Duolingo's AI Transformation, OpenAI's Shopping Challenge, and ASUS's GPU Innovation

 

In this episode of 'Hashtag Trending,' host Jim Love discusses Duolingo's shift to an AI-first operational model, replacing hundreds of contractors with AI for specific tasks while emphasizing human oversight. The episode also covers OpenAI's new real-time shopping feature in ChatGPT, which could disrupt how users shop online by providing personalized recommendations and comparisons. Lastly, ASUS's innovative solution to graphics card sag using gyroscopic sensors is highlighted, showcasing its advanced approach to PC hardware issues.

00:00 Introduction and Host Welcome
00:22 Duolingo's AI-First Strategy
03:11 OpenAI's Real-Time Shopping Features
05:44 ASUS Tackles Graphics Card Sag
07:59 Conclusion and Contact Information

Episode Transcript

(00:00):
Kanye West is banned from Twitch sevenminutes after his first live stream.
Four chan isn't deadand comes back online.
IBM is pushing a big investment to remainrelevant as a tech leader, and Virgin
Atlantic is once again on the leadingedge of marketing with experimental AI.
Welcome to Hashtag Trending.

(00:20):
I'm your host, Jim Love.
Let's get into it.
Kanye West, also known as YE, was bannedfrom Twitch just seven minutes into his
first live stream on April 25th, 2025.
During the brief broadcast, westmade anti-Semitic and anti LGBTQ
plus remarks, performed a Nazisalute and praised Adolf Hitler.

(00:42):
He also criticized his ex-wife KimKardashian and lauded Elon Musk for
allowing him to post discriminatorycontent on x. Formerly Twitter,
Twitch promptly removed his channel,citing violations of its community
guidelines and terms of Service.
West hadn't even reached 220followers before he was banned.

(01:04):
This incident adds to West's history ofinflammatory behavior, including previous
temporary bans and loss of sponsorships.
Following his ban, west hasexpressed intentions to launch
his own streaming service.
Yeezy streaming.
Though prospects for itssuccess remain uncertain.

(01:25):
Four Chan, the infamous anonymous imageboard known for birthing internet memes
and fostering controversial subculturesis back online after a significant outage
and reports that the famous site was dead.
The site went dark following a reportedhack on April 14th where a defunct section

(01:47):
reappeared displaying the message U.Capital U got hacked and alleged backend
infrastructure screenshots were leaked.
Founded in 2003 by Christopher MootPool 4Chan started as a haven for anime
enthusiasts, but quickly evolved intoa chaotic platform that influenced

(02:07):
internet culture and politics.
Its anonymous nature and minimalmoderation led to the rise of
various subcultures, includingthe Hacktivist Group, anonymous
and Elements of the Far Right.
The recent hack exposed vulnerabilitiesand 4Chan infrastructure highlighting
ongoing challenges in maintaining thesite's operations despite its return.

(02:30):
The incident raises questions aboutthe platform's, future stability
and the broader implicationsof its content and community
After its big successes at heavy publicitywhere it's AI, Watson won Jeopardy, IBM
has virtually dropped out of sight interms of prominence or leadership in ai.

(02:51):
So how can this of innovationdistinguish itself, especially
among the huge players in AI?
Well.
IBM has announced $150 billion investmentin the United States over the next five
years, focusing on expanding its quantumcomputing capabilities and enhancing
its green data center infrastructure.

(03:13):
Now, I don't know if this means they'vegiven up on AI, seems like it, but this
move attempts to show IBM's commitmentto advancing cutting edge technology
while promoting sustainability.
A significant portion of this investmentover $30 billion is earmarked for
the development and manufacturingof quantum computers and mainframes,

(03:35):
particularly in Poughkeepsie, New York.
IBM aims to bolster its position inquantum computing, a field that does
promise to revolutionize industriesby solving complex problems beyond
the reach of classical computers.
In addition to quantum advancements,IBM is investing in green data centers
to reduce environmental impact.

(03:56):
These centers are designed tobe energy efficient, utilizing
renewable energy sources andinnovative cooling technologies to
minimize their carbon footprint.
IBM's focus on sustainable infrastructurealigns with its global efforts
to be seen as a climate championand reflecting of the company's
dedication to responsible innovation.

(04:17):
These investments align also withthe US government's push for domestic
manufacturing and technology leadership
By enhancing its US based operations.
IBM would say it's contributing tonational economic growth, but clearly
it wants to position itself as a keyplayer in the future of technology
and possibly win some points fromthe new Trump administration.

(04:40):
$150 billion is a lot of money.
It certainly makes IBM visible to thenew administration as contributing
to their Build in America programs.
It certainly is up there with the 80billion promised by Microsoft for hosting
of AI, although it is dwarfed by the500 billion of the Stargate Project

(05:00):
for AI hosting with Oracle and open ai.
But whether this vaults the companyback into the leadership or just
gets more favor with the currentadministration, they obviously
think it's a good investment.
Virgin Atlantic.
Has long been known for its leading edgemarketing and it's taking another leap

(05:21):
with an experimental AI product manager.
Virgin is testing open AI'soperator, their AI agent to enhance
its website's booking process.
operator based on open AI's computer usingagent or CUA model combines GPT-4 OH'S
vision capabilities with an understandingof graphical user interfaces, allowing

(05:45):
it to navigate webpages using visionto detect elements like buttons.
While interacting through structuralinterfaces and APIs is old hat,
navigating visually in the same waythat a person does is very challenging.
Simple things like the hamburger menuor even buttons have to be visually

(06:06):
inspected and learned by the ai.
The airlines digital engineeringteam led by VP Neil Letford has
been in exploration mode and istrying to discover how operator can
assist in automating and scalingcustomer facing digital experiences.
Initial tests focused on operator'sability to search for and book

(06:28):
flights up to the payment stage.
Assessing its understanding of userexperience and website structure
while still in the early stages,these experiments are aiming to
determine how AI agents like operatorcan improve customer interactions
and streamline the booking process.
Now just how experimental is thisIn an interview with a Register,

(06:49):
while he wouldn't disclose theirlearnings or metrics, Letford Mused
about starting to look at operatoras if it were a product manager.
He also speculated about the potentialof creating user personas that could
explore and give feedback like a human.
He also let slip how cuttingedge this is for his company.

(07:10):
He said, I don't know if we're allowedto do this, but we gave operator access
to a Gmail account, and then what itwould do was email us back the results.
It would put its results into GoogleDocs and then email them to us.
Given the challenges, of userexperience and the fact that.
Too many sites fail at it.

(07:30):
This would be the ultimateirony that we solve.
The challenge of making websites moresuccessful with humans by using machine
intelligence, and that's our show.
We're still learning about yourexperience the old fashioned way
by listening to you directly.
And you can reach us [e-mail], or you

(07:52):
can find me on LinkedIn, or ifyou're watching this on YouTube,
drop a comment under the video.
And if you're so inclined and youwant to help us out to stay on the
air and pay our bills, why not goto buy me a coffee.com/tech podcast.
And, Buy me a coffee.
I'm your host, Jim Love.
Have a terrific Tuesday.