It’s time for Bits & Bytes…
… where we bring you news, innovations, and thought-provoking insights from AI, IT, and beyond. In this week’s newsletter we’re looking at:
- OpenAI’s o3-Pro drops with elite reasoning skills.
- Meta builds a $15B superintelligence lab.
- OpenAI turns to Google Cloud for compute.
IN THE SPOTLIGHT
💥OpenAI’s o3-Pro Drops And is Smarter, Sharper & 80% Cheaper
OpenAI just launched o3-Pro, its most capable reasoning model yet, built to “think longer” and outperform rivals in PhD-level math, science, and programming tasks. Testers say it feels significantly smarter, and it’s already rolling out to ChatGPT Pro and Team users.
But the real shock? An 80% price cut. This isn’t just a tech upgrade—it’s a direct shot at Google and Anthropic, challenging both performance and pricing in one bold move.
TL;DR
- Beats top models in science, math & reasoning.
- Now 80% cheaper than previous versions.
- Available now for Pro & Team users.
TECH HEADLINES FROM ACROSS THE WEB
💸 Zuck Bets Big with a $15B AI Lab
After disappointment with Llama 4, Zuckerberg is going full throttle spinning up a new “superintelligence lab” and tapping Scale AI’s Alexandr Wang to co-lead it. Backed by a $15B deal and nearly 50 handpicked researchers (some poached with 9-figure offers), Meta’s gunning to leapfrog OpenAI and Google by rewriting its AI playbook from scratch.
🤝 Rivals, Rewired OpenAI Leans on Google Cloud
In a move that stuns and strategizes, OpenAI has tapped Google Cloud for compute power despite being direct AI rivals. The multi-billion-dollar deal signals OpenAI’s push to diversify beyond Microsoft, while Google quietly scores a massive cloud win.
🎥 Google Launches a new Veo 3 Fast version
Google just dropped Veo 3 Fast a souped-up version of its AI video model that’s more than 2x faster, with the same sharp 720p visuals. Thanks to major backend optimizations, it’s now easier to scale, even for large creative teams and heavy workloads. Whether you’re a solo creator or a studio, this speed upgrade is built to keep your storytelling in flow.
TECH FOR GOOD
🎮 Game On Again: Voice Actors & Studios Reach a Truce
SAG-AFTRA and major video game companies have struck a tentative deal, signaling an end to the long-running strike. After months of picketing and stalled productions, voice actors may soon be back in the booth bringing beloved characters (and games) back to life.
