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Preparing for the IELTS exam is a challenging yet rewarding journey. With the rise of AI tools like ChatGPT, learners now have a powerful resource to enhance their writing and speaking skills through personalised, on-demand practice and feedback. Let's find out how ChatGPT and other AI tools can help you make solid preparations for the writing and speaking sections of the IELTS exam. How to Get Desired IELTS Score in Writing & Speaking Utilising ChatGPT or Other AI Apps   . Generate Writing Topics On-Demand One of the most effective ways to improve your IELTS writing skills is by consistently practising with new topics. ChatGPT can instantly generate IELTS Writing Task 1 and Task 2 prompts.  You simply need to give a command such as, “Give me a Task 2 essay topic on education,” and within seconds, you will have a practice prompt that mirrors the structure of real IELTS questions. This makes it easy to maintain variety in your writing and ensures you are exposed to a wide range of question types, from opinion to problem-solution essays. Read more: How to Use ChatGPT and Other AI Tools to Improve Your IELTS Writing and Speaking Preparation Analyze and Rewrite Your Essays After completing a task response, you can request ChatGPT or any kind of similar AI app to review it. For example, using a prompt such as “Can you give feedback on this IELTS Task 2 essay?” along with your essay allows the chatbot to assess your grammar, vocabulary, coherence, and overall structure. It will then break down your writing into the four IELTS scoring criteria—Task Response, Coherence and Cohesion, Lexical Resource, and Grammatical Range and Accuracy—and even give you a band estimate. You can also ask ChatGPT to rewrite your essay in a more academic or formal tone, helping you learn how to polish your writing. Practice Academic Writing Style Many test takers struggle with maintaining the required formal tone in Writing Task 2. ChatGPT can help you rewrite informal sentences into a more suitable academic style. For example, you might paste a paragraph and say, “Make this more formal and academic,” and it will return a refined version. This repeated exposure to academic phrasing trains your brain to automatically choose more formal constructions when writing under pressure. Simulate IELTS Speaking Part Practice  ChatGPT is capable of simulating IELTS Speaking Parts 1, 2, and 3 by providing realistic prompts that resemble those used by actual examiners. Ask something like, “Pretend you are an IELTS examiner. Ask me Part 1 speaking questions,” and it will provide one question at a time, just like the real test.  Read more: IELTS for UKVI Explained: Key Insights for Bangladeshi Candidates For Part 2, it can generate cue cards and even give you feedback on your response if you choose to type it out afterward. Practising in this format can help reduce anxiety, improve your fluency, and train you to think on your feet. Improve Fluency Through Interactive Conversations To sound more fluent and natural during the Speaking test, you need regular practice in forming complex ideas and expressing them clearly. ChatGPT can hold extended conversations with you on various IELTS-friendly topics like environment, education, technology, and culture.  This back-and-forth dialogue sharpens your ability to expand answers, use linking devices, and apply topic-specific vocabulary. While ChatGPT can not listen to your pronunciation, typing your answers and receiving written feedback still helps you develop rhythm and cohesion in speech. Get Grammar and Vocabulary Feedback One of the most frustrating aspects of self-studying IELTS is identifying your grammar and vocabulary weaknesses. With ChatGPT, you can paste any piece of writing or a sample speaking response and ask, “Please highlight grammar mistakes and suggest better word choices.”  Read more: How to Register for IELTS Exam in Bangladesh It will analyse your work line by line, correcting errors and suggesting more advanced or suitable alternatives. You can even request vocabulary lists for specific topics or ask how to paraphrase certain phrases more effectively, helping you master the lexical resource band criteria. Train ChatGPT to Evaluate Writing with Model Answers You can use a more advanced method by “training” ChatGPT to assess writing against model answers. Provide five sample essays rated from Band 5 to Band 9, then include your own essay.  Instruct ChatGPT to compare your answer to the model responses and provide a full-band score evaluation based on IELTS criteria. This method is particularly helpful because it aligns ChatGPT’s feedback with the actual scoring system used by IELTS examiners, making the evaluation much more reliable. Limitations of Using ChatGPT and Other AI Tools for IELTS Preparation . Not a Certified IELTS Examiner While ChatGPT can provide helpful evaluations and corrections, it is not a certified IELTS examiner. This means the feedback it gives—especially band score predictions—may not always be accurate. Its understanding of IELTS criteria is broad but not specific to the training that human examiners undergo. Therefore, its scoring should be viewed as approximate, not official. Read more: Free Websites for Online IELTS Mock Tests Lacks Clear Opinion and Argumentation A major limitation of ChatGPT in essay writing is its tendency to maintain a neutral tone. It is designed to present balanced viewpoints without taking a firm stand. However, in many IELTS Writing Task 2 essays, particularly those that ask for an opinion, test-takers are expected to take a clear position and support it with arguments. Overly vague or generic answers can lower your score for Task Response and reduce clarity.  