Hello and welcome to the Automated, your AI tour guide.

AI is no longer just a tool—it’s becoming the workforce. Companies are now hiring AI agents instead of humans, and OpenAI is looking to cash in big time.

But what exactly are these AI agents, and why are businesses willing to pay for them?

Here’s what we have for you today:

• 🤑 AI Agents: The Cost-Saving Employees.

• 🔍 Google Search’s New ‘AI Mode’ Brings Smarter, More Conversational Searches!

• 👍 25 things you didn’t know ChatGPT could do.

• 🛒 5 AI predictions eCommerce businesses need to know.

• 🤖 ChatGPT Prompt Of The Day: Develop Research Questions.

🤑 AI Agents: The Cost-Saving Employees.

First, generative AI shook things up. Now, AI agents are here to take things even further. And when we say "take over," we mean it—companies are literally posting job listings for AI agents instead of humans.

A gimmick? Not at all.

Businesses are realizing these digital workers can handle complex tasks, make decisions, and interact seamlessly—all without ever needing a coffee break.

And OpenAI? They see the goldmine.

Word on the street is they’re gearing up to charge as much as $20,000 a month for high-end AI agents—because why automate busywork for free when you can make billions doing it?

So, What Exactly Are AI Agents?

Think of AI agents as digital employees—except they don’t take breaks, won’t ghost you after two weeks, and never need a pep talk.

They don’t just follow commands; they analyze, adapt, and take action all on their own. Right now, they fall into three main categories:

• Automation Agents – The ultimate office intern—except this one actually works. These AI-powered taskmasters handle lead scoring, schedule emails, generate reports, and manage supply chains. No complaints, no errors—just pure efficiency. (Here are some examples).

• Conversational Agents – The smooth talkers. These are AI-powered customer service reps, chatbots, and virtual assistants that provide instant, human-like responses—without ever losing patience. (Here are some examples).

• Multi-Agent Platforms – This is where things get wild. Instead of one AI agent, you get an army of them working together. Picture an e-commerce company where one AI handles payments, another manages inventory, and a third sends tracking updates—all without human input. It’s like an AI-powered assembly line. (Here are some examples).

Why Are Businesses Going All-In on AI Agents? Simple—these things are productivity cheat codes.

• They boost efficiency and productivity.

• They’re available around the clock.

• They enhance decision-making. (Analyze data and act fast).

• They improve customer experience. (Faster, more personalized interactions).

• They save money. Less human labor equals lower costs—what’s not to love?

And speaking of cost… OpenAI is looking to cash in big time on this trend.

According to The Information, they’re planning to launch specialized AI agents with price tags that are almost unbelievable.

Here’s the lineup:

• High-Income Knowledge Worker Agent – $2,000/month will handle complex data analysis, research, and decision-making. Basically, a consultant who doesn’t bill by the hour.

• Software Developer Agent – $10,000/month will Write, debug, and optimize code at a level that would make human programmers sweat.

• PhD-Level Research Agent – $20,000/month will analyze massive datasets, assist with cutting-edge research, and help make scientific breakthroughs.

And guess who’s already buying in? SoftBank.

The tech giant has reportedly committed $3 billion to OpenAI’s agent products this year alone.

So, Why Is OpenAI Charging So Much? Short answer: They need the money.

Running AI at this scale isn’t cheap. OpenAI reportedly lost $5 billion last year, burning through cash to keep its services running. Selling high-end AI agents is a clear move to turn things around.

But it also signals something bigger—AI agents aren’t just an experiment anymore. They’re becoming essential for businesses that want to stay ahead.

The real question now isn’t if AI agents will replace human jobs—it’s how many, and how soon.

And if OpenAI has its way, companies will be paying premium prices for the privilege sooner than expected.

Thinking About Using AI Agents? Here’s What You Need to Know.

If you’re a business owner wondering which AI agent is right for you, there are a few key factors to consider before diving in.

And if you’re thinking about building your own AI agent to stay ahead, there’s an easy guide here and here.

Either way, AI agents are here to stay—so you might as well get ahead of the curve.

You can learn more about this game-changing trend here.

🚨 Introducing: AI Troubleshooter! 

We’ve all been there—stuck, frustrated, or simply lost in the world of AI.

Whether you've hit a roadblock with ChatGPT, are facing mysterious login issues, or need clarity on how to use specific AI tools and models, we’ve got your back.

Welcome to AI Troubleshooter, your go-to spot for solving all things AI!

Each week, we’ll tackle real reader problems and provide quick, actionable solutions. From account lockouts and tech hiccups, to questions on how to make the most of the latest AI models and tools, we’re here to help you cut through the noise, get back on track, and keep moving forward with ease.

Our mission is to make your AI experience as smooth as possible. We know how frustrating it can be when things go wrong, and your time is valuable. That’s why we’re here—to help you get back in action fast, without the headaches.

Got a question or issue?

