️ Trump Taps Tech Veteran David Sacks as AI and Crypto Czar
President-elect Donald Trump has appointed David Sacks, former PayPal COO and venture capitalist, as the White House AI and Cryptocurrency Czar. In this newly created role, Sacks will guide policy on AI and cryptocurrency, with the aim of establishing the US as a global leader in these technologies. Despite previously criticizing Trump, Sacks has since shifted his stance, hosting a fundraiser for the president-elect and now joining his administration to shape the future of tech regulation and innovation.

🤖 AI Companions: A Digital Cure for Loneliness or a Dangerous Addiction?
AI companion apps are gaining popularity, with users spending hours daily bonding with chatbots, despite researchers' warnings about potential emotional risks. While some users find comfort and creativity in these digital relationships, concerns arise about addiction, exploitation, and the blurring of human-AI boundaries, especially as high-profile incidents of harm have occurred.

🎧 Spotify Unveils AI-Powered Wrapped Podcast 
Spotify has introduced a new feature for its annual Wrapped experience: an AI-generated podcast that offers users a personalized audio overview of their listening habits. In collaboration with Google's NotebookLM, this innovative podcast creates a unique show for each listener, delving into their top songs, artists, and genres of the year. Available in English for eligible users across seven countries, the Spotify Wrapped AI podcast aims to provide a more immersive exploration of users' musical journeys in 2024.

🎵 AI in Music: Will.i.am's Vision of the Future
Black Eyed Peas star will.i.am predicts that AI will primarily impact non-creative roles in the music industry, such as managers, label executives, finance auditors, and attorneys. He believes that true artists and "hyper-creatives" will thrive by using AI to reinvent and create new industries. Will.i.am is launching a new series called 'CONVOS,' featuring artists interacting with an AI persona from his FYI.AI app, which aims to foster creativity through AI conversations and songwriting.

🛢️ AI Helps Find Lost Oil and Gas Wells in Historical Maps
Researchers are using AI to analyze 45 years of USGS topographic maps, successfully identifying over 1,300 potential undocumented orphaned wells in California and Oklahoma. This innovative approach combines AI with modern tools like drones and sensors to locate, assess, and ultimately plug these forgotten wells that pose environmental and climate hazards.

🌮 Torchy's Tacos Rolls Out SoundHound's Voice AI for Phone Ordering
Torchy's Tacos has implemented SoundHound's advanced voice AI Smart Ordering system across all 130 locations, allowing customers to place orders via a conversational voice assistant. The AI system, trained on Torchy's entire menu, can handle multiple calls simultaneously, take customized orders, and answer common questions about menu items, specials, and allergen information.

Thank you for being a valued reader of Jumble! See you next week for more updates on the latest trends and developments in AI.

Stay informed, stay curious, and stay ahead with Jumble!

Zoe from Jumble