This Week’s AI Showdown: DeepSeek, ChatGPT & the Future of Automation

Hey there, welcome to this week’s tech rollercoaster—where AI insights are as wild as my mom’s telenovelas!

This week, the tech world flipped the script: markets tumbled, presidential chats with AI execs went down, and chip prices danced a wild tango—all thanks to the debut of DeepSeek.

You might be thinking, “Really, another AI headline?” Well, I rolled up my sleeves, put DeepSeek and ChatGPT to the test, and I’ve got the unfiltered scoop. Let’s dive in!

Light Bulbs, Laughter, and a Bit of Mayhem

Imagine a row of 100 light bulbs, all off and waiting for their moment in the spotlight. That’s the challenge our two AI gladiators—DeepSeek’s R1 and OpenAI’s ChatGPT o1 (plus its flashier upgrade, ChatGPT Pro)—took on.

• DeepSeek:
  Went full professor mode. It displayed a full chain-of-thought—in a gray “thinking” window—detailing every single step (even if it took 45–60 seconds) before revealing the final answer.

• ChatGPT:
  Delivered its answer faster than a barista on a Monday morning. Although you can click to see a brief step-by-step process, it keeps most of its inner workings hidden, providing a quick, streamlined response.

Both models correctly identified the bulbs that remained on (the perfect squares: 1, 4, 9, 16, …, 100). Industry analysts are buzzing: DeepSeek’s detailed breakdown offers an educational peek into machine logic, while ChatGPT’s rapid-fire reply is ideal for everyday queries.

When Math Gets Creative (and a Little Bit Funky)

Next, we challenged them with a quirky animal-buying puzzle:
“Spend exactly $140 on four animals—a horse for $50, a chicken for $20, and a goat for $40. Which animals, and how many of each, did you buy?”

• DeepSeek:
  Took its time—around 76 seconds—to explore the possibilities and dazzled us by coming up with two valid combinations:

  • Two horses and two chickens, or

  • One chicken and three goats.
    Its detailed chain-of-thought revealed every calculation step, illustrating the model’s reasoning depth.

• ChatGPT:
  Offered a single solution—“buy one chicken and three goats”—delivering the answer swiftly (in roughly 10–17 seconds). It’s like that reliable friend who always comes through, but sometimes leaves you wishing for a bit more creative flair.

Multiple valid answers signal true reasoning depth; DeepSeek shows it isn’t merely regurgitating pre-trained responses but actively exploring possibilities.

Egg-Cellent Debates and the Case of the Missing Money

We then turned to two classic conundrums:

The Chicken-or-Egg Dilemma

Both models were asked: “Which came first, the chicken or the egg?”

• DeepSeek:
  Thought through every scenario and explained in detail that, scientifically, eggs existed long before what we classify as chickens. Its explanation, though taking longer, was rich with context—concluding that the egg came first.

• ChatGPT:
  Provided a succinct answer: “The egg came first,” summarizing the reasoning quickly and directly.

Fast Answers vs. Detailed Journeys: What’s Your Style?

These tests highlight two distinct approaches:

• ChatGPT is like that speedy friend who delivers answers at lightning speed with minimal fuss.

• DeepSeek is the patient mentor, offering a thorough, step-by-step journey through its reasoning process—even if it means waiting a bit longer.

Both methods have their merits. If you need quick results, ChatGPT’s efficiency is hard to beat. But if you crave a deeper understanding and a detailed roadmap, DeepSeek’s methodical approach is ideal. Tech influencers agree: the right tool depends on your immediate needs and long-term learning style

Privacy, Politics, and a Dash of Pandemonium

Beyond puzzles and comparisons, the tech drama is real. Chip prices are shifting, market jitters are spreading, and the high-stakes conversations between presidents and AI companies continue. In the midst of it all, DeepSeek is boldly stepping into the limelight.

Let’s talk privacy. With the recent U.S. ban on Chinese—and operated—TikTok, tensions are sky-high. Here’s the kicker:

• DeepSeek stores data in China—imagine your diary kept in a very public library.

• ChatGPT offers more control over your data, especially on its paid plans—like choosing between a cozy neighborhood café and a high-end international chain. Your comfort and privacy come first.

Hope that gives you plenty to chew on—but we’re not done yet. Scroll down for some more action-packed MarTech news!

–Nuno

Automating Client Contracts and Invoices Like a Pro in HighLevel

Let’s shift gears to automation. Imagine automating your entire contract and invoicing process inside HighLevel, so you get paid faster, onboard clients seamlessly, and free up your time for, say, finally getting through that Netflix backlog.

This workflow is perfect for agencies, coaches, and service-based businesses that work with standardized contracts and invoices. The goal? To move a client effortlessly from “yes” to full onboarding.