No Personal Experience in Speaking Responses Another major drawback is ChatGPT’s inability to reference personal experience. In the IELTS Speaking section, drawing from your real-life stories and opinions helps make your responses more engaging and authentic. Since ChatGPT and similar kinds of AI apps can only provide general or hypothetical examples, its answers often lack the depth and individuality that examiners look for. Does Not Evaluate Pronunciation Although ChatGPT can assess grammar and vocabulary through written responses, it cannot listen to your speech. This means it cannot evaluate crucial aspects like pronunciation, stress, or intonation—key components of the IELTS Speaking score. Information May Be Inaccurate or Generic Lastly, ChatGPT is not affiliated with IELTS, and its suggestions should be cross-checked with official resources. Always verify content accuracy and avoid using it as your only source of preparation. AI serves as a supplementary tool—not a substitute for official materials or expert advice. Read more: IELTS Practice Tests: 7 Full Free IELTS Mock Tests to Take Online In a Nutshell ChatGPT and other AI tools can be a powerful ally in your IELTS Writing and Speaking preparation, offering flexible, instant practice and helpful insights. From generating topics to refining grammar and vocabulary, it adds great value to self-study. However, it is essential to balance AI support with official IELTS materials, expert feedback, and personal effort. While ChatGPT enhances learning, it should complement—not replace—structured preparation from certified sources and real-world language practice. 

Ana Sepúlveda, a math teacher in Dallas, wanted to make geometry exciting for her 6th grade honors class. Knowing her students are passionate about soccer, she decided to connect the subject to the sport. To help, she turned to ChatGPT. Within seconds, the AI provided a detailed five-page lesson plan, complete with a theme: “Geometry is everywhere in soccer — on the field, in the ball, and even in stadium designs!” The plan explained how shapes and angles are used in the game, suggested discussion questions like “Why are these shapes important to soccer?” and proposed a project for students to create their own soccer field or stadium using rulers and protractors. “AI has completely changed the way I work,” said Sepúlveda, who teaches at a bilingual school and uses ChatGPT to translate materials into Spanish. “It’s helping me plan lessons, communicate with parents, and keep students more engaged.” Teachers nationwide are increasingly using AI tools to create quizzes, lesson plans, worksheets, assist with grading, and reduce administrative work. Many say this technology allows them to focus more on teaching. Google may be forced to link to rival search platforms in the UK A Gallup and Walton Family Foundation survey released Wednesday found that 6 in 10 K-12 public school teachers in the U.S. used AI tools during the last academic year. The survey, conducted in April with over 2,000 teachers, showed AI use is most common among high school educators and those early in their careers. According to Gallup research consultant Andrea Malek Ash, teachers who use AI weekly reported saving an average of six hours per week, suggesting AI could help reduce teacher burnout. States are issuing guidelines for using AI tools in classrooms As concerns grow over students misusing AI tools, many schools are introducing guidelines and providing training to ensure teachers use the technology responsibly and avoid shortcuts that could negatively impact student learning. Currently, around two dozen U.S. states have issued AI-related guidance for schools, but how consistently these rules are applied across classrooms varies, according to Maya Israel, an associate professor of educational technology and computer science education at the University of Florida. “We need to make sure AI doesn’t replace a teacher’s professional judgment,” Israel emphasized. She added that while AI can be useful for basic tasks like grading multiple-choice tests, it struggles with more complex assessments requiring nuance. Students should also have a way to report unfair or inaccurate grading, with the final grading decision left to the teacher. AI tools are already saving time for many educators. Roughly 8 in 10 teachers who use AI say it helps reduce workload by assisting with tasks such as creating worksheets, quizzes, or handling administrative duties. About 6 in 10 report that AI has improved the quality of their work, particularly in adapting materials for students or providing feedback. Mary McCarthy, a high school social studies teacher near Houston, said AI has transformed her teaching and improved her work-life balance by easing lesson planning and other tasks. Training provided by her school district has also helped her demonstrate responsible AI use to students. “If all we say is ‘AI is bad, and kids will get lazy,’ then of course that’s what will happen if we don’t guide them,” McCarthy said. “As the adult in the room, I see it as my duty to help them learn how to use this tool responsibly.” OpenAI pulls Jony Ive partnership details after court ruling in trademark dispute Teachers say the technology is best used sparingly Since the launch of ChatGPT in late 2022, opinions on the use of artificial intelligence in education have changed significantly. Many schools initially banned the technology, but over time, educators have begun exploring ways to integrate it into classrooms. Despite this shift, concerns remain. According to a recent study, nearly half of teachers worry that students' reliance on AI could harm their ability to think critically, work independently, or persevere through problem-solving tasks. However, teachers also believe that understanding AI better helps them recognize when students overuse it. Colorado high school English teacher Darren Barkett, for example, says AI-generated assignments often lack grammatical errors and contain unusually complex language—both signs that a chatbot was involved. Barkett himself uses ChatGPT for lesson planning and grading multiple-choice tests and essays. In suburban Chicago, middle school art teacher Lindsay Johnson uses only AI tools approved by her school to ensure student privacy. She introduces AI technology later in the creative process so students can build confidence in their own abilities first. For her eighth graders' final project, Johnson asked students to draw a portrait of someone influential in their lives. After they finished the facial details, she offered them the option to use generative AI for designing the background. She relied on an AI feature in Canva, a design platform vetted by her school district's IT team for safety and privacy. “My goal as an art teacher is to show students the range of tools available and help them understand how to use those tools properly,” Johnson said. Interestingly, some students declined the AI assistance. “About half the class said, ‘I already have a vision, and I want to complete it myself,’” she added.

