ChatGPT's next chapter

Cerebras brings DeepSeek stateside

February 05, 2025

Welcome back! A group of Berkeley PhD students just pulled off something wild—they reportedly replicated the basics of DeepSeek's R1 model for just $30. AI innovation is moving rapidly, and sometimes all it takes to democratize next-gen tech is a few determined students and an open-source mindset.

OpenAI’s new research agent: Game-changer or gamble?

Via Bloomberg

OpenAI dropped a new ChatGPT agent this week designed to handle deep research. The AI scans the web, synthesizes findings, and delivers full-fledged research reports in about 10 minutes. It’s embedded within ChatGPT for Pro users in the US, with future plans to support images and data visualizations.

Why it matters: AI-driven research sounds great in theory, but can it match human accuracy? Google has previously released something similar, and the big question remains—how much should we trust AI with critical research?

Cerebras hosts DeepSeek R1 in the US

AI chip startup Cerebras announced late last week that it’s hosting DeepSeek R1 on US servers. Cerebras has promised speeds up to 57x faster than GPU-based solutions, plus a plan to keep sensitive data within US borders.

The implications: With DeepSeek rapidly becoming a key player in AI, companies and leaders have been worried about security risks. This move directly addresses both computational power and data sovereignty, offering a more realistic path for reasoning models to enter everyday workflows.

A spreadsheet that thinks for you

Via Sourcetable

Sourcetable isn’t just another spreadsheet—it connects to real-time data and uses AI to generate insights. Think of it as a fusion of Excel and a business intelligence dashboard.

How you can use it:

  • Sync data from CRMs, databases, and finance tools

  • Automate tedious tasks with AI-driven formulas

  • Get AI-generated trends without SQL or scripting

Pricing: Free & pro plans ($20/month)

Turn words into music

Riffusion is an AI-powered music generator that turns text into sound. Whether you’re composing a quick melody or experimenting with AI-generated beats, it lets you explore AI’s creative side and make music on demand—no instruments required.

How you can use it:

  • Generate custom tracks. Type in a mood or genre, and Riffusion will compose a piece in seconds.

  • Remix and refine. Adjust tempo, style, or mix elements from different tracks to fine-tune your sound.

Pricing: Free

Read smarter, not harder

Via BookRead

BookRead enhances the reading experience with AI, so you can retain even more of what you read.

How you can use it:

  • Summarize books instantly. Get chapter-by-chapter breakdowns with key insights.

  • Test your knowledge. Use built-in quizzes to reinforce what you’ve read.

  • Track progress across devices. Sync across mobile, tablet, and desktop for seamless reading.

Pricing: Free & paid plans available

Jobs, announcements, and big ideas

  • That’s useful: Keep up to date with the rapid changes happening in AI and how to integrate it into your life with Mindstream.*

  • Join Nebius as an AI/ML Solutions Architect to support AI-driven projects.

  • The Beeck Center is looking for an AI Fellow to help drive responsible AI in government.

  • Anthropic needs an External Affairs Lead to shape AI policy in DC.

  • The AI wars heat up: OpenAI vs. Meta.

  • Millions of Americans might delete DeepSeek.

  • The Beatles’ AI-powered revival wins a Grammy.

*This is sponsored advertising content.

The DeepSeek frenzy: Is it worth the hype? Follow along as I explain how this Chinese AI model impacts the global tech scene.

Could more AI competition be better? I break down the (literal) breakdown of the AI giants this past week.

That’s a wrap! What’s your take on AI-generated research? Do we still need humans in the loop? Hit reply and let me know your thoughts!

—Matt (FutureTools.io)

P.S. This newsletter is 100% written by a human. Okay, maybe 96%.