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Geeky Gadgets
4 days ago
- Geeky Gadgets
The Truth about ChatGPT Agent : Game-Changer or a Glitchy Gimmick?
What if the tool you trusted to simplify your life ended up complicating it instead? That's the paradox many users are discovering with ChatGPT's much-anticipated AI Agent. Marketed as a innovative step in task automation, this feature promises to handle everything from deep research to booking your next vacation. Yet, behind the sleek branding lies a tool that's sparking heated debates. While some hail it as a glimpse into the future of AI, others are frustrated by its glitches, inefficiencies, and glaring security concerns. Is the AI Agent a new innovation or an overhyped experiment that's not quite ready for prime time? In this exploration, Skill Leap AI unpack the truth about ChatGPT's AI Agent—its potential, pitfalls, and the real-world implications of relying on it for complex tasks. You'll discover how it works, where it stumbles, and why it's raising eyebrows among both casual users and tech enthusiasts. From its ambitious claims of seamless automation to the frustrations of inconsistent outputs, this deep dive will help you decide whether the AI Agent is a tool worth embracing—or one to approach with caution. After all, the line between innovation and inconvenience is often thinner than it seems. AI Agent Limitations What Are AI Agents? AI Agents are sophisticated tools developed to handle complex, multi-step tasks that typically require human intervention. These tasks include conducting in-depth research, filling out forms, interacting with websites, and generating reports or presentations. By combining multiple functionalities into a single system, the AI Agent aims to reduce manual workload and improve overall efficiency. For example, it can audit your Google Calendar, book hotels, or create spreadsheets with minimal user input. However, despite its ambitious objectives, the AI Agent often struggles to deliver consistent results. Tasks that should be simplified by automation frequently encounter errors, delays, or incomplete outputs, leaving users questioning its reliability. While the concept of an all-in-one automation tool is appealing, the current execution leaves much to be desired. Performance Challenges One of the most significant drawbacks of the AI Agent is its inefficiency in performing tasks. Instead of simplifying workflows, the feature often complicates them. For instance, tasks like researching business formation processes or booking travel accommodations can take far longer than expected. Booking a hotel, for example, might require up to 25 minutes, with frequent interruptions caused by errors or extended processing times. Additionally, the outputs generated by the AI Agent are often poorly formatted or less effective compared to results achieved using standard ChatGPT tools. These performance issues undermine the feature's primary goal of saving time and effort. Users who expect seamless automation are often left frustrated by the tool's inability to meet basic expectations. OpenAI ChatGPT Agent Review Watch this video on YouTube. Take a look at other insightful guides from our broad collection that might capture your interest in AI Agents. Security Concerns Data security is another critical issue associated with the AI Agent. To perform certain tasks, the feature requires access to personal accounts and sensitive information, which introduces potential risks. The virtual browser setup, while innovative, comes with warnings about malicious websites, further eroding user trust. The lack of robust safeguards to protect sensitive data is a significant concern. Users are advised to exercise caution when granting permissions or sharing confidential information. Until stronger security measures are implemented, the AI Agent's reliance on personal data will remain a barrier to widespread adoption. Use Cases and Limitations The AI Agent demonstrates potential in specific scenarios, but its limitations are hard to ignore. Tasks such as creating presentations or auditing schedules can often be accomplished using existing ChatGPT features without the need for the agent mode. This redundancy raises questions about the feature's necessity for many users. Moreover, frequent errors and an underdeveloped interface detract from its usability. Instead of simplifying workflows, the AI Agent often introduces additional complications, leaving users feeling frustrated rather than empowered. While the tool has potential, its current state makes it difficult to justify its inclusion in high-tier subscription plans. User Experience and Usability The overall user experience is hindered by long processing times, frequent glitches, and inconsistent outputs. These issues make the AI Agent feel more like a beta test than a polished product. For a feature included in premium subscription plans, such as the $200/month option, users expect a seamless and efficient experience. Unfortunately, the AI