OpenAI planning to replace GPT-4 with the faster GPT-4o forever!

Welcome to a new version of The AI Business!

This week, we have:

● OpenAI planning to replace GPT-4 with the faster GPT-4o forever!

● Create the BEST presentations using AI in seconds. (FREE)

● IBM acquires a new firm to supercharge AI consulting.

● What you should learn from Shopify and Amazon’s elite AI mindset.

AI news
A Ton of Updates and Announcements from Major AI Companies:

● OpenAI to replace GPT-4 with the faster GPT-4o model: OpenAI will retire GPT-4 from ChatGPT on April 30, transitioning to the more advanced GPT-4o, which the company says outperforms its predecessor in writing, coding, and conversation. GPT-4 will still be available through OpenAI’s API, but will no longer power ChatGPT. This shift comes amid reports of new models like GPT-4.1 variants and the o4-mini, hinting at a deeper evolution in OpenAI’s model lineup. GPT-4 leaves behind a legacy of technical breakthroughs, and ongoing legal challenges. (Read Article)

● Canva is adding powerful AI tools to design, code, and data: Canva has launched a major AI upgrade that includes image generation, writing tools, app creation through prompts, and even spreadsheets with smart insights. The new features—like Canva Code and Canva Sheets—aim to help users design everything from social media posts to interactive apps and branded charts. With partnerships like Anthropic on board, Canva is clearly positioning itself to rival giants like Adobe. While artists continue to raise concerns over AI in creative work, Canva sees it as a tool to unlock new possibilities. (Read Article)

● ChatGPT can now remember your past chats to give smarter replies: OpenAI is rolling out a new memory feature for ChatGPT that lets it tailor responses based on your previous conversations, starting with Pro and Plus subscribers outside of parts of Europe. The feature adds context across text, voice, and image chats, aiming to make interactions smoother and more helpful. Users can view, manage, or disable memories at any time for more control. While privacy concerns remain, OpenAI’s goal is a more fluid, personalized AI experience. (Read Article)

● WordPress rolls out a free AI website builder to simplify site creation: WordPress has launched a free AI-powered tool that lets users build websites through a chat-style interface by simply describing what they want. Designed for bloggers, freelancers, and entrepreneurs, it creates professional-looking sites quickly, though it doesn’t yet support complex e-commerce features. After 30 free prompts, users must choose a hosting plan to publish their site. The move helps WordPress compete with rivals like Wix and Squarespace in the fast-growing AI builder space. (Try Now)

● Anthropic launches new high-priced Claude plans: Anthropic has introduced two premium Claude Max subscriptions at $100 and $200 per month, offering significantly higher usage limits and early access to new features. The move follows a broader trend among AI leaders like OpenAI to monetize heavy users through advanced tiers. While there’s no unlimited plan yet, Anthropic hints at even more premium options in the future. These offerings come as the company looks to fund its development of great models like Claude 3.7 Sonnet. (Check it out)

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AI for Business
IBM Acquires a New Firm to Supercharge AI Consulting: Why Does That Matter for Your Business?

IBM just made another bold bet on AI by acquiring Hakkoda, a fast-growing data and AI consulting firm. This move is more than just another line on IBM’s M&A tracker — it’s a strategic play that signals where enterprise transformation is headed. By integrating Hakkoda’s generative AI assets and data expertise into its consulting arm, IBM is sharpening its edge in the race to help organizations modernize their operations and harness AI at scale.

For marketing and business leaders, this isn’t just tech industry news. It’s a lesson in what it takes to stay competitive in a market where data, AI, and fast execution are quickly becoming non-negotiable.

Why It Matters?

Let’s be honest — “digital transformation” has become a buzzword, but behind the jargon lies a very real challenge: modern businesses are drowning in data and starved for actionable insights. IBM’s acquisition of Hakkoda reflects a broader truth — most companies don’t just need AI tools, they need AI partners.

Hakkoda brings exactly that: a deep portfolio of AI-powered assets, cloud-first data strategies, and a vertical focus in high-stakes industries like finance, healthcare, and the public sector. This is about building smarter infrastructure and unlocking data value, not just slapping AI onto existing workflows.