A promising collaboration between OpenAI CEO Sam Altman and renowned iPhone designer Jony Ive to create a new AI hardware product has encountered a legal obstacle after a federal judge ordered a temporary halt to the marketing of the venture. Last month, OpenAI announced the acquisition of io Products, a product and engineering firm co-founded by Ive, in a deal reportedly worth nearly $6.5 billion. However, the project quickly ran into legal trouble when a startup named IYO, which is also working on AI hardware, filed a trademark infringement complaint. The startup claims its product was pitched to Altman’s personal investment firm and Ive's design company in 2022 and alleges that the new venture's name is confusingly similar to its own. Tesla begins robotaxi test run in Austin U.S. District Judge Trina Thompson ruled on Friday that IYO has a sufficiently strong trademark infringement claim to move forward with legal proceedings, scheduling a hearing for October. Until then, Altman, Ive, and OpenAI are barred from “using the IYO mark, and any mark confusingly similar thereto, including the IO mark, in connection with the marketing or sale of related products.” In response to the ruling, OpenAI removed all references to the new venture from its website, including the original May 21 announcement. The replaced webpage now displays a message stating the content is "temporarily down due to a court order" and adds, "We don’t agree with the complaint and are reviewing our options." IYO CEO Jason Rugolo welcomed the court's decision, issuing a statement on Monday asserting that the company will firmly defend its brand and technology. "IYO will not roll over and let Sam and Jony trample on our rights, no matter how rich and famous they are," Rugolo said.

By 2025, AI content writing tools have become indispensable for bloggers, marketers, and creators aiming to save time and enhance productivity. With a wide array of options available, finding the perfect fit can be challenging. That is why we have curated a list of the top free AI content writers you can start using right now to streamline your content creation process. These tools offer impressive features without costing a dime, perfect for creating high-quality content with ease and efficiency.  Best 8 Free AI Content Writers  . ChatGPT  ChatGPT stands out as one of the best free AI writing tools in 2025 due to its versatility, user-friendly interface, and powerful content generation abilities. Whether you are writing blog posts, marketing copy, emails, or even creative fiction, ChatGPT delivers fast, coherent, and engaging output.  It adapts well to different tones and writing styles, which makes it a reliable assistant for professionals and casual users alike. While the free version offers plenty of value, the $20/month premium unlocks even more precision and speed.  With frequent updates and strong community support, ChatGPT continues to set the standard in AI writing. Its only real drawback is the occasional need for detailed prompting to avoid robotic responses. Overall, it remains a top-tier choice for AI-assisted writing. Read more: Ai and Future of Content Writing: Will Artificial Intelligence replace writers? Copy.ai  Copy.ai earns its spot as another popular free AI writing tool for its impressive content quality, especially for long-form writing, ad copy, and blog generation. With over 90 AI templates, it is built for versatility, covering everything from social media posts to product descriptions.  What sets Copy.ai apart is its ability to produce content that passes most AI detection tools. This feature has made it ideal for marketers and bloggers seeking authentic-feeling text. While the free version has limitations, it still allows you to explore its intuitive interface and streamlined workflows.  The only downsides are occasional interface glitches and the lack of a content history feature. Even so, Copy.ai’s combination of high-quality output, user-friendly design, and efficient workflow automation firmly positions it as a leading AI writing tool in 2025. Its free plan offers limited features, while paid plans start at $36/month (billed annually) and $49/month.  Read more: Free Online Content Writing Courses Writesonic Writesonic is one of the best free AI writing tools, especially for bloggers and digital marketers. Its clean, user-friendly interface and access to 90+ AI templates make it ideal for creating SEO-optimised blog posts, ad copy, and email content.  