AI is The New Mathlete, Key To A Simple Design, Winning Mindshare and more

Newton, Ramanujan & now DeepMind AI.

Author

Charbel Zeaiter
February 11, 2025

Good afternoon everyone,

Uncle Sam Altman hints at GPT 5, we have a new mathlete in town, a great article about bringing emotion back into design (double yes to this!) — and tons more.

On the back of the latter, I had to include this image in my intro; I will absolutely steal this one for the future.

Hope your week has been great so far.

Have a wonderful day 🙏🏽

Yours in Wonder,
Charbel
Founder of Velvet Onion, Faster Zebra and more to come …

Today’s Highlights

  • AI: An AI To Outthink Geniuses and Experts: Sam Altman Teases GPT-5

  • Design: Want a Simpler, Loveable Design? Borrow What Works

  • Science & Tech: Apple’s AirPods Might Soon Have Cameras: But Why?

  • Founding: Why American Startups Are Valued 70x Higher Than European Startups

  • Product: Win Their Attention To Win the Deal

  • Today’s AI image: Google Must Be Proud

  • Quote for the day: From a Mountaineer

AI

An AI To Outthink Geniuses and Experts: Sam Altman Teases GPT-5

OpenAI’s CEO Sam Altman and Chief Product Officer Kevin Weil took the stage at the University of Tokyo’s Center for Global Education, fielding questions on the future of artificial intelligence.

They touched on everything from the next evolution of models, like GPT-5, to OpenAI’s ambitious Stargate Project, offering a glimpse into what’s coming next.

All You Need To Know

  • OpenAI’s Stargate Project could push AI beyond data processing into real scientific discovery.

  • OpenAI’s model already ranks among the top 50 programmers globally and could hit No. 1 this year.

  • Altman suggested OpenAI may embrace more open models, saying society seems ready for the trade-offs.

  • Advancing AI is like racing a calculator—it’s outpacing humans across most general tasks.

Why is this a big deal?

Sam Altman has a knack for dropping futuristic bombshells, and this talk was no exception.

If his predictions hold, we’re not just looking at smarter chatbots—we’re on the verge of AI making real scientific breakthroughs, rewriting what’s possible in research, coding, and beyond.

Also in AI

Design

Want a Simpler, Lovable Design? Borrow What Works

Simplicity isn’t just about aesthetics—it’s about making a product feel instantly usable.

If someone has to stop and figure out how to use your product, you've already lost half the battle. The trick? Borrowing patterns users already know.

Intuitive Design

  • Make It Instinctive – A good design feels as natural as picking up a cup. No instructions needed.

  • Copy What Works – WhatsApp followed OS design norms, so users didn’t have to figure things out.

  • Stay Consistent – If a triangle sends a message in one place, it should do the same everywhere.

  • Design for Real Behaviour – Users instinctively place their thumbs in certain spots—put buttons there.

  • Familiarity Eases Adoption – AI chatbots took off fast because they mimic messaging apps.

  • Small Fixes, Big Gains – Swiping to dismiss beats hunting for an ‘X’. Align with existing habits.

Why It Matters

Users don’t want to learn yet another interface. Especially with a product that you want them to insert into their routine.

They want things to just work. The best designs don’t force adaptation.

They blend seamlessly into what people already do.

Also in Design

Science & Tech

Apple’s AirPods Might Soon Have Cameras: But Why?

Apple is reportedly developing AirPods with built-in cameras, aiming to integrate AI-driven Visual Intelligence.

  • This feature, introduced with the iPhone 16, could allow users to get real-time contextual information without reaching for their phones—essentially making AirPods a stepping stone to smart glasses.

  • These cameras might also enhance spatial audio, particularly when paired with Vision Pro.

  • By tracking head movements, they could adjust sound direction dynamically, creating a more immersive listening experience.

  • Speculation also suggests the cameras could enable in-air gesture controls, allowing users to interact with their devices through simple hand movements.

Why It Matters

Apple is doubling down on AI-driven wearables, hinting at a future where personal tech seamlessly understands and responds to the world around you.

Expected around 2027, these AirPods could mark the next big leap in hands-free interaction.

Also in Science & Tech

Founding

Why American Startups Are Valued 70x Higher Than European Startups

A recent viral chart by MIT’s Andrew McAfee exposed the yawning gap between American and European startup ecosystems.

Over the past 50 years, the US has created nearly 70 times the market value and five times the number of high-value startups compared to the EU.

While some brush this off as a natural consequence of economic differences, others have gone as far as dubbing Europe a "museum"—both in culture and capital markets.

1. Market Fragmentation

Unlike the US, Europe's diverse languages, tax systems, and regulations create roadblocks for scaling startups across borders.

2. Regulatory Hurdles

While the EU leads in digital regulation, strict policies often stifle innovation, making it harder for startups to grow.

3. Funding Gaps

US startups receive significantly more venture capital, with Europe’s growth-stage companies underfunded by an estimated $375B.

4. Risk-Averse Culture

European founders face greater pressure for early success, whereas US entrepreneurs are encouraged to take bigger risks, even if they fail.

The former is accustomed to playing it too safe while the latter just takes the bet.

5. Brain Drain

Despite world-class talent, many European startups relocate to the US for better funding, regulations, and growth opportunities.

Europe has the foundations for a thriving startup ecosystem.

With strategic changes in funding, regulation, and risk appetite, it can still bridge the gap and foster global-scale innovation.

But for now, a balance sheet born in the US would flex larger numbers.

Also in Founding

Product

Win Their Attention To Win the Deal

While initial success in a marketplace depends on securing supply, it’s a weak long-term differentiator.

Sellers move across platforms, making supply fluid rather than a defensible moat.

Mindshare Creates Lasting Competitive Advantage

Winning customer habits and becoming the default choice is far more valuable.

Amazon succeeded not because it had more books but because users instinctively return for all purchases.

Expansion Reinforces Mindshare

Uber edged out Lyft not by having unique drivers (most drive for both) but by embedding itself deeper into users' routines—adding Uber Eats, UberX, and premium options to stay relevant.

Marketplaces Compete Beyond Their Category

Consumer attention is scarce.

A ride-hailing app doesn’t just compete with other transport services—it competes with all apps for space in users’ daily habits.

Asian super-apps like Grab show how consolidating multiple services under one brand strengthens mindshare. Elon Musk’s vision for X follows a similar playbook.

Whether in marketplaces, media, or tech, mindshare is the ultimate goal.

Businesses don’t just fight for users within their industry. They compete for a permanent slot in daily routines.

Today’s AI Image

Google Must Be Proud

Quote of the Day

From a Mountaineer

"It is not the mountain we conquer, but ourselves."

Edmund Hillary

What we’re working on

Velvet Onion & Friends

The new Velvet Onion & Friends will be launched soon. It’s our latest evolution, helping companies build products. It’s more than services.

Faster Zebra

February 2025 - the product and venture school journey begins. Whitepaper launching in January.

🧞Your wish is my command

Charbel

Keeping you updated with daily insights on rapid changes in business, tech, design, product, as well as news about science, environment, and wellness. Join the community today!

www.charbelx.com/subscribe