Good morning, In a few minutes, here's what you'll learn today.
Today's spotlight tool is Odyssey-2, a breakthrough that turns video from something you watch into something you control in real-time. You'll also hear about Claude breaking into Excel for financial pros, OpenAI rolling out a premium ChatGPT tier, and why humanoid robots might be AI's next goldmine.
In Today's Edition
Today’s AI Tool Breakdown: Odyssey-2
Quick overview
Odyssey-2 streams AI-generated video at 20 frames per second that you can actually interact with using just your keyboard or voice. Think of it like stepping into a video instead of just watching it.
How to use it
Go to the Odyssey demo website in your browser
Click Start to begin the interactive video experience
Type text prompts to influence what happens in real-time
Use basic keyboard controls to navigate through the AI-generated world
Watch as the video responds instantly to your actions (50ms response time)
Explore different environments that adapt based on your interactions
Copy/paste starter script
Type "show me a forest path" or "create a futuristic city scene" when the demo loads. The AI will instantly start generating that environment for you to explore.
Real-world use cases
Training simulations that adapt to your decisions in real-time
Interactive storytelling where viewers shape the narrative
Educational experiences that respond to student questions
Virtual tours that let you explore places that don't exist
Pro tips
Keep prompts short and specific for best results
Try voice commands if available - they work faster than typing
Experiment with different environments to test the model's range
Free vs paid
Free: Access to demo with limited session time and basic interactions
Paid: API access coming soon with longer sessions and advanced features
Alternatives
RunwayML — better for pre-generated video clips
Synthesia — focused on avatar-based presentations
HeyGen — specialized in interactive talking avatars
Quick demo video
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EgHLfH9oJ1E
Today In AI News, The Top 4 Stories (And Why They Matter)
This matters because: Financial analysts can now use AI directly in their most essential tool without switching apps or learning new software.
Quick summary: Anthropic launched Claude for Excel, letting Wall Street pros chat with AI right inside their spreadsheets while connected to real-time market data. The integration also works with Microsoft Copilot Studio and includes partnerships with major financial data providers. It's like having a finance expert sitting next to your spreadsheet.
This matters because: Major investors are betting that AI-powered robots will create more value than current AI software applications.
Quick summary: Ark Invest's Cathie Wood says humanoid robots represent the largest opportunity in "embodied AI" - AI that can move and act in the physical world. She believes these robots will transform healthcare, personal assistance, and retail by 2030. It's like giving AI arms and legs to work alongside humans.
This matters because: AI workloads could consume over half of all data center power by 2028, requiring immediate efficiency solutions.
Quick summary: A new NTT DATA report warns that AI's massive electricity needs for training and running models are unsustainable without major changes. The paper calls for embedding energy efficiency into AI development from the start, not as an afterthought. Think of it like building hybrid cars instead of just offsetting gas-guzzlers later.
This matters because: Humans teaching AI is becoming one of tech's most valuable businesses, paying contractors over $1.5 million daily while companies rush to train smarter models.
Quick summary: Mercor raised $350 million at a $10 billion valuation, five times higher than February. The startup connects 30,000+ experts—doctors, lawyers, engineers—with AI labs like OpenAI to train their models. It's like a temp agency for teaching robots how to think like humans.
Thats All For Today!
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