Writesonic delivers high-quality, refined outputs across most use cases, and its long-form editor is particularly strong for content-heavy projects. Pricing starts at just $12.67/month, making it one of the most affordable premium AI tools. Even at its free level, Writesonic offers decent output volume and solid results.  While tone customisation and tech-specific writing could use improvements, its affordability and ease of use make up for it. The sharing feature is also a bonus, letting users collaborate easily. Despite some customer service complaints, Writesonic remains a top choice available without breaking the bank.  Read more: Speaking with AI: Best Free Apps for English Speaking Practice Deepseek DeepSeek AI is another advanced and cost-effective free AI writing tool. With its powerful Mixture-of-Experts architecture and massive 128k token context window, it handles long-form content and complex queries with remarkable ease.  DeepSeek excels in technical writing, mathematical reasoning, and content generation. These offer near-human fluency while passing AI detection tools effortlessly. Currently, Deepseek is totally free, making it one of the best choices for businesses and developers.  Its open-source nature promotes innovation and accessibility, attracting startups and researchers alike. While it occasionally needs prompt refinements to meet specific writing tones, the overall quality and depth of its output are top-tier.   Read more: OpenAI Codex: A Pair Programmer to Shape the Future Coding Paradigm Rytr Rytr is an excellent free AI writing tool for those looking for a straightforward, affordable solution to create short-form content quickly and efficiently. It offers over 40 use cases, supports 30+ languages, and includes 29 writing tones—ideal for everything from social media posts to product descriptions. Its clean interface is perfect for beginners, and the built-in plagiarism checker adds an extra layer of trust.  With pricing starting at just $9/month, it is one of the most affordable AI tools on the market. While it lacks a long-form editor and some advanced blogging tools, Rytr excels at delivering polished, ready-to-publish content fast. If you are a freelancer or marketer looking for efficiency without complexity, Rytr is a reliable and cost-effective choice worth considering in 2025.  Frase  Frase is a powerful AI writing tool built specifically for SEO and content marketing. It combines content generation with in-depth SERP analysis which allows users to create optimised content briefs, FAQs, introductions, and more—all within one streamlined platform. Its real strength lies in managing the full content workflow, from research to optimisation.  Read more: 10 Best Free AI Image Generators in 2025 Pricing starts at $14.99/month, but it is important to note that to generate over 4,000 words, you will need the Pro Add-On for an extra $35/month. While Frase lacks a robust free plan and can fall short in SEO keyword accuracy, its integration of AI writing and SEO insights makes it an excellent tool for digital marketers. For anyone managing content at scale, Frase delivers both speed and structure in one package. Su‎dowrite Sudowrite is another excellent free AI writing tool for fiction writers, especially those battling writer’s block or seeking creative inspiration. Unlike general-purpose tools like ChatGPT or Rytr, Sudowrite is laser-focused on storytelling. Its standout features—like Describe, Brainstorm, and Expand—help deepen scenes, enhance character development, and shape compelling narratives.  It is not built for business writing, but that is the beauty of it. For novelists and short story writers, it is like having a creative partner who never runs out of ideas. Even if you do not use every suggestion, it pushes you forward when you are stuck. Its pricing starts at $19/month, but there is a limited free trial to explore. If you are serious about fiction, Sudowrite is a must-try creative companion. Read more: 12 Most In-Demand Tech Skills for 2025: Stay Ahead in the Job Market In a Nutshell In the current time, free AI writing tools offer powerful solutions for every type of content creator—from marketers and bloggers to novelists. SEO-driven articles, ad copy, or immersive storytelling—there is a tool tailored to your needs. With options like ChatGPT, DeepSeek, and Sudowrite, crafting high-quality content has never been more accessible or affordable. It is time to start exploring and elevate your writing today!

