• Recaply AI
  • Posts
  • OpenAI sets August launch for GPT-5

OpenAI sets August launch for GPT-5

+ China's Bold Response to Trump's AI Strategy

July 28, 2025

Good morning, AI enthusiasts. OpenAI plans to release GPT-5 in early August, combining o3-style reasoning with language capabilities in one unified system that left CEO Sam Altman feeling "useless relative to the AI."

With this integration potentially representing the biggest leap toward artificial general intelligence yet, how might unified reasoning models reshape every industry that relies on complex problem-solving?

Friendly reminder: Our newsletter is still slowly moving to a new email address. Add [email protected] to your contacts to ensure you keep receiving our emails.

In today’s recap:

  • OpenAI sets August launch for GPT-5

  • Unitree's R1 robot costs less than a MacBook Pro

  • China's AI diplomacy challenges US technological leadership

  • Meta's neural wristband eliminates need for keyboards

  • 5 new AI tools & prompts

OPENAI

OpenAI sets August launch for GPT-5

The Von / Screenshot

Recaply: OpenAI plans to launch GPT-5 in early August, combining language and reasoning capabilities into one unified system that CEO Sam Altman says made him feel "useless relative to the AI."

Key details:

  • GPT-5 integrates o3-style reasoning with standard language models, eliminating need to choose between different AI tools.

  • Sam Altman described testing GPT-5 as a breakthrough moment where it instantly solved questions he couldn't answer.

  • The model will launch with mini and nano versions available through OpenAI's API for developers.

  • OpenAI also plans to release its first open-weight model since 2019 before July ends.

  • Launch dates may shift due to development challenges or competitive pressures from rival AI companies.

Why it matters: GPT-5 represents OpenAI's push toward artificial general intelligence by unifying its model lineup. Altman's strong reaction suggests major capability jumps ahead, potentially setting new standards for AI performance when it debuts next month.

UNITREE

Unitree drops $5,900 humanoid robot that's cheaper than a MacBook Pro

Unitree

Recaply: Chinese robotics company Unitree just launched the R1, a 4-foot tall humanoid robot priced at $5,900 - making it the most affordable humanoid on the market and even cheaper than Apple's top MacBook Pro.

Key details:

  • The 25kg robot features 26 degrees of freedom and advanced multimodal AI for voice and image recognition.

  • Demo videos show R1 performing cartwheels, walking on hands, throwing punches, and running downhill.

  • Equipped with ultra-wide vision, 4-microphone array, Wi-Fi 6, and Bluetooth 5.2 connectivity.

  • Dramatically undercuts Unitree's previous models: G1 ($13,838) and H1 ($90,858).

  • Competes directly with Tesla's Optimus, projected to cost under $20,000 at scale.

Why it matters: While US companies like Tesla are still developing humanoid prototypes, Chinese firms are aggressively pricing robots for mass adoption. At $5,900, the R1 could accelerate the transition from factory robots to household companions.

AI & CHINA

China launches global AI cooperation plan amid tech rivalry

Getty Images

Recaply: China unveiled a comprehensive AI action plan calling for worldwide cooperation on artificial intelligence development and regulation, just days after the U.S. announced its own AI strategy.

Key details:

  • Premier Li Qiang proposed creating a global AI cooperation organization at Shanghai's World AI Conference

  • China's "AI plus" initiative aims to integrate artificial intelligence across all industries

  • Focus on helping Global South nations access AI technology and training

  • Emphasizes open-source development, joint research, and cross-border infrastructure sharing

  • Comes amid ongoing U.S. semiconductor restrictions limiting China's access to advanced chips

Why it matters: This move intensifies the global AI race between superpowers. While the U.S. builds alliances with traditional partners, China targets developing nations through its Belt and Road Initiative, potentially creating competing AI ecosystems worldwide.

META

Meta's mind-reading wristband lets you control devices with thoughts

Meta

Recaply: Meta researchers partnering with Carnegie Mellon have developed a revolutionary wristband that reads muscle signals to control computers and phones, even when your hand doesn't visibly move.

Key details:

  • Uses surface electromyography (sEMG) to detect electrical signals from forearm muscles

  • AI algorithms interpret neural intent before any actual movement occurs

  • Enables "air writing" where users can write text by moving their hand as if holding a pen

  • Trained on data from 300+ research participants for high accuracy across diverse users

  • Works by reading micro-voltage changes when you think about moving your hand

Why it matters: This non-invasive technology could transform accessibility for people with motor impairments, offering device control without physical movement. Unlike surgical brain implants, this wristband provides a simpler path to thought-controlled computing that could eventually replace traditional keyboards and mice.

NEWS

What matters in AI right now?

  • Alibaba launched Qwen3-235B-A22B-Thinking-2507, their most advanced reasoning model with 256K native context for deep understanding.

  • Alibaba also introduced Qwen3-MT, supporting 92+ languages covering 95%+ of the world's population starting at $0.5/million tokens.

  • Figma launched Make, a prompt-driven design tool now available for everyone to try.

  • Runway introduced Aleph, a video editing model that can add, remove and transform objects in videos with new angles and style modifications.

  • Elon Musk posted that xAI plans to bring back Vine in AI form.

  • Blueberry Social launched Bloo, a social selling agent that tracks ad engagement, sends personalized DMs, and converts users into customers 24/7.

PRODUCTIVITY

AI Tools of the Day

  1. 📊 Graphy: AI-first all-in-one platform to create, market, and sell online courses with automated content, SEO optimization, and avatar creators.

  2. 🎙️ Riverside: Remote audio/video studio with AI editing, transcription, Magic Clips, and show notes for creators.

  3. 📝 SEOWriting: One‑click AI tool to generate SEO‑optimized articles and auto‑publish to WordPress.

  4. 📸 BetterPic: AI headshot generator offering 150+ styles, instant studio-quality results in minutes.

  5. 📊 aiCarousels: Create social media carousels automatically with AI writing, design templates, and exports for LinkedIn, TikTok, Instagram.

PROMPTS

Analyze Industry Social Trends

#CONTEXT:
Adopt the role of an expert researcher and report writer with deep knowledge of business, social trends, and cultural influences across industries. Your task is to help the user develop a comprehensive, well-researched report on how social and cultural trends are impacting a specified industry.

Important Note: Click the button below to see the full prompt in Notion

Have a favorite prompt? Tell us about it or rate today’s prompt here

What kind of prompts would you like to see more of?

Login or Subscribe to participate in polls.

That’s a wrap for today!

We hope today’s insights saved you time and brought more clarity to your day.

👉️ Got a second, Your feedback help us make Recaply even better.

What did you think of today's issue?

Your feedback helps me create better emails for you!

Login or Subscribe to participate in polls.

Have an idea for Recaply AI?

We’re all ears. Send your thoughts to [email protected] — we read every message and love turning your ideas into reality.

See you in the next recap,

— Jason @ Recaply AI

Reply

or to participate.