[Quiz] "The Dawn of Multi-Step Automation: New Workflows Opened by ChatGPT Agents," "The Start of the 'AI Power War'? Trump Administration's 5GW Expansion Plan," "Perplexity Reaches $12 Billion Valuation: Generative AI Search Challenges Google" — Reading the Future of AI Through 3 News Stories (7/17) —
Introduction
We have carefully selected three important news stories in the AI field announced on July 17, 2025. We will explain the trends that business professionals should keep an eye on, such as the latest generative AI technologies and massive investments in AI infrastructure.
1. Quiz
1.1 Question
Which of the following is a correct description of the newly announced "ChatGPT Agent" by OpenAI?
(A) A new feature that allows ChatGPT to use a virtual PC to automatically execute multi-step tasks
(B) A feature referring to AI robots that perform military actions without human supervision
(C) A system for autonomously censoring and deleting posts on social media
(D) A new algorithm that dramatically improves the quality of images and videos generated by AI
1.2 Answer
Correct Answer: (A)
1.3 Explanation
Reason for choosing (A): OpenAI's ChatGPT Agent is a new feature that allows a chatbot to use its own virtual computer to access the web and apps, and automatically execute multi-step tasks. Based on user instructions, ChatGPT will be able to perform tasks such as checking schedules, making online reservations, and sending emails on behalf of the user.
Error in (B): The ChatGPT Agent is a new chatbot feature, not a military robot. It has absolutely nothing to do with AI robots that perform military actions without human supervision.
Error in (C): This agent feature is not a censorship system for social media posts. Its purpose is to automate daily tasks requested by the user, and it is not a mechanism for content moderation.
Error in (D): The ChatGPT Agent is a task execution feature by a chatbot, not an announcement of an algorithm to improve the quality of image or video generation. While it is a technology in the generative AI field, its main focus is on the execution of multi-step tasks.
2. Summary
OpenAI has added an AI agent feature to ChatGPT, enabling chatbots to automatically perform complex tasks. In the United States, the Trump administration has announced a $92 billion investment plan to meet the power demand for AI development. Furthermore, AI search startup Perplexity reached a valuation of approximately $12 billion in an additional funding round, showing that investment fever in generative AI companies continues globally.
3.1 OpenAI adds autonomous agent capabilities to ChatGPT
Title
OpenAI unveils ChatGPT agent to handle tasks as AI apps evolve
Author
Zaheer Kachwala (Reuters)
Source and Publication Date
Reuters (July 17, 2025)
3-Line Summary
OpenAI has announced a new feature for ChatGPT called "ChatGPT Agent," which allows the chatbot to automatically execute complex, multi-step tasks.
With this agent feature, ChatGPT can access websites and apps within its own virtual PC environment, allowing it to complete tasks such as booking hotels and restaurants, making online purchases, and sending emails directly within ChatGPT.
While OpenAI CEO Sam Altman emphasized the utility of this feature, he also cautioned against its risks, stating, "It is still better not to use it for critical tasks."
400-character summary
On July 17, OpenAI introduced a new feature called "ChatGPT Agents" to its conversational AI, "ChatGPT." This agent allows the chatbot to autonomously perform multi-step tasks on behalf of the user. For example, when preparing to attend a wedding, it can suggest attire, accommodations, and gifts suitable for the venue and weather, check availability on booking sites and display it on the screen, and even execute hotel reservations, online purchases, and email sending. Previously, while features like web browsing were available, actual bookings and purchases had to be made by the user on separate sites. By enabling these operations to be completed on a virtual computer, workflows can now be finalized within ChatGPT. However, while CEO Altman noted that "the utility is very high," he also stated, "it is still better not to use it for critical tasks," acknowledging the potential for significant risks.
Reason for selection
This is an important piece of news indicating that generative AI chatbots have entered a stage where they can autonomously perform actual business tasks beyond mere conversation. The moves of OpenAI, which is leading in the "AI Agent" field where major tech companies are competing fiercely, are strategically unmissable for the management of AI companies. The fact that CEO Altman himself mentioned the risks of the new feature is also noteworthy, suggesting the need to carefully balance convenience and safety.
3.2 Trump Announces $92 Billion Investment in Energy Infrastructure for AI
Title
Trump unveils $92B in energy and AI investments for Pennsylvania
Author
Diana DiGangi
Source and Publication Date
Utility Dive (July 17, 2025)
3-line summary
U.S. President Trump announced an energy-related investment plan totaling approximately $92 billion (about 13 trillion yen) in Pennsylvania to support AI development.
Major companies such as Google, Blackstone, and FirstEnergy are participating, aiming to meet the massive power demand of AI through huge investments in building AI data centers, modernizing power grids, and constructing new power plants.
While this initiative is part of a strategy for the U.S. to compete with China in the AI race, it has also drawn criticism from environmental groups for its reliance on fossil fuels.
