This week, OpenAI's new o1 models have launched and are being hailed as the next big step toward Artificial General Intelligence (AGI). But, is it really a breakthrough, or are we caught in the same cycle of AI hype we’ve seen for years?
And what does this AI revolution mean for the broader world, democracy, decision-making, and personalized realities? Let’s unpack it, plus we’re taking a peek at the quiet but groundbreaking advancements from Waymo.
1. OpenAI’s New o1 Models: A Game Changer?
OpenAI's o1 models are a significant leap from the GPT-4o series, introducing a brand-new approach to reasoning and problem-solving. Here’s what you need to know:
System 1 vs. System 2 Thinking: While previous models like GPT-4o were designed for fast, immediate answers, o1 models engage in more deliberate, "System 2" thinking. This allows for deeper reflection, especially in tasks like math, coding, and planning.
Reasoning Tokens: One of the key innovations in o1 is the introduction of reasoning token…



