This Week’s BIG thing

ChatGPT Canvas:  The biggest visual upgrade since ChatGPT’s launch

It’s finally here! ChatGPT Canvas is a fresh interface from OpenAI that’s all about making collaboration between humans and AI smoother, especially for writing and coding projects.  Canvas is a dynamic workspace that pops open in a separate window alongside the main ChatGPT interface. It’s built to help users handle longer, more detailed writing and coding tasks, making multiple revisions and edits a breeze. Customise to your hearts content!

Key Features

 Writing assistance

• Real-time editing suggestions through a two-pane experience

• Easy adjustments without needing everything to load

• Tailored reading level options and editable document length

• Comprehensive grammar and clarity checks

• Fun emoji-adding functionality to enhance communication

 Coding support

• Tools for reviewing and refining code

• Help with debugging complex issues

• Automatic addition of logs and comments

• Detection and correction of bugs

• Seamless translation of code into various programming languages

 User experience

• Directly edit text or code in the Canvas window

• Highlight specific sections for focused feedback

• Version control that lets you revert back to earlier drafts

• Handy shortcuts for quick actions and updates

 Limitations

- No-real time collaboration yet

- No ability to execute code from the Canvas interface unlike competitors like Claude

- Context window limitations

- Sizing limit of 7000 words for the total canvas

General perception

The general sentiment towards ChatGPT's Canvas feature is largely positive, with users and professionals expressing enthusiasm for its innovative approach to collaboration. However, this positivity is tempered by some usability concerns and expectations for future improvements in functionality and integration. Some believe this will change the landscape of coding, lowering the barrier to entry. It’s been compared to a hybrid of Notion and Cursor AI - we would add Perplexity pages to that comparison.

Why this matters for you 🫵

This new interface for ChatGPT is a game-changer for improving how we interact with AI, especially when dealing with more complex tasks. It breaks through the limitations of the traditional chat format, offering a far more collaborative and efficient environment, whilst making coding more accessible. Our suggestion is to try Canvas out and compare with competitor equivalents like Claude Artifacts and Cursor AI for coding.

Canvas represents a major leap forward in how ChatGPT operates visually, marking the first significant upgrade since its debut. OpenAI is clearly committed to reshaping the way we engage with AI, making it more practical and accessible than ever before. Canvas is currently in beta testing and open to ChatGPT Plus and Team users with full deployment soon.

The rabbit hole 🐰

• _{Here’s a live demo of ChatGPT Canvas} 🔗
  _{See how people are using ChatGPT Canvas} 🔗

• _{Hear from OpenAI themselves} 🔗

• _{A comparison of ChatGPT Canvas and Cursor AI} 🔗

What’s new: Tech

OpenAI’s DevDay: Welcome a new age of AI-powered businesses

Building AI-powered solutions in businesses just became that much easier. OpenAI DevDay 2024 took place on October 1st, spanning San Francisco, London, and Singapore. With the recent release of ChatGPT Canvas, OpenAI seem to be strengthening the foundations of their leading AI models by enhancing user experience and empowering the developer community. Here’s a snapshot of the top updates from OpenAI’s DevDay

 Key announcements

• Prompt Caching: Developers can now slash costs and speed up processing times. By reusing recent input tokens, prompt caching offers a 50% discount and quicker performance. It's worth noting that Anthropic’s venture into prompt caching precedes OpenAI with beta releases in Claude.

• Realtime API (Public Beta): A game-changer for multimodal experiences, this low-latency tool is perfect for applications like speech-to-speech. It’s designed to make real-time interaction with AI smoother and more responsive.

• Vision Fine-tuning: Now developers can fine-tune GPT-4o’s image and text comprehension, a powerful feature for industries like autonomous driving, visual search, and even medical imaging.

• Model Distillation: This innovation allows smaller companies to tap into high-end AI without breaking the bank. Think of it as a way to shrink down advanced AI models to fit budget-conscious needs.