After months of exploring a transition to a for-profit model, OpenAI announced on Monday that it is changing direction and will keep its nonprofit entity in charge of the organization behind ChatGPT and other AI technologies. “In light of feedback from civic leaders and discussions with the Attorneys General of California and Delaware, we’ve decided the nonprofit will maintain control,” CEO Sam Altman wrote in a message to staff. Altman and Bret Taylor, the chair of OpenAI’s nonprofit board, explained that while the board chose to preserve nonprofit oversight, they are introducing a new strategy to support the company’s growth. As part of what Taylor referred to as a “recapitalization,” the existing for-profit branch of the organization will be restructured into a public benefit corporation—one that must weigh both shareholder interests and its broader mission. Shareholders will also receive stock and a cap on profit for some investors will be lifted, as part of the new plan. Altman said the changes would make it easier for the for-profit to behave more like a normal company. Taylor declined to say Monday how large of an ownership stake the nonprofit will have in the new public benefit corporation. He said in a call with reporters that the nonprofit will choose the board members of the public benefit corporation and, at first, they will likely be the same people who now sit on OpenAI’s nonprofit board. Grand Theft Auto VI delayed again, this time until May 2026 Public benefit corporations were first created in Delaware in 2013 and other states have adopted the same or similar laws that require the companies to pursue not just profit but a social good. Public benefit corporations, which include Amalgamated Bank and the online education platform Coursera, need to define that social good, which can vary broadly, when they incorporate. Altman said that converting from a limited liability company to a public benefit corporation “just sets us up to be a more understandable structure to do the things that a company of our scope has to do.” “There’s so much more demand to use AI tools than we thought there was going to be,” Altman said. Getting access to more capital will make it easier for OpenAI to pursue mergers and acquisitions “and other normal things companies would do,” Altman said. OpenAI’s co-founders, including Altman and Tesla CEO Elon Musk, originally started it as a nonprofit research laboratory on a mission to safely build what’s known as artificial general intelligence, or AGI, for humanity’s benefit. Nearly a decade later, OpenAI has reported its market value as $300 billion and counts 400 million weekly users of ChatGPT, its flagship product. OpenAI first outlined plans last year to convert its core governance structure but faced a number of challenges. One is a lawsuit from Musk, who accuses the company and Altman of betraying the founding principles that led Musk to invest in the charity and tried to block the conversion to a for-profit. A federal judge last week dismissed some of Musk’s claims and allowed others to proceed to a trial set for next year.   OpenAI also faced scrutiny from the top law enforcement officers in Delaware, where the company is incorporated, and California, where it operates out of a San Francisco headquarters. The California attorney general’s office said in a statement that it was reviewing the plan and, “This remains an ongoing matter — and we are in continued conversations with Open AI.” The attorney general’s office in Delaware did not immediately return a request for comment. Altman said he still expects a large investment from Japanese technology giant SoftBank Group, which in February announced plans to set up a joint company with OpenAI to push AI services.  

Chinese tech behemoth Alibaba has introduced its Qwen 2.5-Max AI model, boldly asserting that it has outpaced DeepSeek’s renowned DeepSeek-V3 model, reports First Post. Unveiled on the first day of the Lunar New Year, the launch of Qwen 2.5-Max highlights the intensifying competition within China’s AI sector, reflecting the pressure DeepSeek’s rapid ascent has exerted not only on global competitors but also on domestic ones. Asian stocks rise as DeepSeek panic fades Alibaba's cloud division revealed on WeChat that Qwen 2.5-Max outperformed OpenAI’s GPT-4, DeepSeek-V3, and Meta’s Llama-3.1-405B across various performance metrics. The timing of this announcement, during the Lunar New Year festivities, underscores the urgency felt by Chinese firms to maintain competitiveness against DeepSeek, which has made waves in the AI market since its January debut. DeepSeek’s Market Disruption DeepSeek’s sudden success, beginning with the launch of its AI assistant powered by the DeepSeek-V3 model on January 10 and followed by the R1 model on January 20, has disrupted the tech industry. The Chinese startup’s cost-effective approach to developing powerful AI has raised concerns in Silicon Valley, particularly as investors question the high development costs associated with leading US companies. In response, Chinese competitors are racing to enhance their models. ByteDance, for example, updated its flagship AI model shortly after DeepSeek’s R1 release, claiming it surpassed OpenAI’s GPT-1 in the AIME benchmark test, which assesses AI’s ability to comprehend and respond to complex commands. This move highlights how DeepSeek’s swift rise has spurred action among domestic firms, with Alibaba’s latest release being a response to DeepSeek’s innovations. The Emergence of a New Competitor: Kimi k1.5 from Moonshot Complicating the race further is Moonshot AI’s new Kimi k1.5 model, which launched just days after DeepSeek’s R1. Kimi k1.5 is being regarded as a direct rival to both DeepSeek’s models and OpenAI’s GPT-4, with reports suggesting it outperforms