“The more we learn about AI, the more we realize how far it still has to go.”

—Yoshua Bengio, Scientific Director at Mila

Quantum Leaps at GTC 2025

The AI world is watching as Nvidia’s GPU Technology Conference (GTC) kicks off this week, packed with announcements on next-gen AI chips, robotics, quantum computing, and autonomous vehicles.

With CEO Jensen Huang’s keynote set for this afternoon, expectations are high for major updates on Blackwell Ultra (Nvidia’s next-generation AI chip), and give a first look at the Rubin AI platform, which could set the standard for the industry’s future.

Why GTC Matters

Dubbed the “Woodstock for AI,” GTC has evolved beyond a developer event into a showcase for the future of artificial intelligence across industries. Over 25,000 in-person attendees (and 300,000 virtual) are gathered in San Jose this week to explore cutting-edge advancements in AI hardware, agentic AI, enterprise applications, and more.

What to Watch For

🔹 Faster AI Chips – Nvidia is rolling out new AI processors designed to handle bigger, smarter models. Blackwell Ultra will be front and center, along with teasers for Nvidia’s next-gen Rubin platform, set to launch in 2026.

🔹 Quantum Computing – Nvidia is going hard on quantum technologies, even dedicating an entire day to it at the event.

🔹 Smarter Cars – Expect updates on self-driving technology and AI-powered EV battery management.

🔹 AI-Powered Robots – From warehouse automation to industrial machines, Nvidia will show how AI is improving robotics.

Open Sesame…And Let AI Do the Talking

The viral start-up, Sesame, recently revealed its AI-powered “Conversational Speech Model”—and let’s just say, it’s got people talking. Quite literally.

What’s the Big Deal?

The core product in Sesame’s development is a highly realistic AI voice assistant that acts as a personal companion. And, it’s pushing the limits of natural-sounding speech. Its tech captures the rhythm, tone, and nuances of real conversations to make AI voices sound less robotic and more…well, human.

This AI assistant (showcased through digital personas like “Maya” and “Miles”) is designed to engage in genuine two-way dialogue with emotional warmth and contextual awareness, rather than just executing commands. As the company puts it, they want to achieve “voice presence”—spoken interactions that feel real, understood, and valued​.

Beyond the Software

The company is also developing lightweight AI-powered smart glasses designed for all-day wear. But unlike AR headsets that focus on visual overlays, Sesame is all about audio.

Instead of showing information on a screen, these glasses will provide real-time, voice-first assistance—essentially acting as an AI companion that shares helpful insights throughout the day. Think directions, schedule reminders, or background info on whatever you're looking at—all without pulling out your phone.

What’s Next?

Sesame’s AI has plenty of potential for use in industries like customer service, education, and even gaming. Its conversational depth and emotional nuance could create AI tutors, interactive NPCs, or even voice-activated business tools that feel less robotic and more human-like.

However, realism has its challenges. Sesame still falls into the "uncanny valley" at times, where its speech is almost human but not quite, and longer conversations can reveal some awkward pacing, incorrect information, and overly eager responses.

And then there’s privacy. Personal AI assistants raise some serious ethical questions—especially when paired with wearable hardware that’s always listening.

We’ll have to see if Sesame becomes the next big thing, but in the meantime, give it a try and let us know what you think. Chat with Maya or Miles here.

New cars come loaded with advanced features—adaptive cruise control, lane assist, custom drive modes—but how many customers actually use them? Too often, high-tech functions go ignored simply because no one took the time to explain them.

A well-crafted education strategy helps builds trust, reduces frustration, and keeps customers engaged with your dealership long after they drive off the lot.

This week’s prompt is all about making all those fancy features more approachable:

What’s Driving the Future?

At last year’s ASOTU CON, we sat down with Steve Greenfield, CEO of Automotive Ventures, to talk about AI’s role in the future of automotive. From vehicle autonomy to dealership operations, his insights painted a clear picture: AI is here and it’s time to get on board.

Greenfield highlighted how Tesla is shifting from traditional mapping-based autonomy to generative AI, allowing vehicles to learn from each other and adapt to real-world conditions more like human drivers.

Beyond self-driving, Greenfield emphasized that AI is becoming a crucial tool for dealerships. Whether streamlining inventory management, optimizing F&I processes, or enhancing the customer experience, AI is reshaping how dealers operate.

Check out the full interview here.

(Want to hear more from Steve? ASOTU CON 2025 is the place to be! Join us in May to learn from Greenfield and other industry leaders as we unpack how AI will shape the next era of automotive retail. Get your tickets here.)

• Starting March 28th, everything you say to Alexa will be shared with Amazon. 👂

• Google says its phasing out Google Assistant in favor of Gemini. ♊️

• Instagram is testing out a new feature that lets users generate comments with the help of AI. 💬

• OpenAI is pushing for the government to allow them to train their models on copyrighted content. ©️