AI Romance
Happy Monday! ?
Swipe right on the future—or straight into the uncanny valley. AI is making its move on the dating scene, promising to optimize matches, refine profiles, and even play the perfect wingman. But will these digital cupids spark real connections, or just ghost us all in a sea of algorithms? Here are the highlights from last week: ?
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Notable AI news from Last Week
Elon Musk leads an offer to buy ChatGPT’s parent company for nearly $100 billion:? Elon Musk and a group of investors have offered $97.4 billion to acquire OpenAI, escalating his long-running feud with CEO Sam Altman over the company’s shift from its nonprofit origins to a for-profit model. Musk, who co-founded OpenAI in 2015 but left in 2018, has sued the company multiple times, accusing it of prioritizing profit over its original mission of AI safety. OpenAI, backed by major investors like Microsoft, has rapidly grown in value under Altman’s leadership, leading to tensions over control and commercialization.? Note, the offer was rejected by OpenAI’s board of directors. ?
The Rise of the Drone Boats:? Millennium Challenge 2002, the most expensive U.S. war game at $250 million, exposed critical flaws in military strategy when Lt. Gen. Paul Van Riper’s Red Team used asymmetric tactics to devastate the technologically superior Blue Team, sinking 19 warships and inflicting 20,000 simulated casualties. Instead of adapting, the Pentagon manipulated the exercise to ensure a Blue Team victory, sidelining key lessons. However, the effectiveness of swarming tactics has since been validated in real-world conflicts, with Ukraine and Houthi forces using drone boats and AI-powered warfare to challenge superior naval forces. As AI advances, autonomous drone swarms are reshaping military doctrine, with the U.S. and NATO heavily investing in AI-driven unmanned surface vessels (USVs) for reconnaissance, missile strikes, and electronic warfare.? ?
JD Vance rails against ‘excessive regulation’ of AI at Paris summit in rebuke to European efforts:? At the recent AI Action Summit in Paris, significant divisions emerged among global leaders and tech executives regarding the regulation and development of artificial intelligence (AI). U.S. Vice President JD Vance cautioned against "excessive regulation," suggesting it could hinder innovation and economic growth. He advocated for a more lenient regulatory approach, aligning with the U.S.'s current stance under President Trump.?
OpenAI’s custom AI chip nears final design stage, mass production planned for 2026:? OpenAI is finalizing the design of its first in-house AI chip, aiming to reduce reliance on Nvidia's hardware. The company plans to submit the design for fabrication to Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co. (TSMC) in the coming months, with mass production targeted for 2026. This initiative aligns with efforts by other tech giants, such as Microsoft and Meta, to develop proprietary chips to enhance performance and control costs.
Apple is reportedly exploring humanoid robots:? Apple is actively researching both humanoid and non-humanoid robots, emphasizing AI-driven sensing hardware and software to enhance human-robot interactions. While still in the early proof-of-concept stage, the company’s research suggests a focus on smart home integration rather than full-fledged humanoid assistants. Apple’s transparency in publishing robotics research contrasts with its typically secretive approach, likely aimed at recruiting AI and robotics talent. With an optimistic timeline of 2028 for mass production, Apple is cautiously navigating the challenges of robotics, learning from past struggles with the Apple Car and Vision Pro.
Google will use machine learning to estimate a user’s age:? Google has announced plans to implement a machine learning-based age estimation model to enhance age-appropriate experiences across its platforms. Initially, this model will be tested in the United States. It will analyze data such as site visits, video watch history, and account longevity to determine if a user is under 18. If so, users will be notified of changes to their settings and provided with verification options like selfies, credit cards, or government IDs.
Notable Podcasts and Videos
Recent Investment Activity
Tracking 37 AI companies last week that raised $1.48B, here are the highlights:?
ACCURE Battery Intelligence A German startup using AI to monitor and analyze lithium-ion batteries for improved safety, performance, and longevity. They raised a $16M Series B round led by Incharge Capital Partners and other investors.
Akamas Based in Milan, Akamas offers an AI-powered platform that optimizes the performance and cost-efficiency of cloud applications. The company secured $10M in funding led by United Ventures.
