By Innocent Mushamba

Subsequent to a dramatic turn of events over the weekend, Microsoft’s stock went up by USD56 billion on Monday, after it was announced that Sam Altman (former CEO of Open AI) has been hired at Microsoft, after being fired by his own board at Open AI. Here’s how it all unfolded:

Thursday evening, OpenAI’s chief scientist, Ilya Sutskever, texts Sam Altman, proposing a noon discussion the next day.

Friday at noon, Sam Altman joins a Google Meet with the board, excluding Greg Brokman, OpenAI’s co-founder and board chairman. The board proceeds to dismiss Sam.

Friday, 12:19 pm: Greg Brokman receives a text from Ilya, requesting a call.

Friday, 12:23 pm: Greg receives a Google Meet link, logging in to discover his removal from the board.

Saturday: Chat GPT is launched in Zimbabwe, providing direct access to the tool without third-party platforms.

Saturday, 2:09 pm: Greg Brokman publicly announces his resignation from OpenAI.

Monday, 9:53 am: Satya Nadella, Microsoft Chairman and CEO, discloses that Sam, Greg, and colleagues are hired to lead Microsoft’s new advanced AI research team.

Monday, 11:01 am: Emmett Shear, former Twitch CEO, announces his acceptance of the interim CEO role at OpenAI.

There’s been much speculation as to what happened since then. Ilya Sutskever is believed to be the one who orchestrated this “coup” to overthrow San Altman. Ilya is a former researcher at Google Brain, Google’s AI department. He left Google reportedly under Elon Musk’s urging to co-found OpenAI with Sam and Greg Brokman.

With Chat GPT’s massive success over the past year, Open AI seems to be moving more and more into commercialization. The whole idea of revenue sharing with GPTs might be the reason Illya might have organized the “coup”. However, Emmett Shear denies this as the reason Altman was sacked.

The question is, what does all this fiasco mean for Zimbabwean businesses?

The introduction of this advanced language model signifies a monumental shift in the artificial intelligence landscape, with significant implications for marketers, business owners, and corporate executives in Zimbabwe.

Expanded Capabilities and Knowledge
GPT-4 Turbo brings a host of improvements, notably its ability to process up to 300 pages of standard book text. This expansion not only broadens its capabilities to handle a wider range of queries but also enriches the depth and context of responses, making it an indispensable tool for all industries heavily reliant on comprehensive data analysis.

For marketers in Zimbabwe, this means unprecedented access to nuanced consumer insights. Imagine a marketing team embarking on a large-scale campaign, needing to analyze extensive customer feedback. GPT-4 Turbo can efficiently sift through thousands of reviews, data and surveys, extracting valuable insights about consumer preferences and relevant trends. This capability empowers businesses to tailor their strategies with precision, enhancing the effectiveness of marketing campaigns.

Additionally, the updated knowledge base, including information up to April 2023, ensures that responses are not only more relevant but also reflect the most recent developments. This is particularly crucial in a dynamic business environment where staying ahead of the curve is paramount.

Premium GPT access
In a strategic move to democratize AI technology, OpenAI has significantly reduced the operational costs of GPT-4 Turbo. Ofcourse, we know that 6 days ago, access to Chat GPT Plus was temporarily withheld from the public because of the overwhelming surge in traffic after Sam’s Dev Day presentation. ZImbabweans currently can only sign up for a waiting list for GPT Plus, which will be available for $20 per month. This gives access to premium functions and tools such as GPT plugins.

Considering what GPT Plus brings to the table, this is not a bad price point for businesses to invest into. This cost-effectiveness is a deliberate move by OpenAI to maintain its competitive edge and respond to the needs of developers. It opens the door for a broader range of users and applications in Zimbabwe, fostering an environment of increased innovation and exploration of AI technologies.

