OpenAI’s Next Chapter, GPT-4.1 for Coders & 2025 Internships
Hello UCR tech enthusiasts, this week we’re excited to present you with opportunities you can’t miss + need to know AI updates.
OpenAI plans to phase out GPT-4.5
This article explains that OpenAI will phase out GPT-4.5 from its API by July 14, just months after its February release. Developers will need to migrate to GPT-4.1, which offers similar or improved performance at a lower cost. GPT-4.5 was the largest model OpenAI had released, boasting enhancements in writing and persuasiveness, but it failed to reach frontier benchmarks and proved costly to operate. It will remain available in ChatGPT for paying users. OpenAI cites its shift in focus to future models as the reason for the phase-out.
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OpenAI’s new GPT-4.1 AI models focus on coding
OpenAI has recently released GPT- 4.1, a new family of AI models which is optimized specifically to help with coding tasks and is better at following instructions given by the user. These models are capable enough to deal with about 750,000 words at a time. This release is one step closer to achieving a model that can create apps with features such as quality assurance, documentation, and debugging code. GPT- 4.1 performs well when analyzing videos, scoring 72% on long videos that do not have subtitles. It also exceeds the coding benchmarks for GPT- 4.0 but is not as good as Google's Gemini 2.5 Pro and Anthropic's Claude 3.7 Sonnet. While there are a lot of improvements made in GPT- 4.1, the same issue remains where the model's reliability decreases as the input size increases.
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Summer 2025 Internships
Apply for Machine Learning Platform Engineering Intern @ Curve Biosciences; Location: San Mateo, USA
Apply for Data Science Intern @ Juniper Networks; Location: Cupertino, CA
Apply for Personal Systems AI/Machine Learning Intern @ HP; Location: Palo Alto, CA
Apply for Internship, Data Engineer, Fleet Analytics @ Tesla; Location: Palo Alto, CA
Apply for Machine Learning Intern @ Tower Research Capital; Location: New York, US
UCR Job & Research Opportunities
ITS Helpdesk Student Assistant
Compensation: $19/hour
Description:
This part-time, on-campus position supports UCR’s Information Technology Solutions (ITS) Tier 1 Helpdesk team. Student assistants will assist faculty, staff, and students via phone and email, providing technical support and logging service requests using the ServiceNow ticketing system. The role emphasizes professional communication, punctuality, and basic technical troubleshooting. Opportunities may extend beyond core hours after training.
Requirements:
Education: Open to freshman, sophomore, or junior-level students currently enrolled at UCR.
Skills:
Proficiency with Windows and Mac operating systems
Familiarity with MS Office 365, Google Apps, and common UCR platforms (iLearn, MyUCR, MyAccount, etc.)
Ability to assist with issues like wireless connectivity, account/password problems, and software troubleshooting
Attributes:
Strong customer service and communication skills (email and phone)
Dependability, attention to detail, and ability to work independently
Adaptability, willingness to learn, and professional phone etiquette
Experience:
Preferred: Medium-level troubleshooting experience, familiarity with UCR campus systems, and leadership in academic or extracurricular activities
ITS Student Lab Consultants
Compensation: $19/hr
Description:
This part-time, on-campus role involves providing professional, in-person technical assistance at various UCR computer labs and helpdesks, including support for services like WEPA print kiosks, Loan2Learn, and Laptop Anytime. Consultants are expected to assist students, staff, and faculty with general tech-related issues and uphold lab policies. Flexible shifts are available throughout the week, including evenings and weekends.
Requirements:
Education: Open to freshman, sophomore, or junior-level UCR students.
Skills:
Basic understanding of computer systems and peripherals
Familiarity with Windows and Mac OS preferred
Ability to assist with WEPA printing, student loaner tech programs, and basic troubleshooting
Attributes:
Quick learner with strong adaptability
Team-oriented and dependable
Strong communication and customer service skills
Experience:
Customer service background and advanced hardware knowledge are a plus
Prior exposure to UCR ITS student services is preferred
UCR jobs are exclusively on Handshake and must be applied for through there.