both on key benchmarks. Unlike DeepSeek-R1, which lacks multimodal capabilities, Kimi k1.5 is a multimodal model capable of processing and reasoning across text, images, and code, giving it a substantial advantage for tasks requiring both visual and textual data. Kimi k1.5 has also been developed at a fraction of the cost compared to similar cutting-edge AI models in the US, positioning Moonshot AI as a growing force in the global AI arena. Its advanced reinforcement learning techniques further enhance its versatility, making it highly adaptable to a range of applications. How DeepSeek stacks up against ChatGPT and Gemini Shifting Dynamics in China’s AI Industry China’s rising influence in AI is becoming increasingly apparent, as companies like DeepSeek, Alibaba, and Moonshot AI challenge the longstanding dominance of US tech giants. The launch of DeepSeek-V2 last May ignited an AI price war in China, prompting Alibaba’s cloud division to reduce prices by up to 97%. This price-cutting strategy has since become common practice among Chinese firms, including Baidu and Tencent, as they strive to develop AI models that can compete with OpenAI and other US-based giants. DeepSeek, led by Liang Wenfeng, has taken a distinct approach, operating more like a research lab with a lean team of graduates and PhD students. Liang’s vision of achieving artificial general intelligence (AGI) with significantly lower overhead than larger tech companies contrasts with the more costly, hierarchical models of Alibaba and other Chinese tech giants. As China’s AI sector continues to evolve at a rapid pace, its influence on the global market grows. The competition between DeepSeek, Moonshot AI, and Alibaba marks a crucial shift in the AI landscape, with these startups and tech giants pushing the boundaries of AI development. The race for AI supremacy is underway, and China is leading the way.

In the world of conversational AI, OpenAI’s ChatGPT and Google’s Gemini have long been regarded as the frontrunners, but Chinese startup DeepSeek has made a startling entry into the race. With its innovative and cost-efficient AI model, DeepSeek has disrupted the market, displacing ChatGPT as the App Store’s top app. Trump says China’s DeepSeek should be a 'wake-up call' for US AI industry Here’s how DeepSeek compares to its more established competitors: Training Costs One of DeepSeek’s most striking achievements lies in its cost-efficient training process. DeepSeek’s R1 model was trained on 10,000 NVIDIA GPUs for just $6 million — a stark contrast to the significant financial and computational resources required by OpenAI and Google. This efficiency has already made waves in the industry, with NVIDIA’s stock dropping 17% amid fears of a shift toward lower-cost AI training methods. While ChatGPT and Gemini are renowned for their high performance, the costs of training and maintaining these models are substantially higher. This raises questions about the scalability of their approaches as demand for AI continues to grow. Performance and Capabilities DeepSeek’s R1 model performs competitively, delivering strong results in text coherence, factual accuracy, and specialised domain queries. However, reports suggest that it occasionally struggles with multi-step reasoning and nuanced topics where ChatGPT and Gemini excel. DeepSeek: China’s AI breakthrough shakes tech industry, Wall Street ChatGPT remains a leader in conversational flexibility and reliability, making it a popular choice for applications like customer support and content generation. Gemini, on the other hand, is highly adept at advanced reasoning and benefits from seamless integration with Google services like Search and Assistant, which enhances its utility in real-world applications. Popularity and Market Reach DeepSeek’s rapid rise is reflected in its download numbers. Within a week, the app reached 2.6 million downloads, securing the No. 1 spot on the US App Store and becoming a top 10 app in 111 countries overall. Its growth has been concentrated in China, the US, and Egypt, which account for most of its downloads. In contrast, ChatGPT boasts a broader global reach, with hundreds of millions of monthly users thanks to its head start in the market and widespread integration into apps and services. Gemini, though newer, leverages Google’s vast ecosystem to quickly gain traction among users worldwide. Asia shares mixed as US tech selloff amid DeepSeek arrival Ethics and Content Moderation A key distinction lies in how these models handle sensitive content. DeepSeek has been criticised for its pro-China bias, avoiding topics like the Tiananmen Square protests. This approach may limit its appeal in regions that value open discourse. Meanwhile, ChatGPT and Gemini adhere to transparency and neutrality guidelines, providing balanced responses even for controversial topics. This ethical positioning enhances their credibility in markets where objectivity is a priority. Challenges for DeepSeek Despite its success, DeepSeek faces hurdles. Large-scale cyberattacks have disrupted access for users outside China. Its long-term viability will depend on overcoming these obstacles while continuing to innovate and expand globally. DeepSeek’s emergence as a competitor to ChatGPT and Gemini highlights the evolving nature of the AI landscape. Its cost-effective approach and rapid market penetration demonstrate that innovation can challenge established giants. However, its ability to sustain this momentum and address concerns about ethics and global accessibility will determine whether it becomes a lasting player in the AI space. As competition intensifies, consumers stand to benefit from improved technologies and lower costs, with DeepSeek, ChatGPT, and Gemini each pushing the boundaries of what conversational AI can achieve.

