Hi Synapticians!

Building a good product is all the magic needed to build a startup according to Sam Altman!

The story we're going to tell you today takes quite the opposite bet.

Maybe if you spend a lot of time on Twitter you've heard of Roy Lee , CEO of Cluely: a startup that just raised 15 million dollars and aims to create an AI tool that allows you to "Cheat on Everything", basically an AI that analyzes conversations in real-time on your computer, your screen, and suggests real-time responses that aren't detectable by screen sharing (perfect for an interview for example!).

This startup takes the completely opposite approach from Sam Altman, instead of focusing on the product and promoting its quality, they have a team of marketers and put their entire focus on distribution (quite young, between 16 and 25 years old) who are extremely active on social media: TikTok, viral tweets (often bold and controversial!) with video ads that are often very well-produced and make a huge impression on the audience.

So far, the results are there: they've managed to raise funds, build a huge online community that talks about them every day, and users ready to jump in to try their tool.

It remains to be seen if they can also create a quality product and build a community of users who subscribe to their tool.

Here’s the rest of the news about AI today:

• Google has launched Doppl, an AI app that allows users to virtually try on clothes using photos or screenshots

• OpenAI has expanded API access to its deep research models, including o3 and o4-mini

• According to Anthropic's report, only 2.9% of AI chatbot usage was for emotional support.

Top AI news

1. Cluely's Controversial Marketing: A New AI Blueprint
Cluely, backed by a16z, employs a controversial marketing strategy to stand out in the AI startup sector, emphasizing speed and virality over traditional product development. Read online 🕶️

2. Google's AI App for Virtual Clothes Fitting
Google has launched Doppl, an AI app that allows users to virtually try on clothes using photos or screenshots. Available on Android and iOS, the app is still in testing, with user feedback shaping future updates. Read online 🕶️

3. OpenAI Expands API Access to Research Models
OpenAI has expanded API access to its deep research models, including o3 and o4-mini, enabling developers to perform tasks requiring up-to-date information and advanced reasoning. The introduction of webhooks enhances task management efficiency. Read online 🕶️

4. AI Chatbots: Rarely Used for Companionship, Mostly Work
Anthropic's report challenges the notion that AI chatbots are primarily used for companionship. Analyzing 4.5 million conversations, they found only 2.9% were for emotional support. Most interactions are work-related, highlighting AI's role in productivity rather than emotional support. Read online 🕶️

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