👨‍💻Grok Editor In The Works

Today we will discuss:

• Grok's new editor could rival Gemini and 365—xAI leak points to file and spreadsheet editing tools in development

• Don’t miss this week’s Workflow Wednesday—Using AI tools to adapt, navigate change; now available at only $20/month! 

• DeepSeek's military ties and chip loopholes raise red flags—US alleges AI firm backs China’s defense and tried to bypass chip export rules

• In other AI news—Google brings new AI tools to Chromebook Plus, including NotebookLM and text explanations, Salesforce debuts Agentforce 3 with agent observability and MCP support, Mira Murati’s Thinking Machines raises funds at a $10B valuation, and Tesla’s Robotaxi rollout sparks safety concerns after traffic violations on day one

• Saved the best for last—10 must-try AI tools

This Week in Workflow Wednesday: AI Adaptability

Learn a New Market in 30 Minutes Using AI
You’ve just been told to pivot into a new vertical. No research team. No prep time. Just you, a blank page, and a deadline.

Here’s how to go from clueless to confident - fast:

Step 1:
Open Perplexity.ai and ask:

“What’s the current state of [insert industry] in 2025? Top players, trends, pain points.”
Skim the results. Pull out key insights: names, numbers, and friction points.

Step 2:
Drop that intel into ChatGPT and prompt:

“Build a buyer persona based on this industry overview. Include their …..Read the full workflow (plus 2 others) in this week’s edition →

Grok’s next feature might be a smarter file and spreadsheet editor

Key Points 

• A leaked update suggests xAI is building a file editor for Grok with early support for spreadsheets.

• The move hints at a broader strategy to embed Grok into work tools and compete with Gemini and Microsoft 365.

☕News - A recent code leak suggests that xAI is developing a file editor for Grok, with early signs of spreadsheet support. Reverse engineer Nima Owji, who shared the findings, described it as a tool where “you can talk to Grok and ask it to assist you at the same time you’re editing the files.” 

While the company hasn’t confirmed any of this, the direction feels in line with its recent moves toward more interactive AI tools.

📖For context - In April, xAI launched Grok Studio, a split-screen interface where users can co-create documents, reports, code, and games with Grok. Around the same time, it introduced Workspaces to help users keep files and conversations in one place.

While the company hasn’t spelled out a full strategy, these updates suggest a growing focus on AI-enabled productivity.

🤖What this means - The editor would likely compete with tools like Google’s Gemini Workspace, which already allows users to chat with Gemini while editing Docs or Sheets. But unlike Google’s setup, which is limited to its own ecosystem, xAI’s version may offer more flexibiliy.

If Owji’s leak holds up, this could be another step toward Elon Musk’s broader vision for X as an all-in-one platform for work, communication, and social connection.

Read the full story here.

DeepSeek may have used shell firms to bypass US chip export rules

Key Points 

• US officials say DeepSeek supports China’s military and tried to access banned Nvidia chips using shell companies.

• DeepSeek is accused of sharing user data with Beijing and appears in over 150 Chinese military procurement records.

♨️News - A senior US official has said that  Chinese AI firm DeepSeek is supporting China’s military and intelligence services. 

According to the official, the company has also tried to access restricted Nvidia chips by using shell companies in Southeast Asia. These efforts come despite US export rules that block advanced chips from being shipped directly to China.

DeepSeek gained attention earlier this year after claiming its models could compete with those from OpenAI and Meta at much lower costs. But US officials believe those claims rely heavily on US-made technology and may be overstated. 

Some AI experts have also questioned the company’s reported spending on training its models, suggesting it likely cost far more than disclosed.

The US says DeepSeek has shared user data with Chinese authorities and appears in more than 150 procurement records tied to China’s defense sector. 

😳What's more? While not currently under US sanctions, the company is being investigated in Singapore and Malaysia for allegedly acquiring restricted Nvidia chips through third-party data centers.

For now, US officials are not confirming any upcoming sanctions, but the case reflects growing pressure on Chinese tech firms with military ties.

Read the full story here.

Disclaimer: All claims are based on reporting by Reuters and statements attributed to named and unnamed sources.