Progress from last year’s dev day

Sam Altman’s claimed significant progress from last year:

• 98% decrease in cost per token from GPT-4 to 4o mini

• 50x increase in token volume across our systems

• excellent model intelligence progress

Public perception

DevDay 2024 elicited mixed reactions: excitement for new AI technologies but also skepticism about OpenAI's commercial direction, reflecting a cautious optimism within the tech community. This is in light of recent executive changes and the company's move towards a more profit-driven model. While there's appreciation for the innovation, there's also a critical eye on how these changes align with OpenAI's original mission.

Why this matters for you 🫵

This year's DevDay made one thing clear: OpenAI is doubling down on supporting developers. Remember 2023’s DevDay and the buzz around the GPT Store? This year’s event took a quieter but equally significant turn. While there were no headline-grabbing launches, the focus on community and incremental improvements signals a long-term commitment to empowering the people building the future of AI. By putting developer tools and ecosystem growth front and center, OpenAI is carving out a crucial role in making AI and AI powered solutions more accessible - even as competition in the space heats up.

The rabbit hole 🐰

• Watch OpenAI’s DevDay key takeaways in 5 minutes 🔗

• Want a more in-depth reading? 🔗

• A blog on early impressions 🔗

• Hear from the creators themselves 🔗

• Sam Altman’s take 🔗

💙 Other tech news we’re loving

• "OpenAI Raises $6.6 Billion: A New Era of AI Leadership" OpenAI has secured $6.6 billion in new funding, with major backing from SoftBank’s Vision Fund (BBC, Perplexity). This investment fuels its ambitious AI expansion, despite rumours that Apple chose not to participate (9to5mac). As OpenAI restructures, its focus remains on scaling AI's benefits (Axios, OpenAI). Learn more about this deal at Spyglassand AI Tool Report.

• Flux 1.1 Pro: Revolutionising AI with BFL API - Black Forest Labs launches Flux 1.1 Pro, offering new tools and integration through the BFL API. It promises enhanced AI capabilities for developers (Flux Launch).

• Microsoft Copilot: New AI Features Lead the Way - Microsoft introduces voice interaction, emotional intelligence, and advanced decision support, positioning Copilot as a key player against AI competitors like ChatGPT and Anthropic Claude (Microsoft Blog).

• California Blocks AI Safety Bill Amid Controversy - Governor Newsom vetoes a divisive AI Safety Bill, sparking debates over regulation and innovation in the state (AI ToolReport, Reddit).

• Hugging Face Reaches 100M Models Milestone - Hugging Face, now hosting over 100 million AI models, continues its mission to democratise AI development with user-friendly tools for all levels (Reddit).

What’s new: Projects

Unlocking AI: How It’s Shaping the Future of Construction Projects

Summary:

The Associated Builders and Contractors (ABC) recently released its fourth annual AI in Construction report. The report provides valuable insights into how artificial intelligence (AI) is transforming the construction industry. It includes practical case studies, particularly from ABC members like Hensel Phelps, and offers resources to help contractors better understand and implement AI technologies to improve safety, quality, and profitability.

 Why this matters for you 🫵

AI has the potential to revolutionise construction by increasing efficiency, enhancing safety, and improving decision-making processes. With practical examples and insights from the ABC Tech Alliance, the report highlights AI's growing role in project management and operations, showing how contractors can future-proof their businesses and remain competitive in an increasingly digital environment.

The rabbit hole 🐰

For those interested in diving deeper, the report serves as a gateway into various AI applications. From predictive analytics to machine learning in quality control, it also explores emerging technologies in construction, guiding contractors on how to begin their AI journey. Explore tools and resources that can boost productivity and safety in the built environment.

Sources: 

• _{Digital Construction Today}

• _{ABC Technology Report.} 

💙 Other Project news we’re loving

•  Boston Dynamics: Boston Dynamics continues to amaze with robots mastering complex movements like parkour, showcasing the future of robotics in industrial applications and beyond. Watch the video here: Boston Dynamics Video.

