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OpenAI’s o3-Mini: The world’s best free chatbot model?
Musk's DOGE raises AI concerns with U.S. Education Department, U.S. Gov. wants to ban DeepSeek federal use, OpenAI unveils o3-mini thought process and more!
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Outsmart The Future
Sup y’all 👋
We did it again.
Y’all loved our free guides to ChatGPT Tasks and Deep Research so much that we put together this free guide to using the new (and free!) o3-mini reasoning model and ChatGPT Search at the same time.
Go repost today’s show, and we’ll send it over.
✌️
Jordan
Today in Everyday AI
7 minute read
🎙 Daily Podcast Episode: OpenAI just released its new reasoning model, o3-mini, for free. Does that make it the best free chatbot right now? We put it to the test. Give it a listen.
🕵️♂️ Fresh Finds: Scientists warn of uncontrollable AI, Google adds watermarks to its Magic Editor and Tesla’s supercomputer plans. Read on for Fresh Finds.
🗞 Byte Sized Daily AI News: Musk's DOGE raises AI concerns with U.S. Education Department, U.S. Gov. wants to ban federal DeepSeek use and OpenAI unveils o3-mini thought process. For that and more, read on for Byte Sized News.
🚀 AI In 5: We’re pitting GPT-4o against Claude 3.5 Sonnet to see which is better at data analysis! See it here
🧠 Learn & Leveraging AI: Does OpenAI’s o3-mini take the crown among other free AI chatbots? We break down everything you need to know about the new model. Keep reading for that!
↩️ Don’t miss out: Did you miss our last newsletter? We talked about Google unveiling Gemini 2.0 Pro Experimental, Figure AI moving away from OpenAI and Google lifting its AI weapons ban. Check it here!
OpenAI’s o3-Mini - The world’s best free chatbot model? 🤔
OpenAI and Google have been going toe-to-toe yet again. OpenAI released two agents and Google JUST dropped some impressive new Gemini 2 models.
But between all of those banger releases, OpenAI also dropped an impressive new reasoning model in o3. And cheapskates rejoice -- they released their o3-mini model for (kinda) free!
That got us thinking -- is OpenAI's o3-mini the world's best free chatbot model? We answer that question and cover a whole lot more.
Join the conversation and ask Jordan questions on AI here.
Also on the pod today:
• o3-Mini vs Other Chatbot Models 🥊
• o3-Mini High’s Reasoning Abilities 🧠
• o3-Mini Key Takeaways & Implications 💡
It’ll be worth your 58 minutes:
Listen on our site:
Subscribe and listen on your favorite podcast platform
Listen on:
Here’s our favorite AI finds from across the web:
New AI Tool Spotlight – Branding 5 is an AI competitor analysis, SoBrief summarizes books in 40 languages and AnythingLLM is an all-in-one desktop AI app.
Amazon – Amazon has announced its massive AI spending plans for 2025.
Google – Google is adding AI watermarks to photos edited by its Magic Editor.
Trending in AI – Top scientists are warning of out-of-control AI.
AI Models - Researchers managed to create a low-cost AI reasoning model in just 26 minutes that apparently rivals OpenAI.
Tesla – Here are Musk’s plans to build an AI supercomputer called Tesla Dojo.
Mistral AI - Mistral’s AI assistant is now available on iOS and Android.
GitHub – GitHub has announced updates to its Copilot that allows it to generate mockups from code and images.
Read This – Lyft is using Anthropic Claude for its customer service.
Snapchat – Snapchat+ subscribers can now create custom AI-generated stickers.
AI in Media – Tinder is adding AI-powered matchmaking.
1. Elon Musk’s DOGE Stirs AI Concerns at the Department of Education 😬
Elon Musk's DOGE team is allegedly using AI tools to process sensitive data from the Department of Education, raising significant security concerns. The initiative reportedly involves leveraging Microsoft’s Azure for data analysis, including personal and financial information, in an attempt to cut costs and streamline operations.
This move has sparked fears over data privacy and security vulnerabilities, especially given the Trump administration's controversial approach to federal agencies. Despite the uproar, officials maintain that the DOGE team is simply implementing reforms to enhance efficiency and accountability within the department.
2. U.S. Lawmakers Push to Ban DeepSeek from Federal Devices 🚫
U.S. Representatives Josh Gottheimer and Darin LaHood introduced legislation to ban the Chinese AI app DeepSeek from government devices, citing national security concerns. The “No DeepSeek on Government Devices Act” emerges amid fears of potential data breaches and surveillance by the Chinese government.
This proposal reflects escalating tensions in the U.S.-China tech rivalry, with implications for privacy and security that extend beyond federal employees. As AI continues to shape global innovation, this legislation underscores the critical importance of safeguarding sensitive information in an increasingly digital world.
3. AI Power Shuffle: Schulman Joins Murati's Mystery Startup 🤫
OpenAI co-founder John Schulman has left Anthropic after just five months to team up with Mira Murati, the former CTO of OpenAI, at her enigmatic new venture. The details of Schulman's role remain under wraps, but insiders hint at a gathering of ex-OpenAI talent, including Christian Gibson from the supercomputing team. Murati is reportedly in discussions to secure over $100 million in funding, fueling speculation about the company's ambitions.
Anthropic's chief science officer, Jared Kaplan, expressed sadness over Schulman's departure but supported his decision to explore new opportunities.
4. OpenAI Unveils Enhanced AI Thought Process for o3-mini 🧠
OpenAI is stepping up its game against rivals like DeepSeek by refining how its o3-mini AI model shares its reasoning steps. This update aims to boost user understanding and confidence by providing clearer, more detailed summaries of the model's thought processes, while still keeping some details under wraps due to competition concerns.
