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OpenAI's 'Tasks' Feature, Founders Above 40 and more

Make yourself a ChatGPT to-do list.

Author

Charbel Zeaiter
January 16, 2025

Agentic AI is the AI theme for 2025, and OpenAI is going right in; even though reminders may seem quite lame, we can expect a whole lot more from OpenAI. As if in preparation and response to OpenAI’s move, Minimax has just announced the world's longest context length of up to 4 million tokens—20 to 32 times more than other leading models.

Never a dull moment in the world of design and technology.

Yours in Wonder,
Charbel
Founder of Velvet Onion, Faster Zebra and more to come …

Today’s Highlights

  • AI: A ChatGPT To-Do-List: OpenAI Introduces ChatGPT ‘Tasks’

  • Design: How to Breathe Amidst The AI-Dense Chaos: An Old Question

  • Science & Tech: Boom Supersonic XB-1 Nears Mach 1

  • Founding: How Are Founders Above 40 Dealing With Work & Success

  • Product: “Good, Cheap, Fast - Choose two” is a Deceptive Illusion

  • Today’s AI image: To-Do-GPT

  • Quote for the day: From One of the Strongest Women

AI

A ChatGPT To-Do-List: OpenAI Introduces ChatGPT ‘Tasks’

OpenAI is taking a bold leap into agentic AI with the rollout of Tasks, a new ChatGPT beta feature designed to streamline scheduling and reminders.

This marks a pivotal moment in the evolution of AI as it transitions from conversational capabilities to proactive assistance.

What’s in the Toolbox?

  • Tasks enables users to set both one-off reminders and recurring actions, such as receiving daily weather updates, news digests, or periodic web searches.

  • These tasks can be effortlessly managed via chat or a dedicated web interface, with notifications seamlessly syncing across desktop, mobile, and web platforms.

  • To sweeten the deal, ChatGPT can suggest tasks based on past conversations, but only after users give the green light.

  • The rollout will cater to Plus, Team, and Pro users, offering up to 10 active tasks at a time through a "4o with scheduled tasks" model option.

Why is this a big deal?

While reminders might not seem revolutionary, Tasks hints at something much bigger—an AI that doesn’t just respond but anticipates and acts.

This feature lays the groundwork for integrating advanced agentic abilities, especially as it pairs with future tools like computer or app integration. Rumours of an "Operator" feature arriving soon suggest 2025 could be the year AI assistants truly step up their game.

OpenAI seems ready to transform ChatGPT from a clever conversationalist into a full-fledged virtual aide.

Also in AI

Design

How to Breathe Amidst The AI-Dense Chaos: An Old Question

AI, especially generative AI and LLMs, is transforming how we work in UX research and design. Its impact spans product development, internal processes, and personal practices.

However, while AI boosts productivity, it must be used cautiously to ensure it benefits humans. The species who built theirs.

Key Questions for Responsible AI Use

As AI evolves, it’s crucial to ask: How can AI prioritise human well-being?

What strategies ensure AI serves human needs in design?

And how can professionals adapt as AI advances rapidly?

Human-First Approach

A human-first mindset focuses on empathy, authenticity, and collective well-being.

By aligning AI with values like purpose, growth, well-being, and ethics, we ensure AI serves humanity.

Frameworks like the Social Ecological Framework can guide ethical decision-making in AI design.

AI Challenges to Human Flourishing

  1. Oversimplification: AI struggles with complex contexts, leading to oversimplified or culturally inappropriate outputs.

  2. Generalisation: AI’s focus on patterns can overlook minority perspectives, creating exclusionary designs.

  3. Lack of Transparency: AI’s opaque nature raises concerns about data privacy and user consent.

  4. Bias & Hallucinations: AI can perpetuate biases and produce inaccurate information, affecting decisions.

AI offers great potential but must be integrated thoughtfully.

By sticking to a human-first approach and addressing AI’s challenges, we can make sure it gives us an upper hand instead of creating more mess for us to wipe.

Also in Design

Science & Tech

Boom Supersonic XB-1 Nears Mach 1

Boom Supersonic’s XB-1 prototype is one step closer to bringing commercial supersonic flights back.

During its 11th test flight on January 10, 2025, the aircraft reached a transonic speed of Mach 0.95, just shy of breaking the sound barrier.

Flying over California’s Mojave Desert, the aircraft climbed to 29,481 feet (8,986 m), pushing the boundaries of what’s possible in supersonic travel.

The Road to Supersonic Flight

  • The XB-1’s latest milestone marks a significant step towards achieving sustained supersonic cruising.

  • Unlike the Concorde, which was retired over two decades ago, Boom aims to develop a commercial aircraft that can cruise at supersonic speeds without causing disruptive sonic booms.

  • Despite the challenges, Boom is steadily working through test flights to perfect its design.

  • During the 44-minute test flight, the XB-1 experienced dynamic pressure greater than what it would face at Mach 1.1, simulating the intense conditions of supersonic flight.

  • If the data from this flight checks out, the company will decide whether to conduct another subsonic test or push forward to supersonic speeds later this year.

A New Era for Supersonic Air Travel?

Boom’s steady progress suggests that 2025 could be the year we see supersonic commercial flight make its return.

The company is carefully testing each stage of flight, inching closer to what could be a revolution in air travel.

Founding

How Are Founders Above 40 Dealing With Work & Success

As founders age, their idea of success changes.

In their 20s, it’s about growth and hustle. By 40, it’s about meaningful outcomes, work-life balance, and prioritising family.

Founders over 40 are more selective about where they invest their time, focusing on work that truly matters rather than grinding for the sake of it.

Here’s what all of it looks like:

  • Founders in their 40s think in terms of short-term goals (5-10 years) rather than indefinite futures.

  • Financial stability becomes more important, with founders seeking predictable income and less risk, avoiding long, drawn-out bootstrapping journeys.

  • With age comes wisdom: founders in their 40s are quicker at spotting patterns and more open to changing direction when needed.

  • There’s less emotional attachment to business models, and more focus on pragmatic decisions that align with personal goals.

  • Founders are also more open to considering acquisitions or joining larger companies rather than sticking to the solo journey.

  • Instead of proving they can do everything, they focus on using their skills to make a bigger impact.

  • Many are willing to join larger organisations where their experience can create more value, understanding that sometimes being part of a bigger system is more beneficial.

There's a growing recognition of when it’s time to step back or move on, but this topic isn’t discussed enough in startup circles.

Many founders admire those who know when to retire or transition, instead of clinging to the grind.

Also in Founding

Product

“Good, Cheap, Fast - Choose two” is a Deceptive Illusion

Patrick Collison argues that the classic "good, cheap, fast—choose two" saying is a misconception, often peddled by those who prefer slower, costlier approaches.

The combination of "slow" and "expensive" tends to go hand in hand. He found that accelerating a project timeline often reduced costs significantly.

The key takeaway: Time constraints can actually streamline processes and make them more efficient, proving that speed and cost-efficiency aren’t mutually exclusive.

The Case for Moving Faster

Sometimes moving faster can actually lead to better outcomes, both in terms of time and cost.

Patrick’s point challenges the conventional wisdom, urging us to rethink how we approach project timelines and costs.

Today’s AI Image

To-Do-GPT

Quote of the Day

From One of the Strongest Women

"Life is either a daring adventure or nothing at all."

Helen Keller

What we’re working on

Velvet Onion & Friends

The new Velvet Onion & Friends will be launched soon. It’s our latest evolution, helping companies build products. It’s more than services.

Faster Zebra

February 2025 - the product and venture school journey begins. Whitepaper launching in January.

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Charbel

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