Dots Intrude on Muse’s Territory

OpenAI has unveiled its answer to Muse this week, and it feels like Muse dressed up for a corporate meeting. Dots is geared towards business users, starting at $100 per month. While you can create an adorable Dot character similar to Muse, OpenAI’s initial pitch focuses on its utility for professional tasks: launching websites, rescheduling meetings, and crafting slide decks for presentations. In contrast, Muse seems more interested in nudging me to purchase that jacket I once browsed.

On this week’s podcast, we dive into Dots and the evolving landscape of intelligent assistants. Our discussion quickly circles back to Muse, which we’ve all been experimenting with to varying degrees of success. David Imel tasked it with managing his Facebook Marketplace listings, while Nilay Patel had it sift through his spam emails. It accomplished both tasks, albeit with a hint of discomfort.

We also touched on the recent AI compact, where tech leaders convened at the White House to sign a “morally binding” agreement aimed at self-regulation and ensuring their models remain on track. We’re skeptical about its effectiveness.

Next, we cover a flurry of gadget news: an intriguing new Huawei phone-camera hybrid, a refreshed lineup of Kindles, and whispers about the upcoming HomePod. Then, we transition into our favorite segment, followed by the Lightning Round, where we discuss the latest on America’s new chatbot, Reddit’s access restrictions, Cybercabs, and more.