Welcome back to Daily Zaps, your regularly-scheduled dose of AI news ⚡️ 

Here’s what we got for ya today:

• 🇺🇸 Department of Homeland Security releases AI framework

• 📉 Chegg stock down 99% due to ChatGPT

• 🐶 All-terrain robot dog by Deep Robotics

• 🕵🏻‍♂️ OpenAI “Operator” AI agent

Let’s get right into it!

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GOVERNMENT

Department of Homeland Security releases AI framework

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has unveiled a new framework for the safe use of artificial intelligence (AI) in U.S. critical infrastructure. Developed in consultation with the DHS's Artificial Intelligence Safety and Security Board, the framework provides flexible guidance tailored to specific sectors such as AI developers, cloud infrastructure providers, and critical infrastructure operators.

Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas described the framework as groundbreaking, emphasizing the collaboration between AI developers and civil society to ensure responsible deployment. The voluntary framework includes five key steps for stakeholders: securing environments, promoting responsible model design, implementing data governance, ensuring safe deployment, and monitoring impact.

Link to framework PDF.

STARTUPS

Chegg stock down 99% due to ChatGPT

Chegg, once a popular platform for textbook rentals and homework help, is struggling financially, with its stock down 99% since 2021 and a loss of half a million paid subscribers. While the company expanded into online study guides and pre-written homework answers, its business model was largely disrupted by the launch of ChatGPT.

Students now prefer ChatGPT's instant, free, and seemingly reliable answers over Chegg's paid services. Despite Chegg's efforts to develop AI tools, its failure to adapt quickly enough to the AI revolution has led to layoffs and dwindling customer interest.

STARTUPS

All-terrain robot dog

Chinese robotics company Deep Robotics has unveiled its new high-speed, all-terrain quadruped robot, the Lynx, designed to navigate difficult landscapes with ease. Unlike traditional robotic dogs, the Lynx uses wheels for greater speed and mobility, allowing it to jump, climb, and backflip over obstacles while traveling at high speeds.

The robot can handle steep inclines and rugged terrains, making it suitable for various industrial applications, including security inspections, search and rescue, and emergency operations. Deep Robotics, founded in 2017, has already seen success with its earlier models, such as the X20 and X30, which have been used in disaster recovery scenarios.

STARTUPS

OpenAI “Operator” AI agent

OpenAI is set to launch a new AI agent, codenamed "Operator," which will be able to perform tasks on a user's behalf, such as writing code or booking travel. Scheduled for release in January as a research preview and through an API for developers, the tool is part of a growing trend in the industry towards AI agents that can handle multi-step tasks with minimal supervision.

Companies like Anthropic, Microsoft, and Google are also developing similar AI tools. OpenAI has been working on several agent-related projects, with one nearing completion for tasks in a web browser. CEO Sam Altman has indicated that AI agents could be the next major breakthrough in the field, especially as advancements in AI models show diminishing returns.