AI-BOB This Swedish startup provides an AI-driven platform to help property developers and architects ensure building designs comply with regulations. They raised $2.1M with CapitalT leading the round and participation from NCA.?
Apptronik An Austin-based company, Apptronik develops humanoid robots designed to work alongside humans in warehouses and manufacturing plants. They raised a $350M Series A round co-led by B Capital and Capital Factory, with additional backing from Google.
Boostly Boostly, from Lehi, UT, offers an automated text messaging platform that helps restaurants boost customer orders and gather reviews. The startup raised $22M in a round led by PeakSpan Capital along with previous investors.
Centerseat Centerseat is an Austin startup that delivers AI-powered software to automate security audits and ensure compliance with physical security regulations. They raised a $2.7M seed round led by Silverton Partners.
Collate A San Francisco startup, Collate automates the creation and management of documentation for companies in the medical devices, diagnostics, and pharmaceuticals sectors. They raised a $30M seed round led by Redpoint, with support from First Round Capital and Y Combinator.?
Comulate Comulate automates accounting tasks for insurance brokers—including processing statements and forecasting revenue—in San Francisco. They raised $20M in a Series B round co-led by BOND and Workday Ventures, with participation from Spark Capital.?
ConverzAI Based in Seattle, ConverzAI provides AI-powered virtual recruiters that engage candidates via voice, text, and email to automate hiring. They raised $16M in a Series A round led by Menlo Ventures, with contributions from Left Lane Capital, Foundation Capital, and Afore Capital.
?Era A New York startup, Era uses AI to help individuals manage their finances through automated budgeting, saving, and investing. They secured a $6.2M seed round co-led by MaC Venture Capital, Third Kind Venture Capital, and Protagonist.
?EnCharge AI EnCharge AI, from Santa Clara, specializes in analog in-memory computing AI chips that lower energy consumption and enable local AI processing. They raised a $100+M Series B round led by Tiger Global, with participation from several investors.
Eudia Headquartered in Palo Alto, Eudia develops AI-powered software for corporate legal teams to analyze contracts and track compliance risks. They raised a $30M Series A round (with an additional $75M contingent on future acquisitions) led by General Catalyst.
Fal An Oakland startup, Fal provides AI tools that empower developers to create images, videos, and audio content. They raised $49M in a Series B round co-led by Notable Capital and Andreessen Horowitz, having raised a total of $72M.?
Future AGI Future AGI, operating out of San Francisco, offers tools to generate synthetic data, test AI models, and analyze errors to boost AI performance. They raised a $1.6M pre-seed round co-led by Powerhouse Ventures and Snow Leopard Ventures.
GamerBoom GamerBoom has developed an AI-powered gaming data analytics platform built on the Solana blockchain. The startup raised $9M (with a total of $11M raised) with backing from Bing Ventures, SKY Ventures, MBK Capital, and others.?
Gridraven Based in Tallinn, Estonia, Gridraven uses AI-driven software to help power grid operators boost the capacity of transmission lines without installing new hardware. They raised $4.2M in a round co-led by 42Cap and Icebreaker.vc.
Harrison.ai An Australian startup, Harrison.ai creates AI tools that help doctors interpret medical images—such as X-rays and CT scans—more accurately and quickly. They raised a $112M Series C round with participation from Aware Super, ECP, Horizons Ventures, and others, totaling over $240M raised.?
High Definition Vehicle Insurance This Chicago-based company provides commercial trucking insurance using real-time truck data to assess safety and adjust premiums. They raised $40M in a round co-led by 8VC, Autotech Ventures, Munich Re Ventures, and Weatherford Capital, and have raised over $87M in total.
Human.org Human.org is a San Francisco startup that leverages blockchain technology to distinguish between human and AI agents. They raised a $7.3M pre-seed round from HF0, Soma Capital, Spearhead, Pioneer Fund, and Hummingbird VC.?
Justpoint Based in New York, Justpoint analyzes medical records to detect substances in drugs that may cause health issues and then takes legal action against manufacturers. They raised a $45M Series A round led by SignalFire and an additional $50M in debt, totaling $95M.?
