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:

• OpenAI Upgrades ChatGPT With GPT-4.1 and GPT-4.1 Mini.

• OpenAI Launches Codex, an AI Agent for Coding.

• Google launches stand-alone NotebookLM apps for Android and iOS

• Tutorial: How to generate AI images in Microsoft Paint on Windows 11

• 📢Top AI Tools of the Week

OpenAI Upgrades ChatGPT With GPT-4.1 and GPT-4.1 Mini

OpenAI is bringing two new models — GPT-4.1 and GPT-4.1 mini — into ChatGPT, marking a significant upgrade for users who rely on the platform for coding, instruction-based tasks, and overall responsiveness. Originally available only through OpenAI’s API, these models are now rolling out to both free and paid users across Plus, Pro, and Team plans.

GPT-4.1 is designed to be faster than OpenAI’s o-series reasoning models while still excelling at code generation and task following. Meanwhile, GPT-4.1 mini offers a lightweight, efficient option for casual and technical users alike — and it's replacing GPT-4.0 mini in the lineup.

Key Points

• GPT-4.1 is optimized for software engineering tasks, offering speed advantages without sacrificing code quality or instruction accuracy.

• GPT-4.1 is live for Plus, Pro, and Team subscribers; GPT-4.1 mini is available to all users, both free and paid.

• With this update, OpenAI is phasing out GPT-4.0 mini from ChatGPT.

• OpenAI is launching a new Safety Evaluations Hub and promises more frequent reporting of internal model safety tests.

• The update coincides with OpenAI’s looming acquisition of Windsurf, a move to expand its AI coding capabilities even further.

  Source: https://techcrunch.com/2025/05/14/openai-brings-its-gpt-4-1-models-to-chatgpt/

OpenAI Launches Codex, an AI Agent for Coding

OpenAI just added a heavyweight contender to the AI coding arena. Meet Codex, a cloud-based AI agent designed to take on everything from debugging to feature development. Powered by a specialized version of the o3 model — dubbed codex-1 — this agent runs in a virtual, sandboxed environment and connects with GitHub for deeper integration with your codebase.

With the promise of turning AI into a “virtual teammate,” Codex is OpenAI’s biggest bet yet on the future of automated software engineering — and its move to compete with Google’s Gemini and Anthropic’s Claude Code. The agent is available starting today for ChatGPT Pro, Team, and Enterprise users, with broader rollout on the way.

key Points

• Codex-1 runs tests, debugs, and writes code — taking 1–30 minutes per task depending on complexity.

• Codex can preload your repos but runs in an isolated cloud setup with no internet access, limiting misuse.

• Generous free access to start, but users will soon have to buy credits for more usage.

• Internally, Codex handles feature scaffolding, repetitive tasks, and doc generation.

• Codex joins Sora, Deep Research, and Operator as new tools available to ChatGPT subscribers — making OpenAI’s ecosystem more than just chat.

  
  Source: https://techcrunch.com/2025/05/16/openai-launches-codex-an-ai-coding-agent-in-chatgpt/

Google launches stand-alone NotebookLM apps for Android and iOS

Google just made its AI-powered research assistant, NotebookLM, much more portable. Ahead of its I/O 2025 keynote, the company rolled out stand-alone NotebookLM apps for Android and iOS, expanding the tool beyond its original desktop-only format.

Launched in 2023, NotebookLM is designed to help users digest complex materials through features like AI-powered summaries, document Q&A, and even personalized audio explainers. Now, users can tap into those capabilities on the go — and share PDFs, websites, and videos directly from their phones into notebooks for streamlined research.

key Points

• NotebookLM is now available as a dedicated app for both Android and iOS, with full feature support.

• The app supports Audio Overviews — custom podcasts summarizing your materials, with offline and background playback.

• Users can instantly add sources (webpages, PDFs, YouTube videos) to notebooks from other apps via the share button.

• Includes light/dark modes and lets users view, edit, and create notebooks directly from their mobile device.

• The launch precedes Google's I/O 2025 keynote, where more NotebookLM updates may be announced.

  
  Source: https://techcrunch.com/2025/05/19/google-launches-standalone-notebooklm-app-for-android/

How to generate AI images in Microsoft Paint on Windows 11

With the latest updates to Windows 11 and Microsoft Paint, AI-generated images can now be created directly within the Paint application using natural language prompts. The process involves updating your system, enabling the feature, and providing a descriptive prompt.

Here’s how:

1. The latest features are only available in Windows 11. To verify the system version, navigate to Settings > Windows Update and select Check for updates. The option to “Get the latest updates as soon as they’re available” is also recommended to be enabled.

2. Open the Microsoft Store, click the Downloads icon (cloud with a downward arrow), and select Check for updates. This will update all Microsoft Store applications, including Paint.

3. Paint should be opened, and the Copilot icon on the taskbar should be clicked. Then, Image Creator must be selected.

   

4. In the text box that appears, a description of the desired image should be entered, and a style should be chosen.

5. The Create button must be clicked, or Enter pressed. Within approximately 20 seconds, three AI-generated images will be produced.

   

6. Any image may be clicked to enlarge it on the canvas. To save an image, the ellipsis icon can be selected, followed by Save Image.

7. If the results are unsatisfactory, the prompt or style may be adjusted, and the generation process repeated. Additionally, Paint’s editing tools may be used for further customization.

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