AI Spotlight keeps you up-to-speed on the latest cool stuff in AI and tech. This week, we'll show you new tools, how businesses can use AI, and what's hot in the world of AI.

In today’s email:

• Apple might not release a truly ‘modernized’ Siri until 2027

• Flora is building an AI-powered ‘infinite canvas’ for creative professionals

• OpenAI Unveils GPT-4.5 ‘Orion,’ Its Largest AI Model Yet

• Tutorial: Create AI-Generated Videos with “Adobe Firefly”

• 📢Top AI Tools of the Week

Apple might not release a truly ‘modernized’ Siri until 2027

Apple’s AI-powered Siri upgrade is taking longer than expected. According to Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman, a fully modernized, conversational version of Siri won’t arrive until iOS 20 in 2027. While Apple is actively working on improvements, it appears that Siri is still lagging behind competitors in the generative AI space.

However, users won’t have to wait that long for some enhancements. A new version of Siri is set to debut in May 2024, integrating long-promised Apple Intelligence features. Apple is also developing “LLM Siri”, which will unify Siri’s traditional functions with large language model (LLM) capabilities—but that update isn’t expected until spring 2026.

The long timeline suggests Apple is playing it safe with AI, ensuring that Siri’s future updates are both functional and privacy-focused.

Key Points

• A truly advanced, AI-driven Siri won’t be available until 2027 with iOS 20.

• A new Siri update with Apple Intelligence features is expected in May 2024.

• Apple is developing an LLM-powered Siri, combining traditional commands with AI-driven responses—set to launch in spring 2026.

• Unlike competitors rushing into generative AI, Apple appears to be prioritizing privacy, security, and seamless integration.

  Source: https://techcrunch.com/2025/03/02/apple-might-not-release-a-truly-modernized-siri-until-2027/

Flora is building an AI-powered ‘infinite canvas’ for creative professionals

AI tools can generate stunning visuals, compelling stories, and even short films with just a simple prompt. But according to Flora’s founder and CEO, Weber Wong, most AI models today are built “by non-creatives for other non-creatives to feel creative.” In other words, they lack the depth, control, and flexibility that professional artists and designers need.

That’s where Flora comes in. Instead of focusing on building better AI models, Flora introduces an “infinite canvas”—a dynamic interface that integrates with existing AI tools, allowing creatives to visually map out ideas, refine designs, and collaborate effortlessly. Wong envisions Flora as a game-changer for creative professionals, helping them work faster while maintaining full artistic control.

key Points

• Flora rejects the trend of AI tools that generate quick, low-quality content, aiming instead to empower real artists with sophisticated tools.

• Users can generate and refine text, images, and videos on an interactive canvas, making it easier to experiment and iterate.

• Unlike traditional generative AI tools, Flora is built with input from top design agencies, including Pentagram.

• Flora aims to win over “AI-curious” and even skeptical artists, offering them a way to use AI without compromising their creative integrity.

• The platform offers a free tier, with a professional subscription starting at $16 per month.

  
  Source: https://techcrunch.com/2025/03/02/flora-is-building-an-ai-powered-infinite-canvas-for-creative-professionals/

OpenAI Unveils GPT-4.5 ‘Orion,’ Its Largest AI Model Yet

OpenAI has officially launched GPT-4.5, codenamed Orion, marking its most powerful AI model to date. Trained with more computing power and data than any previous OpenAI model, GPT-4.5 was highly anticipated as a potential game-changer. However, while it excels in some areas, it falls short of rival AI models in others, particularly in advanced reasoning.

Despite its size, OpenAI does not classify GPT-4.5 as a frontier AI model, suggesting that scaling alone may no longer be the key to major AI breakthroughs. For now, ChatGPT Pro subscribers can access GPT-4.5, with broader availability expected soon.

key Points

• GPT-4.5 boasts stronger factual accuracy, less hallucination, and better creative abilities, but struggles against newer AI reasoning models from competitors.

• OpenAI admits that GPT-4.5 costs significantly more to operate than previous models, leading to questions about its long-term availability.

• While GPT-4.5 outperforms many non-reasoning models, it falls behind Claude 3.7 Sonnet and DeepSeek’s R1 in tasks requiring complex problem-solving and coding.

• OpenAI claims that GPT-4.5 provides warmer, more empathetic responses and excels in creative tasks, making it better suited for writing and design.

• OpenAI plans to merge its GPT models with its "o" reasoning models, with GPT-5 expected later this year as the next major leap.

  
  Source: https://techcrunch.com/2025/02/27/openai-unveils-gpt-4-5-orion-its-largest-ai-model-yet/

Create AI-Generated Videos with “Adobe Firefly”

Want to turn text or images into stunning AI-powered videos? Here’s how you can do it with Adobe Firefly:

1. Go to the Adobe Firefly website and sign up or log in.

2. On the homepage, select Text to Video or Image to Video to enter the workspace.

3. For text, write a detailed prompt following this structure: Shot Type + Character + Action + Location + Aesthetic. If using an image, also describe how you want it animated.

4. Click Generate and wait a few seconds for Firefly to work its magic.

5. If you love the result, hit Download to save it as an MP4.

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