Here’s the Game Plan:

1. Pipeline Setup
   Create a Contract Pipeline with stages like:

   • New Lead

   • Appointment Booked

   • Send Contract (tailored for services like Ads Management, Website Build, Coaching, etc.)

   • Send Invoice (post-contract signature)

   • Onboarding (once payment is made)

   • Offboarding (when the contract ends)
     This structured process ensures every client moves smoothly through your system.

2. Prepping the Contracts & Invoices

   • Develop templated contracts and invoices (e.g., one for “Website Build” and another for “Ads Management”).

   • This is key—manual creation every time just won’t cut it.

3. Automating the Workflow

   • Once a client hits the “Send Contract” stage, the system automatically sends the right contract.

   • After they sign, the invoice goes out automatically—no manual intervention needed.

   • Upon payment, they move into onboarding with welcome emails and next steps.

4. Adding Smart Tagging & Tracking

   • The system applies tags (like "Contract Signed: Website Build") to track client progress.

   • This ensures smooth transitions and keeps everything organized.

5. Handling Offboarding Like a Pro

   • Once a contract is complete, clients shift to an offboarding workflow:

     • Remove all service-related tags.

     • Send a polite offboarding email (perhaps even request a review).

     • Follow up 30 days later to keep the relationship warm.

Why This Matters:

• ✅ No more chasing signatures or payments.

• ✅ Smooth onboarding without lifting a finger.

• ✅ More time to focus on growth rather than admin work.

💡 Pro Tip: Keep your naming conventions consistent (e.g., “Contract: Website Build” and “Invoice: Website Build”) to make automations easier to manage.

Setting up this automation in HighLevel isn’t just about saving time—it creates a frictionless experience for both you and your clients. With everything on autopilot, you get to focus on what really matters: growing your business, serving your clients, or even enjoying that extra coffee break. Now that’s a win. 🚀

Setting Up Your GoHighLevel SaaS Like a Pro Part 2!

If you’re serious about running a SaaS business with HighLevel, you need a properly configured sub-account to keep things running smoothly. This isn’t just about organization—it’s about creating a seamless system for onboarding clients, managing payments, and running your operations from one dashboard.

In Part 1, we set up the agency backend and enabled the SaaS Configurator (that’s why you’re on the $497 HighLevel plan). Now, let’s build the sub-account where the client-facing magic happens.

Let’s Break It Down:

1. Creating the Sub-Account (The Right Way)

   • Head to your Agency Dashboard → Sub Accounts.

   • Click Create Sub Account (build from scratch rather than a template).

   • Pro Tip: A sub-account is your operational hub—it’s where you manage client interactions, process payments, and even build a membership area if needed.

   • When setting it up:

     • ✅ Enter a name (e.g., Architects CRM).

     • ✅ Use a placeholder address (update with your real details later).

     • ✅ Set your time zone (trust me, this matters).

2. Essential Business Profile Settings

   • Once created, go to Settings → Business Profile and:

     • ✔️ Set your legal business name (make sure it matches your registration docs).

     • ✔️ Add your business email & phone number.

     • ✔️ Decide if you’ll use a branded domain (recommended for credibility).

   • 💡 Pro Tip: For multiple sub-accounts, consider using different branded domains (e.g., link.youragency.com for the main agency and links.yourcrm.com for the sub-account).

3. Setting Up Compliance & Messaging Rules

   • If you’re using SMS marketing, A2P 10DLC registration is a must:

     • 🚨 Ensure your legal business address matches state records to avoid blocked messages.

     • 🚨 Consider forming an LLC instead of operating as a sole proprietor.

   • In Settings → Communication:

     • ✅ Enable SMS compliance (automatic opt-outs, proper sender info, etc.).

     • ✅ Activate email compliance (unsubscribe links to prevent spam complaints).

     • ✅ Decide on email verification for first-time sends (there may be a small cost).

   • 🔑 Why This Matters:
     Carriers are cracking down on spam—doing it right from the start saves future headaches.

4. Payments & Integrations

   • Go to Integrations → Payments and connect the same Stripe account you use in your agency plan.

   • If you use NMI or Authorize.net, ensure it’s the same account.

   • Next, head to the SaaS Configurator:

     • Match your sub-account plan with your Stripe pricing ID.

     • Import the monthly & yearly plans from Stripe.

     • Double-check that the plan is labeled as an “Agency Plan” (or auto-creation won’t work).

   • 💡 Pro Tip: If you’re just starting out, consider waiving setup fees temporarily to encourage signups.

5. Email Configuration for Your Sub-Account

   • Your sub-account should have its own email service (separate from the agency).

   • Go to Settings → Email Services:

     • Add a domain-specific email (e.g., [email protected]).

     • Verify DNS records in Cloudflare.

