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Big news in AI this week: Anthropic, an Amazon-backed startup founded by former OpenAI executives, announced a major milestone. The company has developed AI agents capable of using a computer to complete complex tasks like a human. 

Future applications include scheduling appointments, filling out forms, filing expense reports, and booking flights. AI agents are viewed as a step beyond chatbots.

In the coming weeks, we’ll explain more about this. … when we wrap our heads around it.

For this week’s edition, we’ve got an amazing AI-powered dictation tool, health insurance help, Meta’s facial recognition tech, and a smart pet collar that lets you ‘talk’ to your furry companion.

Let’s get started!

AI Productivity

Ever want to turn your spoken thoughts into written words effortlessly? AI-powered dictation is transforming the field of fast, efficient transcription—and Flow is leading the way.

Flow doesn't just transcribe; it transforms verbal expressions into polished text, boosting productivity with features like:

• Lightning-fast transcription: Convert speech to text at up to 230 words per minute—no keyboard can keep up.

• Smart editing: Automatically cleans up your ‘ums’ and ‘ahs’ and adjusts formatting based on context.

• Real-time corrections: Make changes as you speak, and Flow will adapt.

• Seamless integration: Dictate across apps like email, documents, and search, without breaking your flow.

To get started with Flow, download the app and set up your account. Once you've configured your preferences, select your hotkey to enable easy activation. You can then begin dictating seamlessly across your favorite apps, whether writing emails, drafting documents, or searching online.

Flow offers flexible pricing options to fit different needs. You can start with a commitment-free, 14-day free trial to explore the app’s features. For ongoing use, there’s a Basic plan available at no cost with limited functionality, or you can opt for the Pro plan at $15 per month for unlimited transcription capabilities.

For those looking to ditch the keyboard, Flow could be the speech-powered upgrade you've been waiting for.

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AI & Health Insurance

It’s that time of year --open enrollment for health insurance is kicking off, and new AI-powered tools are making it easier for you to choose the right plan. The sheer number of plans and the complexity of working out the best fit can be overwhelming. AI can cut through the confusion.

The technology is especially useful for those shopping on the Affordable Care Act (ACA) marketplaces or looking for Medicare Advantage plans. These shoppers face a dizzying number of choices, with the average ACA marketplace offering over 100 options and Medicare Advantage plans doubling in recent years to more than 40 per enrollee.

Even for those with employer-sponsored coverage, AI tools can simplify the decision-making process by predicting the best plan based on expected healthcare needs, income, and other personal factors. Some tools worth exploring: 

• Alight: A company-based platform that supports employers who provide benefits, using AI to guide 95% of its clients through open enrollment.

• Healthpilot: Positions itself as an unbiased alternative to traditional brokers for Medicare plans, aiming to eliminate commission-driven advice.

• The Big Plan: Acts as an AI-powered matchmaker for employers and brokers, offering a curated shortlist of health insurance plans based on specific circumstances.

Brokers are also seeing the upside. AI can handle tedious tasks, allowing brokers to focus on providing personalized advice. But AI tools aren’t perfect. While they can sort through options and highlight potential savings, they lack the human touch when it comes to understanding your unique concerns. Experts still recommend getting input from a professional, who can help translate insurance jargon and guide you through the process.

AI Facial Recognition

Have you ever gotten locked out of your Facebook or Instagram account? When team member Lori’s daughter was locked out of Instagram after a hack, regaining access was a nightmare. Now there’s a new AI-powered solution to simplify the process.

Meta, Facebook and Instagram's parent company, announced a new account recovery option using facial recognition technology. Here’s how it works:

• Recovery options: If you're locked out, you can opt for a code sent via phone or email, or choose to submit a video selfie. If you go the selfie route, you decide between an automated facial recognition review or a manual one. You'll need to record a video showing your face from multiple angles.

• Data security: Meta says all video selfies will be encrypted and securely stored. They won’t be displayed on any profile, and facial data will be deleted after verification, regardless of whether it matches.

• Alternative methods: Users can still choose to upload photos of ID cards or other official documents.

The tech isn’t just for lockouts. Meta will use facial recognition to identify and eliminate “celeb-bait ads,” where scammers use images of celebrities to lure users to fraudulent sites. The system will compare images in ads against authentic photos from celebrity profiles.

Meta’s move marks a shift from its previous stance; the company shut down its facial recognition system in 2021, citing privacy concerns, and deleted over 1 billion facial data records.

The facial recognition feature will roll out to all users over the coming months, contingent on the results of ongoing testing. As facial recognition returns, it raises a critical question: Can the technology finally gain public trust amid lingering privacy concerns?

AI Pet Care

From health-monitoring wearables to automated feeders, AI is reshaping the pet care industry, offering smarter solutions for our furry friends. The latest innovation: Shazam, a "smart collar" from Austin-based startup Personifi AI. It aims to go beyond basic tracking, adding a dash of AI-powered conversation to pet ownership.

This collar isn’t just for chatting — it’s built to enhance your pet’s safety and well-being. Equipped with a microphone and sensors, Shazam can:

• Detect danger: The collar listens for hazards, like the sound of a rattlesnake, and sends an immediate alert if it picks up anything concerning.

• Monitor routines: Tracks daily habits, such as mealtimes, and prompts reminders if something's out of the ordinary.

• Locate your pet: Features geo-tracking to alert you if your dog or cat goes missing or strays too far.

Personifi AI's big sell is the illusion of a talking pet. Shazam uses a pre-recorded human voice to "respond" to its owner, creating the sensation of having a conversation. The collar can deliver about 8,000 scripted responses, each carefully designed to give your pet a playful or affectionate personality — though it's more like talking to a game character than having a real chat with your four-legged friend. Think scripted lines, not spontaneous dialogue. For a tongue-in-cheek take on at what the first day with Shazam might look like, try this video.

Getting your pet "talking" won’t come cheap. Shazam starts at $495 for cats and $595 for dogs, with optional annual subscriptions — $195 for basic services or $295 for "BrainBoost," which adds more dynamic and empathetic responses. The collars are available for preorder now, but you’ll have to wait until February, when shipping is expected to begin.

AI in the News (in case you missed it)

• AI model reaches expert-level accuracy in complex medical scans. Read here.

• Meta AI tackles maths problems that stumped humans for over a century. Read here.

• Scientists use AI to help track whale migration. Watch here.

• Meet the world's first artist robot. Watch here.

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Here.Now.AI Editorial team: Lori, Justin, and Lisa