OpenAI’s generative AI chatbot, ChatGPT, is currently undergoing significant disruptions, preventing users from engaging in chats or accessing their previous conversations, reports NDTV. Nearly 4,000 users had reported problems on the outage tracking site Downdetector, it said. ChatGPT faces second outage in December The outages seem to be affecting not only ChatGPT but also other OpenAI services, leading to speculation that the GPT-4o and GPT-4o mini models are down, causing the wider disruptions. Users have been sharing their experiences and reactions on platforms like X.com and Instagram. In a recent podcast appearance, OpenAI CEO Sam Altman shared his vision of a future where AI surpasses human intellect, saying this shift will feel like a natural part of life for future generations. Italy fines OpenAI for ChatGPT data privacy violations "My kid is never going to grow up being smarter than AI," Altman commented on the Re: Thinking podcast with Adam Grant, acknowledging that AI will outperform humans in many areas. "Of course, it's smarter than us. Of course, it can do things we can't, but also who really cares?" he added.

AI has revolutionized digital image processing, providing users with limitless creative freedom. With generative AI understanding and following text and visual prompts, a simple text description can turn any idea into an image and modify an existing one. Here is a list of top AI image generators to create visual magic on screen and give life to your idea without spending money. Top 10 Free AI Image Generators to Visualize Your Idea Most free AI tools come with a limited trial period or offer basic features as a freebie to entice premium sales. However, with properly articulated instructions, free AI tools can render visual elements at an expected quality. Stable Deffusion Stable Deffusion, developed by stability.io, has redefined the experience of AI image generation with its completely free and downloadable software. Stability.io has made stable deffusion an open-source project and provided an easy-to-integrate API. Several AI service providers offer modified versions of Stable Deffusion with extra functionalities on top of the core software’s features.  Read more: 10 Best Free AI Infographic Generators for 2025: Transform Ideas into Stunning Visuals The installation process of the downloadable version requires users to have a little technical knowledge. Once installed, the completely free software opens up an intriguing, hard-to-master interface. But investing a few minutes in learning it will let users have unlimited AI image creation ability at no cost. PicLumen PicLumen, developed by CHENGDU Yiwo Tech Development Co. Ltd, is a completely free text-to-image AI generator that uses advanced AI models. It offers versatile generative and editing features, such as a prompt-to-image generator, image upscaler, background remover, image colorizer, and image reference.  With the right prompt, PicLumen can achieve nuanced detailing in its images, capturing impressive aesthetics and compositions. However, it might still come short of delivering hyper-realistic textures and complex scene integration. Read more: How to Detect an AI-generated Image Meta AI Meta AI comes packed with diverse AI-powered virtual accessories to streamline the creative journey of designers, artists, and developers. Its free AI image generator enables users to customize their images with the power of generative image manipulation technology.  Meta developed Meta AI to let users access generative AI through different meta applications like Facebook, WhatsApp, and Instagram. It is easy and fun to use, and its simple integration and usability help it quickly sip into users’ habits. Leonardo Leonardo is a cross-platform AI-empowered service that unpacks a spectrum of functionalities to automate the design and development process. Leonardo offers free AI solutions to photographers, architects, designers, and marketers. AWS Startups, Blackbird Ventures, Gaorong Capital, Goodwater Capital, and Piton Capital are the top companies behind the development of Leonardo.ai. Read mmore: Best Text-to-Speech Software The AI image generator on the Leonardo platform gives access to all the features essential to achieve creative freedom. A simple traversable layout and effortless manipulation system make Leonardo a great choice for less tech-savvy users. ChatGPT ChatGPT, developed by OpenAI, pioneers the age of artificial intelligence, providing the most used generative AI chatbox to date. After its recent integration with its sibling image generator, DALL.E, ChatGPT can create images based on given text instructions. The free version of the ChatGPT generates 15 free images daily, requiring a premium subscription for further trial. At the current stage, the photo-generative feature doesn’t include modification functionalities, so users can’t use it for editing purposes. Read more: Craft a Job-Winning Resume with AI: Step-by-Step Guide to Stand Out Microsoft Copilot Microsoft Copilot, developed by Microsoft Corporation, offers versatile AI assistance for tasks like research and data analysis. Its recent integration with DALL.E has made Microsoft Copilot capable of generating free images. Embodying ChatGPT-like functionalities, Microsoft Copilot adds the power of large language models (LLMs) to Microsoft 365 apps like MS Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, and Teams. Users can now generate context-based free AI images on their Word files and PowerPoint presentations. Blue Willow Blue Willow was first developed by Blue Willow Developments Ltd. and later sold out to LimeWire, a renowned AI service provider. Blue Willow follows the pioneering AI image generator Midjourney.ai’s path in creating AI-powered images from a given text prompt.  