Hey there!
Duru here from Novus, excited to share the highlights from our February AI newsletter. As 2025 kicks off, the world of artificial intelligence shows no signs of slowing down—in fact, it’s getting even more dynamic and unpredictable.
This month’s newsletter is packed with major AI breakthroughs, policy moves, and a very special milestone for us here at Novus. Below, I’ve rounded up the key stories and updates to keep you informed and inspired.
If you’re looking to stay in the loop on AI developments, don’t forget to subscribe to our bi-weekly newsletter for the latest news and exclusive insights—delivered straight to your inbox.
Now, let’s dive in!
AI NEWS
DeepSeek AI Surges Ahead
DeepSeek AI has overtaken ChatGPT as the most downloaded free app on the Apple App Store, signaling a major shift in the global AI landscape.
- Key Point: DeepSeek’s R1 model uses just 2,000 Nvidia chips while delivering performance rivaling larger models—efficient, affordable, and powerful.
- Further Reading: DeepSeek surpasses ChatGPT
President Trump Announces $500 Billion AI Initiative
President Trump revealed the Stargate project, a $500 billion AI infrastructure plan, partnering with OpenAI, Oracle, and SoftBank to propel U.S. AI leadership.
- Key Point: Stargate is set to expand U.S. dominance in AI while raising concerns about data security and economic concentration.
- Further Reading: Trump's AI investment
Celebrating Dot Day: Novus' Innovative Launch
On February 14, Novus officially launched Dot, featuring demos by Egehan and Vorga, tech insights from CTO Bedirhan, and a panel with Forbes and Zorlu Holding leaders.
- Key Point: Dot Day marked the debut of Novus' all-in-one AI platform, offering real-world applications and forward-looking discussions on digital transformation.
- Further Reading: Learn more about Dot
OpenAI Declines Musk's $97.4 Billion Offer
OpenAI CEO Sam Altman turned down Elon Musk’s $97.4 billion acquisition offer, reaffirming OpenAI’s mission-driven focus at the AI Action Summit.
- Key Point: OpenAI's refusal underscores a commitment to ethical AI development over profit, despite mounting commercial pressures.
- Further Reading: OpenAI rejects Musk's bid
Novus Updates
Engaging the Ecosystem
February has been all about connection and collaboration. While we were preparing for Dot Day, the Novus team stayed active in the broader tech community.
Vorga, our Co-Founder and CRO, was featured on the popular YouTube channel Yeni Nesil Kafası, joining a conversation about solving inefficiencies in the startup ecosystem. It was a great opportunity to share Novus' approach to building sustainable AI products and fostering industry innovation.
Meanwhile, our new Head of AI, Halit, presented our FinGenius AI solution at İş Bankası’s AI Factory fintech-themed event. His session demonstrated how FinGenius can streamline complex financial operations—a big step towards making advanced AI more accessible for the finance sector.
Welcoming New Talents to Novus
We’re excited to introduce two fantastic new members to our growing Novus team!
- Hüseyin Umut Dokuzelma - Product Manager
- Umut brings deep expertise in product development and strategy. He’s already making an impact by focusing on enhancing user experience and helping us scale Dot and our other AI solutions.
- Rehşan Yılmaz - Senior Machine Learning Engineer
- Rehşan joins our AI team with a passion for building intelligent systems. Her machine learning skills are already pushing the boundaries of what’s possible with Novus technology.
As our team grows, so does our commitment to delivering transformative AI solutions. We’re thrilled to have Umut and Rehşan on board as we continue this journey.
Educational Insights from Duru’s AI Learning Journey
Each month, I share reflections from my personal learning journey in AI—highlighting how new trends and technologies are reshaping the way we work and live. Whether it’s industry insights or lessons from our own experiences at Novus, these takeaways are all about making sense of AI’s rapid evolution.
How AI Tools Are Changing the Way We Use Mobile Apps
AI is reshaping how we interact with mobile devices. Gartner predicts a 25% decline in app usage by 2027 as AI-powered assistants like Apple Intelligence, ChatGPT, and Google Gemini handle tasks across platforms—reducing the need for separate apps. This shift encourages businesses to rethink their strategies, focusing on AI-driven experiences rather than standalone applications.
📖 Further reading: Gartner’s mobile app prediction
AI Won’t Replace You, But Someone Using AI Might
At our Dot Launch event, a key takeaway was the importance of working with AI. Professionals can stay relevant by evolving into strategic thinkers, cultivating AI literacy, committing to continuous learning, and strengthening interpersonal skills. AI can handle repetitive tasks, but critical thinking, creativity, and emotional intelligence are uniquely human strengths that remain irreplaceable.
📖 Further reading: World Economic Forum on AI and future jobs
Looking Forward
February was a milestone month for us at Novus—and it’s just the beginning! We’re eager to continue the conversation and keep you updated on everything we’re building with Dot and beyond.
Want to stay in the loop? Subscribe to our newsletter for firsthand insights and updates from our team.
