AI Advancements Transform Industries with New Tools and Agents

Recent developments in the field of artificial intelligence have seen significant advancements, with various companies and startups launching new AI tools and agents. Google's Gemini AI chatbot is now available for free, albeit with limitations, while Chinese startups Zhipu and Manus have launched their own AI agents, with Zhipu's AutoLM Rumination and AutoGLM available for free. The use of AI in finance and accounting is also on the rise, with the Financial Executives International hosting an online conference on the topic. Additionally, leaders are being advised to develop essential traits such as AI fluency, collaborative intelligence, and cognitive flexibility to thrive in the AI era. Meanwhile, AI tools like ChatGPT and Grok 3 are being used to create Studio Ghibli-style images and animations, and a pitch contest at Keiser University's Seahawk Tank showcased innovative AI-powered ideas.

Create Ghibli Style Images With AI

AI tools like ChatGPT, Grok 3, and Google's Gemini can create Studio Ghibli-style images and animations. These tools use detailed prompts and references to generate artwork that mimics Ghibli's unique aesthetic. Users can follow step-by-step guides to create Ghibli-style images and animated videos using these AI tools. The process involves providing detailed prompts, uploading images, and refining the generated artwork. Additionally, users can animate their images by separating objects into layers and adding movements.

Google's Gemini AI Now Free To Use

Google's Gemini AI chatbot is now available for free, but with limitations. The free version has rate limits and a smaller context window compared to the paid version. Gemini 2.5 Pro Experimental is Google's most intelligent AI model, outperforming competitors in key areas. However, free users won't have full access to the model's capabilities, and paying users will have more features and flexibility. The free version is still a significant upgrade for all Gemini users, but it's not as powerful as the full version.

Essential Leadership Traits For AI Era

To thrive in the AI era, leaders need to develop three essential traits: AI fluency, collaborative intelligence, and cognitive flexibility. AI fluency involves understanding AI's capabilities and limitations, while collaborative intelligence is about coordinating human and artificial intelligence. Cognitive flexibility enables leaders to balance intuitive judgment with data-driven analysis. By acquiring these traits, leaders can optimize strategic choices, empower cross-functional collaboration, and foster psychological safety. This will help their organizations adapt to the increasing use of AI and stay competitive.

DOGE Misusing AI

The DOGE initiative is misapplying artificial intelligence, missing its full potential. The current approach uses AI to analyze employee responses, but this method risks making serious errors due to biases embedded in Large Language Models. A better approach would be to leverage more objective data from government agencies and use AI to identify areas of risk and potential failure. This would require a more nuanced understanding of AI's capabilities and limitations, as well as a more strategic approach to implementing AI in government.

AI Agents Need Semantic Layer

AI agents that simply retrieve information are no longer enough; they need a semantic layer to truly understand business context and transform raw data into strategic foresight. A semantic layer acts as an intermediary between raw data and end users, organizing facts, dimensions, and hierarchies to create a consistent view of the data. This enables users to access and analyze data without needing technical expertise. AI agents can then leverage this data to provide strategically aligned recommendations and drive action.

AI in Finance Conference

The Financial Executives International (FEI) is hosting an online conference on artificial intelligence in finance and accounting. The conference will deliver insights, strategies, and knowledge for finance professionals navigating the AI revolution. Topics include understanding AI governance, workforce evolution, and adaptation strategies. Attendees can earn up to 13 CPE credits and engage in dynamic panel discussions and Q&A sessions. The conference aims to help finance professionals learn from leading corporations about incorporating AI and setting governance standards.

Pitch Contest Unveils AI Ideas

Keiser University's Seahawk Tank Pitch Contest showcased innovative ideas and inventions, including an AI-powered marketing assistant and a subscription-based pet care service. The winners received cash prizes, and the contestants presented well-researched ideas to a panel of industry experts. The pitch contest aims to introduce students to the functional areas of business and the business environment, including ethical business practices and technical skills.

Chinese Startup Launches Free AI Agent

Zhipu AI, a Chinese artificial intelligence startup, has launched a new AI agent called AutoLM Rumination. The tool can perform deep research tasks, generate detailed reports, and help users plan activities. The AI agent is powered by the company's proprietary models, which are claimed to be as good as DeepSeek R1. The company has received significant funding and is valued at $2.74 billion. The launch of the free AI agent is seen as a competitive move in the AI market.

China's Manus AI Agent Now Subscription

China's Manus AI agent is now available as a subscription service, with a $39-per-month tier and a $199 upgraded option. The AI agent can perform complex tasks and act as an agent for users. The move to monetize the AI agent so soon after its arrival is seen as aggressive pricing for a membership service still in its beta testing stage. The young company has drawn significant attention for its promise to have its bot perform jobs for users.

China's Zhipu Offers Free AI Agent

Zhipu, a Chinese startup, is making its new AI agent free to use, as domestic competition in the AI market heats up. The AI agent, called AutoGLM, can conduct deep research and has outperformed OpenAI's GPT-4o and Anthropic's Claude 3.5 Sonnet in some benchmarks. The agent is now available for preview, and the company's CEO has presented it at an industry event in Beijing. This move is seen as a response to other AI agents in the market, such as DeepSeek and Manus.

Key Takeaways

Google's Gemini AI chatbot is now available for free, but with rate limits and a smaller context window compared to the paid version.
Chinese startups Zhipu and Manus have launched their own AI agents, with Zhipu's AutoLM Rumination and AutoGLM available for free.
The Financial Executives International is hosting an online conference on artificial intelligence in finance and accounting.
Leaders need to develop essential traits such as AI fluency, collaborative intelligence, and cognitive flexibility to thrive in the AI era.
AI tools like ChatGPT and Grok 3 can be used to create Studio Ghibli-style images and animations.
The DOGE initiative is misapplying artificial intelligence, missing its full potential due to biases embedded in Large Language Models.
AI agents need a semantic layer to truly understand business context and transform raw data into strategic foresight.
A pitch contest at Keiser University's Seahawk Tank showcased innovative AI-powered ideas, including an AI-powered marketing assistant.
China's Manus AI agent is now available as a subscription service, with a $39-per-month tier and a $199 upgraded option.
Zhipu's AI agent AutoGLM has outperformed OpenAI's GPT-4o and Anthropic's Claude 3.5 Sonnet in some benchmarks.