Keychain Keychain is a New York startup that connects consumer packaged goods brands and retailers with vetted manufacturing partners through an AI-powered platform. They raised $5M in a round led by Bright Pixel Capital and have raised a total of $38M.
Koala A San Francisco startup, Koala uses AI to help sales teams identify promising leads and manage client engagements. They raised a $15M Series A round led by CRV, with support from HubSpot Ventures, Recall Capital, and Afore.?
Lanch Lanch, from Berlin, collaborates with social media influencers to create and promote food brands online. They raised a $27.1M Series A round co-led by Felix and HV Capital.
Latent Labs Operating between London and San Francisco, Latent Labs develops generative AI models aimed at capturing biological fundamentals to support genetic engineering. They raised a $40M Series A round co-led by Radical Ventures and Sofinnova Partners, having raised a total of $50M.
Lingopal.ai Based in New York, Lingopal.ai offers an AI-powered platform that translates live audio into over 120 languages in real time while preserving tone and context. They raised a $14M Series A round led by DCM Ventures, with additional support from Scrum Ventures and Marquee Ventures.?
Moderne Moderne, a Miami startup, automates the updating and improvement of software code across projects using AI. They raised a $30M Series B round led by Acrew Capital, with participation from Morgan Stanley, Amex Ventures, TIAA Ventures, and previous investors.
Noxus A London-based company, Noxus provides AI-powered assistants that help businesses automate repetitive tasks and analyze data. They raised a $1.5M pre-seed round led by SFC Capital, with further investment from Antler, Bynd VC, Caixa Capital, and others.
Pinkfish AI Pinkfish AI, operating out of San Francisco, offers a platform that lets businesses automate tasks by simply describing them in natural language. They raised a $7.6M pre-seed round led by Norwest Venture Partners, with support from Storm Ventures.?
Prenuvo Prenuvo is a Redwood City startup that delivers comprehensive, radiation‐free MRI scans to screen for hundreds of conditions, including early-stage cancers. They raised a $120M Series B round co-led by Forerunner Ventures and Left Lane Capital, with previous investor Felicis also participating.?
Positron Based in Reno, Positron specializes in designing and manufacturing energy-efficient AI chips optimized for inference tasks. They raised $23.5M from investors including Valor Equity Partners, Atreides Management, Flume Ventures, and Resilience Reserve.?
Sardine AI Sardine AI is a San Francisco startup that provides an AI-driven platform to help financial institutions detect fraud, ensure compliance, and assess credit risks. They raised a $70M Series C round led by Activant Capital, with participation from Andreessen Horowitz, Nyca Partners, and others, and have raised a total of $145M.
Self Inspection This San Diego startup uses an AI-powered app to perform comprehensive vehicle inspections using a smartphone. They raised a $3M seed round co-led by Costanoa Ventures and DVx Ventures, with Westlake Financial also joining.
SpotDraft SpotDraft, headquartered in Bangalore, helps teams draft, review, and store contracts using AI. They raised a $54M Series B round co-led by Vertex Growth Singapore and Trident Partners, with prior investors also participating, and have raised over $80M in total.
Springboards An Australian startup, Springboards provides an AI-powered platform designed to assist creative professionals in the advertising industry. They raised a $5M seed round led by Blackbird Ventures.
Tines Based in Dublin, Tines enables teams to automate repetitive tasks without the need for coding using AI. They raised a $125M Series C round at a valuation of over $1.1B, with lead investment from Goldman Sachs Alternatives and participation from SoftBank, Activant, and others.?
Tofu Tofu is a San Francisco startup offering an AI-driven marketing platform that helps businesses create and manage personalized campaigns across channels. They raised a $12M Series A round led by SignalFire, with investments from HubSpot Ventures, Tau Ventures, and others.
xAI Founded by Elon Musk in San Francisco, xAI positions itself as a competitor to OpenAI. The company is currently in discussions to raise $10B at a $75B valuation.
Thank you
Thank you to Bob Stefanski for contributing articles during the week.
That's all from last week,?
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