September 5, 2025

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OpenAI ChatGPT Used by Ellevest, Starbucks AI Rollout

AI is making waves across various sectors, from healthcare to retail and finance. In healthcare, Congress held hearings to explore how AI can improve patient care, support doctors, and reduce costs, while also addressing concerns about regulation, Medicare denials, and mental health. Starbucks is rolling out AI-powered inventory management in over 11,000 North American stores, using tablets and software from NomadGo to count items and optimize restocking, according to CEO Brian Niccol. San Jose is investing in its local AI community by awarding grants to startups like Satlyt, Elythea, Metafoodx, and Clika. However, not all AI developments are smooth; OpenAI's GPT-5 faced criticism for errors, leading some to question the strategy of simply scaling AI models. AI is also finding applications in electric vehicle fleets, helping manage charging and energy costs, and in personalized financial planning, as Ellevest CEO Sylvia Kwan discovered when using ChatGPT to plan travel for her mother. Fanvue is leveraging AI to help content creators boost earnings and manage their businesses, even supporting AI influencers. In a controversial incident, Shein used an AI-generated image of Luigi Mangione, a murder suspect in the United Healthcare CEO Brian Thompson case, on a shirt ad.

Key Takeaways

  • Congress is examining AI's role in healthcare, focusing on improving care and reducing costs, but also addressing potential risks and regulations.
  • Starbucks is using AI from NomadGo to streamline inventory management in over 11,000 stores, with CEO Brian Niccol also exploring AI for other tasks like virtual assistance.
  • San Jose is providing grants to AI startups, including Satlyt ($25,000) and Elythea, Metafoodx, and Clika ($50,000 each), to foster local innovation.
  • OpenAI's GPT-5 faced criticism, prompting discussions about the limitations of simply scaling AI models.
  • AI is being used to optimize electric vehicle fleet management, including charging schedules and energy costs.
  • Ellevest CEO Sylvia Kwan used ChatGPT to plan a trip for her 92-year-old mother, inspiring her to consider AI for personalized investment strategies.
  • Fanvue is investing in AI tools to help content creators increase earnings and manage their businesses, including supporting AI influencers.
  • Shein sparked controversy by using an AI-generated image of Luigi Mangione, a suspect in the United Healthcare CEO Brian Thompson murder case, in a shirt advertisement.
  • AI stocks experienced a downturn, contributing to Wall Street's losses, while gold prices reached record highs.
  • AI can automate tasks like scheduling posts and analyzing data for content creators, freeing them up to focus on creating content.

House holds hearing on AI's role in improving health care

The House Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Health held a hearing about using artificial intelligence (AI) in health care. Representatives are exploring how AI can make health care better. They believe AI can improve care, help patients and doctors, and lower costs. The hearing discussed how AI can drive innovation and help Americans get the care they need, starting at 10:15 a.m. EDT.

Congress explores AI's impact on American health care system

Congressman Morgan Griffith led a hearing about using AI to improve American health care. The hearing explored how AI and machine learning can help patients, support doctors, and reduce paperwork. Griffith highlighted how AI is helping drug companies create new treatments faster. Insurance companies are using AI to process claims quickly, and doctors are using it to save time on paperwork. The goal is to ensure AI helps and doesn't replace healthcare workers, especially in rural areas.

House hearing raises concerns about AI in health care

A House hearing explored the growing role of artificial intelligence in health care. Lawmakers asked questions about how AI might affect things like drug development and mental health. They discussed concerns about Medicare denials, health care in rural areas, and mental health for teens. The hearing showed different ideas about how to regulate AI's use in health care.

Starbucks uses AI to count inventory in stores

Starbucks is using a new AI system to count inventory in over 11,000 stores in North America. Workers use tablets to scan shelves, and the software counts items and flags low supplies. Starbucks says this helps them restock faster and keep items like cold foam and oat milk available. The technology, from NomadGo, has already made inventory counts eight times more frequent. Starbucks CEO Brian Niccol is also using AI for other tasks, like a virtual assistant for workers called "Green Dot Assist."

Starbucks uses AI to count inventory in stores

Starbucks is using a new AI system to count inventory in over 11,000 stores in North America. Workers use tablets to scan shelves, and the software counts items and flags low supplies. Starbucks says this helps them restock faster and keep items like cold foam and oat milk available. The technology, from NomadGo, has already made inventory counts eight times more frequent. Starbucks CEO Brian Niccol is also using AI for other tasks, like a virtual assistant for workers called "Green Dot Assist."

AI stocks pull Wall Street down; gold hits record high

Wall Street had a bad day, with the S&P 500 having its worst loss in a month. Artificial intelligence stocks fell, causing the market to drop. Investors were also worried about rising bond yields, which could mean higher interest rates. At the same time, gold prices went up to a record high because people wanted a safe investment due to uncertain times.

San Jose gives AI startups grants to boost local innovation

San Jose awarded grants to four AI startups to encourage them to stay in the city. Satlyt, which helps satellites communicate, will get $25,000. Elythea, Metafoodx, and Clika will each receive $50,000 for their AI solutions. Metafoodx helps restaurants reduce waste, while Clika focuses on other AI applications. Mayor Matt Mahan hopes these grants will keep talented people in San Jose and build a strong AI community.

Is AI overhyped? Rethinking artificial intelligence after GPT-5

OpenAI's new AI system, GPT-5, was expected to be a big step forward, but it had some problems. Critics found errors, and some users wanted the older version back. The author believes that just making AI bigger isn't the best strategy. He suggests rethinking how AI is developed, taking inspiration from cognitive sciences. He argues that relying on scaling AI models with more data won't lead to true artificial general intelligence (A.G.I.).

AI will power the future of electric vehicles

AI is becoming important for electric vehicle (EV) fleets. It helps manage charging, energy costs, and vehicle maintenance. AI can ensure vehicles are charged correctly based on their routes and schedules. It can also adjust charging based on weather and energy demand. By using AI, fleet operators can lower costs and make sure their EVs are ready when needed. Siemens believes AI will help fleets become more efficient and adaptable.

AI helps plan travel for a 92-year-old: Market insights

Ellevest CEO Sylvia Kwan used ChatGPT to plan a trip for her 92-year-old mother. She was impressed by how the AI tailored suggestions to her mother's needs. This made her think about using AI to personalize investment strategies. Ellevest uses algorithms to create investment plans that match people's goals and values. AI can help financial advisors provide better advice and empower people to make informed financial decisions.

AI to boost earnings for content creators, says Fanvue

Fanvue believes AI can help content creators earn more and have more control over their work. The company is investing in AI tools to help creators grow their fanbases and manage their businesses. AI can automate tasks like scheduling posts and analyzing data. Fanvue also supports AI influencers like Aitana Lopez. They believe AI will give creators more freedom and ownership of their careers.

Shein uses AI to put murder suspect's face on shirt ad

Shein, an online clothing store, used an AI-generated image of Luigi Mangione to sell a shirt. Mangione is a suspect in the murder of United Healthcare CEO Brian Thompson. He is currently being held in jail and is not modeling for Shein.

Sources

Artificial Intelligence (AI) Health care Drug development Mental health Medicare Rural areas House hearing Congress Machine learning Insurance claims Paperwork reduction Starbucks Inventory management NomadGo Green Dot Assist AI stocks Wall Street San Jose AI startups Grants Satlyt Elythea Metafoodx Clika GPT-5 OpenAI Artificial General Intelligence (AGI) Electric vehicles (EV) Fleet management Charging Energy costs Vehicle maintenance ChatGPT Ellevest Investment strategies Financial advisors Content creators Fanvue AI influencers Shein AI-generated images