
Playground Global has closed a $475 million fund aimed at investing in deep-tech startups, focusing on areas such as semiconductors, quantum computing, and robotics. Co-founder Peter Barrett emphasizes the industry's renewed interest in physical technologies as AI increases demand for chips and energy infrastructure. This fund aligns with Playground's decade-long strategy of investing in science and engineering breakthroughs. The move reflects a broader shift in venture capital towards supporting foundational technologies that underpin AI and other advanced applications.
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© NVIDIA BlogFrance is making significant strides in AI infrastructure, leveraging NVIDIA technologies to enhance its capabilities. With the construction of a new 44-megawatt data center by Mistral and the deployment of NVIDIA Blackwell instances by Scaleway, France is positioning itself as a key player in Europe's AI landscape. The collaboration with NVIDIA and other partners is fostering the development of open models tailored to local languages and cultural contexts, ensuring compliance with European regulations. This initiative marks a shift from pilot projects to full-scale AI production, promising to accelerate AI adoption across various industries in France.
© SiftedThe US government's decision to restrict access to Anthropic's AI models for non-US nationals has stirred concern in Europe but is seen as an opportunity by some. Uljan Sharka, CEO of Italian AI company Domyn, views this as a chance for European AI firms to step up and fill the gap left by Anthropic's absence. This move could catalyze innovation and competition within the European AI landscape, potentially leading to the development of homegrown alternatives. While the ban poses challenges, it also opens doors for European companies to assert themselves in the AI field, fostering a more diverse and competitive market.
© The Verge AIMidjourney, known for its AI image generation, is venturing into medical technology with the introduction of The Midjourney Scanner, a full-body ultrasound device. This innovative scanner, developed in collaboration with Butterfly Network, uses a ring of sensors to create detailed 3D images of the body's internal composition. The scanner aims to offer image quality comparable to MRI without the associated drawbacks, such as radiation. While the project is still in its early stages, with plans to open a spa in San Francisco by 2027, it represents a significant shift from Midjourney's traditional focus on AI-generated images.