E85: 4/25/25
Anthropic launches a "model wellness" study, Microsoft roles out new AI agents and a work study, Adobe expands its AI tools, Elon is raising $25B, UAE uses AI to write new legislation, and more!
PNW AI News:
A Microsoft survey of over 31K workers across 31 countries details their view on AI agents that "human employees will act as 'agent bosses', overseeing AI workforces like they managed people today"
They also released two new Copilot agents, Researcher and Analyst, alongside its report
Amazon is facing customer pushback over Bedrock service limitations for Anthropic’s models, with users reporting using Anthropic’s API to bypass the capacity issue
Key AI Product/Research Updates:
Adobe is expanding its Firefly AI platform, with two new powerful image generation models, third-party integrations, a new collaborative workspace, and an upcoming mobile app
Korean startup Nari Labs released Dia, an open-source text-to-speech model that claims to exceed the capabilities of leading commercial offerings like ElevenLabs and Sesame
Developed by two undergraduate students with zero funding
OpenAI has released its GPT-Image-1 model via API, expanding access to high-fidelity image generation and analysis tools for developers
Google DeepMind released upgrades to its Music AI Sandbox, introducing its new Lyria 2 music generation model alongside new editing features for professional musicians
Google has teamed up with Harvard to release ZAPBench, a comprehensive brain activity dataset aimed at refining predictive models of brain function, from approximately 70K neurons of several animal species' brains
Anthropic has launched a research program focused on AI "model welfare," investigating whether AI systems could experience human-like traits such as distress or consciousness
OpenAI has introduced a cost-efficient, lightweight version of its Deep Research feature for free-tier ChatGPT users, offering up to five queries per month
Perplexity CEO Aravind Srinivas says its browser will track everything users do online to sell 'hyper personalized' ads
BMW announced plans to integrate Chinese startup DeepSeek’s AI models into its new vehicles in the region starting later this year
Key AI Business/Investment Updates:
Elon Musk is reportedly looking to raise $25B+ in fresh capital for his new xAI + X combined venture, which would place the company at a valuation as high as $200B
In Q1 2025, AI commanded 71% of total VC deal value, according to PitchBook data
Special thanks to OpenAI's $40B round, Mira Murati and Ilya Sutskever's >$1B mega rounds, etc. for skewing this heavily
Donald Trump signed an executive order establishing an AI Education Task Force and Presidential AI Challenge, aiming to integrate AI across K-12 classrooms
The Washington Post just announced a new partnership with OpenAI, allowing ChatGPT to bring summaries and links from its reporting directly into answers
More than 30 AI experts and ex-OpenAI staffers published an open letter urging the attorneys general of Delaware and California to block OpenAI’s restructuring to a for-profit
’s H100 and aiming to fill the void left by U.S. export restrictionsChinese chipmaker Huawei is reportedly preparing shipments of a new AI chip, 910C, rivaling Nvidia’s H100 and aiming to fill the void left by US export restrictions
Sam Altman has resigned as chairman of Oklo, a publicly-traded modular nuclear energy company developing compact reactors
At the US antitrust trial against Google, ChatGPT product head Nick Turley testified that OpenAI would consider acquiring Chrome browser, should regulators mandate its divestiture
Google's Gemini chatbot has reached 350M monthly active users, with the actual number likely higher due to its integration with platforms like Google Search and Android
The United Arab Emirates will become the first nation in the world to rely on AI to write new federal and local laws and review and amend existing legislation and other procedures
OpenAI expects its revenue to grow from $4B in 2024 to $174B by 2030, driven by AI agents, new products, and monetization strategies
They expect agents like “Operator” could generate $29B on its own by 2029
PNW AI/ML/CV Fundings:
Ravenna (Seattle, WA) raised $15M in Seed funding from Madrona, Khosla, Founder’s Co-op, and angels
AI-powered internal support platform designed to help businesses improve virtual workspace using AI algorithms – TFTD $15M
CEO: Taylor Halliday
Araceli Biosciences (Portland, OR) raised $11.2M in Seed funding from undisclosed investors
High-content imaging technology and AI-powered analysis used to speed drug discovery - TFTD $11.2M
CEO: Matt Beaudet
Digs (Vancouver, WA) raised $3.4M of Seed extension funding from existing investors including FUSE, Flying Fish, Oregon Venture Fund, and more
AI-powered building tools designed to store and manage documents – TFTD $16.8M
CEO: Ryan Fink
Rover AI (Portland, OR) raised $100K in Debt from undisclosed investors
Insurance plan optimization platform designed to access better and more affordable employee health insurance – TFTD $3.7M
CEO: Benjamin Prinzing