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- Sam Altman Asks For $7 Trillion ❗
Sam Altman Asks For $7 Trillion ❗
💵 Sam Altman is seeking $7 Trillion from VC, what for?
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In Today’s Edition
💵 Sam Altman Wants $7 Trillion!
🛑 China Builds AI Child
🛰️ Military AI That Monitors Earth
👓 Vision Pro Goes Wild
AI
Sam Altman Wants $7 Trillion
Sam Altman, OpenAI's leader, is planning a large-scale AI chip venture, estimated to cost up to $7 trillion, involving discussions with Middle Eastern investors and chip manufacturers. This initiative aims to meet the growing global demand for AI-capable semiconductors, expected to yield $1 trillion in annual sales by 2030.
Despite challenges in the semiconductor industry, such as production issues and labor shortages, Altman is exploring options to integrate AI chip production within OpenAI.
BlackSky: Using AI to Monitor Earth
BlackSky Technology Inc. has reached the final phase of the IARPA's SMART program, demonstrating its prowess in adapting broad area search technologies for U.S. government use.
As a leading entity in geospatial intelligence with a network of small satellites, BlackSky specializes in Earth observation. Their role in the SMART program underscores the U.S. government's commitment to incorporating AI and machine learning into national security and intelligence efforts.
BlackSky's AI tools, designed for extensive land analysis, now enable the monitoring of over 20% of the Earth's surface each month, detecting significant changes across various locations.
China Builds AI Child
Chinese scientists from BIGAI have introduced Tong Tong, the world's first AI "child," marking a significant step towards artificial general intelligence (AGI).
Tong Tong, displayed in Beijing, behaves like a 3-4 year-old child and can autonomously perform tasks and respond to human intentions. This AGI agent is designed for autonomous perception, cognition, decision-making, learning, execution, and social collaboration, with alignment to human emotions, ethics, and morals.
Unlike single-task AIs like OpenAI's ChatGPT or Google's Bard, Tong Tong can independently assign tasks, exhibit emotions, and demonstrate intellect, representing a shift from simple imitation to independent reasoning and intelligence.
BIGAI has also introduced the Tong test to evaluate AGI, assessing capabilities across vision, language, cognition, motion, and learning with a focus on practical abilities and values for integration into human environments.
Google Introduces Advanced AI
Google has rebranded its AI division, introducing Gemini to replace Google Bard and launching an advanced model, Gemini Ultra. Available in a new $20 Google One tier, Gemini Ultra offers enhanced AI capabilities along with 2TB of storage and other premium features.
The service will initially be available in English in over 150 countries, with plans to add more languages. Gemini will also be integrated into both Android and iOS platforms.
This is a strategic shift in Google's AI approach, targeting a wider user base and providing advanced tools for developers and businesses. Existing Google One users can upgrade to this new AI-focused tier and receive a two-month free trial.
Tech
Vision Pro Goes Wild
The Apple Vision Pro headset, priced at $3,500, is a groundbreaking device blending digital and physical worlds for an innovative spatial computing experience. Despite its high cost and bulky design, it's attracting attention for its potential to revolutionize technology interaction.
Social media influencer Casey Neistat notably tested it in New York City, highlighting its pros and cons, including battery, privacy, and safety issues. His experience in Times Square was particularly immersive, suggesting the device's role as a cutting-edge computing interface.
The product's debut has sparked widespread social media buzz, with users sharing diverse experiences, from elderly people to commuters, showing its versatility and transformative potential.
Meet Starship Technologies
Starship Technologies, an Estonian delivery robotics company, has recently raised $90 million, bringing its total funding to $230 million. The investment, co-led by Plural and Iconical, will be used for geographic expansion and improving robotics and software.
The company's robots, on the brink of full autonomy, have made 6 million deliveries over 11 million miles in the U.S. and Europe. Under the leadership of reinstated CEO Heinla, Starship is focusing more on Europe, differentiating itself in the competitive delivery robot market.
Despite challenges faced by giants like Amazon and FedEx, Starship's profitability and community-friendly robots position it strongly in the evolving autonomous delivery sector.
CERN Test Dog Robot
The CERNquadbot, a novel four-legged robot, has successfully undergone its first radiation test at CERN, marking a significant advancement in the exploration of complex environments. This robot, developed in CERN's specialized robotics facility, excels in stability and maneuverability, surpassing previous models.
It is particularly adept at navigating challenging terrains like the ALICE detector caverns and can detect environmental hazards, enhancing safety and efficiency in operations. The CERNquadbot complements other CERN robots, such as the Train Inspection Monorail, by accessing areas previously unreachable, thereby enhancing the overall exploration capabilities at CERN.
Money Matters
Ambience Healthcare Raises $70M
Ambience Healthcare, an AI-healthcare startup, has secured $70 million in Series B funding, bringing its total funding to $100 million. Co-founded by Michael Ng and Nikhil Buduma, the company targets easing clinicians' administrative workload in U.S. outpatient specialties.
Key clients include major healthcare organizations. This funding round was co-led by Kleiner Perkins and OpenAI's Startup Fund. Ambience offers solutions like note-taking, coding, and documentation tools, possibly utilizing advanced AI models through its partnership with OpenAI.
Entrust Acquiring Onfido AI For $400M+
Entrust, a company specializing in certification and verification services, is in the process of acquiring Onfido, a London-based AI identity verification startup, in a deal valued at over $400 million. This acquisition, still pending regulatory approval, aims to enhance identity security by integrating Onfido's AI and machine learning technologies into Entrust's services.
Onfido, established in 2012, gained prominence during the AI boom and the COVID-19 pandemic, while Entrust has roots dating back to 1969. This move signifies a strategic step for Entrust in strengthening its identity lifecycle management capabilities and reflects the broader industry trend towards consolidation and the increasing importance of digital identity verification and security.
Xensam AI Raises $40M
Xensam, an AI-based software asset management startup based in Stockholm, recently secured $40 million in its inaugural external funding round led by Expedition Growth Capital. Co-founders Oskar and Gustav Fösker plan to use these funds for advancing their AI technology, expanding their team, and breaking into the U.S. market.
While the company's valuation remains undisclosed, Xensam boasts 200 clients, including well-known entities like Volvo's Polestar and Northvolt, and is experiencing substantial annual revenue growth. Standing out in the competitive software management field, Xensam offers unique AI tools for tracking and analyzing organizational software use.