This week in AI was nothing short of a rollercoaster—global summits, major product launches, research breakthroughs, and, of course, the ever-present debates about the future of artificial intelligence. Here’s your comprehensive rundown of the biggest developments in AI, AGI, and ASI.
AI Action in Paris: Global Collaboration or Fragmentation?
The AI Action Summit in Paris saw world leaders and tech giants coming together to discuss the trajectory of artificial intelligence. France made a bold statement by committing €109 billion to AI investment, focusing on startups, infrastructure, and eco-friendly data centers. The summit spotlighted ethical AI development, narrowing the global AI divide, and the implications of AI on democracy, labor, and cultural heritage.
However, the biggest shocker? The U.S. and UK refused to sign the international AI declaration, hinting at divergent paths in AI governance. Could this lead to fragmentation in global AI standards? If countries start enforcing their own AI regulations, we could be looking at a complex and potentially fractured AI landscape.
OpenAI: A Week of Power Moves
OpenAI was on a mission this week, unveiling its latest reasoning models, o3-mini and o3-mini-high, designed for enhanced performance at a lower cost. In a bid to streamline operations, OpenAI also hinted at merging its o-series and GPT-series models into a single, simplified offering.
Is OpenAI’s Simplification a Strategic Masterstroke?
Reducing product complexity could attract more users and developers, making AI more accessible. But merging different model types isn’t without risks—will a one-size-fits-all model truly serve everyone’s needs?
Musk vs. Altman: The Billion-Dollar Feud Continues
Elon Musk tried to buy OpenAI with a jaw-dropping $97.4 billion bid. Sam Altman shut it down instantly. Musk’s attempt is widely seen as an escalation of his long-standing feud with OpenAI, dating back to his 2018 departure and concerns over its shift from a non-profit to a for-profit model.
Meanwhile, Altman stirred the pot further by predicting AGI will arrive within a year, suggesting AI agents will soon integrate into the workforce. Some experts are skeptical, pointing out the lack of clear AGI definitions and the technical hurdles still to be overcome.
Google & Adobe Push AI Video Creation to the Next Level
Google launched Veo 2, an AI-powered model that enhances YouTube Shorts with new features like Dream Screen, a clear bid to compete with TikTok and Instagram Reels.
Adobe, not to be left behind, introduced Firefly Video Model, allowing users to create videos using text prompts or storyboards within Adobe Firefly and Premiere Pro. Notably, Adobe reassured users that Firefly was trained only on licensed and public-domain content, avoiding legal trouble over AI-generated copyright infringement.
Adobe’s AI Video Pricing:
• Basic Plan: $9.99 per month for 20 clips
• Premium Plan: To be announced (aimed at studios & professionals)
This tiered pricing strategy lets Adobe target casual creators and high-end production houses, positioning Firefly as a competitor to OpenAI’s Sora and RunwayML.
AI’s Accuracy Problem: BBC Study Exposes Misinformation
A BBC investigation uncovered that 51% of AI-generated answers about news topics contained significant inaccuracies, while 91% had at least some errors. This raises major concerns about the reliability of AI-generated information, especially as AI becomes deeply embedded in news reporting and content creation.
The Fight Against AI Misinformation
The AI community must prioritise accuracy and fact-checking to prevent misinformation from spreading unchecked. Otherwise, we risk AI becoming more of a disinformation machine than a knowledge engine.
Breakthroughs in AI Research
Researchers worldwide continue pushing the boundaries of AI capabilities:
• DeepSeek introduced DeepSeek-R1, an open-source model with state-of-the-art reasoning that rivals OpenAI’s best.
• “Chain of Agents” framework was proposed, enabling multiple LLMs to collaborate for long-context tasks.
• A German study demonstrated that AI-assisted mammography screenings significantly improved breast cancer detection rates.
Meanwhile, Fosun Pharmaceutical launched PharmAID, a decision intelligence platform integrating AI for accelerating drug discovery and development.
AGI & ASI: How Close Are We?
Altman’s AGI prediction has fueled renewed debate. SoftBank CEO Masayoshi Son echoed these sentiments, suggesting AGI might emerge sooner than expected, particularly within large corporations with vast data and resources.
Challenges on the Road to AGI
• Scaling LLMs alone may not be enough.
• Incorporating reasoning, cross-domain knowledge, and ethical considerations is critical.
• Ethical risks include job displacement, widening inequality, and potential misuse.
ASI: The Next Frontier
The pursuit of Artificial Superintelligence (ASI) involves multiple research tracks:
1. Scaling deep learning further.
2. Neuro-symbolic AI (blending neural networks and logic-based reasoning).
3. Potential breakthroughs in cognitive AI models.
But with ASI, ethical concerns multiply—who controls superintelligence? How do we prevent monopolization and misuse? As AI advances, global governance will be essential.
AI Policy & Investment Shifts
The U.S. Department of Commerce rolled out new AI chip export controls, primarily aimed at restricting Chinese access. While intended to maintain U.S. dominance, these restrictions could slow international AI collaboration and intensify competition.
President Biden also signed executive orders on AI infrastructure and cybersecurity, pushing for federal AI data centers and stronger cyber defenses.
Meanwhile, Google launched a global AI training initiative, recognising the growing demand for AI skills in the workforce.
FTC Updates COPPA Rule
The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) revised the Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA), but internal dissent over data retention, age verification, and third-party data sharing suggests further debate is ahead.
AI Investment Boom
Venture capital continues pouring into AI:
• Apptronik, an AI-powered humanoid robotics company, secured $350 million.
• Legal tech startup Harvey landed $300 million.
These massive investments highlight how AI-driven automation is becoming a major economic force.
Final Thoughts
From global AI summits and billion-dollar acquisitions to deepfake misinformation risks and AI-powered video tools, this week underscores AI’s rapid evolution and growing impact on every sector.
As AGI and ASI creep closer, the stakes couldn’t be higher. Ethical considerations, global collaboration, and responsible AI deployment will determine whether AI is a force for good—or an uncontrollable disruptor.
What do you think—are we ready for AGI? Or are we underestimating the risks? Let’s discuss!