• 3D BIM Market: The 5D BIM market is set to triple by 2030, fuelled by smart city projects and emerging digital technologies. This promises a major shift in construction and infrastructure management​ Digital Construction Today
  

What’s new: Productivity

Generative AI Adoption Soars: Faster than the Internet and PC Boom

Summary:

A recent report from the Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis highlights the rapid adoption of generative AI in the U.S. workplace. By August 2024, nearly 40% of Americans aged 18-64 had used generative AI, with around 25% using it in their jobs weekly. The speed of adoption surpasses that of both the internet and personal computers, marking a significant technological shift. Workers are utilising AI across diverse tasks like writing communications, data analysis, and coding.

Key Findings:

The study reveals that generative AI is already increasing productivity in various sectors. It is primarily used for tasks such as writing, searching for information, and customer support, and has the potential to boost labour productivity by 0.1% to 0.9%. Additionally, AI adoption is not confined to a single industry—its use spans across management, computer science, and administrative roles. Interestingly, younger and more educated workers, particularly men, are more likely to use the technology frequently.

Why It Matters:

As the construction industry looks to streamline project delivery, the adoption of AI could offer critical gains in efficiency. Just as AI is helping with routine tasks in offices, its potential in managing documentation and improving decision-making could be transformative for construction managers and engineers.

Rabbit Hole:

Explore deeper into how AI adoption compares to past technological shifts like PCs and the internet, and examine the productivity boost generative AI could bring to your sector. Learn more about task-specific applications that could revolutionise daily operations.

Sources: Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis

💙 Other productivity news we’re loving

• _{"Why I’m Exhausted by AI: A Call for Real Solutions"
  A candid critique of the AI hype, where the promises often fail to translate into real-world results in software testing. Read more here: Tired of AI.}

• _{"How AI is Transforming Construction: Insights from Pomerleau’s Majid Seydgar"
  Majid Seydgar from Pomerleau shares how AI is enhancing project delivery by boosting decision-making and efficiency, bridging human and AI collaboration. Full interview: Working with AI.}
  

Events

BuiltWorlds 2024 London Meeting

Join BuiltWorlds for their 2024 London Meeting on 8th October 2024 at Searcys @ The Gherkin, London. This exclusive event offers a unique opportunity for BuiltWorlds members to network and engage with global leaders in the construction, technology, and finance sectors. Attendees will gain valuable insights from industry experts, including Matthew Gray (Graycor), Sean Wrenn (BuiltWorlds), and Nathaniel Kolbe (Superfusionlab), who will discuss global trends in built world technologies.

The event runs from 12:00PM - 2:00PM, starting with arrivals and introductions, followed by a key presentation on global technology trends in the built environment. This meeting strengthens BuiltWorlds' European network and offers valuable collaboration opportunities with the global built world ecosystem.

Interested members can register here. Non-members should contact [email protected] for guest attendance options. Don't miss this chance to connect and innovate!

Project Flux Podcast

In this podcast episode, Sam Altman's claim that "super intelligence will be here in a few thousand days" sparks discussion on advanced tech trends. Ryan Clarke joins to explore Meta’s Orion glasses, mixed reality in construction, and AI's future. The episode also covers construction's digital maturity and technology adoption challenges.

One More Thing

Redditor tricks Alphabet AI hosts into existential debate with fake notes

Meet Project Flux: About Us

At Project Flux, we're committed to pioneering the future of construction and project delivery through the lens of cutting-edge Artificial Intelligence insights. Our vision is to be at the forefront of integrating AI into the fabric of project delivery, transforming how projects are conceptualised, planned, and executed.

Our Mission Project Flux aims to not only inform and educate but also to inspire professionals in the construction industry to embrace the transformative potential of AI. We believe in the power of AI to revolutionise project delivery, making it more efficient, predictive, and adaptable to the dynamic demands of the modern world.

What We Offer Through our insightful newsletters, podcasts and curated content on LinkedIn, and engaging discussions, Project Flux serves as a resource for professionals seeking to stay ahead in their field. We offer a blend of practical advice, thought leadership, and the latest developments in AI and construction technology.

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