Welcome to the latest episode of “What’s AI Up to Now?”—a saga where machines learn to be more human, humans learn to be more machine, and everyone learns that "early bird" discounts are still a thing. Grab your popcorn and let’s dive in.

The Anthropic Encounter: A Stage at Zellerbach Hall

Imagine this: Jared Kaplan, co-founder and Chief Science Officer of Anthropic, gracing the TechCrunch Sessions: AI stage at UC Berkeley’s Zellerbach Hall. It’s like having Gandalf at a wizard convention, but with less beard and more neural networks. Kaplan will be exploring the frontier of AI—where human curiosity meets machine capability. And let’s be honest, if you’re a tech enthusiast, it’s practically Coachella for your brain.

Key Takeaways:

  • Who: Jared Kaplan, Co-founder of Anthropic
  • What: Speaking at TechCrunch Sessions: AI
  • When: June 5, 2025
  • Where: UC Berkeley’s Zellerbach Hall
  • Why: To explore the AI frontier

OpenAI: From ChatGPT to Personal Shopper

OpenAI, ever the ambitious toddler of the tech world, has added shopping features to ChatGPT Search. Now, you can tell ChatGPT what you need, and it will pull up products with direct links to buy. It’s kind of like having a personal shopper, but one that never judges your taste in novelty socks.

Key Takeaways:

  • Feature: Shopping integrated into ChatGPT
  • Categories: Fashion, beauty, home goods, electronics
  • Not Ads: Results are chosen independently
  • Revenue: Presumably from affiliate links

Meta’s LlamaCon: Not Just for Farmers

Meta is hosting its first generative AI developer conference, LlamaCon, which sounds more like a petting zoo than a tech event. But don’t let the name fool you. This is about as serious as a conference can get when it comes to the future of AI models. And yes, Mark Zuckerberg is in attendance, swapping notes with Satya Nadella on how to build AI-powered applications.

Key Takeaways:

  • Event: LlamaCon 2025
  • Focus: Generative AI
  • Speakers: Meta’s Chris Cox, Manohar Paluri, Angela Fan
  • Surprise Factor: Possible new AI features announcements

The ADHD of AI: OpenAI's Spending Spree

Now, let’s talk about OpenAI’s financial strategy—or lack thereof. Last year, they spent $9 billion and only made $4 billion. It’s the AI equivalent of buying a Tesla with a credit card. They’re planning to boost their revenue to $125 billion by 2029, which is like planning a trip to Mars while you’re still figuring out how to parallel park.

Key Takeaways:

  • Spending: $9 billion in 2024
  • Revenue: $4 billion in 2024
  • Target: $125 billion by 2029

A Metaphorical Odyssey: AI and the Exploration of Human Potential

Here’s a metaphor for you: AI is like an ocean. It’s vast, deep, and full of potential. But much like how the sea holds mysteries, AI holds the unknown—both thrilling and terrifying. It invites us to explore, to discover, and to sometimes get a little wet in the process.

Conclusion: The Future is AI—And It’s Here

As we sail through these turbulent waters of AI development, it’s clear that the future is not just coming—it’s already docked. From Anthropic’s frontier exploration to OpenAI’s shopping escapades, every step is a leap into the unknown. So fasten your seatbelts, folks. We’re in for a wild ride, and this ship isn’t slowing down anytime soon.

And remember, in the world of tech, much like in life, sometimes it’s not just about the destination but the journey—and the Wi-Fi signal along the way.

Stay curious, stay connected, and for heaven’s sake, don’t forget to charge your devices.