     • Set up DMARC, DKIM, and SPF records for better deliverability.

   • 💡 Pro Tip: If records are unverified, keep refreshing until they turn green.

6. Adding Your Team to the Sub-Account

   • Open a duplicate tab in HighLevel.

   • Go to Settings → Team and assign your team members to the new sub-account.

   • They’ll be able to:

     • ✅ View & manage clients.

     • ✅ Handle onboarding calls.

     • ✅ Assign tasks and respond to emails.

7. Setting Up Your Business Phone System

   • Under Settings → Phone Numbers:

     • Register for A2P 10DLC.

     • Set up call forwarding & voicemail.

     • Upload a custom voicemail greeting (free tools like online-voice-recorder.com can help).

8. Final Steps Before You Build Automations

   • At this point, you now have:

     • ✅ A fully set up sub-account.

     • ✅ Correct business & compliance settings.

     • ✅ Integrated payments, email, and phone.

     • ✅ A team ready to manage clients.

   • Next steps include:

     • Building automations, pipelines, and workflows.

     • Creating funnels and lead capture systems.

     • Setting up CRM components.

Setting up your HighLevel sub-account correctly from the start saves you from a ton of headaches down the road. It ensures smooth client onboarding, clean compliance, and a streamlined business process. And let’s be honest—once everything’s in place, you won’t have to worry about broken automations or rejected SMS campaigns.

So take the time to do it right. Your future self will thank you. 🚀

Alright, that’s the backend of your sub-account sorted. Ready for the next step? Let’s dive into the automations, funnels, and workflows that will turn this into a profit-generating machine.

AI is Moving Faster Than Ever—Here’s What You Need to Know

If you blinked this past week, you probably missed at least 10 major AI updates. It feels like 2025 kicked off at double speed, and the AI world is scrambling to keep up.

The biggest story?
DeepSeek R1—a new AI model out of China—shook the market so hard that people started panic-selling Nvidia stock. But that’s just the tip of the iceberg. Let’s break it down.

1. The DeepSeek R1 Controversy (And Why It Matters)

DeepSeek R1, a fine-tuned version of DeepSeek V3, is a serious competitor to OpenAI’s GPT-4o—and it was supposedly trained for a fraction of the cost.

• The catch:

  • DeepSeek R1 still runs on Nvidia GPUs, so Nvidia isn’t going anywhere.

  • The real training cost might be higher than claimed (rumor has it they piggybacked on OpenAI models).

  • The White House is investigating DeepSeek for potential intellectual property theft.

DeepSeek is impressive, but controversy surrounds it. In any case, increased competition in AI is a win for us.

2. The AI Arms Race: Microsoft, OpenAI, and Google React

When DeepSeek R1 dropped, the giants responded quickly:

• ChatGPT: Added a “Think” button for a reasoning mode similar to R1.

• Microsoft: Introduced a “Think Deeper” feature to Copilot.

• Google: Upgraded Gemini to 2.0 Flash, their fastest model yet.

• Elon’s Grok 3: Rumored to be launching soon, already spotted in action.

AI models are learning to explain their reasoning, which makes them more useful for decision-making, marketing, and creative work.

3. AI-Powered Video and Image Generation Just Leveled Up

The race for AI-generated content is heating up:

• Pika Labs 2.1: Generates sharper details, 1080p resolution, and faster rendering.

• DeepSeek Janus Pro 7B: Outperforms OpenAI’s DALL·E 3 and Stable Diffusion.

• Luma AI: Upscales videos to 4K, making content sharper than ever.

• Cray AI: Ensures character consistency across different scenes.

Marketing teams can now generate high-quality ads, product videos, and branded content at a fraction of traditional costs.

4. AI That Thinks and Acts For You

AI is evolving from a simple chatbot to a full-fledged assistant that can take action:

• Google’s “Ask for Me”: Lets AI call businesses, book appointments, and fetch pricing info.

• Quinn 2.5 VL 72B: A Chinese model that claims to control your PC and phone—similar to OpenAI’s “Operator.”

• Block’s AI Agent “Goose”: Automates coding and project management tasks.

This shift toward AI agents will make automation even more powerful in business and marketing.

5. AI Music and Copyright Battles

AI-generated music is improving, but copyright laws are tightening:

• Tools like Fuzz and Suno now offer high-quality AI tracks for free.

• The US Copyright Office clarified that:

  • A text-prompt alone isn’t copyrightable.

  • If AI assists in a larger creative process, the final product can be copyrighted.

Creators who integrate AI into a larger workflow still own their work, while standalone AI-generated content isn’t protected.

6. AI Models Are Becoming Faster and More Efficient

New models are emerging with lower compute requirements yet high performance:

• Mistal Small 3: An open-source model optimized for efficiency.