Agent falls short of these expectations, leading to disappointment among early adopters. The lack of a user-friendly interface further compounds the problem. Navigating the AI Agent's features can be cumbersome, and the frequent need for manual intervention undermines its purpose as an automation tool. For many users, the time spent troubleshooting the AI Agent outweighs any potential benefits it might offer. Pricing and Value The AI Agent is available as part of ChatGPT's premium subscription plans, but its value proposition is questionable given its current limitations. Users paying for higher-tier plans anticipate significant improvements over standard tools. However, the AI Agent often underdelivers, making it difficult to justify the additional cost. Simpler and more reliable alternatives are readily available, further diminishing the appeal of the AI Agent. Until the feature undergoes significant improvements, its inclusion in premium plans may feel like an unnecessary expense for many users. Future Potential Despite its current shortcomings, the AI Agent holds promise as a tool for automating complex tasks. Developers have acknowledged the existing inefficiencies and security risks and are actively working to refine the technology. If these improvements materialize, the AI Agent could become a valuable asset for users seeking to streamline their workflows. However, as of now, the feature remains an overhyped tool that struggles to meet user expectations. For those considering the AI Agent, it is essential to weigh its potential benefits against its current limitations. While the concept is promising, the execution still requires significant refinement to deliver on its ambitious goals. Media Credit: Skill Leap AI Filed Under: AI, Top News Latest Geeky Gadgets Deals Disclosure: Some of our articles include affiliate links. If you buy something through one of these links, Geeky Gadgets may earn an affiliate commission. Learn about our Disclosure Policy.
IOL News
5 days ago
- General
- IOL News
Burnout alert! Smart revision tips for parents navigating term 3 chaos
Helping your child revise in a smarter, more structured way can go a long way in preventing burnout. Image: Pexels/August de Richelieu As term 3 kicks off - arguably the most academically intense stretch of the school year - students are under pressure to perform. Whether it's the build-up to matric final exams or internal assessments across grades, this is the term where things get real. But for learners to succeed, especially under mounting academic demands, they need more than just textbooks and timetables - they need a strategy. And that's where parents come in. Supporting your child doesn't mean hovering or micromanaging. It's about creating an environment and routine that encourages effective, healthy study habits - helping them work smarter, not harder. Here's how parents can help learners revise with purpose and avoid burnout this term: Help them build a realistic study plan Avoid cramming the night before. Encourage your child to break subjects into smaller chunks and set achievable weekly goals. Use a wall calendar, Google Calendar, or printable planner to map it all out visually. Tip: Include breaks, fun activities and downtime to avoid overloading the schedule. Create a distraction-free study space It doesn't have to be fancy - just clean, quiet and consistent. A dedicated study zone, even if it's just a corner of a shared room, helps the brain switch into 'focus mode.' Bonus: Keep stationery, highlighters and notes within reach to reduce the urge to wander. Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Next Stay Close ✕ A dedicated study zone, even if it's just a corner of a shared room, helps the brain switch into 'focus mode.' Image: Pexels/Julia M Cameron Manage digital distractions together TikTok, WhatsApp and Instagram are productivity's worst enemies. Consider 'study mode' apps that limit screen time while rewarding focus. You can also set phone-free time blocks during homework hours. Fuel the brain Nutrition matters - especially during long school days and late-night revisions. Stock up on healthy snacks (fruit, nuts, boiled eggs, yoghurt) and keep sugary, processed foods to a minimum. Hydration is just as key: water helps concentration more than energy drinks or soft drinks. Protect their sleep It's tempting to study late into the night, but sleep is critical for memory and mood. Encourage a regular sleep routine and aim for 7–9 hours, even during exams. A well-rested brain retains more and performs better. Communicate with teachers Don't wait until term 4 to check in. If your child is struggling or falling behind, schedule a chat with their teacher. Many schools also offer extra lessons or support programmes during term 3. Normalise breaks and mental health days Academic pressure is real - especially in Grade 6, 9 and matric. Give your child permission to pause. A short walk, a laugh or even a day to rest and reset can do wonders for long-term performance.