Simply reply to this email, and your problem might be featured in next week’s edition. Whether it’s a technical glitch, a feature causing you trouble, or a tool you're unsure how to use, we’ll guide you through it.

Cheers - and thanks for the inspiration from one of our loyal subscribers,

Tak Lo (Editor at The Automated, AI entrepreneur and thought leader. More at thetaklo.com)

🔍 Google Search’s New ‘AI Mode’ Brings Smarter, More Conversational Searches!

Google is turning up the heat on AI-powered search!

The tech giant just launched “AI Mode”, an experimental new feature designed to help users ask complex, multi-part questions and follow up naturally—just like chatting with an AI assistant.

This puts Google in direct competition with AI search engines like Perplexity AI and OpenAI’s ChatGPT Search.

AI Mode is rolling out this week to Google One AI Premium subscribers via Search Labs, giving users a new way to dig deeper into topics without having to repeatedly tweak their searches.

Powered by a custom version of Gemini 2.0, this feature excels at advanced reasoning, comparisons, and real-time data retrieval.

Say you’re shopping for a new sleep tracker, instead of running multiple searches, you can now ask: 👉 “What’s the difference in sleep tracking features between a smart ring, smartwatch, and tracking mat?”

Google’s AI Mode will then generate a detailed comparison of each product, linking to sources so you can verify the information.

You can even follow up with: 👉 “What happens to your heart rate during deep sleep?”

This kind of fluid, back-and-forth searching is what makes AI Mode stand out.

Google says users in early testing are asking questions twice as long as usual, and following up 25% of the time—proving that AI Mode is unlocking more in-depth exploration than traditional search ever did.

Under the hood, AI Mode uses a technique called “query fan-out”, where it pulls information from multiple data sources at once and combines them into a clear, well-structured response.

But Google isn’t just prioritizing speed—it’s also working hard to ensure factual accuracy.

If the AI isn’t confident in its answer (especially in areas like health), it may simply provide a list of web links instead of generating a response.

Since AI Mode is still in early experimental stages, Google plans to keep refining it—making answers more visual, incorporating user-generated content, and smarter hyperlinking (like linking directly to booking sites when searching for event tickets).

To try AI Mode, Google One AI Premium subscribers can opt in via Search Labs or go directly to google.com/aimode.

Mobile users can tap the “AI Mode” icon in the Google app.

Oh, and that’s not all—Google also just launched Gemini 2.0 for AI Overviews in the U.S., making AI-powered search even better for coding, advanced math, and multimodal queries.

Plus, you no longer need to sign in to use AI Overviews, and even teen users are now getting access!

Curious to see how AI Mode changes the way you search? Read more about it here!

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🧱Around The AI Block

• 👍 25 things you didn’t know ChatGPT could do.

• 🛒 5 AI predictions eCommerce businesses need to know.

• 🥳 OpenAI’s GPT-4.5 AI model comes to more ChatGPT users.

• 🗞️ AI now ‘analyzes’ LA Times articles for bias.

• 📲 Apple adds AI-powered app review summaries with iOS 18.4.

• ✅ UK antitrust watchdog clears Microsoft’s OpenAI partnership.

• 🧍‍♀️ Google’s AR beauty tool now lets you try on looks inspired by trends or celebrities.

• 🧐 Anthropic quietly removes Biden-era AI policy commitments from its website.

🛠️ Trending Tools

• Trolly AI: Helps to create professional SEO articles, 2x faster.

• CrystalSound: An ultimate real-time noise cancelling & voice changer app.

• Kombai: A new AI model that can understand and code UI designs like a human.

• Ellipsis: An AI-powered code review and bug fixing tool that helps developers improve code quality and productivity.

• Pickaxe: A no-code platform that lets you create and embed GPT-4 apps on your website in minutes.

🤖ChatGPT Prompt Of The Day: Develop Research Questions.

Developing strong research questions is key to any academic paper, but it’s not always easy.

With the right ChatGPT prompts, you can outline your topic, refine your focus, and generate insightful research questions. ChatGPT can even help you explore ideas, find relevant sources, and consider counterarguments to strengthen your work.

Here's a Prompt you can use.

Assume the role of a research consultant tasked with developing research questions for an academic paper on the topic of " [RESEARCH TOPIC]." Start by identifying the major themes and subtopics related to the research topic that are ripe for exploration. Formulate a set of comprehensive research questions that are clear, focused, and conducive to in-depth academic investigation. Each question should aim to address a specific aspect of the research topic, uncovering new insights or contributing to the existing body of knowledge. Ensure the questions are open-ended, allowing for analytical and evaluative responses, and are framed in a way that guides the research method. Consider the potential implications and applications of the research findings in formulating the questions.

Source

We've Compiled a List of Over 100 ChatGPT Power Prompts.

This should help streamline your interactions with ChatGPT and get the results you need more efficiently.

Best of all, It's free!

Click here to get it now.

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

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