Customizable ChatGPT: A Personal Touch to AI
OpenAI also introduced a groundbreaking feature that enables users to create personalized versions of the ChatGPT chatbot. This empowers users in Zimbabwe to tailor AI interactions to specific industries, use cases, or personal preferences without the need for coding skills. The move is expected to broaden the reach of ChatGPT, promoting a more user-centric approach to AI.

For marketers and business owners in Zimbabwe, the ability to customize AI interactions without technical expertise opens up new possibilities. This feature allows for the creation of chatbots that align with specific industry jargon, cultural nuances, and user preferences, thereby enhancing the overall user experience.

OpenAI to Open New App Store, or “GPT Store”
Looking ahead, OpenAI has plans to launch the GPT Store, allowing creators to make their custom GPTs available for public download. This innovative platform is poised to become a new revenue stream for both OpenAI and creators, incentivizing innovation and user engagement. The introduction of an app store model indicates a shift towards a more collaborative and expansive AI ecosystem.

For businesses and developers in Zimbabwe, the GPT Store presents an opportunity to showcase and monetize their custom GPT models. Early adopters will win, the same way mobile apps developers monetized their apps early on Google PlayStore and Apple Store, and made real money. This could potentially lead to the creation of tailored solutions that cater specifically to the local market, addressing unique challenges and preferences.

Challenges in Fully Utilizing ChatGPT in Zimbabwe
Engineers and tech enthusiasts alike can see that there is much to be before we can catch up with the rest of the world. The challenges we have include:

1. Infrastructure Limitations: Access to high-speed internet and advanced computing infrastructure is not uniform across Zimbabwe. In rural areas and economically disadvantaged communities, limited access to technology may hinder the widespread adoption of ChatGPT.
2. Digital Literacy: While the younger generation in Zimbabwe is increasingly tech-savvy, there is still a digital literacy gap in some demographics. Comprehensive training and education programs are essential to ensure that individuals and businesses can effectively utilize ChatGPT to its full potential.
3. Language and Cultural Nuances: Although ChatGPT is a powerful language model, it may not fully understand or accurately respond to the diverse linguistic and cultural nuances specific to Zimbabwe. Fine-tuning the model to better comprehend local languages and contexts is crucial for maximizing its effectiveness. This means we need to have enough data available in this regard.
4. Data Privacy Concerns: As with any AI technology, data privacy and security are key. Ensuring that user data is protected and that we stick to our ethical guidelines is essential for gaining public trust and widespread adoption.

This is no train smash for us. We are intelligent, resilient people that have propensities for producing results. I don’t doubt we can overcome these challenges.

What Can We Expect From Here Onwards?
We can expect more monetization of AI tech. The new CEO of Open AI has experience in this regard with the streaming platform Twitch, and we can expect no less advertising when the GPT store is launched. Microsoft will continue to ensure that Sam and his people integrate their expertise into Microsoft products and we will see more solution-providers for businesses.

OpenAI has also introduced a Copyright Shield program, promising to defend customers against legal challenges related to copyright infringement. The Copyright Shield program provides a safety net, encouraging businesses to innovate without the fear of legal repercussions. This is crucial in a landscape where copyright issues can be a minefield.

Parting shots
There is more than enough room for Zimbabweans to make use of Open AI’s technologies for business. There has never been a time where mundane, repetitive tasks can be done so quickly and efficiently. The availability of ChatGPT in Zimbabwe heralds a new era of possibilities for marketers, corporate executives, and business owners. The immediate opportunities for enhancing customer engagement, streamlining operations, and improving decision-making are substantial. The anticipation of GPT-4 with plugins and a future store promises even greater customization and specialization.

To fully capitalize on these opportunities, it is essential for stakeholders in Zimbabwe to address the challenges posed by infrastructure limitations, digital literacy gaps, language nuances, and data privacy concerns. By investing in education, infrastructure development, and ethical AI practices, Zimbabwe can position itself at the forefront of the AI revolution, driving economic growth and innovation.