Daily AI Newsletter: OpenAI is trying to extend human life, with help from a longevity startup

In today’s email:

🕹️ AI startup Character AI tests games on the web
🥰 She Is in Love With ChatGPT
🤯 o1 is mind-blowing when you know how to use it.
🧰 8 new AI-powered tools and resources. Make sure to check the online version for the full list of tools.

OpenAI is trying to extend human life, with help from a longevity startup

OpenAI has ventured into biotechnology with a new AI model designed to engineer proteins for longevity science. Collaborating with Retro Biosciences, a company funded by OpenAI CEO Sam Altman, the AI—called GPT-4b micro—was tasked with redesigning Yamanaka factors, proteins used to reprogram cells into stem cells. These proteins are vital for research on extending human lifespan and regenerating tissues but are notoriously inefficient. The AI outperformed human efforts, improving the proteins’ effectiveness by more than 50%, though the results remain unpublished.

Unlike Google DeepMind’s AlphaFold, which predicts protein structures, GPT-4b micro generates novel protein sequences tailored to specific functions. It uses a focused dataset of protein interactions and sequences, making it a "small language model" compared to OpenAI’s flagship chatbots. Retro scientists guided the model using prompt-based techniques, and the lab quickly validated its suggestions. Despite its successes, the underlying mechanisms behind the AI's solutions remain unclear, highlighting the enigmatic nature of such advanced models.

This project marks OpenAI’s first foray into biological data and signals its intent to contribute to scientific discovery. While no money changed hands in the partnership, the collaboration raises questions about Altman’s dual roles as an investor and OpenAI CEO. Critics worry about potential conflicts of interest, especially given Altman’s extensive investments in startups like Retro. Nonetheless, the breakthrough demonstrates AI's potential to accelerate innovation in health and longevity research.

Free Notion and Unlimited AI

Thousands of startups use Notion as a connected workspace to create and share docs, take notes, manage projects, and organize knowledge—all in one place. We’re partnering with Notion to offer 3 months of new Plus plans($3000 value), including unlimited Notion AI so you can try it all for free!

To redeem the Notion for Startups offer:

Submit an application using our custom link: https://ntn.so/superpowerdaily and select Superpower Daily on the partner list.
Include our partner key, STARTUP4110P37060.

Free Notion and Unlimited AI

AI startup Character AI tests games on the web

Character AI, an AI entertainment startup, is testing games on its desktop and mobile web apps to boost user engagement. The games, available to paid subscribers and select free users, let people play with their favorite AI-powered characters. Two initial games, Speakeasy and War of Words, are part of this launch. In Speakeasy, users prompt the chatbot to say a specific word without using restricted terms, while War of Words is a duel judged by an AI referee over five rounds. Users access the games by tapping a controller icon on their chat interface, with an option to start a separate game-focused chat.

The introduction of games aligns with Character AI’s vision of being an AI-driven entertainment platform rather than a tool for building AI companions. Interim CEO Dominic Perella emphasized the company's focus on creating fun, engaging experiences, such as story-sharing and text-based games. This move mirrors strategies from platforms like YouTube and Netflix, which use games to extend user activity. Currently, Character AI users spend an impressive 98 minutes per day on the platform, according to analytics firm Sensor Tower.

Character AI has faced challenges, including leadership changes after co-founders Noam Shazeer and Daniel De Freitas departed for Google, and lawsuits that prompted enhanced safety measures. These updates include clearer labels on AI characters and time-out notifications for prolonged usage. The company continues to evolve, leveraging games as a tool to solidify its identity as an entertainment-focused platform while ensuring a safer and more engaging user experience.

Perplexity AI submits bid to merge with TikTok

Perplexity AI has entered the bidding war to merge with TikTok US as a looming ban on the video app approaches in the United States. CNBC first reported Perplexity’s bid, which was later confirmed by a source to TechCrunch. The proposal involves creating a new entity combining Perplexity, TikTok US, and additional equity partners, while allowing most ByteDance investors to retain their stakes. Perplexity AI, led by CEO Aravind Srinivas, hopes the merger will enhance its AI search engine by integrating more video capabilities.

The ban, set to take effect on Sunday, January 19—President Joe Biden's last day in office—requires ByteDance to sell TikTok or face US restrictions. President-elect Donald Trump, set to be inaugurated the following day, has hinted at granting a 90-day extension, but TikTok stated it would "go dark" without clear assurances from the outgoing administration. TikTok’s CEO thanked Trump for his efforts in a video message, while uncertainty over the app’s future persists.

ByteDance has maintained its resistance to selling TikTok, despite several offers from potential buyers. CNBC reported that Perplexity AI aims to sidestep ByteDance’s reluctance by proposing a merger rather than an outright sale. Meanwhile, ByteDance has dismissed speculative reports, such as claims of Elon Musk's potential involvement, as false. Both TikTok and Perplexity AI have yet to comment on the merger bid.