This website uses cookies

Read our Privacy policy and Terms of use for more information.

In partnership with

Welcome Automaters, 👋

ChatGPT is officially ripping the "you've hit your limit" band-aid off for free users!

Here’s the juicy tea. OpenAI announced it’s completely removing limits on text-based chats for every single user on ChatGPT. This comes right as the platform officially crossed the mind-boggling 1 billion weekly active user mark!

What Is Actually Changing for Free Users?

The brand-new GPT-5.6 Luna model is stepping up to power this uncapped experience, becoming the default engine for Free and Go users while replacing the older GPT-5.5 model. 

Here’s how the new experience breaks down:

  • You can now type away until your fingers fall off without getting hit by that annoying cooldown timer.

  • Both Free and Go accounts are getting a dedicated "Think" button that lets you intentionally dial up higher reasoning power for extra-tricky questions.

  • The Catch: Separate usage limits still apply for file uploads, image attachments, voice mode, and image generation. So basically: think all you want, just don't go completely wild generating AI pictures!

And if you’re dropping cash on Plus or Pro every month, OpenAI is giving you a massive upgrade of your own!

Paid users are moving onto an upgraded GPT-5.6 Sol model, specifically engineered to deliver snappy, compact, and hyper-accurate answers for deep research, planning, and critical decision-making. Plus, paid tiers get an interactive thinking slider to control precisely how much brainpower the model puts into a task.

The best part? OpenAI's internal testing revealed that factual errors plummeted by 62% for GPT-5.6 Luna and a staggering 68% for GPT-5.6 Sol compared to the older GPT-5.5-Instant model! 

The upgraded Sol model is live now for Plus and Pro, other free/Go updates roll out this week, and unlimited chats plus the “Think” button arrive next week. 

The Bottom Line:

OpenAI just made "I'm out of messages" a thing of the past. Whether that's generosity or just good old competitive pressure, we're not complaining. 🙌 

One last thing before you move on: we just launched a new membership offering, and honestly? It's kind of perfect for you. Go take a peek. 

Here’s Yesterday’s breakdown:

Here's what we have for you today

🤯 AI Designed Brand New Viruses, And Scientists Say That's Both Amazing And Terrifying

Okay, take a deep breath, grab your coffee, and brace yourself, because scientists just used artificial intelligence to invent living viruses that have literally never existed on Earth before. And plot twist: it actually worked!

Here’s the story:

A groundbreaking study published in the prestigious journal Science (with coverage breaking in The New York Times) revealed that researchers relied on a specialized AI architecture to design synthetic viruses from scratch, then successfully brought them to life inside a lab.

Yes, you read that correctly!

The brilliant (and slightly terrifying) minds behind this experiment hail from the Palo Alto's Arc Institute and Stanford University.

Their secret weapon was not ChatGPT, Claude, or Gemini. Instead, they deployed a specialized genomic foundation model called Evo, (Evo 1 and Evo 2) which is trained to process genetic sequences rather than human words. Think of Evo as an algorithm that digested trillions of genetic building blocks (nucleotides) until it learned the "language" of life itself. 

Here’s how the scientists set up the experiment:

  • The team fed Evo genetic profiles from roughly 15,000 natural viruses, specifically phages (Phi X-174) that only target E. coli bacteria.

  • They chose a harmless, standard bacterial target widely used in biological research to keep things safe.

  • Crucially, hard limits were built into the workflow so Evo could not design anything capable of infecting humans, animals, plants, or fungi. 

So, what happened when they hit generate? Evo dreamed up a mind-boggling 700,000 potential new viral designs!

The research team selected the 285 most viable candidates, built their physical DNA in the lab, and introduced them into host bacteria to see if they would function.

The results were astonishing:

  • 16 of Evo's completely manufactured viruses successfully came to life and functioned as intended.

  • Several of these AI-engineered phages were actually more efficient at reproducing than the natural virus they were modeled after.

In short: AI did not just copy nature; it actively optimized it!

So why are scientists risking it all on synthetic biology? Because the therapeutic potential is gigantic! This technology could spark massive revolutions in targeted gene therapy, cancer treatment delivery, and medical biotechnology.

However, here’s the exact thought keeping biosecurity experts awake at night:

If a specialized model can whip up a harmless bacterial virus today, what happens when an even more capable model is instructed to build something significantly more dangerous tomorrow? The Stanford and Arc Institute teams maintained strict safety protocols throughout, but the overarching question remains: will every future lab exercise the same restraint?