The improved "chain of thought" offers non-English users translations, enhancing accessibility. As AI models like o3-mini and DeepSeek’s R1 continue to evolve, users can expect more transparent interactions that could reshape how AI assists in professional and personal growth.
5. EU's AI Act Guidance Released 🇪🇺
The European Union has rolled out new guidance detailing what constitutes an AI system under its freshly minted AI Act, according to TechCrunch. This risk-based framework, now in effect, is critical for AI developers since non-compliance could result in fines up to 7% of global annual turnover. Although the guidelines are non-binding and designed to evolve, they are a must-read for companies navigating this rapidly changing landscape.
The clear message from the EU: understanding and adapting to these guidelines is crucial for anyone in the AI field looking to stay ahead and avoid costly penalties.
6. France and UAE Forge AI Alliance 🤝
France and the United Arab Emirates have signed a framework agreement to build a 1-gigawatt data center focused on artificial intelligence, an investment venture estimated between $30-$50 billion. During Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan's visit to France, the agreement was signed at the Elysee Palace with French President Emmanuel Macron, marking a strategic partnership aimed at bolstering AI collaboration.
The initiative promises to impact talent development, cutting-edge chip acquisition, and AI infrastructure in both nations, potentially elevating career opportunities in this fast-evolving field.
7. OpenAI Launches Data Residency in Europe 🏢
OpenAI has introduced data residency options for its European clients, allowing them to store data locally and adhere to stringent regional laws like GDPR. This announcement marks a significant step as the company seeks to address past scrutiny over data practices and regulatory probes in countries like Spain and Germany.
By enabling European data residency, OpenAI aims to foster trust and expand partnerships across the continent while ensuring zero data retention for API requests. However, this option is only available for new projects, leaving existing ones unable to configure for European residency.
Claude 3.5 Sonnet vs GPT-4o Data Analysis showdown
In this head-to-head battle, we're pitting two of the most advanced large language models against each other:
Anthropic Claude 3.5 Sonnet vs GPT-4o from OpenAI.
Which one can crunch numbers and deliver actionable insights better?
Find out in today's AI in 5.
🦾How You Can Leverage:
Remember when using free AI models was the equivalent of bringing a calculator to a quantum physics exam?
It was the fastest way to torpedo your company's credibility if you copy-pasted-used it for work purposes.
Those days just died a spectacular death.
For years, we've preached one consistent message: Don't touch free AI models for business purposes.
Ever.
Not even with a ten-foot pole wrapped in premium subscriptions.
Free models were like off-brand cereal – technically edible, but at what cost to your dignity?
Until OpenAI’s free o3-mini offering.
OpenAI just flipped the entire game sideways. Their new o3-Mini model isn't just good-for-free.
We're talking about a free model that beats nearly every paid option on the market in quality-to-price ratio.
And we might have Google (or DeepSeek) to thank.
Since December, Google's been dropping heat – new models, insane capabilities, flex after flex. And the whole DeepSeek saga has added to the pressure for OpenAI to up its LLM game.
OpenAI's response?
Make their newest reasoning model free AND connect it to the internet.
Delish.
So, we had to give the new o-3 mini model a dedicated run-down on today’s show.
Is it the best free model on the web? And what are the best ways to get it to work for you?
Let’s dive in.
1 – The Day Free AI Stopped Being a Joke 😳
Remember when we clowned people for using free AI? That was LAST WEEK.
Now o3-mini is out here solving competition math problems while pulling live data.
It's giving paid models NIGHTMARES.
Right now, free use of o3-mini is very limited. With ChatGPT Plus or Pro accounts, it’s pretty much unlimited.
Yet, we’re now talking about a free model that scores higher on quality tests than many paid options you're probably using right now. While connected to the internet. In real-time.
Try this:
Launch that free ChatGPT account you've been too embarrassed to use.
Switch to o3-mini by clicking the ‘Reason’ button. Feed it the kind of complex problem that used to make free models cry. Watch it pull current data, show its work.
Free is finally good.
2 – The O-Series Power Rankings Just Got MESSY 👀
Let's decode this alphabet soup.
O1 Mini?
Gone. Replaced by O3 Mini.
But plot twist – O1 and O1 Pro still exist, each with unique superpowers.
O1's secret weapon? It's the only model that can handle Canvas mode and file uploads.
O1 Pro brings raw processing power but lacks Canvas access.
Meanwhile, O3 Mini (and o3 mini-high are the only OpenAI reasoning models that can search the internet.
Choose your fighter carefully. Your workflow depends on it.
Try This:
Map your AI tasks by their core needs.
Visual analysis? O1's your bestie.
Need to crunch complex data sets? O1 Pro time.
But if you're doing any research or analysis requiring current data, O3 Mini is the only game in town. Create a task routing system based on these strengths. Your efficiency will thank you.
3 – The Strategic Violence behind Those 10 Free Messages 💬
OpenAI isn't playing.
They looked at Google's recent power moves and kinda chose violence.
Sure, you only get around 10 messages on the free tier. But each one comes with the kind of reasoning power that used to cost serious cash.
This isn't generosity. This is OpenAI turning their free tier into a tactical weapon aimed straight at Google's kneecaps.
And Google did grab headlines with its Gemini 2.0 releases yesterday. But, the free version of Google’s front-end Gemini chatbot is still using the 1.5 version.
Try this:
We made this easy.
Go share today’s show on LinkedIn, and receive our guide of 20 business use-cases that combine o3-mini and ChatGPT Search.
It’s a banger.
We did the hard work. You just gotta add a bit of polish, hit enter, and reap some amazing benefits.
Takes 30 seconds and you’ll be instantly saving like 30 hours a month.
Now This …
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