What changed in AI this month
A practical filter on what's happening in AI, written for UK small business owners. What matters, what to watch, and what you can safely ignore.
The US government banned a major AI model for three weeks. What does this mean?
In June, the US government ordered a major AI model pulled from use worldwide over an export-control dispute. It came back three weeks later with a fix.
Microsoft 365 Business Standard now costs £18.10 a month, with Copilot built in whether you wanted it or not
Microsoft has restructured its Business 365 plans so Copilot now comes bundled into Standard and Premium by default. Independent estimates of how much prices have actually risen don't agree with each other, so check your own renewal quote rather than trust any of the headline figures.
OpenAI launched a small business program on 21 July.
OpenAI launched ChatGPT for Small Business on 21 July: guides, virtual training, a partner network, and in-person academies. Three of those four work from the UK. The fourth, the hands-on academies, is US cities only, with no UK date announced.
From 31 July, OpenAI watermarks its AI voice audio, so how does it work?
OpenAI now watermarks the AI voice audio it generates, and lets you check for that watermark. But its checker only recognises OpenAI's own output. Google and ElevenLabs each run separate checkers that only recognise theirs. Nothing checks audio made by anyone else.
This briefing is updated in the first week of each month by Greg Shaw. AI Growth clients receive a longer, personalised version.