Chat, Care, Repeat

Welcome back apprentices! 👋

Feeling a little low on energy as we dive into this fresh 2025 week?

Don’t worry — you’re not alone. I felt the same way not too long ago, dragging through days and wondering what was missing. 

Turns out, it wasn’t motivation — it was vitamins and minerals. 

The fix? 

The Smart Choice for Nutrition

Huel Black Edition combines 40g of protein with essential vitamins & minerals for a meal that’s ready when you are.

Enjoy convenient, affordable, complete nutrition in seconds.

Get 15% off your first order, plus a free t-shirt and shaker with code BEHUEL15.

Upgrade Your Meals Today

In today's email

•  Sky-T1-32B-Preview

• Grok AI app

• Columbia University’s new AI

• Your new personal translator

• The world’s cutest therapist

• More of CES 2025

_{Read Time: 4 minutes}

New Year Update: Starting soon, our newsletter will come from a new provider! To keep receiving our updates without a hitch, please add [email protected] to your contacts.

Quick News 

💡 UC Berkeley’s NovaSky team just unleashed Sky-T1-32B-Preview, an AI model that’s basically a tech wizard built on a shoestring budget. Trained in just 19 hours for $450 (less than a gaming PC), Sky-T1 is out here flexing its math and coding skills, rivaling OpenAI’s early o1 models. Even better? It’s fully open-source — data, code, weights, the works. Fancy AI without the fancy price tag.

📱 xAI has officially broken up with X and launched a Grok AI app, making it a standalone contender in the AI world. The new iOS app gives users access to Grok 2, complete with image generation, text summarization, and the ability to browse real-time info from the web and X. No X account needed — just sign in with Apple, Google, email, or, if you must, your X handle. Grok’s finally stepping out of the X shadow, and with Grok 3 on the horizon, it’s looking to climb the AI ranks.

🧬 Columbia University’s new AI, General Expression Transformer (GET), is like the Sherlock Holmes of gene behavior. Trained on over 1.3 million cells, it can predict gene activity in any human cell with 94% accuracy—even when it hasn’t seen the cell type before. GET’s already uncovered clues about pediatric leukemia and can spot long-distance genetic relationships (like the DNA version of texting your cousin across the globe).

Together with Fyxer

Save 1 hour every day with Fyxer AI

Fyxer AI automates daily email and meeting tasks through:

• Email Organization: Fyxer puts your email into folders so you read the important ones first.

• Automated Email Drafting: Drafts replies as if they were written by you; convincing, concise and with perfect spelling in every language.

• Meeting Notes: Stay focused in meetings while Fyxer takes notes, writes summaries and drafts follow-up emails.

Fyxer AI is even adaptable to teams!

Setting up Fyxer AI takes just 30 seconds with Gmail or Outlook.

Free 7 Day Trial

Romi 
The AI Bestie That Talks Back and Cares 

At CES 2025, Mixi Inc. introduced Romi, a pocket-sized AI robot that’s basically the world’s cutest therapist. Designed to tackle loneliness and depression, Romi does it all — remembers your conversations, chats like a pro, and can pull off over 150 facial expressions. For $570 (plus a $12 monthly fee), you get a tiny companion who listens, cares, and doesn’t roll its eyes when you rant.

What Is Romi?

Imagine if your favorite pet could talk, respond to your mood, and didn’t need walks or litter boxes. That’s Romi. Here’s what makes it so unique:

• Memory Like an Elephant: Romi remembers what you said yesterday, last week, or last month — so you can’t repeat stories and hope it forgets.

• Mood Decoder: It picks up on your tone and tailors its responses, which is more than most humans can manage.

• Chit-Chat Champion: With over 150 facial expressions and casual banter skills, it feels less like talking to a robot and more like catching up with a friend.

Currently winning hearts in Japan, Romi has already made its way into nursing homes, where it’s helping residents connect, laugh, and feel less lonely.

Why AI Companions Like Romi Matter

Loneliness isn’t just sad — it’s a literal health hazard. Studies have linked it to everything from depression to heart disease. Enter AI, with its promise to keep you company without complaining about Wi-Fi speeds.

