New AI Assistant Can Write Long Business Plans For You

Imagine having a virtual assistant capable of diving deep into a topic and emerging eight hours later with a comprehensive, 100-page report. That's essentially what a new AI tool from Sakana AI, called Sakana Marlin, is designed to do.

This isn't just another chatbot summarising information. Sakana Marlin is an “autonomous deep research agent” – that's software that can think and work on its own for extended periods, conducting research and compiling detailed reports without you constantly guiding it. The idea is that it acts like a dedicated researcher or even a 'virtual Chief Strategy Officer' for your business, tackling complex strategic planning tasks that usually take weeks, not hours.

For a small business owner here in Australia, this could be a game-changer. Think about the time saved on market research, competitor analysis, or drafting business proposals. Instead of spending countless hours poring over data, an AI could gather and synthesise it for you, giving you a strong first draft or a detailed background document to work from. This frees you up to focus on what you do best – running your business.

However, it's not a magic bullet. The creators themselves warn that while it's incredibly efficient, there's a risk of significant errors without human oversight. Just like delegating to a junior staff member, you’d still need to check the work, apply your unique local knowledge, and ensure the information is accurate and relevant to your specific situation.

Ultimately, tools like Sakana Marlin highlight a growing trend: AI moving from simple chat tasks to more complex, multi-stage projects. This development could transform how Australian businesses approach planning and research, making sophisticated analysis more accessible even for those without a large in-house team.