Welcome Back Everyone! It’s Friday, Aug 1st. (& I’m exciteddd)

Do You Know?

NotebookLM rolls out video overviews

Google’s note-taking assistant can now auto-generate short explainer videos from PDFs, white papers and slide decks. The clip includes key points, motion graphics and a voice-over, then embeds back into the notebook for sharing.

Executives can watch a two-minute video instead of skimming a fifty-page brief. Use it on your next board pack to speed review cycles and free senior time for decision-making.

On that note, Here is today’s menu:

1. AI Spotlight: GPT-5 and The EU AI Act Explained 🤯

2. Tool Talk: Manus AI Agent 🪄

3. Prompting Curiosity: Engage Followers with “This or That” Stories 📝

GPT-5 and The EU AI Act Explained 🤯

Link: OpenAI prepares to launch GPT-5 in August | By Tom Warren | The Verge​

Why it matters:
​In February of this year, Sam Altman shared details on X about OpenAI's plans for GPT-5, and in the months since then, the world has been waiting impatiently, theorizing about the final product, and wondering when they'll get their hands on it.

The only morsel of information we've had to accurately predict GPT-5's release was Altman's vague timeline of "a summer release".

Well, as you may have noticed, we don't have much summer left in the year, and GPT-5 is still nowhere to be seen.

So when is GPT-5 coming?

Depending on when you read this, it may be out already, because one major sign points toward OpenAI releasing GPT-5 before August 2nd: The EU AI Act.

If you're not familiar with The EU AI Act, it's a European Union regulation that aims to establish a legal framework for the development, deployment, and use of artificial intelligence systems within the EU. The overarching goal is to ensure AI systems are safe and respect fundamental rights, but many have criticized it for being too strict, limiting growth and stifling innovation.

Whether you're a fan of The EU AI Act or not, the fact of the matter is that the EU AI Act's core provisions come into effect on August 2nd. Among these are strict requirements for general-purpose AI models such as transparency, human oversight, and disclosure of system details.

Critically, the August 2nd rules are not retroactive. If a model hits the EU market before August 2nd, it gets a grace period.

Essentially, if you're a company creating a general-purpose AI system (like ChatGPT, Gemini, Claude...all the most popular AI tools), you're going to have to follow a new set of rules if your model is released to the public on or after August 2nd.

That explains why this summer for AI has felt significantly busier than the past couple of summers; companies like Google and OpenAI are desperate to release everything they can before that August 2nd deadline.

So due to the EU AI Act, it's very likely OpenAI will release GPT-5 in the next couple of days.

Tool Talk: Opal with Google 🪄

Use Case: Create & Share Google AI-Enabled Apps

Link: Opal with Google (Free, Not Sponsored!)​

Why you should care:
​Google just released an experimental, no-code platform called Opal that lets you create, edit, and share AI-powered apps.

Opal has a built-in Gemini assistant, so you can build using natural language, but if you need to manually edit something or see what's going on under the hood, you can at any time ignore the AI assistant and instead use the node-based workflow management.

Think of Opal as Google's take on Claude's popular "Build Claude-Powered Artifacts" but taken up a notch by adding Google's top-tier AI models like Veo for video, Imagen for images, and Lyria for audio.

In short, Opal is worth your attention.

Here's how to start using Opal with Google today:

1. Go to Opal using the link above.

2. Log in with a Google account.

3. Select a Template from the Opal gallery and hit "Remix" to make it your own.

4. Explore the Editor interface to familiarize yourself with what a finished Opal app looks like and get some inspiration on what you may want to create.

5. Return to Opal's main page and select "Create New" to begin building your own app from scratch.

6. Use natural language prompting to have Opal set up your new app.

From this point, you're on your own! You can try editing your app using natural language, uploading your own assets to use in the app, and when you're done, you can use the "Share App" button at the top right of the page to make it sharable.

And Opal is capable of doing a lot more than we could fit into this short section. Go explore this awesome platform while it's still completely free to use!

Prompting Curiosity: Judgement Free Processing 📝

Prompt Formula:
​I have something I need to get off my chest, and I need help processing it. Don't just validate my thought, and don't just dismiss it. Help me reflect on it. Sound good?

Quick Description:
​This prompt turns ChatGPT into a balanced sounding board that is perfect for untangling emotions or dilemmas. For maximum impact, pop on voice mode in the ChatGPT mobile app, put in your earbuds, and head out for a long walk. (Talking aloud keeps the conversation flowing naturally, and the change of scenery can help you think clearly.)

How to Use:

1. Copy the above prompt.

2. Send it to ChatGPT.

3. Turn on Voice Mode once ChatGPT confirms that it understands what you want.

4. Vent about whatever is troubling you!

Try using this prompt the next time a friend or therapist isn’t immediately available, but you still need a judgment-free space to process.

Resource of the Week 🔥

📓 The Viral Image Prompt Playbook (500+)

Tired of guessing the right prompt for thumbnails, posters, covers or reel visuals?
I just dropped a Notion template with 500+ hand-curated ChatGPT image prompts — the same ones I’ve used to generate scroll-stopping content.

⚡️ Sorted by style, emotion, and purpose
⚡️ Plug & play format — no tweaking needed
⚡️ Works with ChatGPT, DALLE, Midjourney, Sora, Veo 3 & more

That's all for this week folks…

What did you think of today's email?
Your feedback helps me create better emails for you! 😃

Stay Curious, Hustlers!

See you next Friday.
Much Love, Vasu