Hey Friends,
Hope you had a great week.
OpenAI, Nvidia, and Google all dropped game-changing tools within DAYS of each other. The pace of innovation right now is mind-blowing.
My goal, as always, is to help separate the signal from the noise and make sure you can take some of these developments and incorporate them into your business.
Let's cut through the hype and get to what actually matters.
OPENAI'S o3 & o4-mini: THESE THINGS CAN "THINK WITH IMAGES"
OpenAI just unleashed its most advanced reasoning models yet: o3 and o4-mini.
What makes this different from previous releases?
For the first time, these models can actually "think with images" — meaning they don't just see an image, they can use it as part of their reasoning chain.
OpenAI says o3 is specifically tuned for math, coding, science, and image understanding, while o4-mini is faster and more cost-effective. Both models can now integrate visual information directly into their reasoning process.
This isn't just a small update. We're talking about AI that can:
- Look at your whiteboard sketch and help refine your ideas
- Analyze a blurry screenshot and still understand what's happening
- Generate code based on your hand-drawn flowchart
Why should you care? Because this fundamentally changes how we interact with AI. No more perfectly describing what you're looking at — just show it and have a conversation.
NVIDIA'S $5.5 BILLION PROBLEM
While everyone's hyped about new AI models, there's a massive geopolitical battle happening behind the scenes.
Trump administration's tightened export rules to China are expected to hit Nvidia HARD — to the tune of $5.5 billion in lost sales. This is specifically targeting their H20 AI chip that was designed for the Chinese market.
Here's why this matters beyond the business news: These chips are the foundation of AI development. Without them, building and training new models becomes drastically more difficult.
Chinese AI startup DeepSeek shocked markets by releasing a reasoning model that replicated OpenAI's breakthrough only a month after its unveiling, apparently at a fraction of the cost.
The battle for AI dominance isn't just about who has the best models — it's about who controls the infrastructure that makes them possible. And right now, that battle is heating up fast.
GOOGLE SHEETS NOW HAS A "=AI" FORMULA?!
Google quietly rolled out what might be the most practical AI update yet: the =AI formula in Google Sheets.
This isn't just another function. It's a superpower that lets you process data in ways that were impossible before.
You can use it to generate text, summarize information, categorize data, and analyze sentiment - all directly within your spreadsheet.
The formula works like this:
Gemini understands what's in your cells and returns tailor-made answers according to your instructions.
For example, you could write =AI("write a thank you email and personalize it to the specific gift that was received", A2:C2) and it will generate a unique email based on that data.
KLING 2.0 (AI VIDEO GENERATION)
China just dropped Kling 2.0, and people are LOSING THEIR MINDS over the quality.
This AI video generator is producing movie-like quality that has shocked even the most jaded AI experts.
What's wild is that many users on X are claiming China is now outpacing Silicon Valley in AI video tech. We're talking about a genuine leap forward, not just an incremental improvement.
MICROSOFT’S COPILOT VISION
Meanwhile, Microsoft quietly released Copilot Vision, which essentially gives AI the ability to "see" what's on your screen and help you with visual tasks.
This isn't just a neat feature - it's a complete rethinking of how AI can integrate with your workflow.
Imagine working on a complex spreadsheet and simply asking, "What's wrong with this chart?" - and getting an actual helpful answer. That's where we are now.
Its tight integration into Microsoft's ecosystem makes this an immediate productivity booster for enterprise users.
GROK HAS MEMORY (xAI)
Not to be outdone, Elon's xAI launched Grok Studio along with its Memories feature.
The big difference here is the focus on creative, personalized interaction. Grok isn't trying to be the most powerful AI - it's trying to be the most personal.
While it's getting less buzz than OpenAI's releases, it's carving out a unique position for people who want their AI to feel more like a creative partner and less like a utility.
MIKE'S TIME TO NERD OUT: OPENAI'S PROMPT ENGINEERING GUIDE
OpenAI released a Prompt Guide for GPT 4.1 and gives you the playbook how to get better results from AI.
Here's the framework they recommend:
- Role - Define what the AI is ("You are a helpful research assistant")
- Instructions - Set behavior and tone ("Respond concisely, avoid speculation")
- Sub-Instructions - Add focused control sections (prohibited topics, phrases)
- Reasoning - Encourage structured thinking ("Think step-by-step")
- Format - Specify response structure ("Summary: [1-2 lines], Key Points: [bullets]")
- Examples - Show sample inputs/outputs
- Final - Reinforce key points at the end
I've been testing it and the difference is NIGHT AND DAY.
Instead of generic, rambling responses, you get laser-focused answers that actually solve your problem.
Think about it: most people are still using AI by typing stuff like "Give me ideas for my marketing campaign."
Meanwhile, power users are writing prompts that look more like:
"You are an expert marketing strategist who specializes in DTC brands. Help me create 5 high-converting ad concepts for a new athleisure line targeting women 25-35 who value sustainability. Format as: Headline, Visual Description, Call to Action."
Guess who's getting better results?
This is the kind of edge that will separate you from others. And it costs nothing but a few extra seconds when writing your prompt.
NERD PART 2: HOW TO USE AI WITHOUT LOSING YOUR HUMAN EDGE
This week I ran an AI workshop with a massive national brand.
And one of the things I stressed was this:
AI is flooding the market - fast. But what’s becoming obvious is who’s using it to replace their mind… and who’s using it to enhance it.
So here’s where I land:
I’ve always taken pride in using my brain. I love learning. I love communicating. Honestly, that’s always been my superpower - connecting with people and thinking through problems with clarity.
So when I use AI, I don’t use it to replace that - I use it to multiply it.
It’s like I’ve got a team of little Mikes helping me move faster, think sharper, explore more. But at the end of the day - I make the final decisions. I draft the last sentence. I put my fingerprints on every message that matters.
Because that’s where the real power is:
To be real. To be you. With a little extra superpower behind the scenes.
Here’s how I think about it:
1. Use AI as Leverage, Not a Replacement
AI is like infinite interns. Let it handle the repetitive stuff - summarize notes, write drafts, pull data - so you can focus your energy on the high-impact things only you can do: leading, building, connecting.
2. Amplify Your Voice, Don’t Erase It
Tools like ChatGPT or Midjourney are amazing co-creators. But your prompts, tone, and final say still matter. If it starts sounding too polished or too perfect - people notice. Let AI accelerate your voice, not replace it.
3. Prioritize Presence Over Perfection
Real connection doesn’t come from flawless execution - it comes from showing up. Use AI to reduce the clutter and make space for what actually matters: being present.
4. Build Invisible AI Into the Background
The best AI doesn’t brag. It works quietly in the background - personalizing an email, prepping for a meeting, flagging a trend - so you can show up more powerfully in the spotlight.
5. Keep Your Weird
Your quirks, your stories, your voice… that’s your edge. Don’t let AI sand it down. The people who stand out in the AI era won’t be the ones with perfect grammar - they’ll be the ones who still sound like themselves.
Bottom line:
AI is here to help you - not replace you.
It’s not about choosing between AI and authenticity. It’s about learning to blend them with intention.
Be real. Be present. Be amplified.
Have a great week!
Mike
PS: Want add someone cool to this email list? Just let me know and I'll do it!
PPS: Remember this is a two-way street. If you're getting value, pay the tax. Text me, call me, email me with cool things you're seeing. I want to learn from YOU. Share challenges you're facing as well as your wins. The best stuff I share often comes from you guys. This isn't a monologue - it's a conversation between winners.