Indian Express
21-07-2025
- Business
- Indian Express
Perplexity CEO says his AI browser will replace these two white collar jobs in every company
Aravind Srinivas, CEO of Nvidia-backed startup Perplexity, has unveiled ambitions for the company's latest product, an AI-powered browser named Comet. Speaking on a recent episode of The Verge's 'Decoder' podcast, Srinivas claimed the tool is designed to automate substantial portions of work traditionally handled by recruiters and executive assistants, and can quickly replace them. Describing Comet as more than just a browser, Srinivas explained it's built to act as an intelligent assistant capable of handling complex workplace tasks autonomously. 'A recruiter's work worth one week is just one prompt: sourcing and reach outs,' he said in the podcast. Explaining the features of the browser, Srinivas shared that Comet's AI agent integrates directly with tools like Gmail, LinkedIn, and Google Calendar, allowing it to perform end-to-end recruiting tasks. It can create candidate shortlists, scrape contact information, and send out customised outreach emails. Further, he highlighted how Comet could take over many routine duties of an executive assistant, from email management to scheduling. Speaking to Business Insider, he explained, 'You want it to keep following up, keep a track of their responses.' He added that the AI is capable of updating spreadsheets, tracking communication status, handling follow-ups, resolving calendar conflicts, scheduling meetings, and even preparing briefings ahead of time. 'It can update the Google Sheets, mark the status as responded or in progress, and follow up with those candidates, sync with my Google calendar, and then resolve conflicts and schedule a chat, and then push me a brief ahead of the meeting,' he said. Srinivas envisions Comet evolving into a full-fledged 'AI operating system' for knowledge workers, capable of running in the background and autonomously executing a wide range of professional tasks. Srinivas revealed that Comet is still available to premium users and is invite-only. He believes that users will pay for AI that can perform quality work. 'At scale, if it helps you to make a few million bucks, does it not make sense to spend $2,000 for that prompt? It does, right?' he said.
Android Authority
20-07-2025
- Android Authority
These are the 6 Android widgets I simply can't live without
Megan Ellis / Android Authority From calendars to reminder apps, everyone has their own list of the best Android widgets. For me, widgets help me get overviews of various things without needing to open up the app that they're linked to. I recently switched to a new smartphone, and while there are certain things I do whenever I set up a new phone, I also realized that I needed to refresh some of my widget setups. As a result, these ones have become indispensable to my daily routine. 1. TickTick Megan Ellis / Android Authority TickTick is the best to-do list app in my opinion, and its widgets also help to keep me organized. On an average day, my executive functioning is impaired — meaning I often forget tasks and need frequent reminders to get things done. But lately, I've also been particularly forgetful due to stress. TickTick's widgets have become another way I keep on top of tasks without overwhelming myself with notifications. I use two widgets from TickTick: one to quickly create new tasks, and one that gives me an overview of all overdue and upcoming tasks. In addition to the regular reminders that TickTick sends me for tasks, the widgets help me quickly get an overview of what I need to do without needing to remember to open up the app. 2. Google Calendar Megan Ellis / Android Authority While I've started using TickTick's widget to tackle my increasing forgetfulness, Google Calendar's widget has been a mainstay on my devices for years. It's not the most attractive widget, but it gets the job done. With the month widget on my secondary home screen, I can get a good look at all my upcoming events and meetings. Calendar helps me when I have events I need to prepare for, such as trips to local phone launches. This also helps me when I have events I need to prepare for, such as trips to local phone launches. In these cases, a reminder a day before wouldn't really help me prepare. But seeing the entire month on a small widget lets me ensure that I get the right groceries, shift any recurring appointments, and see which days I will need to put more hours into my work to get it done. I have been playing around with the Month: Calendar Widget app to see if I can find a more visually appealing look while still pulling the appointments and events that are saved to my Google Calendar. But so far, I continue to rely on Google Calendar thanks to dark mode. 3. Vocabulary Megan Ellis / Android Authority Vocabulary is one of the apps I use to learn something new every day. With notifications enabled, it sends me words that