AI Shifts: OpenAI’s $5 Plan in India, Intel’s $2B Boost, Oracle Layoffs & Hugging Face Cost Cuts

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Researchers glimpse the inner workings of protein language models
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• A novel technique now enables researchers to peer inside protein language models, revealing which features these AI systems use to predict proteins that may be effective drug or vaccine targets.

• This transparency helps scientists choose more suitable models for specific tasks, potentially streamlining the drug/vaccine discovery process.

• By demystifying the “black box” nature of these models, the approach enhances trust and utility in applying AI to biomedical research.

OpenAI launches a sub $5 ChatGPT plan in India
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• OpenAI has introduced ChatGPT GO, a new, budget-friendly subscription in India priced at ₹399/month ($4.60), considerably cheaper than the ₹1,999 ($23) Plus plan.

• Subscribers receive 10× more messages, image generations, and file uploads, along with double the memory retention, compared to the free tier.

• The launch also includes support for UPI payments, making access even more convenient for Indian users.

Intel is getting a $2 billion investment from SoftBank
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• SoftBank Group is investing $2 billion in Intel through a new equity purchase at $23 per share, giving it just under a 2% stake, making SoftBank one of Intel’s top shareholders.

• The investment was met with a ~5–5.6% surge in Intel’s stock during after-hours trading, while SoftBank's own shares declined by around 5%.

• The deal signals confidence in Intel’s turnaround amid semiconductor struggles. It comes as the U.S. government is reportedly considering a 10% equity stake, possibly via funds from the 2022 Chips and Science Act.

Oracle cuts hundreds of jobs as AI push continues
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• Oracle has laid off over 300 employees across California (approx. 143) and Washington state (approx. 161), based on WARN filing data.

• Insiders hint the actual numbers may be higher, possibly including unreported remote workers, suggesting Oracle's layoffs might be more extensive.

• The cuts reflect Oracle’s continued reallocation of resources towards AI infrastructure, even as layoffs remain comparatively modest relative to other hyperscalers.

Hugging Face: 5 ways enterprises can slash AI costs without sacrificing performance
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• Make efficiency the default: Encourage opt-in for high-cost AI generation features rather than always-on generative modes.

• Optimize hardware usage: Use techniques like batching and precision tuning to reduce energy use and memory waste based on specific hardware profiles.

• Incentivize energy transparency: Hugging Face’s new AI Energy Score (1–5 stars) promotes efficiency by benchmarking models—akin to an “Energy Star” for AI.

• Rethink “more compute is better”: Focus on smarter architectural choices and curated data instead of scaling compute power indiscriminately.