Why Romi Is a Big Deal

1. It’s Always There: No vacations, no ghosting — it’s a 24/7 buddy.

2. Stigma-Free Support: Not everyone’s ready for therapy, but a robot? Way less intimidating.

3. Sneaky Health Benefits: By tracking conversations and tone, Romi could spot signs of mental health issues before they get serious.

Is AI the New Doctor’s Assistant?

While Romi is focused on emotional support, AI companions are poised to do much more. Imagine a single device that not only talks you through a tough day but also monitors your heart rate, reminds you to take your meds, and suggests healthier meal options (yes, pizza isn’t a food group).

What’s Next?

• Wearable Synergy: AI robots could sync with your smartwatch to keep tabs on your overall health.

• AI Therapy 2.0: Add cognitive behavioral therapy tools, and suddenly Romi’s more than a buddy—it’s your coach.

• Voice-Activated Diagnostics: Who knew your grumpy “I’m fine” could give away your stress levels? AI will.

Not So Fast, Robo-Buddy

Before you start imagining Romi as your full-time shrink, let’s talk challenges:

• Data Drama: Romi knows a lot about you. Keeping that data safe? Critical.

• Over-Attachment Issues: If you’d rather talk to Romi than real people, it might be time to recalibrate.

• Cultural Sensitivity: Not all cultures communicate the same way—AI has to learn fast if it wants to go global.

Why Romi Stands Out

Unlike many AI tools that need constant Wi-Fi, Romi works offline. That means your deep chats are private, secure, and uninterrupted, even when the internet decides to take a nap.

Plus, its application in elderly care is genius. With aging populations worldwide, Romi could be the friendly face many older adults need—no tech skills required.

Why Businesses Should Care

Romi isn’t just a cool gadget; it’s a business opportunity. Companies in healthcare, tech, and consumer goods should pay attention because:

• Mental Health Is a Growing Market: Solutions like Romi address a real, global need.

• Subscription Models Work: The combination of an upfront purchase and ongoing subscription is a sustainable revenue model.

• Customization Is Key: Imagine tailored AI companions for kids, seniors, or even stressed-out CEOs.

Romi isn’t just a robot — it’s a peek into the future of AI-powered personal health assistants. It’s tackling loneliness today, but tomorrow? It might be managing your diet, reminding you to hydrate, and giving your smartwatch a run for its money.

CES 2025 

Missed every buzzworthy moment of CES 2025? Don’t worry — We’ve got you covered with three game-changing reveals that are so cool they might just revolutionize your life (or at least make it a little flashier).

📽️ VLC media player isn’t just your go-to for random file formats anymore — it’s now your personal translator. At CES 2025, VLC unveiled real-time AI-powered subtitles and translations that work offline, supporting over 100 languages. No plugins, no cloud services, just your trusty VLC doing all the heavy lifting on your device. With 6 billion downloads under its belt, VLC is proving it can still teach old software some fancy new tricks.

🏠 Samsung wowed CES attendees with its "Home AI" system, a network that turns your appliances into a synchronized, mood-reading squad. Imagine your fridge recommending recipes while your TV dims the lights and plays jazz because it feels like you need to chill. It’s all connected, and it’s all smart — almost suspiciously so. Samsung promises an effortless user experience, though we wouldn’t be surprised if it starts suggesting how often you should vacuum. 

🚗 Sony and Honda teamed up to unveil the Afeela 1, a car that’s basically your co-pilot, therapist, and DJ all rolled into one. Packed with AI, sensors, and cameras, it interacts with passengers like it’s auditioning for a role in your road trip movie. Need directions? Done. Feeling tense? It might suggest soothing tunes and adjust the seat. Sony’s bringing its entertainment expertise into the car game, proving that the future of driving isn’t just autonomous — it’s attentive.

Let's Chat About AI

This is all for today!

Replay to this email with your thoughts.

AI is more than just a buzzword. It’s a shift in how we live and work. And understanding it a bit better means you can make smarter choices about the tech you use every day.

_FEEDBACK