it thinks I'll be interested in learning. But on days where I receive too many notifications across different apps, I often dismiss all my notifications at once. The Vocabulary widget lets me learn new words even when I'm overwhelmed by notifications. The widget lets me reap the benefits of the app even if I don't open it up. It refreshes once or twice an hour (though the frequency can be set to more regularly), so usually whenever I check my phone I am greeted by a new word. 4. Clock/Weather Megan Ellis / Android Authority There are plenty of clock and weather apps to choose from, but the default Weather app on my HONOR smartphone lets me combine the time, date, and weather forecast into a single widget on my home screen. This is especially useful when I'm waking up in the morning and want to get an idea of what the weather is like outside. I do wish that there was a way to quickly see the forecast for the next few days, but I use a Google automation to send me the next few days' weather outlook during the evening. I have also set up an IFTTT notification to warn me if the weather is going to be above a certain temperature. If you're looking for an app with similar functionality to HONOR's clock and weather widget, you can try an app like Digital Clock & Weather Widget. 5. Brave Search Megan Ellis / Android Authority I switched from Chrome to Brave a few months ago, and I am glad I made the change. I love Brave's features and find its search engine to be better than Google's ad-ridden rival. When exploring widgets on my new phone, I realized that I can replace the usual Google Search widget with one that uses Brave Search instead. The widget gives me quick access to a search query in Brave and the ability to voice search. I also prefer using the Brave widget over my usual Brave app shortcut so that I don't get distracted by my most recent tab — which can sometimes send me down a rabbit hole if it's a topic I'm interested in. 6. Xiaomi Home Megan Ellis / Android Authority I was initially excited for Google Home to roll out more useful widgets, but the app is incredibly buggy for me in general. It often shows my devices as offline even when they're not, so the widgets are of no use to me. Rather, I use Xiaomi Home's widgets for quick access to my most important smart home devices. Google Home is very buggy for me, so I use Xiaomi Home's widgets instead. I've set up two Xiaomi Home widgets on my smartphone: one for my smart camera, and another for my smart fan. These are the smart devices I access the most, so the shortcuts are incredibly useful. On a recent trip, I used the camera widget to quickly access my home's video feed to check that everything was fine back home. Easier access to my camera also means that I use the camera more frequently, often to check up on one of my cats when he hasn't come to bed. Since it's winter now, I don't use my smart fan shortcut as much. But it's essential in summer to quickly turn my fan on and off at night. It also proved useful during autumn, when the weather was inconsistent and I would only realize after I went to sleep if I needed to turn the fan on or off to keep a comfortable temperature. While everyone will have their own widget preferences depending on the services they use, these widgets have become essential to the way I use my phone. They save me time and prevent me from getting easily distracted by directly accessing the features I need.
Time of India
20-07-2025
- Business
- Time of India
AI browser 'Comet' by Perplexity could take over your calendar, inbox and job
Perplexity AI , a rising player in the artificial intelligence space backed by Nvidia , Jeff Bezos , Accel , and Eric Schmidt, has put a bold new idea on the table. Its CEO, Aravind Srinivas, claims their latest product, an AI-powered browser called Comet , could soon replace two staple roles in most offices: recruiters and executive assistants. 'Comet is not just another chatbot,' Srinivas told The Verge's Decoder podcast. 'It's an AI-native browser that performs operational tasks, like a silent worker running continuously in the background.' Explore courses from Top Institutes in Select a Course Category Project Management Leadership Product Management Data Analytics Technology CXO Cybersecurity Operations Management Design Thinking MBA Digital Marketing Data Science Artificial Intelligence PGDM Management Finance healthcare Degree Public Policy MCA Others Data Science others Healthcare Skills you'll gain: Project Planning & Governance Agile Software Development Practices Project Management Tools & Software Techniques Scrum Framework Duration: 12 Weeks Indian School of Business Certificate Programme in IT Project Management Starts on Jun 20, 2024 Get Details Skills you'll gain: Portfolio Management Project Planning & Risk Analysis Strategic Project/Portfolio Selection Adaptive & Agile Project Management Duration: 6 Months IIT Delhi Certificate Programme in Project Management Starts on May 30, 2024 Get Details That's a sharp shift from what most people expect out of a browser. But Srinivas isn't talking about hypothetical features. He says these functions are already built into the product. What it can do today At the heart of Comet's appeal is its tight integration with platforms like Gmail, Google Calendar, LinkedIn, and Google Sheets. That connectivity allows it to automate entire workflows without needing constant instructions. For recruiters, Srinivas says Comet can already handle the full candidate pipeline. 