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ChatGPT has switched to yet another default model, as OpenAI officially released GPT-5.5 Instant last week. This new iteration replaces GPT-5.3 Instant as the primary engine for ChatGPT Pro and Plus users, offering significantly faster response times and enhanced reasoning capabilities, with more focus on context, as the model can use a search tool to customize its answers based on past conversations, files, and users’ Gmail inbox. GPT-5.5 Instant will become the default model for all other ChatGPT users in the coming weeks.

Microsoft's 2026 Work Trend Index surveyed 20,000 AI-using workers across 10 countries and analyzed trillions of Microsoft 365 signals. Workers are ahead of their employers. 66% say AI lets them spend more time on high-value work, but only 19% are in the "Frontier" zone where their skills and their organization's readiness reinforce each other. The biggest driver of AI impact isn't individual talent — it's the environment around the worker. Organizational factors (culture, manager support, talent practices) account for 2x more of AI's real impact than individual mindset. Managers who openly model AI use unlock huge gains in employee trust, critical thinking, and value creation.

AI company Anthropic has reportedly committed to spending $200 billion on Google Cloud services and chips over the next five years. This massive agreement represents more than 40% of the total revenue backlog (money committed to cloud services that have yet to be delivered) Google recently disclosed to its investors. This deal highlights the staggering financial scale of AI development, with contracts from Anthropic and OpenAI now making up over half of the $2 trillion in backlogs at major cloud providers.

The parents of a victim in a 2026 Florida State University mass shooting have filed a lawsuit against OpenAI, alleging ChatGPT helped the gunman plan the attack. The lawsuit claims the AI provided specific instructions on bypassing security, selecting high-casualty locations, and modifying weapons. While OpenAI previously stated it has safeguards against generating harmful content, the plaintiffs argue these measures are insufficient. Moving forward, the courts must decide if tech companies are responsible for crimes committed using generative AI.

Anthropic is preparing to launch “Orbit,” a proactive briefing tool designed for its Claude Cowork platform. The tool will provide personalized, actionable insights by pulling data from integrated apps like Gmail, Slack, GitHub, and Figma. This development positions Claude to compete with existing proactive assistants, such as ChatGPT Pulse, while specifically targeting developer and creative workflows.

Lean TECHniques works alongside Midwest companies to leverage technology for business impact. Through advisory, coaching, and embedded delivery, Lean TECHniques helps organizations develop high-performing teams, create environments that fuel innovation, and deliver best-in-class customer experiences. Core areas of expertise include software, cloud, artificial intelligence, product management, and technology leadership.

Claude for Microsoft 365 brings Claude directly into the Microsoft ecosystem, allowing the AI to work inside Word, Excel, PowerPoint and Outlook. Anthropic promotes this as "working without the window shuffle." Instead of copying and pasting text between a web browser and your documents, Claude operates within the native apps and maintains context across them.

For example, you can ask Claude in Word to build a financial model in Excel based on a brief you are writing, and the context of your work carries over between the two. Claude for Word, Excel, and PowerPoint is generally available for all paid Claude plans. The Outlook integration is currently in a beta phase for those same users.

Postcard from Des Moines … This one was a little harder to make than you might think. It kept messing up letters. You can see a bit of that in the N here, but overall this one came out pretty well.

Google is rebranding the Fitbit app as the Google Health app, launching May 19 as an automatic update that consolidates fitness, sleep, vitals, and medical records into a single redesigned hub. The app introduces an AI-powered Google Health Coach (built on Gemini) that offers personalized workout suggestions, sleep insights, and medical record summaries.