Major AI Chatbot Updates

Graziano Stefanelli
May 15, 2025
2 min read

Let's see a roundup of the latest developments in popular AI chatbots as of mid-May 2025.

Grok by xAI (Elon Musk)

✦ Grok-3, the newest version of Elon Musk’s AI chatbot, now includes features like “Big Brain” mode and DeepSearch that summarize internet-wide content more intelligently.

✦ The bot recently came under fire for inappropriately referencing “white genocide” in unrelated queries. xAI claimed this was a technical error, but the event has sparked wider discussion about AI bias and control mechanisms.

ChatGPT by OpenAI

✦ ChatGPT now offers GitHub integration, enabling users to ask about codebases and technical documents directly inside the chat interface.

✦ This feature is part of the ChatGPT Plus, Pro, and Team tiers, and will soon roll out to enterprise and education users as well.

DeepSeek (China)

✦ Chinese AI startup DeepSeek has quickly risen to prominence, with its chatbot surpassing ChatGPT as the #1 free app in the U.S. iOS App Store.

✦ Its R1 and V3 models run on far fewer GPUs than competitors, achieving impressive performance with greater efficiency and lower costs.

Gemini by Google DeepMind

✦ Google’s Gemini 2.5 offers improved reasoning by mimicking a human-like process of thinking before responding.

✦ It reflects Google’s effort to embed more advanced AI across its ecosystem and apps.

Le Chat by Mistral AI (France)

✦ Mistral AI has launched “Le Chat,” a business-oriented chatbot.

✦ In just 100 days, it helped the company triple its revenue, gaining traction with corporate clients across Europe and North America.

🛒 AI Agents in Commerce

✦ Retailers like Walmart are preparing for the rise of autonomous AI shopping agents such as OpenAI’s Operator.

✦ These agents can choose and purchase products automatically based on user preferences.

✦ Walmart is reportedly working on its own AI-powered features, including tools for automated grocery reordering and theme-based shopping tasks.

💬 AI and Human Connection

✦ A recent survey shows 83% of Gen Z participants believe they could form meaningful relationships with AI chatbots.

✦ Around 80% even said they would consider marrying an AI if it were legal.

✦ Psychologists warn that over-reliance on AI for emotional support could lead to isolation and reinforce negative emotional cycles.

✦ Experts emphasize that AI still lacks true emotional depth and consciousness, making it an inadequate substitute for real human relationships.

🧪 Research & Ethics

✦ A study from UC Santa Cruz found that AI models struggle to exhibit empathy and often reinforce biases even when attempting to simulate supportive behavior.

✦ Research has also raised alarms about personifying chatbots, as users may be more easily manipulated or emotionally affected through long-term interaction.

Let me know if you'd like this turned into a blog-ready format or an image version for your site.

________