'A recruiter's work worth one week is just one prompt: sourcing and reach outs,' he said. From there, the tool can 'keep following up, keep a track of their responses. If some people respond, go and update the Google Sheets, mark the status as responded or in progress and follow up with those candidates, sync with my Google calendar, and then resolve conflicts and schedule a chat, and then push me a brief ahead of the meeting.' Live Events He added, 'Some of these things should be proactive. It doesn't even have to be a prompt.' The same goes for administrative tasks. Comet can manage meetings, schedule conflicts, triage emails, and prepare documents—all using natural language. Srinivas believes this is enough to make both roles largely redundant. Why this is more than just a feature Srinivas doesn't want Comet to be seen as just another AI tool. His vision is much bigger. He wants Comet to evolve into what he calls an " AI operating system " for white-collar workers. A system that runs in the background, executes commands through simple prompts, and reduces the need for manual input altogether. His logic is that if you can get meaningful work done in a few clicks—or with no clicks at all—users will be willing to pay for it. 'And at scale, if it helps you to make a few million bucks, does it not make sense to spend $2,000 for that prompt? It does, right? So I think we're going to be able to monetise in many more interesting ways than chatbots for the browser,' he said on Decoder. Still in Beta, but already looking ahead At the moment, Comet is still in invite-only beta and limited to premium users. But invites for free users have opened up, with some features likely to stay behind a paywall. In a Reddit AMA earlier this week, Srinivas confirmed that free access would expand over time, though advanced AI-powered features may remain reserved for paying customers. The company isn't stopping at desktop browsers either. Talks are already underway with smartphone makers to get Comet pre-installed, which would place it in direct competition with Google Chrome and Apple Safari. Srinivas admitted this will be hard but believes it could be a 'game-changer for user growth.' The company has just raised $500 million in funding and is preparing to scale from a few hundred thousand testers to 'tens to hundreds of millions' of users by next year. The wider impact: Skills divide or workplace revolution? In an interview with Matthew Berman, Srinivas warned that people who fail to learn how to use AI tools will quickly fall behind. 'People who really are at the frontier of using AIs are going to be way more employable than people who are not. That's guaranteed to happen,' he said. He also advised, 'Spend less time doomscrolling on Instagram' and instead invest time in learning AI tools 'not for the company's benefit, but simply because that's your way to, like, add value to the new society.' He acknowledged the pace of change is daunting. 'Every three months or six months, it does take a toll on people, and maybe they just give up.' Still, he believes those who adapt will be the ones to shape the next wave of job creation, especially through entrepreneurship. A debate that's far from settled Srinivas's claims aren't happening in a vacuum. Other voices in the tech industry are sounding similar alarms. Dario Amodei, CEO of Anthropic, has predicted that up to 50 percent of entry-level office jobs may disappear in five years. Ford CEO Jim Farley echoed that, warning that half of white-collar jobs in the US are under threat from AI. Not everyone agrees. Nvidia's Jensen Huang has said that while AI has changed his job, it hasn't made it obsolete. Salesforce's Marc Benioff also argues that AI is meant to support, not replace. But there's little doubt that workplace automation is picking up speed. Amazon CEO Andy Jassy recently urged employees to embrace AI tools or risk redundancy. As platforms like Comet become more capable, the pressure to adapt is only growing. The story of Comet is not just about replacing tasks. It's about redefining what work looks like and who gets to do it. Whether it becomes a useful co-worker or a disruptive force depends on how companies and workers respond. What's clear is that the line between human and machine output in office work is becoming harder to see. And the pace of that change is no longer theoretical. It's already in motion.