400-character summary
On July 17, 2025, U.S. President Trump attended the Energy Innovation Summit in Pennsylvania and announced an investment project totaling approximately $92 billion (about 13 trillion yen) to strengthen the power infrastructure required for AI development. Google plans to invest about $25 billion in building AI-ready data centers and modernizing hydroelectric facilities, investment firm Blackstone plans to invest over $25 billion in building new natural gas power plants for data centers, and utility company FirstEnergy plans to invest $15 billion in strengthening power grids. These investments aim to meet an estimated 5 gigawatts (equivalent to about 5 million households) of additional power demand for AI by 2028, ensuring U.S. superiority in the competition with China in the AI field. However, environmental groups have criticized the plan as being "dependent on fossil fuels," and there are also concerns about the impact of such massive investments on electricity costs and the power grid.
Reason for selection
This news illustrates that the development of massive power infrastructure is essential for the advancement of AI models. An unprecedented investment on the scale of approximately 13 trillion yen demonstrates the seriousness of the U.S. government and private sector in securing AI competitiveness. For leaders of AI companies, it serves as a reminder that their technological development is directly linked to energy policy and geopolitical competition, and it is highly suggestive for considering sustainable growth strategies.
3.3 AI Startup Perplexity Reaches Valuation of Approximately 1.8 Trillion Yen in Funding Round
Title
AI Startup Perplexity Valued at $18 Billion With New Funding
Author
Shirin Ghaffary
Source and Publication Date
Bloomberg (July 17, 2025)
3-Line Summary
U.S. startup Perplexity AI, which provides a search engine utilizing generative AI, has raised $100 million in new funding, bringing its corporate valuation to $18 billion (approximately 1.8 trillion yen).
Founded in 2022, Perplexity is an emerging company that offers a chat-based generative AI search service and is attracting attention as a competitor to Google.
The valuation has surged from $14 billion to $18 billion in just the last few months, serving as an example of the intense investor expectations for top-tier generative AI startups.
400-Character Summary
On July 17, 2025, U.S. startup Perplexity AI, which provides a search engine utilizing generative AI, raised approximately $100 million in additional funding, bringing its corporate valuation to $18 billion (approximately 1.8 trillion yen). This is significantly higher than the $14 billion valuation the company received in a round just a few months ago. Perplexity is a startup founded in 2022 that offers a conversational AI search service and is emerging as a powerful competitor to Google. Last year, the company raised its valuation from $1 billion to $3 billion, and a few months later, it surged to $9 billion; with this new investment, it has reached its initial target of $18 billion. This demonstrates the intense interest investors have in top-tier generative AI companies in the industry.
Reason for Selection
This is a case study showing that investment heat for generative AI startups remains high. Through massive fundraising, Perplexity's valuation has surged in a short period, proving that startups can capture enormous market value even in the search sector, which is Google's stronghold. For AI company executives, it suggests that similar innovation and competition could occur in their own business domains, making it important news for grasping the trends of the entire AI ecosystem.
Conclusion
The evolution of generative AI technology, along with the massive investments and intensifying competition supporting it, speaks to the momentum of the AI industry in mid-2025. As a CEO/CTO, you will be required to seize opportunities for innovative AI utilization while simultaneously keeping an eye on resource challenges such as power, as well as ethics and risk management, to map out a sustainable growth strategy. It is important to continue monitoring domestic and international trends and maintain a posture of responding quickly and appropriately.
This article was written by AI. As the content may contain errors, please read it critically and check the source as necessary.
Cited Article
OpenAI unveils ChatGPT agent to handle tasks as AI apps evolve – Reuters (2025/7/17)r
Trump unveils $92B in energy and AI investments for Pennsylvania – Utility Dive (2025/7/17)
AI Startup Perplexity Valued at $18 Billion With New Funding – Bloomberg (2025/7/17)
Summary (for English learners)
OpenAI introduced a new feature called ChatGPT Agent that allows its chatbot to autonomously perform complex, multi-step tasks. Using a virtual computer to access the web and apps, ChatGPT can now do things like plan events, make online reservations or purchases, and send emails on the user’s behalf. OpenAI’s CEO Sam Altman noted the feature’s high usefulness but also warned not to use it for critical tasks yet due to potential risks.
In the United States, President Donald Trump announced about $92 billion in energy and technology investments to support AI development. At a summit in Pennsylvania, companies including Google, Blackstone, and FirstEnergy committed to building AI-ready data centers, upgrading power grids, and constructing new power plants to supply the massive electricity needs of AI systems. This initiative aims to secure U.S. leadership in AI by meeting an estimated 5 GW of additional power demand by 2028, although some critics warned it leans too much on fossil fuels.
AI startup Perplexity AI raised an additional $100 million in funding, boosting its valuation to about $18 billion. Founded in 2022, Perplexity offers a generative AI-based search engine that competes with Google. The new investment lifted the company’s value from $14 billion just a few months prior, highlighting investors’ strong enthusiasm for top generative AI startups.