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Welcome to the cutting edge ⚔️ 

Read time: 7 min

Today’s Slate

• Perplexity throws their hat in the Deep Research arena

• Grok 3 makes it’s debut from xAI and Elon

• Meta’s AI can read your mind at ~80% accuracy

• South Korea is the latest to block access to DeepSeek

• More smart glasses competitors come to market as Meta prepares to scale their Ray-Ban product

• Unitree’s robot can really bust a move after their latest updates

• The. Future. Is. Here.

Artificial Intelligence

At a glance

• Deep Research for All: Perplexity launches a dedicated AI-powered Deep Research tool, offering expert-level reports on topics like finance, marketing, and technology.

• Free (With Limits): Unlike competitors, Perplexity provides a limited number of free queries daily for all users, with unlimited access for Pro subscribers.

• Competitor Comparison: OpenAI’s Deep Research leads in accuracy (26.6%), followed by Perplexity. Google's Gemini Advanced and DeepSeek R1 lag behind.

• How It Works: Users can select "Deep Research" from the chat box, submit a query, and receive a comprehensive report in 2-4 minutes, downloadable as a PDF or shareable page.

• Pricing Edge: Perplexity offers a more accessible alternative to competitors, as Gemini’s version costs $19.99/month and ChatGPT’s requires a $200/month subscription.

Our vision

Perplexity is lowering the barrier to AI-powered deep research, offering a tool that puts expert-level analysis into more hands without the hefty price tag. As rivals like OpenAI and Google lock their advanced tools behind subscriptions, Perplexity’s approach makes serious AI research more accessible. Whether you’re in finance, marketing, or just want deeper insights, this could be a game-changer for knowledge seekers everywhere.

At a glance

• Grok-3 Unveiled: xAI’s latest AI model boasts 10x more compute power than its predecessor, claiming to outperform OpenAI’s GPT-4o, Google’s Gemini, and DeepSeek V3.

• New Reasoning Modes: Introduces "Think" mode (displays reasoning process) and "Big Brain" mode (handles complex, resource-intensive tasks).

• Deep Search: A new AI-driven search engine designed to provide next-generation results.

• Higher Subscription Costs: Access to Grok-3 requires X Premium Plus, now $40/month, marking the second price hike in two months. A new SuperGrok plan ($30/month) promises earlier feature access.

• Future Features: xAI plans to introduce synthesized voice responses and make Grok-2 open source in the coming months.

Our vision

xAI is betting on more powerful reasoning and search capabilities to set Grok-3 apart in the AI race, but its aggressive pricing could limit accessibility. While Musk’s “maximally truth-seeking” approach appeals to some, Grok’s past issues with misinformation and limited safeguards raise concerns. As AI assistants continue evolving, the battle isn’t just about intelligence—it’s about trust, usability, and cost.

At a glance

• Mind-Reading AI: Meta’s AI reconstructs sentences from brain activity with 80% accuracy using non-invasive methods.

• No Surgery Required: Uses MEG and EEG instead of implanted brain chips.

• Improved Accuracy: Trained on 35 participants, doubling the effectiveness of EEG-based decoding.

• Key Limitation: Requires a shielded environment and hasn’t been tested on people with brain injuries.

• Beyond Speech: Helps researchers understand how the brain converts thoughts into language.

• Future Potential: Could enable non-invasive brain-computer interfaces, but not yet practical.

Our vision

Meta's brain-reading AI feels like a glimpse into the future of human-machine interaction, where thoughts could be turned into text without speaking or typing. While its accuracy and non-invasive design are promising, practical hurdles like testing on diverse users and real-world deployment remain. If successful, this could revolutionize assistive technology, communication, and even human cognition itself.

At a glance

• AI and XR Convergence: AI is reshaping extended reality (XR), making experiences more interactive, personalized, and immersive.

• Digital Twins & AI: AI enhances real-time data processing and predictive modeling in digital twins, improving simulations for industries like aerospace and healthcare.

• Trust & Security Concerns: AI-generated content can lead to misinformation, deepfakes, and data privacy risks, requiring strict oversight.

• AI’s Role in XR Development: Companies like Autodesk are integrating AI for more precise 3D modeling, shifting job roles toward curating AI output.

• Regulatory Challenges: The FCC warns of AI-powered XR supercharging misinformation, bias, and privacy concerns, calling for global regulation.

Our vision

AI and XR are on a collision course, blending to create smarter, more immersive virtual worlds. The upside? More intuitive interactions, lifelike simulations, and new opportunities in industries from healthcare to gaming. The risk? AI-fueled manipulation, security vulnerabilities, and reality distortion. The challenge ahead is clear—harness the potential while mitigating the pitfalls.

At a glance

• Temporary Block in South Korea: Officials restricted new downloads of DeepSeek pending a review of its data privacy compliance.

