For those that are new around here, this is an extension of my weekly newsletter where I highlight new and innovative AI products that are worth exploring.
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Happy Wednesday!
Here’s your news in newsletter!
In this Issue:
Your Weekly Industry News Recap
The Raise Recap
Headliner: The Future of Work is Here: Stanford Report Warns of Gen Z Hit the Hardest
You know how we've been hearing a lot about AI and jobs? Well, a new report from Stanford University is making it pretty real, especially for young people. It turns out that AI is already hitting entry-level positions the hardest, particularly in fields like software development and customer service. The study suggests that companies are leaning on AI to handle the routine tasks that used to be a way for newcomers to get their foot in the door. While this is a tough reality, the takeaway is that jobs focused on augmentation—where AI is a helper, not a replacement—are actually seeing growth. This just means that for Gen Z, the key to a strong career will be learning to use AI as a tool rather than seeing it as a threat.
Your Weekly Industry News Recap
Seattle-based startups Clarify, Dropzone AI, and Statsig have made it onto Madrona's IA40 list of top AI companies. 🏆 It's a great honor and a sign of the Seattle tech scene's strength. See who else made the cut
The Singapore government is the first in Asia to use "agentic AI" on Google's air-gapped cloud. 🇸🇬 This is a big step for public sector AI adoption and security.
Here’s eight free "agentic AI" tools that can help with customer experience (CX). 🛠️ If you're looking to try out some new AI tools, this list is a great place to start! Check out the list here
Researchers have developed a new framework for "procedural memory" that could lead to cheaper and more resilient AI agents. 🧠 This is a huge step to move AI’s development forward! Here’s the breakdown
This article explores how AI can be used to design better products and improve sustainability. 🌱 It's a cool look at how technology can help the environment. Read more about the intersection of AI and eco-friendly design
AI2 has launched a new project called ASTA, which aims to create a standard for trustworthy AI agents in science. 🧪 This will help ensure AI is used responsibly in research. Learn more about ASTA's mission
A report from Stanford says AI will be coming for entry-level jobs, affecting Gen Z the most. 🤖 This is a thought-provoking look at the future of work. Read the full analysis by Erik Brynjolfsson
CIOs are struggling to manage their AI costs as vendors experiment with different pricing models. 💸 This is a challenge for businesses trying to adopt AI. Find out how companies are dealing with this uncertainty
ReachLLM has just launched a new platform to help businesses with "AI search optimization" and "dominate the AI search era." 🔍 It's a new kind of SEO for the AI world. Check out their offerings
Semiconductor Today talks on OpenLight's new technology 💡 It appears to be related to semiconductor chips, but the full content is not available. Read about the work
Elon Musk's xAI is suing Apple and OpenAI! 🚨 The lawsuit alleges a "nefarious scheme" between the two companies. Read about this legal battle
7ai is developing "swarming AI agents" to help cybersecurity defenders offload non-human work. 🛡️ This is a cool new tool for fighting cyber threats. Check out how it works
This article from Thomson Reuters breaks down how "agentic AI" can be used for risk management and fraud investigations. 🕵️♀️ It's a great look at the practical applications of AI in finance and law. Read the full post
This Week’s Raise Recap 📈💰
AlignMT AI just secured $6.5 million in a seed funding round 🚀 This investment will help the company expand its AI platform. Learn more about what’s next.
A British AI startup called Artificial Societies has raised €4.5 million to simulate human behavior on a large scale. 🤯 This is a super cool project! Find out what the plan is now.
Heave, an equipment repair platform, has landed $7 million in Series A funding! 🚜 This will help them continue to grow their business. Read all about it
Attio, an AI-native CRM platform backed by Google Ventures, just raised a whopping $52 million! 💰 That’s a massive vote of confidence in their AI tech.
Nauta has raised $7 million in seed funding for its AI-based logistics platform. 🚚 This will help them streamline logistics with smart AI. Find out more about their solution
Sleep.ai, an AI startup, just secured $5.5 million in funding! 😴 This investment will help them continue to develop their sleep technology. Read about their plans
Instalily AI just raised $2.5 million in a Series A funding round! 🚀 This funding will help them further develop their AI platform. Get the full story here
Kira has raised a massive $67 million to help companies launch embedded AI products in the fintech space. 🏦 This is a game-changer for financial services. Check out the details
AuraChat AI has closed a strategic investment round! 🤝 This is a big step for the company as they continue to grow their AI business. Read more about the partnership
Thoma Bravo is making a massive $2 billion bet on AI-driven SaaS companies. 💰 This is a huge move in the private equity world and a big sign of confidence in AI's future. Learn about their strategy
Mechasys has landed a huge $23 million in Series A funding to revolutionize construction tech with AI. 🏗️ This is great news for the industry! Find out more
A startup called Bluejay AI is making waves with support from some tech giants, including Amazon, Microsoft, and Y Combinator. 🐥 They specialize in AI for sales and customer experience. Read about their backers
Aurasell, an AI sales startup, just raised a whopping $30 million! 📈 Salesforce was one of the investors, which shows a lot of confidence in their platform. Get the full scoop
Y Combinator is backing a new group of AI startups that are tackling everything from small models to paper grading and video analysis. 🚀 It's a look into the next big ideas in AI. Check out the list
Apate AI has secured a $2.5 million seed round to create an "anti-scam bot army." 🛡️ This is a great use of AI for security! Read about it
Agenda Hero has landed $5.6 million in funding! This investment will help them grow their AI platform. Find out what's next for them
Stay well, and see you next week!
-✌🏽 Sam
Cue the legal stuff: The views and opinions expressed in this newsletter are solely my own and do not reflect the views, positions, or policies of my employer or any organizations I am affiliated with. All content is for informational purposes only and to express opinion.