AI Update: Mastering the Recently Updated ChatGPT 5.1
AI keeps getting easier to use, and today’s roundup shows exactly how. From understanding the “brains” behind modern AI to mastering the newest version of ChatGPT and testing practical tools that save time every day, this edition gives small teams simple, real ways to work faster and stay ahead without adding headcount.
Word of the Day: LLM
LLM (Large Language Model) is the “brain” inside major AI tools like ChatGPT, Claude, and Grok. This is what people mean when they say “the model.” LLMs learn by reading massive amounts of information (training) so they can understand what you ask and respond like a human.
Quick context:
I use ChatGPT for most day-to-day work on my laptop or phone, Grok when I’m driving (built into Tesla), and Claude for longer writing projects.
Skill of the Day: Mastering the Recently Updated ChatGPT 5.1
Here’s the simplest rundown of what’s new with ChatGPT and what to try.
1. It’s Faster, Smarter, and Cheaper
ChatGPT 5.1 follows instructions more accurately and wastes fewer steps. You’ll notice this immediately in daily work.
2. It Handles Complex Work Better Including
• reviewing spreadsheets
• summarizing long reports
• turning messy info into clear insights
• producing clean, professional drafts
• writing or fixing code
Try this: Upload a recent business report and say:
“Explain this in plain English and give me three action steps.”
3. You Can Shape Its Voice
You can now steer ChatGPT’s personality and tone much more reliably.
Want writing that sounds:
Professional but friendly?
Confident and concise?
Casual and upbeat?
Corporate and polished?
You can define your brand’s voice , and ChatGPT will stay in that lane.
HOW: Launch ChatGPT and click your profile icon in the lower left corner, then select “Settings.” In the settings pop-up, click “Personalization.” The first section is “Base style and tone,” with a dropdown currently set to “Default.” Click “Default” to view the new personalities. Experiment with each one to see which best matches your preferred voice.
4. Custom Instructions for Every Chat
You can now tell ChatGPT something very specific like: “Do not use em dashes.”
It will usually obey, but sometimes one might still slip through. Why? Because AI doesn’t follow rules like a computer; it follows probabilities.
Telling it “no em dashes” doesn’t ban them, it just makes them less likely.
This is a good reminder that AI is a helper, not a perfect rule-follower, which is why clear prompting matters. So keep experimenting and keep trying until you get what you want!
Tools and Tips
Here are a few useful, practical tools for small teams to test this week.
1. Synthflow: 24/7 Voice Agents for WhatsApp
AI voice agents answer customer calls and WhatsApp messages around the clock with natural voice responses.
Why it matters: Ideal for small businesses that miss calls or cannot staff support at night or on weekends.
Read more → https://synthflow.ai/
2. MyLens
Turns YouTube videos into instant timelines and structured summaries.
Why it matters: Saves hours on training and research. Great for teams that learn from industry videos.
Read more → https://mylens.ai/youtube-to-timeline
3. MemoryPlugin
Gives your AI long-term memory so it remembers your preferences, business details, tone, and recurring tasks.
Why it matters: AI forgetting everything in each new chat wastes time. This solves that headache.
Read more → https://www.memoryplugin.com/
4. Group Chats in ChatGPT
Collaborate with team members and AI in one shared conversation.
Why it matters: Perfect for brainstorming, campaign planning, or training your team.
More info → https://openai.com/index/group-chats-in-chatgpt/
5. Scraib
An AI writing assistant for fast drafts, rewrites, and content cleanup in any application. No need to cut and paste into your “model” of choice.
Why it matters: Saves time by making any writing sound fantastic, no matter where your writing is taking place.
Read more → https://scraib.app/
6. Planndu
Turns scattered notes and ideas into structured tasks with AI to-dos, routines, and timers.
Why it matters: Helps small business owners stay organized and reduce overwhelm.
Read more → https://planndu.com/
7. Sendr
Boost your sales conversions with lip-synced personalized outreach videos at scale using automated scripts.
Why it matters: Increases response rates with outreach that feels human.
Read more → https://sendr.ai/
In the News
Here are today’s most important AI headlines for small business leaders.
1. Google’s New AI Shopping Upgrades for the Holidays
Google is rolling out a major set of AI-powered shopping upgrades ahead of the 2025 holiday season including conversational shopping in Search, a “Let Google Call” option for local store inventory, and even agentic checkout that can buy for you when the price drops.
Why it matters: For small retailers and ecommerce brands this changes the game—shoppers will expect easier searches, live stock checks, and faster buying without switching apps, so upgrading product listings, local inventory visibility and checkout flows becomes a must.
Read more → https://pulse2.com/
2. Google Announces $40B AI Infrastructure Investment in Texas
A multiyear plan to build AI data centers, training programs, and an Energy Impact Fund.
Why it matters: Cheaper, more reliable AI tools are coming as infrastructure scales.
Read more → https://www.forbes.com
3. Upwork Study: Human + AI Teams Perform Best
New research shows AI agents fail alone but excel when paired with humans.
Why it matters: The most productive small teams in 2025 will be “human-led, AI-amplified.”
Read more → https://www.upwork.com/
4. LinkedIn Adds AI-Powered Search
Search for people, skills, or insights without knowing exact names.
Why it matters: Makes hiring, networking, and prospecting dramatically easier.
Read more → https://news.linkedin.com/
5. Stanford’s 2025 AI Index Report Released
A comprehensive snapshot of AI’s impact on productivity, innovation, and labor.
Why it matters: Gives small teams confidence that adopting AI tools early leads to real, measurable results.
Read more → https://hai.stanford.edu/ai-index/2025-ai-index-report
Final Thought
Take one hour today to try one new tool above.
Small experiments lead to big wins — often faster than you think.
Stay curious, keep testing, and watch your business compound.
— Scott