If you think that the rush of AI investments might be slowing down anytime soon, think again. This week, tech giant Cisco announced a $1 billion fund dedicated to AI startups. Twenty-five years ago, we witnessed the dot-com boom. Today, it's the AI revolution. Where is all this money coming from?

As the excitement builds, it will be fascinating to see who remains standing once the dust – and the money – finally settles.

In this week’s edition, we’ve got custom GPTs tailored for every need, a look at how AI can streamline government bureaucracy, exciting AI conversation starters, and a fresh way to craft your own AI-driven sound effects.

Let’s dive in!

AI Chat Tools

We’ve got exciting news to share -- OpenAI's custom GPT Store now offers millions of specialized chatbots ready to assist you, all for free.

Imagine a place where every tool makes your life easier. Custom GPTs are like precision instruments tailored for specific tasks, unlike regular ChatGPTs which are like Swiss Army knives for everyday tasks. They are perfect whether you're a carpenter, electronics enthusiast, or gourmet chef.

To access this toolkit, go to your ChatGPT dashboard and click "Explore GPTs" located on the sidebar. In the GPT store, you can browse categories like Top Picks, Writing, Productivity, Research & Analysis, Education, Lifestyle, and Programming. For specific needs, like travel planning, just type 'travel' into the search bar and watch the magic unfold.

Users can’t build their own GPTs (only paid users can) but you can access third-party GPTs such as:

• Legal Assistant: For drafting contracts and consulting on legal matters.

• Travel Guide: Tips on global travel destinations and trip planning.

• Code CoPilot: Helps you code smarter and build faster.

• Cooking Pro: Offers healthy recipes, international dishes, and personalized cooking advice.

• Garage Organization: Provides practical tips to declutter and organize your garage.

Each custom GPT comes with a rating of up to 5 stars, suggested conversation starters, and the number of conversations to date, so you can see what’s popular and highly recommended.

In the coming weeks, we’ll dive deeper into some of these custom GPTs. For now, why not take a stroll through the GPT store and see what sparks your curiosity?

AI Red Tape

Imagine navigating the maze of government bureaucracy as easily as chatting with a friend. AI is stepping in as our guide, smoothing out the twists and turns of paperwork and long waits.

A recent KPMG survey revealed that over half of the public believes generative AI is crucial for enhancing government services. And they’re onto something. Here’s how AI can revolutionize our interactions with public agencies:

• Advanced AI can provide conversational guides and automate paperwork, making public services more accessible.

• Analytics and machine translation can offer proactive, culturally sensitive assistance to diverse communities.

• Smartly designed AI tools can handle repetitive tasks, freeing up public servants to engage more meaningfully with citizens.

• Automating bureaucracy can cut through red tape, empowering both citizens and employees.

The exciting part? This isn't a distant dream—it's happening now. Chicago is using chatbots to assist with public transportation. California is testing virtual assistants to simplify access to benefits programs and improve public services.

In Ohio, the Lt. Governor’s office implemented RegExplorer, an AI tool created by Deloitte, to streamline the state’s administrative code. By uploading regulations and prompting the AI to identify outdated and duplicative sections, they eliminated over two million unnecessary words. The goal? To cut the state's administrative code by a third, saving millions of dollars.

Imagine if every state and the federal government embraced this approach. The future of government services could be as efficient and straightforward as ordering a pizza. Now, wouldn’t that be a slice of progress?

AI Family Time

In an era where teens are practically glued to their digital devices, a 13-year-old eighth grader named Kaz is on a mission to reduce screen time and get family members to talk to each other more. The young innovator created Cazzy, an AI program that offers a refreshing solution to reconnect and engage in real conversations.

We had the chance to talk with Kaz about Cazzy and what inspired him to create it. He originally co-founded Gen AI Academy with his father and taught over 350 people about AI.

“But after a while,” Kaz said, “it got a bit repetitive, so I wanted to try something new.” That’s when the idea for Cazzy was born.

Kaz noticed that his family, like many others, struggled to balance screen time and real conversations. With his father’s encouragement, he saw a chance to use his coding skills to help.

How Cazzy Works

• User Input: Families input attributes like the desired conversation theme, participants, and topics of interest.

• Custom Topics: Cazzy generates conversation starters tailored to foster critical thinking and engagement.

• Positive Feedback: "People who’ve tried it love it and find it really helpful," Kaz noted.

Kaz brings a unique perspective to the tech world, understanding the need for genuine connections beyond screens. His passion for using AI to solve everyday problems shines through. He points out that “if an eighth grader can do it, anybody can”.  His success story shows that AI can be a force for good, even in the hands of a 13-year-old.

AI Creative Pursuits

Move over Hollywood sound designers, there's a new star in town. Software company ElevenLabs has launched a groundbreaking tool that conjures sound effects from mere text prompts. Imagine typing a few words and hearing the rumbles of a thunderstorm or the gentle chirping of crickets.

Users can craft ambient sounds like barking dogs and police sirens plus short instrumental clips. Free-tier users can generate nearly 60 sound effects per month. Ok, we know you probably won’t need sound effects anytime soon, but it’s truly amazing and worth checking out. Here are some examples you can find on ElevenLabs web page: 

• Man screaming from the top of his lungs

• An 80s alarm clock going off in the morning

• People cheering in a baseball stadium

We couldn’t resist a test drive. While our attempts at "a car engine starting on a cold winter morning" and "walking on a squeaky hardwood floor" fell flat, the "glass vase crashing on a floor" hit all the right notes. Clearly, some effects are still finding their rhythm.

ElevenLabs envisions its tools as a boon for content creators, film studios, and game developers, promising to deliver the audio elements needed to bring projects to life "affordably and at scale." It's an ambitious pitch that could redefine the audio landscape.

In the world of AI-driven sound effects, silence is no longer golden.

AI in the News (in case you missed it)

• Zoom’s CEO wants AI clones in meetings. Read here.

• F1 champion’s family wins settlement over fake AI interview. Read here.

• AI is raising new questions about grieving. Read here.

• The world’s first AI beauty pageant. Read here.

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