For leaders, this raises the question: do you have the internal talent and strategic support needed to make your data work for you?

Why You Should Be Thinking Like IBM?

Here’s the key takeaway — IBM isn’t just building tools, it’s building advantage. Its AI-powered delivery platform, IBM Consulting Advantage, will now benefit from Hakkoda’s “asset-centric delivery model.” That’s corporate speak for scaling faster, customizing better, and delivering outcomes more reliably.

If you’re leading a business today, the IBM-Hakkoda deal is your signal to evaluate whether you’re leveraging AI at the strategic level — not just the operational one. That might mean:

● Partnering with AI consulting firms that can guide smart adoption.

● Investing in internal AI education for your teams.

● Modernizing your data infrastructure for real-time decision-making.

● Exploring new use cases in customer engagement, marketing automation, and predictive analytics.

In short, AI is no longer optional — and speed matters. The companies that pair innovation with execution are the ones that will pull ahead.

What You Should Do Next?

IBM’s deal is part of a larger pattern: a sharp rise in spending on enterprise intelligence services, projected to hit $243 billion by 2028. Whether you're at a mid-sized firm or running a large-scale operation, now’s the time to move from experimentation to implementation.

Here’s how to get started:

● Assess Your Data Readiness – Can your current systems support advanced AI initiatives? If not, start with data modernization.

● Build a Partner Ecosystem – Follow IBM’s lead and work with external experts who can fill capability gaps.

● Identify AI-Driven Value Areas – Where can AI most impact your KPIs? Start with marketing optimization, customer service, or workflow automation.

● Create a Pilot Strategy – Test fast, learn quickly, and scale what works.

Final Thought: Leading Through Change:

IBM’s acquisition of Hakkoda isn’t just about consulting — it’s about building a competitive edge in the AI economy. Business leaders who recognize the strategic value of AI now — and act on it — will define the next wave of market leaders.

If you’re not already rethinking your approach to AI, data, and partnerships, this is your cue.

AI Spotlight
Important Lessons You Should Learn From Shopify and Amazon’s AI Mindset:

Shopify’s AI-First Rule Is a Signal for Smarter Growth:

In a recent company-wide memo, Shopify CEO Tobi Lütke introduced a new policy that could reshape how teams grow: before requesting new hires or resources, they must prove AI can’t do the job. While some may see this as controversial, especially amid fears of AI-driven job loss, Lütke frames it as an opportunity for innovation — asking teams to imagine how autonomous agents could reshape their workflows.

This mindset isn’t about replacing people, it’s about forcing creative problem-solving and efficiency at scale. For business leaders, this is a strategic reminder: AI is no longer just a tech experiment — it’s a business lens. Leaders should begin asking themselves and their teams:

● Could AI streamline this process or project?

● Are we building human teams when we could be designing hybrid teams (human + AI)?

● What would our org chart look like if AI was a team member?

Whether you’re growing or scaling back, Lütke’s approach challenges companies to build leaner, more intelligent operations — and rethink how talent and technology work together.

Amazon’s $100 Billion Bet on AI Is About Playing the Long Game:

Amazon CEO Andy Jassy wants businesses to go all-in on AI — and he’s backing that up with a projected $100+ billion in capital spending this year, mostly toward AI in AWS. In his annual shareholder letter, Jassy called AI a “once-in-a-lifetime reinvention” and stressed that smart, aggressive investment today is key to long-term competitive advantage.

For leaders outside of Big Tech, this isn’t about matching Amazon’s budget — it’s about adopting Amazon’s urgency and strategic foresight. Jassy’s message is clear: the companies that win in AI aren’t just adopting tools, they’re building infrastructure, talent, and systems now to support future growth.

Business leaders should ask:

● Are we allocating a serious budget to AI capabilities that can scale with us?

● Do we understand where our industry is heading — and are we ahead or behind that curve?

● Are we thinking about AI as a line item or as a foundation?

Whether it’s chips, data centers, or in-house applications, Amazon’s AI ambition underscores a truth every leader should heed: waiting is not a strategy.

That’s it for today, thanks for reading till the end. 😊 

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See you next week.