July AI news

While in previous months we have mainly seen new model releases, July suggests a different trend: AI systems are starting to profile themselves more as tools for specific tasks. Agents, learning modes, more autonomy.

This month, in addition to the already confirmed news, we've got a few rumours that are currently circulating in the AI world, and it's only a matter of time before they actually happen.

OpenAI Agent

A new tool from ChatGPT that can autonomously perform actions across connectors.

• The agent has its own workspace that you can open directly in the chat.
• For Pro subscription users and above, it has access to all the connectors you have connected. For example, Google Drive, Calendar or GitHub.
• It can perform specific actions, such as creating a calendar event, ordering goods, analyzing documents, etc.
• It is semi-autonomous.
• The inspiration for the agent structure was a model that placed very well in the International Mathematical Olympiad (IMO).
• This is actually an iteration of OpenAI Operator, which basically worked similarly, but with a much worse UX.

Useful links: Introducing ChatGPT Agent, Connector list, List of possible actions

ChatGPT Study Mode

In addition to the agent, OpenAI also introduced a new Study Mode, which you can enable in GPT chat.

• ChatGPT takes on the role of a teacher or tutor.
• The mode allows you to go through the material step by step, at a pace that suits you.
• The GPT does not give you the answer right away, but tries to guide and engage you in thinking, and it can also test the user on the material.

Useful links: ChatGPT Study Mode

Grok 4 and Grok 4 Heavy

Elon Musk's xAI released new versions of its Grok 4 and Grok 4 Heavy in July.

• Both versions are only available in the paid version.
• According to published data, they achieve the highest scores in the so-called Intelligence Benchmark Index (Artificial Analysis).

Useful links: News Grok 4

Gemini 2.5 Deep Think

Google has released an extension to its Gemini model line.

• The version is focused on better reasoning and multi-step planning.
• Deep Think should enable parallel testing of agents - that is, scenarios where multiple separate processes are running at the same time.
• Only available to Ultra subscribers.

Useful links: GoogleAI Status

Extremely fast models from Cerebras

Cerebras hosts extremely fast language models that are significantly ahead of the competition in processing speed.

• The platform can host very large models.
• But it is also one of the most expensive options.
• In terms of generation speed and response, it is among the absolute top.
• Despite the high cost, it can be an interesting choice for companies that solve demanding tasks.

Useful links: Artificial Analysis Status

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And what are no longer verified news, but still worth mentioning:

Open-source model from OpenAI

From several hints and leaks, it seems that OpenAI is working on an open-source release model. Details are not yet confirmed, but:

• There is talk of a smaller language model that could be an alternative to open-source models like LLaMA or Mistral.
• The release could be a response to community pressure and competition - Meta, Mistral or Cohere already offer open models.

ChatGPT 5 available during autumn

• OpenAI hasn't officially announced anything yet, but has hinted several times that a "major update is near".
• Improvements in reliability, reasoning abilities and long-term memory are expected.

Meta offers astronomical sums to AI engineers

• You can reportedly get up to $1.25 billion for a four-year contract. That works out to some $312 million a year.
• Even so, many candidates reject them, but these are mainly employees of competing companies such as OpenAI.

Useful links: Tom's Hardware Article

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July showed a shift from new models to their real use.

AI is becoming more practical, autonomous and closer to everyday scenarios.