• Data Sent to ByteDance: Investigators found user data was transferred to TikTok's parent company, raising concerns over privacy violations.

• Existing Users Advised to Be Cautious: The app remains accessible, but South Korea’s data authority warns against entering personal information.

• Global Security Concerns: Australia, Italy, and Taiwan have also imposed restrictions or outright bans on DeepSeek due to national security risks.

• DeepSeek’s Response: The company hired a local representative in Korea and pledged to work with authorities to meet compliance standards.

Our vision

DeepSeek's privacy and security challenges echo growing global concerns over data control in AI-driven platforms. With multiple governments blocking or scrutinizing the app, it highlights an ongoing battle between AI innovation and regulatory oversight. As AI adoption spreads, ensuring data transparency will be a critical hurdle for emerging tech companies.

Spatial Computing

At a glance

• On-the-go productivity: Micro-OLED display delivers vibrant, crisp visuals for a portable workstation experience.

• Comfortable design: Lightweight, premium build with adjustable lenses and intuitive controls for all-day use.

• Strong desktop performance: Works well with Mac and Windows, supporting multi-screen setups and 120Hz refresh rates.

• Weak mobile experience: iOS and Android integration is buggy and unintuitive, limiting full functionality on phones.

• Limited immersion: 46-degree field of view means it lacks the wraparound effect of VR headsets like the Quest 3.

• Competing options: Xreal Air 2 Pro offers similar features for less, but Viture Pro XR boasts better brightness.

Our vision

Mixed-reality glasses are getting closer to replacing traditional screens, and the Viture Pro XR is a strong step forward for mobile productivity. While it excels as a portable multi-screen workstation, its mobile experience is lacking, making it best for desktop users who want an immersive yet practical display. If you’re looking for an alternative to bulky monitors while traveling, this could be your new go-to device.

At a glance

• Massive sales milestone: Meta's Ray-Ban smart glasses have surpassed 2 million sales since launching in October 2023.

• Production ramp-up: EssilorLuxottica plans to scale production to 10 million units per year by 2026.

• Heavy promotion: Meta is doubling down on marketing, including Super Bowl ads featuring A-list celebrities.

• Next-gen features rumored: Future models may include a built-in display for added functionality.

• AI-powered future: Meta aims to integrate multimodal AI into its smart glasses, potentially introducing subscription-based services.

• A growing ecosystem: EssilorLuxottica sees Meta's smart glasses as a shared platform open to collaborations with other brands.

Our vision

Smart glasses are shifting from a niche gadget to a mainstream tech accessory, and Meta’s Ray-Bans are leading the charge. With huge sales, major production plans, and rumored new features, these glasses are on track to become a wearable AI assistant built into everyday eyewear. As AI and display tech evolve, smart glasses could soon replace the need to constantly glance at a phone—bringing us one step closer to seamless augmented reality.

At a glance

• Gamified math education: Polymath blends Roblox-style gameplay with adaptive math lessons to make learning fun.

• Immersive problem-solving: Players solve real-world math challenges while exploring a virtual island, building structures, and trading resources.

• Adaptive AI learning: A personalized algorithm adjusts questions based on individual progress to enhance retention.

• Multi-user learning: Supports classroom collaboration and at-home learning with real-time student tracking and parental insights.

• Expansion roadmap: Plans to introduce advanced curricula, collaborative problem-solving, and purchasable avatar assets.

• Cross-platform availability: Free to play on web, iOS, and Android with thousands of users across multiple countries.

Our vision

Polymath’s interactive, physics-based world is a natural fit for XR platforms, where students could manipulate virtual objects in augmented or mixed reality for a deeper understanding of math concepts. Imagine solving equations by physically moving blocks, building 3D geometric models in AR, or engaging in multiplayer math challenges in a shared virtual classroom. As AI-driven adaptive learning and XR technologies converge, Polymath could be the foundation for the next generation of hands-on, immersive education.

Robotics

At a glance

• AI-powered dance moves: Unitree’s G1 humanoid robot now performs human-like dance routines with improved fluidity and precision.

• New algorithm update: The G1 can learn from human interaction and pre-recorded videos, thanks to an advanced motion control dataset.

• Training in simulation: Robots train in Nvidia’s Isaac Simulator, using a digital twin before transferring skills to real-world models (Sim2Real).

• Affordable humanoids?: Unitree is pushing for cost reduction, aiming to make robotics widely accessible, with the G1 starting at $16K.

• Going viral: A recent performance at China Spring Gala has helped Unitree’s robots gain mainstream attention.

Our vision

The line between human and robotic movement is blurring, and AI-driven humanoids are learning faster than ever. With robots now training in virtual environments before even being built, the future of fluid, responsive, and affordable robotics is closer than we think. As these systems become more agile and interactive, their potential applications in entertainment, assistance, and everyday life are expanding rapidly.

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