
Welcome Automaters!
Something very interesting just happened between OpenAI, the Pentagon, and Microsoft β and letβs just say, itβs giving βtech plot twist.β
For one, AIβs getting deeper into defense, rules are shifting, and one major player might be feeling left out.
Youβre gonna want to see how this one unfolds.
Here's what we have for you today
π€ OpenAI Lands a $200M Pentagon Deal

The U.S. Department of Defense just handed OpenAI a contract worth up to $200 million.
What for? To help build AI-powered tools thatβll make military admin easier, faster, and a whole lot smarter.
Think:
Helping service members get healthcare (minus the paperwork chaos)
Organizing data across different military programs
Supporting βproactive cyber defenseβ (yep, thatβs vague on purpose)
But hereβs where things get a lilβ interestingβ¦
OpenAI has always said its tech shouldnβt be used to build weapons. Still true.
Buuut back in January 2024, they quietly removed a line from their terms that explicitly banned βmilitary and warfareβ use.
So now?
Weβre in a bit of a gray zone. On one hand, theyβre stepping into the defense world, on the other, theyβre insisting itβs all about the βgoodβ kind of AI. But...
Are we talking helpful admin bots, or something with a touch of Black Ops?
Honestly? Itβs still a little fuzzy.
And about Microsoft?
Whew. That's the awkward part. π¬
Microsoft β OpenAIβs biggest investor β has been the U.S. government's tech BFF for decades, with a bazillion contracts and all the top-tier security creds.
Just this April, Microsoft announced that the DoD gave its Azure OpenAI service the green light for all classified levels. Big win, right?
Welp⦠now the DoD is also signing a deal with OpenAI directly.
So basically, Microsoft built the roadβ¦ and OpenAI technically zoomed past them in a Ferrari. ππ¨
Neither side commented β which just makes the whole thing feel extra spicy.
But Hereβs the Bigger Picture:
OpenAI isnβt just working with the DoD. Theyβre now playing in the big leagues of government AI through a new initiative called βOpenAI for Government.β
So far, that includes collabs with:
U.S. National Labs
The Air Force Research Lab
NASA
NIH
The Treasury
Yep β theyβre not just building cool models anymore, theyβre building a federal fanbase.
And with tech bros like Marc Andreessen hyping up an βAI cold warβ between the U.S. and China? Itβs really no surprise that the U.S. wants first dibs on the best AI talent in town.
You can catch the full details of the deal here.
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πΆοΈ Meta Adds a Stylish Twist to AI

After the Ray-Ban smart glasses outperformed expectations (yepβthe ones with the camera and built-in AI assistant), Metaβs officially leveling up.
Word on the street isβ¦..Theyβre teaming up with Oakley and Prada to drop the next wave of AI-powered glasses.
First up: Oakley x Meta smart glasses might be dropping as soon as this Friday (June 20). And from the looks of it, theyβre built for the sporty, always-on-the-move crowd.
Whether youβre skiing, serving aces, or just showing off your gym drip, these babies are built to handle it β especially the hands-free recording part.
And hereβs the best part: theyβre more weatherproof than the Ray-Bans, but still come packed with the same tech goodness, including:
Voice-controlled Meta AI
Built-in camera and mic
The ability to livestream, take calls, and play music β all straight from your face
And yep, theyβll likely cost around $360.
Now for the fashion flex:
Metaβs also teaming up with Prada for its first big step into high-end fashion collabsβmade possible by Pradaβs 10-year licensing deal with Luxottica (the eyewear giant behind Ray-Ban and Oakley).
Thereβs no official launch date yet, but the hype is real.
Why?
Because Pradaβs signature chunky frames are apparently perfect for hiding all the smart techβ weβre talking: mics, chips, batteriesβwithout compromising the iconic Prada look.
So yeah, Meta wants you to look good, feel good, and record every second of it.
And honestly, if they pull this offβ¦.Smart glasses might just become the new AirPods. Except cooler. And with better drip. πΆοΈ
More details here
βοΈ Editorβs Corner
Hey Automaters,
We hit a few firsts today, and Iβm super excited to share these with you.
We just had our first guest post from Paul Muller about entrepreneur Alex So, who applies AI to a 200 year tradition that is horse racing. Paul is a good friend of mine and writes extensively about Hong Kong business and entrepreneurs at his great Substack Better Read Paul.
A quick note is that we will post exclusive content on our website that you wonβt find anywhere else, so bookmark and check the site every so often. And of course weβll send you reminders here!
The other first is that we will be hosting our first ever Automated AI Leadership Dojo on July 20-26 in Yerevan, Armenia, with my long term friends and partners Startup Seaside Summit.
We will be covering learnings from AI and discussing the future, but also get back to nature and our bodies by practicing esoteric Chinese martial arts, which Iβve been fortunate to have learned from some of the best in the world. This will all be in the backdrop of the oldest Christian nation in the world, as well as the mountain where Noahβs Ark is rumored to be.
Iβm super excited, and would love to see you there. Please use the 30% off code OyGsduJs during the Early Bird period, and for Premium subscribers, I will share the 50% off code tomorrow.
Cheers,
Tak Lo, Editor
π§±Around The AI Block
π€ How AI chatbots keep people coming back.
π¦Ύ 601 real-world generative AI use cases across industries.
π¨ββοΈ California is trying to regulate its AI giants β again.
π² Adobe made a mobile app for its Firefly generative AI tools.
π° Elon Muskβs xAI is reportedly seeking a $4.3B equity raise.
π± Amazon CEO says it will cut jobs due to AIβs βefficiencyβ.
π€¦ Intel to lay off up to 20% of Intel Foundry workers.
πΌ Sam Altman says Meta tried and failed to poach OpenAIβs talent with $100M offers.
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π€ ChatGPT Prompt Of The Day: Minimalist Travel Strategy Guide
Letβs be honestβvacations can get stressful real quick. Overstuffed bags, jam-packed itineraries, and the pressure to "do it all" often leave you feeling burned out instead of blissed out.
This prompt is here to change that.
Whether youβre planning a weekend getaway or a multi-country adventure, it helps you focus on what really mattersβso you can ditch the stress, keep things simple, and actually enjoy the ride. Bonus: thereβs even room for a little spontaneity.
Hereβs How to Use This Prompt Effectively:
Know your basics: Before you run the prompt, jot down your destination, trip duration, type of trip (leisure, adventure, work-play), and any must-do activities.
Be honest about your travel style: If you like to keep things spontaneous, say so. If you prefer a bit more structure, thatβs okay too.
Stick to 2β3 meaningful activities per dayβthis keeps you energized instead of overwhelmed.
Use the suggestions flexibly: Youβre not stuck to any planβtweak and adapt as you go!
Hereβs the prompt:
"Act as a minimalist travel planner. I want a stress-free, low-clutter vacation. Ask me for the essential trip details (like destination, travel dates, climate, and key activities). Then, based on my inputs create:
A compact, destination-specific packing list
A simple 2β3 activity per day itinerary
Flexible travel tips on avoiding tourist traps and maximizing enjoyment with minimal effort.
Focus on balance, ease, and enjoyment."
Hereβs a sneak peek:
Upgrade now to see this whole monthβs prompt videos and more, or buy TODAYβS WODΒ forΒ justΒ $1.99
Is this your AI Workout of the Week (WoW)? Cast your vote!
That's all we've got for you today.
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