Run for your lives! The Robotaxis are on the way!
Perhaps I was being a little bit dramatic... but if you do want to learn more about Robotaxis or Duolingo, read on!
I wanted to talk about my latest TV obsession, Destination X, but AI just will not let me.
Everywhere I look, something new is happening from a new ChatGPT update to robotaxis lining up to terrorise European streets. I tried to ignore it, honestly. But when the headlines keep screaming about how we work, learn and travel changing under our noses, even a reality TV twist can wait.
Read more below!
Ben
ChatGPT-5 gets smarter but loses its menu
TL;DR: GPT-5 is sharper, more accurate and integrated into your workflow, but you cannot choose your model anymore.
Why it’s interesting:
OpenAI has merged everything into one brain that decides when to think fast or slow. It handles coding, maths and reasoning better, with supposedly 26% less hallucinations than the previous model. Some plus users miss the old freedom to pick the “right” model for the job [1]. The upside is less friction, the downside is you are now trusting the chef to choose the recipe, even when you wanted something else.
Duolingo shrugs off the protests
TL;DR: Outrage over its AI-first lessons vanished as profits, revenue and users soared.
Why it’s interesting:
Q2 delivered $12.9 million profit, $201.6 million in bookings and 54% more daily users. Just months ago, learners were staging noisy protests against AI replacing human-designed lessons. Now they are logging in daily to chase streaks and feel tiny bursts of progress in droves. Duolingo shows that if the experience still “works” for people, even a mass revolt can morph into free marketing and a bigger, more profitable customer base.
Robotaxis could be Europe’s next big ride
TL;DR: Lyft and Baidu plan driverless taxis in Europe by 2026, pilots starting next year if regulators blink.
Why it’s interesting:
Baidu brings the self-driving smarts, Lyft brings riders and red-tape navigation. It sounds exciting until you watch footage of robotaxis in San Francisco beeping all night long [2]. Still, no-contact rides will be tempting, especially for us anti-social Londoners. Whoever nails the rollout first will likely corner the market. Time is of the essence as category-leader Waymo are also rumoured to be planning an entrance [3].