local
Top developers are pivoting from chatbots to physical AI
By MATT O'BRIEN, Associated Press at Yourbasin / Big 2 KMID + Fox 24 KPEJ (Nexstar)
· June 25, 2026
· 1 min read
PROVIDENCE, R.I. (AP) — Computer scientist Louis Castricato was in his eighth year studying large language models — the artificial intelligence technology behind chatbots like ChatGPT and Claude — when he started to feel like he was hitting a dead end. “We basically have passed the point of doing...
Key takeaway “We basically have passed the point of doing real fundamental LLM research," Castricato said.
Why this matters in The Odessa
The concept of "physical AI" being explored by tech entrepreneurs has significant implications for the Odessa community, particularly in the context of the Permian Basin's thriving energy industry. As researchers like Louis Castricato shift their focus from large language models to more tangible applications, the potential for innovation in fields like robotics and automation becomes increasingly relevant to the local economy. With the basin's rich history of technological advancements in the oil and gas sector, it's likely that Odessa will play a key role in the development and implementation of physical AI solutions. The city's unique blend of industrial and technological expertise makes it an attractive location for entrepreneurs and researchers looking to bring their ideas to life, and it will be interesting to see how this emerging field takes shape in the region.
About this story
Original reporting by Yourbasin / Big 2 KMID + Fox 24 KPEJ (Nexstar) . The Odessa surfaces reporting from trusted publishers and adds local editorial context so readers can quickly understand what a story means for their community. We attribute every source, link to the original report, and follow a documented editorial standards policy. To understand how stories are selected and reviewed, read our about page .
For the complete original report, visit Yourbasin / Big 2 KMID + Fox 24 KPEJ (Nexstar) . Have a tip or correction? Contact our newsroom .
Category: local ·
Published: June 25, 2026 ·
Source: Yourbasin / Big 2 KMID + Fox 24 KPEJ (Nexstar) ·
Reading time: 1 min
Get more The Odessa stories like this
Free weekly briefing covering local and other local news. Curated by our editorial team. No spam.
By subscribing you agree to our privacy policy . Unsubscribe anytime.
Frequently asked about this story
What is this story about? PROVIDENCE, R.I. (AP) — Computer scientist Louis Castricato was in his eighth year studying large language models — the artificial intelligence technology behind chatbots like ChatGPT and Claude — when he started to feel like he was hitting a dead end. “We basically have passed the point of doing...
When was this published? This article was first published on June 25, 2026 by Yourbasin / Big 2 KMID + Fox 24 KPEJ (Nexstar) and curated for The Odessa readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by MATT O'BRIEN, Associated Press at Yourbasin / Big 2 KMID + Fox 24 KPEJ (Nexstar). To learn more about how The Odessa selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards .
Where can I find related coverage? See more local coverage from The Odessa, or browse our daily briefing and topic hubs .
← Back to all news
More local →
Today’s briefing
Subscribe to newsletter