Read more: Free Online AI Courses by Harvard University from Basic to Advanced Levels Blue Willow offers 25 free daily image prompts, including prompts for revising a generated image. To facilitate the image processing service, it uses Discord’s chat interface, requiring users to sign in to their Discord accounts.  Adobe Firefly Adobe, the acclaimed creative software developer company, introduces Adobe Firefly, a cross-platform AI image processing. Adobe Firefly supports easy integration with Adobe Suit applications like Photoshop, Illustrator, In Design, Premiere Pro, and After Effects. The free version of Adobe Firefly unpacks diverse features to create, modify, and play with images. Boasting straightforward accessibility and simple workspaces, Adobe Firefly upholds Adobe’s reputation. Read more: Humane’s Ai Pin: Incredible Features of the ‘Smartphone Killer’ Ideogram Ideogram, developed by Ideogram.io, features the most simplistic user interface of this list. After an easy sign-in process, users can enter a text field to describe their needs. Ideogram gives away 10 free points daily, and users need to subscribe to access premium features and extended uses. Flux Flux, developed by Flux Development Ltd, is popular for its unique take on the AI image generation process. The platform has a generative model that users can access through their API.  Several renowned web services like freepik, together.ai, fal.ai, and Replicate have integrated Flux into their systems. Users can have a taste of Flux by accessing it through these platforms.  Conclusion AI image-generative technology is still in its natal phase. The above-mentioned free AI image generators can efficiently give life to any concept. With the rapid advancements in technology and immense support from industry leaders, generative image technology will bring more exciting advancements soon. Read more: GPT-4o: What’s OpenAI’s latest version really capable of?

OpenAI’s popular AI chatbot, ChatGPT, experienced its second significant outage in December, leaving users worldwide frustrated. This time, the issue also impacted OpenAI’s video model, Sora, and its API services. The downtime lasted for several hours, with widespread reports of functionality problems starting around 1:30 PM ET (12 AM IST) on December 11. What Happened? Outage-tracking platform DownDetector recorded a surge in user complaints, particularly from the United States, where users reported encountering “internal server error” messages. Although the number of reports began to decline within 30 minutes, the service disruption persisted for hours. OpenAI acknowledged the issue on X (formerly Twitter), stating it had identified the root cause and was actively working on a resolution. The company’s exclusive cloud partner, Microsoft, later revealed a “power issue” at one of its North American data centers was the likely cause. This issue coincided with problems reported in other Microsoft services, including Xbox cloud gaming. Extent of the Outage OpenAI confirmed that the outage affected ChatGPT, its API, and Sora. Hours after the disruption began, OpenAI announced that the issues with Sora had been resolved, while fixes for ChatGPT and the API were nearly complete. Read: Italy fines OpenAI for ChatGPT data privacy violations This is not the first such incident in recent weeks. Earlier in December, ChatGPT experienced a similar outage affecting the same platforms. According to DownDetector, that event garnered over 2,400 outage reports. A Pattern of Service Disruptions December’s outages follow a larger pattern of reliability challenges for OpenAI. On November 8, ChatGPT became unavailable to over 19,000 users worldwide for approximately 30 minutes. OpenAI’s CEO, Sam Altman, addressed the incident on X, expressing regret and noting that while the platform’s reliability had improved significantly, further work was needed. Unprecedented Growth Amid Challenges Despite these setbacks, ChatGPT continues to grow at an extraordinary pace. Since its debut in November 2022, the chatbot has amassed 250 million weekly active users. Earlier this month, Sam Altman revealed that this figure had climbed to 300 million weekly users. OpenAI’s valuation has soared to $157 billion, a dramatic rise from $14 billion in 2021, while its revenue has grown to $3.6 billion—far exceeding initial projections. December 11’s outage coincided with the launch of iOS 18.2, which features GPT integration in Apple’s Siri. Users relying on this integration also reported service interruptions, adding to the day’s challenges. Looking Ahead While OpenAI has made strides in enhancing the reliability of its services, recurring outages underline the need for more robust infrastructure and contingency planning. Read more: ChatGPT being used to influence US elections, alleges OpenAI As the company’s technology becomes increasingly integrated into everyday applications and platforms, maintaining uninterrupted service will be critical to sustaining user trust and growth. Source: With inputs from wirers