• Alibaba’s Quinn 2.5 Max: Claims to exceed DeepSeek V3’s efficiency and outperforms top models on several benchmarks.

These advancements make AI more accessible and quicker on local devices, reducing reliance on cloud-based models.

7. AI Video and Film Production Is Here

Storyboarding and concept visualization are getting an AI upgrade:

• Nvidia AI: Now lets users generate rough video drafts complete with visuals, sound effects, and dialogue.

• Pika Labs 2.1 and Luma AI: Allow real-time script editing using natural language prompts.

Marketers and content creators can pitch ideas and generate rough drafts before committing to full-scale production.

8. AI Agents for Productivity Are Gaining Traction

AI assistants that do more than chat are on the rise:

• Google’s new AI tool: Can handle customer inquiries and pricing requests via phone.

• Other new models: Automate tasks like form filling and device control, enhancing customer service, lead generation, and workflow automation.

9. OpenAI is Releasing New Models at a Rapid Pace

OpenAI is gearing up for a major release cycle:

• The 03 Mini model is launching soon, promising better reasoning and faster responses.

• A new government-only version of ChatGPT (ChatGPT Gov) has been introduced with heightened security.

• OpenAI signed an agreement with US National Laboratories to explore AI’s role in national security, energy, and cybersecurity.

This positions OpenAI as a critical provider for both business and government.

10. AI is Pushing the Boundaries of Automation and Autonomy

Self-driving cars, automated assistants, and smart agents are becoming more common:

• Tesla’s autonomous ride-sharing: Reportedly launching in June (pending Elon Musk’s timeline).

• Fully self-driving Teslas can now move from the factory to the loading dock without human intervention.

• AI-powered taxis are rolling out in ten new cities, including Las Vegas and San Diego.

As AI automation improves, businesses will find innovative ways to cut human labor costs while boosting efficiency.

How to Take Advantage of AI Right Now

Want to leverage AI in your business or marketing? Here’s where to start:

• Test AI video generation tools like Pika Labs, Runway, and Luma AI for social media content.

• Use AI image models to create branded visuals more efficiently.

• Explore AI music generation for background scores in your video marketing.

• Try reasoning AI (like ChatGPT’s new “Think” mode) for brainstorming and strategic planning.

What’s Next? AI is Only Getting Faster

AI isn’t just improving—it’s accelerating. DeepSeek R1 has pushed the industry forward, forcing major players to react quickly. With more AI-powered automation, smarter reasoning models, and advanced video/image generation, we’re heading toward a world where AI isn’t just a tool—it’s a full-fledged assistant working alongside you.

If you’re not keeping up, you’re falling behind. But if you’re here, reading this, you’re already ahead of the curve.

That’s your AI roundup for the week—now, let’s check out some cool tech finds. What futuristic tools have we spotted online this time? Keep reading!

Meet Your New AI Assistant: Operator is Here to Do the Work for You

You know that feeling when you discover something so futuristic it makes you question if we’re living in a sci-fi movie? Well, OpenAI just launched Operator, and it’s giving us a glimpse into a world where AI doesn’t just answer questions—it does the work for you.

That’s right. We’re talking fully automated AI agents that can:

• Book reservations.

• Shop for groceries.

• Buy event tickets.

• And—if they keep improving—probably even file your taxes someday (please, OpenAI, make that happen).

Why Operator and AI Agents Are a Big Deal:

• Hands-Free Action:
  Instead of just giving recommendations, Operator opens browsers, clicks buttons, types text, and completes tasks.

• No Special API Needed:
  It uses the internet like a human—clicking, scrolling, and filling out forms without needing platform-specific integrations.

• Multi-Tasking:
  Imagine ordering groceries, booking flights, and scheduling a house cleaner—all while you relax and binge-watch Netflix.

• Customizable Behavior:
  Fine-tune it with custom instructions about where you live, your favorite brands, and more.

• Built-In Safeguards:
  The system asks for confirmation before major actions, so you won’t wake up to 100 pizzas on your doorstep.

But, It’s Still a Work in Progress:

• It sometimes makes mistakes—yes, even embarrassing ones.

• Currently, it only works in a browser (so no editing documents on your computer just yet).

• It’s available only for Pro users in the U.S. (but more countries and an API rollout are on the horizon).

What This Means for You:
This is AI automation in its infancy—but it’s a massive leap forward. If you’re running a business, marketing agency, or simply hate mundane tasks, get ready: soon, you’ll have an AI assistant doing the work for you, not just offering advice. In a year, we might see AI handling everything from inbox management to trip planning—while you just review the results.

That’s it for this week’s “Cool Sh*t We Found on the Internet.” Now, if someone could build an AI that does laundry, we’d really be living in the future.

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