OpenAI Gives Researchers Free Frontier AI, Google Lyria 3.5, DoorDash Air Drones & More

OpenAI has launched ChatGPT for Academic Researchers, offering scientists, mathematicians and engineers at selected institutions free access to its frontier models, starting with GPT-5.6 Sol Pro. The rollout begins with 10,000 researchers this summer, already live at institutions including the Institute for Advanced Study, with plans to expand to 100,000 by 2027. Each researcher can bring in up to four collaborators from their institution, and the workspace includes business-grade privacy, meaning none of the data trains OpenAI's models by default. It's part of a wider commitment exceeding $250 million through 2027, including the NextGenAI consortium. Nous Research has given Hermes Agent a wake word, allowing hands-free activation across the CLI, TUI, or desktop app. Saying the phrase opens a new session and starts listening automatically. Wake word detection runs entirely on-device and is off by default, so nothing is recorded or leaves the machine until the phrase has been spoken. Each profile can have its own wake phrase, letting users jump straight into a specific configured session rather than a generic one. Google DeepMind has rolled out Lyria 3.5, its newest music model, now powering Flow Music with improved vocals, richer arrangements, and proper BPM control. The vocals sound more expressive and dynamic, closer to an actual performance than a synthesised approximation, while arrangements flow more naturally rather than feeling stitched together. Users can also set tempo directly, giving more precise control over how closely the output follows creative direction. DoorDash has launched DoorDash Air, an in-house drone delivery programme, after securing FAA certification to operate commercial drone deliveries in the US. It's the eighth operator to receive this specific air carrier certification, which covers the aircraft's airworthiness, maintenance programme, and safety procedures. Rather than partnering with an established drone operator such as Wing or Zipline, DoorDash Labs — the company's robotics and autonomy team — built the programme in-house and is developing its own aircraft. No date has been confirmed for when the service will appear in the app, but the direction points towards fewer human drivers and more deliveries handled by machines.