Grok 3 Ranking First in AI Benchmark Tests, Fiverr Introduces AI Tools

+ Former OpenAI CTO Mira Murati Launches "Thinking Machine Labs"

Feb 18, 2025

Today’s Briefing:

xAI Launches Powerful Grok 3 Model, Ranking First in AI Benchmark Tests

xAI has released Grok 3, which features 10 times more training than its predecessor and has quickly risen to the top of AI benchmark tests, outperforming leading models from OpenAI and Google on mathematical reasoning, science proficiency, and coding capabilities tests, while also becoming the first model to break a 1400 score on the Chatbot Arena leaderboard where users evaluate LLMs without knowing their identity.

Potential impact: This breakthrough demonstrates a significant narrowing of the competitive gap between newer AI labs and established players, potentially accelerating innovation as companies race to develop more capable reasoning models that can think through complex problems step by step.

First-mover opportunities: Businesses could develop specialized prompt engineering services optimized for Grok 3's reasoning capabilities, create educational platforms teaching users how to leverage the "Think" and "Big Brain" modes effectively, or build enterprise solutions that integrate with DeepSearch to automate complex research tasks with transparent reasoning trails.

Source ~ ZDNET

Fiverr Introduces AI Tools for Gig Workers to Automate and Scale Services

Fiverr has unveiled its "Personal AI Creation Model," allowing select freelancers to train AI on their previous work and charge customers for access to AI-generated content based on their style, while maintaining ownership of the generated work. The company is also launching a "Personal AI Assistant" chatbot that can handle client communications when freelancers are offline, alongside a new program that will grant top-performing contractors shares in the publicly-traded company.

Potential impact: This move signals a significant shift in the gig economy where workers may increasingly become AI trainers and curators rather than direct service providers, potentially reshaping how freelance work is valued and compensated in an AI-dominated marketplace.

First-mover opportunities: Businesses could develop specialized training programs to help freelancers optimize their AI models, create platforms that help gig workers manage and monetize their AI twins across multiple marketplaces, or build tools that help clients effectively collaborate with hybrid human-AI creative teams.

Source ~ TechCrunch

Former OpenAI CTO Mira Murati Launches "Thinking Machine Labs"

Mira Murati, who previously served as OpenAI's Chief Technology Officer, has announced her new venture called Thinking Machine Labs, a public benefit corporation aimed at developing accessible AI systems with a team comprised of engineers from Character AI, Mistral, and OpenAI, while committing to open source its work through published technical blogs, code, and papers for community collaboration.

Potential impact: Murati's commitment to open-sourcing her company's work represents a significant philosophical departure from the increasingly closed development approach of major AI labs, potentially shifting industry dynamics toward greater transparency and collaborative innovation.

First-mover opportunities: Businesses could develop complementary tools that integrate with Thinking Machine Labs' open-source technologies, create educational platforms that teach developers how to build upon their frameworks, or establish consulting services specializing in implementing these accessible AI systems for specific industry applications.

Source ~ Forbes

Hightouch Reaches Unicorn Status with $80M Series C for AI-Powered Marketing Tools

Hightouch, a customer data platform co-founded by former Segment engineering manager Tejas Manohar, has secured $80 million in Series C funding led by Sapphire Ventures, reaching a $1.2 billion valuation. The company's platform allows non-technical teams to synchronize data from warehouses to marketing tools through a user-friendly interface, while its newer AI Decisioning product, launched in August 2024, uses machine learning to automate campaign optimization through multiple experiments.

Potential impact: This investment signals a significant shift in how enterprises are approaching marketing technology, moving beyond simple data integration toward AI-driven decision-making that optimizes customer experiences at scale without requiring technical expertise.

First-mover opportunities: Companies could develop specialized training programs for marketing teams to leverage Hightouch's AI Decisioning capabilities, create industry-specific templates and workflows that integrate with the platform, or build complementary tools that help visualize and explain the AI's decision-making process to skeptical stakeholders.

Source ~ TechCrunch

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