
DeepSeek, a Chinese AI lab, is reportedly in talks to raise its first venture capital round, potentially reaching a valuation of $45 billion. The lab gained attention in 2025 with a cost-effective large language model that rivals U.S. counterparts. The funding round, led by China's state investment fund, aims to counteract talent poaching and support the development of AI technologies independent of U.S. chips. This strategic move aligns with China's broader goal to enhance its AI capabilities.
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© TechCrunch AIAt the Milken Global Conference, key figures from the AI industry highlighted significant challenges facing the sector, including chip shortages and energy constraints. Christophe Fouquet of ASML emphasized the ongoing supply limitations in chip manufacturing, affecting major tech companies like Google and Microsoft. Meanwhile, Google Cloud's Francis deSouza discussed innovative solutions like space-based data centers to address energy issues. Eve Bodnia introduced a novel approach with energy-based models, suggesting a shift from traditional language models. These discussions underscore the evolving landscape and the need for new strategies in AI development.
© TechCrunch AIxAI's partnership with Anthropic marks a significant shift in its business strategy, transforming from a consumer of compute resources to a provider. By selling the compute capacity of its Colossus 1 data center to Anthropic, xAI immediately monetizes its infrastructure, potentially worth billions. This move suggests a pivot towards becoming a neocloud provider, focusing on data center operations rather than solely on AI model training. While this partnership boosts xAI's financials, it raises questions about the company's long-term ambitions in AI development, especially as it prepares for an IPO alongside SpaceX.
© TechCrunch AIGenesis AI, a startup backed by Khosla Ventures, has unveiled its first full-stack robotics model, GENE-26.5, featuring human-like robotic hands. This development marks a significant step as the company aims to bridge the 'embodiment gap' in robotics by mimicking human hand functionality. The robotic hands are capable of performing complex tasks such as cooking and lab work, showcasing their potential for real-world applications. The startup's innovative approach includes a sensor-loaded glove for data collection, which could revolutionize how robots are trained. This move positions Genesis AI as a notable player in the robotics industry, with plans to expand further into general-purpose robotics.
© SiftedA group of former Revolut employees has launched a new startup, Five, which aims to revolutionize payments with biometric technology. By allowing users to pay with a simple wave of their hand, Five is tapping into the growing interest in contactless and secure payment methods. The startup has successfully raised $6 million in seed funding, indicating strong investor confidence in its innovative approach. This funding will likely accelerate the development and deployment of their palm-scan payment technology, potentially setting a new standard in the payments industry.
© SiftedCodeWords, a London-based startup, has secured $9 million in seed funding to advance its AI-driven platform that simplifies workflow automation for non-technical users. By allowing users to create complex automations through simple prompts, CodeWords aims to bridge the gap between basic no-code tools and more intricate automation platforms. This funding will help expand their operations, including opening a new office in San Francisco. With 500,000 workflows already running monthly, CodeWords is positioning itself as a key player in making sophisticated automation accessible to small businesses and non-technical teams.
© WIRED AIElon Musk's efforts to integrate OpenAI into Tesla have come to light during the Musk v. Altman trial. Musk attempted to recruit Sam Altman, offering him a Tesla board seat, as part of a strategy to build a world-class AI lab within Tesla. This move was part of Musk's broader plan to counter Google DeepMind's influence in AI. Despite these efforts, Altman did not join Tesla, and the proposed AI lab never materialized. The trial reveals the complex dynamics and ambitions behind Musk's AI strategies and his rivalry with OpenAI.