New Experiment — OpenAI 4o Tasks Feb 5 2025
By Rob Tyrie
I have been using OpenAI software since GPT2 days in 2022 and one thing that is true, is that they are very inventive when it comes to ease of use tools. There is a special feature that came out for ChatGPT paid users called Tasks that is based on the 4o LLM. It is connected to the internet and your email. It is much simpler to set up than Operator and can do some simple things. The important difference for these tasks is that they are automated and you can set up a task that runs periodically… Hourly, Daily weekly or based on rules etc.
There is no special interface it’s just conversational, as if you were talking to an admin. Once you set one up, it will just run and do what you asked of it. If you’ve heard the term Agent or Agentic AI, these tasks are a simple form of that.
I set up a few of them to get the hang of it. I like that you can email the results to yourself, which I use as a filing mechanism.
One of the things I do almost every day is check the Headlines about AI news. So, I built simple tasks that check multiple news sources and collect 10 of them and do a summary of the story, gives me a link and send me an email. It’s like a private clipping service. I will shift this to also append each of these to a spreadsheet that I could transform into a newsletter at the end of the month. I like this method because it will give a sense of what was most important on the day of publication. I also requested the agent to check on any deals on Sci Fi Books on sales, a passion of mine. Here’s an example of what I got today.
It will take me some time but I will automate a few tasks for research, notification, outbound email and calendaring that should save me an hour or two a week. That 5% time back to me to do other things if I do this right. I have to compare this to the automations coming from Anthropic and Google because they have deep connection to more office automation tools than OpenAI.
I am guessing over the next quarter, I will have agents working for me that do 50 or 100 hours of busy work to get to things I never get to or pile up into big tasks or projects if things aren’t done every day.
Top 10 Impactful AI Stories for February 5, 2025
1. Australian Businesses Ban DeepSeek Over Security Concerns
Several major Australian companies, including TPG, Optus, and Commonwealth Bank, have banned China's AI model, DeepSeek, following intelligence warnings about national security risks. Concerns center on data privacy and potential information sharing with the Chinese Communist Party. This move reflects growing apprehension about generative AI technologies' security implications.
2. UK Minister Highlights Benefits of Chinese AI Firm DeepSeek
Lord Vallance of Balham, the UK's science minister, acknowledged the potential positive impact of Chinese firm DeepSeek's AI advancements on Britain. He praised the company's chatbots and open-source approach, noting their role in fostering innovation among startups. This perspective contrasts with other nations' security concerns regarding DeepSeek.
3. Google Removes AI Ethics Pledge on Weapons and Surveillance
Google has quietly revised its AI principles, eliminating a previous commitment to avoid using AI for weapons and surveillance. This change aligns Google with other tech companies like Meta and OpenAI, which permit certain military applications of their technologies. The move has reignited debates over corporate responsibility and AI governance.
4. AI-Related Fraud Claims Surge in Securities Litigation
In 2024, there was a significant increase in securities litigation involving AI-related fraud claims. Companies across various industries promoting their use of AI faced heightened scrutiny, especially concerning the nascent or unproven nature of many AI technologies. This trend underscores the importance of cautious AI disclosures.
5. Tech Companies Anticipate Pivotal AI Copyright Lawsuits in 2025
The new year may bring significant developments in copyright lawsuits that could shape the future of artificial intelligence. Tech companies are closely monitoring these cases, which address complex issues related to AI and intellectual property rights.
6. AI Governance: Analyzing Emerging Global Regulations
Governments worldwide are establishing regulations to govern AI, citing concerns over data privacy, bias, and safety. Businesses must navigate this evolving landscape to ensure compliance and maintain public trust in AI applications.
7. AI Round-Up: UK's Initiatives to Foster AI Development
The UK has announced key initiatives to promote AI growth, including establishing AI Growth Zones, expanding computing capacity, reforming copyright laws, and creating a National Data Library. These efforts aim to attract global AI talent and foster domestic AI companies.
8. Equifax Data Breach Attributed to Chinese Military Hackers
The U.S. government has indicted four members of China's military for hacking Equifax, exploiting the personal data of 150 million Americans. This incident highlights the cybersecurity risks associated with data breaches and the potential misuse of AI in cyberattacks.
9. Top 50 AI Scandals Highlight Ethical and Social Implications
A compilation of significant AI-related scandals underscores the ethical and social challenges in AI deployment. These cases highlight the importance of addressing civil liberties and systemic bias in AI applications.
10. AI News: Latest Developments and Insights
AI News reports on the latest artificial intelligence news and insights, exploring industry trends from the frontline of AI. Topics include deep and reinforcement learning, machine learning, robotics, and voice recognition.
New Sci-Fi Books on Sale
1. "The Bones Beneath My Skin" by TJ Klune
Originally self-published in 2018, this speculative thriller follows journalist Nate Cartwright as he retreats to his parents' cabin and encounters a mysterious girl named Artemis Darth Vader. Together, they escape from a menacing entity called The Mountain. The novel explores themes of found family and resilience.
2. "Onyx Storm: Empyrean, Book 3" by Rebecca Yarros
The third installment in the Empyrean series continues the epic space adventure, delving deeper into interstellar politics and personal relationships. A must-read for fans of character-driven sci-fi narratives.
3. "High Artificer (Guardian of Aster Fall Book 9)" by David North
The ninth book in the Guardian of Aster Fall series, "High Artificer" continues the saga with intricate plots and compelling character development. Ideal for readers who enjoy expansive fantasy worlds.
4. "The Rift: A Science-Fiction Thriller" by Douglas E. Richards
This novel explores the concept of parallel universes, following the protagonist as they navigate through multiple realities. A thought-provoking read for those interested in the multiverse theory.
5. "Freaky Curses (A Mystic Caravan Mystery Book 19)" by Amanda M. Lee
The nineteenth book in the Mystic Caravan Mystery series, "Freaky Curses" blends mystery and fantasy elements, following the protagonist's journey through supernatural challenges. Perfect for readers who enjoy lighthearted paranormal mysteries.
6. "The Path of Ascension 8: A LitRPG Adventure" by C. Mantis
The eighth installment in the Path of Ascension series offers a blend of role-playing game elements and science fiction, providing an immersive experience for fans of the LitRPG genre.
