openai unveils new tools as anthropic ships new models

Key Takeaways

• OpenAI launched test ads for ChatGPT Free and Go tiers on February 9, 2026, following an ad war with Anthropic, whose Super Bowl commercials criticized AI advertising. OpenAI CEO Sam Altman argues ads make AI accessible, while Anthropic believes they disrupt helpfulness.
• Major cloud companies and OpenAI are investing over $1.6 trillion in AI infrastructure between 2025 and 2028, signaling continued market growth despite recent corrections.
• The AI market is shifting, causing stock declines for some prominent software companies like Salesforce and Thomson Reuters due to concerns about AI replacing core functions.
• Bank of America raised Taiwan's 2026 GDP forecast from 4.5% to 8% due to strong global demand for AI-driven tech hardware.
• Tristan Harris, a former Google ethicist, warns that unchecked AI could cause a global jobs market collapse by 2027, comparing it to "millions of new digital immigrants."
• Explainable AI is becoming essential for sales forecasting in 2026, as sales leaders require clear reasoning from AI tools to build trust and ensure adoption.
• AI is transforming office work by automating tasks like scheduling and coordination, making in-person collaboration more purposeful and valuable.
• AI-powered cameras on SEPTA buses in Philadelphia issued over 112,000 tickets in seven months for bus lane violations, improving bus travel times by 3-6%.
• Experts advise against giving AI tools like ChatGPT and trading bots full control over stock trading accounts, emphasizing the necessity of human oversight.
• Innovations in sustainable AI hardware, utilizing materials like advanced ceramics, aim to reduce the significant energy consumption and heat generated by AI computing infrastructure.

OpenAI adds ads to ChatGPT after Anthropic criticism

Anthropic ran Super Bowl ads on February 9, 2026, criticizing OpenAI's plan to add ads to ChatGPT. Hours later, OpenAI officially launched test ads for adult users on its Free and Go subscription tiers. OpenAI CEO Sam Altman called Anthropic's ads "dishonest" and said ads would make the free ChatGPT sustainable. OpenAI stated ads will be clearly labeled and separate from answers, with safeguards against sensitive topics. Anthropic argues ads could make AI less helpful by focusing on engagement.

OpenAI and Anthropic clash over AI business models

OpenAI CEO Sam Altman responded to Anthropic's Super Bowl ads, calling them funny but misleading about AI competition. He stated OpenAI aims to bring AI to billions of people who cannot pay for subscriptions, unlike Anthropic which serves "rich people." While both offer paid tiers, Anthropic focuses on business customers, boasting over 300,000. OpenAI, however, emphasizes its massive user base, with 800 million active users weekly. The article highlights a key difference in their strategies: OpenAI targets mass adoption, while Anthropic focuses on business solutions.

OpenAI and Anthropic battle over AI advertising

OpenAI and Anthropic engaged in an ad war around the Super Bowl on February 10, 2026, regarding advertising in AI. Anthropic launched commercials with the tagline "Ads are coming to AI. But not to Claude." OpenAI, which began testing ads in ChatGPT, stated ads will be clearly labeled and separate from AI responses, avoiding sensitive topics or users under 18. OpenAI CEO Sam Altman called Anthropic's ads "deceptive" and argued ads make AI accessible to more people. Anthropic believes ads disrupt the helpfulness of an AI assistant.

AI market sees huge investments and healthy corrections

Experts believe artificial intelligence will drive technology and the economy in 2026, despite recent market corrections. Nicolas Bickel from Edmond de Rothschild notes major cloud companies and OpenAI are investing over $1.6 trillion in AI infrastructure between 2025 and 2028. These investments are already improving various sectors like e-commerce and digital advertising. While some compare the current market to 2000, analysts like Fabiana Fedeli of M&G Investments see it as a healthy reset, not an end to the AI boom. The focus is expanding beyond large US tech companies to global AI beneficiaries across many industries.

AI market shifts from easy gains to new opportunities

The initial phase of the AI boom, which rewarded a few big tech companies, is changing. Louis Navellier explains that while some prominent software stocks have seen sharp declines, this does not mean the AI trend is over. Instead, the market is moving into a more selective second phase. Investors are now questioning if older software models can compete with new, cheaper AI tools. Companies like Thomson Reuters and Salesforce have seen stock drops due to concerns about AI replacing their core functions. This shift creates new opportunities as AI becomes more widespread and integrated.

AI helps bring purpose back to the office

AI can transform the office experience by removing daily frustrations and making in-person work more purposeful. Micah Remley, a CEO of workplace operations platforms, explains that AI handles tasks like scheduling and coordination, freeing up employees for creative collaboration. This helps make office attendance more valuable, especially as meeting times have significantly increased since February 2020. AI-driven tools for desk booking and room scheduling personalize the office day, reducing hassle and allowing for better focus during meetings. Research from MIT Sloan also shows that face-to-face interaction boosts innovation.