The Bottom Line:

AI is no longer just writing high school essays or generating cute pet pictures; it’s officially authoring physical biology! It’s undeniably cool, totally revolutionary, and just a little bit unsettling.

And trust me, you do not want to miss our deep dive on this over on our YouTube channel. Head over, watch, subscribe, and hit that notification bell so you never miss a new upload. And don't just watch, engage! We want to hear what you think.

Until then, see ya next week. Have a fun weekend! 🎉

Smart starts here.

You don't have to read everything — just the right thing. 1440's daily newsletter distills the day's biggest stories from 100+ sources into one quick, 5-minute read. It's the fastest way to stay sharp, sound informed, and actually understand what's happening in the world. Join 4.5 million readers who start their day the smart way.

🧱 Around The AI Block

👩‍🎓 AI Tutorials

How to Use ChatGPT VOICE to Learn Any Language for FREE.

And: How to Store Sensitive Data in HubSpot Smart CRM.

So tell us, what’s the single most annoying, tedious task in your daily workflow that you desperately wish an AI could just handle for you?

Hit reply and the next video might just be around your exact problem!

How Marketers Are Scaling With AI in 2026

61% of marketers say this is the biggest marketing shift in decades.

Get the data and trends shaping growth in 2026 with this groundbreaking state of marketing report.

Inside you’ll discover:

  • Results from over 1,500 marketers centered around results, goals and priorities in the age of AI

  • Stand out content and growth trends in a world full of noise

  • How to scale with AI without losing humanity

  • Where to invest for the best return in 2026

Download your 2026 state of marketing report today.

🤖 AI Workout Of The Day: Use AI to Find Your Next Favorite Spot

Let’s be real: scrolling through endless “best of” lists only to end up at a tourist trap with soggy fries is a total vibe-killer. Whether you’re hunting for a hidden speakeasy or a kid-friendly pasta joint that won't judge your toddler's meltdown, 2026 is the year we officially let the robots do the heavy lifting.

The "Big Three" Tools for Your Pocket

Forget basic search. To find the real gems, you need the right kit in your digital pocket:

  • Google Maps + Gemini: Google maps is no longer just a map; it’s a conversational wingman. Thanks to a massive late-2025 upgrade, you can now point your camera at a restaurant while walking and ask, "What's the vibe inside?" or "Why is this place popular?" and Gemini instantly scans live data to give you the tea. You try: "Hey Gemini, find a budget-friendly taco spot on my route with a heated patio,"  and it’ll even highlight landmarks in Street View so you stop missing your turns.

  • Perplexity AI: This is the "fact-checker" of food. Instead of reading 500 conflicting reviews, Perplexity scans them all and gives you a cited summary. Even better? They partnered with OpenTable, so you can find, vet, and book a table for Friday at 7 PM without ever leaving the chat.

  • Yelp Assistant: Their Fall '25 update was a game-changer. The star of the show is Menu Vision— you point your phone at a physical menu and it overlays photos of the dishes and what people actually said about them. So yeah, no more "ordering mystery food" anxiety!

Now, to get a 10/10 recommendation, you have to stop talking to the AI like a computer and start talking to it like a picky friend. Don't just type "pizza." Try this:

  1. The Vibe: "I want a cozy, quiet spot for a 7:00 PM date."

  2. The Dealbreakers: "Must have vegan options and be under $50 per person."

  3. The Real Talk: "Only show places with 4.5+ stars and mention if I’m going to spend 20 minutes looking for parking."

The secret sauce? These tools search everything at once. We’re talking: news, menus, and reviews, to give you ONE clear answer instead of making you click through ten different SEO-stuffed websites.

💡 Prompts To Try:

Act like a picky friend with great taste and zero patience for mid options. I’m looking for [overall vibe / mood / scenario] at [time/day] for [who it’s for or occasion]. The location must have [non-negotiables: budget, diet, location, etc.]. Only show options with [minimum rating] and warn me about [parking, crowds, waits, hidden annoyances].

Output Rules:

 – Give me [number] options max
 – Rank them best → worst
 – Explain why each one made the cut in plain English
 – No filler, no sponsored vibes, no “technically counts” suggestions.

Is this your AI Workout of the Week (WoW)? Cast your vote!

Login or Subscribe to participate

That's all we've got for you today.

Did you like today's content? We'd love to hear from you! Please share your thoughts on our content below👇

What'd you think of today's email?

Login or Subscribe to participate

Your feedback means a lot to us and helps improve the quality of our newsletter.

More From The Automated