Bank of America boosts Taiwan 2026 GDP forecast due to AI

Bank of America has significantly increased its 2026 GDP forecast for Taiwan, raising it from 4.5% to 8%. This change is due to the strong global demand for tech hardware that Taiwanese companies produce, driven by artificial intelligence. Analysts, including Xiaoqing Pi, noted that this reflects continued optimism for Taiwan's technology-led growth. BofA does not expect Taiwan's central bank to raise interest rates this year because of low inflation and weak non-tech sectors. However, the forecast acknowledges potential risks from geopolitical issues.

Journalist explores AI's future impact on news jobs

Josh Boose, a supervising producer at Ideastream Public Media, explores whether artificial intelligence will replace journalism jobs. AI consultant David Caswell believes AI will transform the information ecosystem, but expects more journalists in 10 years, though in different roles like overseeing AI models. Johannes Klingebiel, a researcher at Media Lab Bayern, suggests focusing on how AI can make newsrooms and journalists more effective, rather than just efficient. While AI can handle tasks like logging interviews and even voice cloning, Ideastream Public Media currently does not use AI for voicing reports. Journalists will need to adapt to these new technologies.

Explainable AI is key for sales forecasting in 2026

In 2026, sales leaders and finance teams face a challenge with AI-powered sales forecasts: understanding why the AI makes certain predictions. Many traditional AI forecasting tools have failed to gain trust because they provide scores or percentages without clear reasoning. This "black-box AI" hides the logic behind its predictions, making it hard for sales teams to defend or act on them. Since sales involve human elements like relationships and timing, teams need explanations they can trust. Explainable AI is becoming essential to ensure sales and finance teams adopt and effectively use these powerful tools.

New hardware makes AI computing more sustainable

As AI grows, the energy use and heat generated by computing infrastructure like data centers are a major environmental concern. Sustainable AI hardware focuses on making physical components more energy-efficient and eco-friendly. Innovations in materials, such as advanced ceramics, are crucial because they offer properties like low thermal expansion and resistance to heat. These materials help maintain structural stability, which reduces the need for active cooling and lowers overall energy consumption. Beyond just energy, sustainable design also means creating durable hardware that lasts longer, reducing waste and maintenance.

Do not let AI fully control your stock trades

AI tools like ChatGPT and trading bots are popular among Indian investors for analyzing market data and creating trading strategies quickly. However, experts warn against giving AI full control over your trading account, especially for stocks, intraday, and options trading. Unmonitored AI can be dangerous. The key message is that AI should help you make decisions, not replace your own judgment entirely. Investors should think twice before letting AI manage their money without human oversight.

Former Google ethicist warns AI could collapse job market

Tristan Harris, a former Google ethicist and cofounder of the Center for Humane Technology, warns that unchecked AI could cause a global jobs market collapse by 2027. He believes the rapid pursuit of artificial general intelligence, which matches human cognitive abilities, creates incentives to ignore safety and job disruption. Harris argues AI poses a greater threat to jobs than immigration or trade deals like NAFTA, comparing it to "millions of new digital immigrants" with superhuman capabilities working for very low cost. He stresses that without regulation, companies will prioritize growth over public well-being.

AI cameras on SEPTA buses issue thousands of tickets

AI-powered cameras on over 100 SEPTA buses in Philadelphia have issued more than 112,000 tickets in seven months for cars illegally stopped in bus lanes and stops. The cameras use artificial intelligence to identify violations, which a Philadelphia Parking Authority officer then reviews. SEPTA spokesperson Andrew Busch says this program helps ensure reliable and safe bus service. The agency reports bus travel times have improved by 3 to 6% in enforcement zones. The PPA pays HaydenAI about $400,000 monthly for the program, while fines have generated over $4.3 million for the city.

Sources

• OpenAI Responds to Critical Super Bowl Commercials by Putting Ads in ChatGPT
• OpenAI Is Losing the Big Tech Race. The Super Bowl Ads Made That Clear.
• Battle of the AI Brands: OpenAI and Anthropic's Ad War
• AI in 2026: Major Investments, Real Growth, and Healthy Corrections
• The Easy AI Money Is Over, but the Bigger Gains Come Next
• The human side of AI: How new technology can bring purpose back to the office
• BofA Nearly Doubles Taiwan 2026 GDP Forecast on ‘Relentless’ AI
• An Ideastream journalist wonders: Will AI take my job?
• Explainable AI in CRM Sales Forecasting: Priorities for 2026
• Sustainable AI Hardware: Innovations in Low-Power and Eco-Friendly Computing Infrastructure
• Using ChatGPT for stock trades: Should you let AI control your money? - Should AI manage your trades? Think twice
• AI could trigger a global jobs market collapse by 2027 if left unchecked, former Google ethicist warns
• AI-powered cameras on SEPTA buses have led to thousands of tickets