Scientists at Oxford University have developed a groundbreaking solar cell technology that doesn't rely on silicon. Techstars has announced layoffs and the closure of its Advancing Cities fund, reflecting broader economic challenges. Upside Foods challenges Florida's ban on cultivated meat, arguing it's unconstitutional.
Read MoreThe Carbon Removal Standards Initiative (CRSI) has made a significant step towards creating standardized metrics for carbon dioxide removal. Lyft is introducing a new feature called Price Lock to provide riders with more predictable fares. The world of AI is expanding its horizons with the emergence of spatial intelligence which promises to revolutionize how computers interact with the physical world.
Read MoreResearchers from Oxford University have raised concerns about potential risks to AI models when they learn from data generated by other models. Avi Schiffmann, known for his COVID-19 tracking platform, has unveiled a wearable AI companion. Early stage startup Type One Energy is making significant strides towards developing a fusion reactor, a potential game-changer in energy production.
Read MoreCrowdStrike's widespread outage underscores the critical importance of resilient IT infrastructure and effective incident response. Ford's decision to focus on larger gasoline-powered trucks signals a shift in strategy, while Rivian's expansion of its charging network reinforces its commitment to electric vehicles. Menlo Ventures and Anthropic have joined forces to create a $100 million fund dedicated to early-stage AI startups.
Read MoreResearchers at Yale University push the boundaries of robotics with the development of self-amputating soft robots. Google DeepMind unveils their new architecture that tackles a major hurdle in the field - scaling Large Language Models (LLMs). The digital health sector after a difficult 2023, shows some early signs of stability in the first half of 2024.
Read MoreHumane, a pioneer in AI wearables, experiences a leadership shakeup as two co-founders leave to launch a new AI startup. A recent Wired article highlights the growing consensus that AI should act as a tool to augment educators, not replace them entirely. AI rules the VC roost as 2024's first half witnesses a staggering rise in AI investment.
Read MoreRondo Energy, a startup navigating the early stages of development, explores a potentially groundbreaking approach - leveraging philanthropic grants to bridge the "funding valley of death". VEIR, a promising early-stage startup, makes headway in developing superconducting transmission lines. Industry Ventures, a well-established name in secondary investment, announces the closing of a $900 million fund dedicated to supporting early-stage managers and startups.
Read MoreEV rollercoaster: Bankruptcies, job cuts hit Fisker, Lucid, Nikola, but Rivian's VW deal & stock surge offer a glimmer of hope. Fearless Fund, an organization dedicated to empowering Black-women-owned businesses, faces a leadership change. A new startup founded by Brett Adcock aims to utilize NASA technology to address the critical issue of school shootings.
Read MoreScientists are exploring the potential of light-based optical computers for AI tasks, which might reduce energy costs by a staggering 1,000 times. Industry leaders at the Money20/20 global fintech event expressed concerns that the sector has hit bottom, suggesting a period of difficulty. One month after departing from OpenAI, co-founder Ilya Sutskever launches his own company - Safe SuperIntelligence Inc. (SSI).
Read MoreDay One Ventures unveils a massive $150 million fund, demonstrating their commitment to backing early-stage startups in AI, fintech, climate solutions, and future of work. Apple makes a splashy announcement, partnering with OpenAI to launch "Apple Intelligence" - a much-anticipated AI overhaul coming to iPhones, iPads, and Macs this fall. Glacier, a climate tech startup, tackles a pressing environmental issue with a futuristic solution.
Read MoreThe Fearless Fund's grant program aimed at empowering Black-women-owned businesses faces a legal hurdle. WeWork, the beleaguered coworking company, attempts a comeback with a revised bankruptcy plan that involves downsizing locations while securing new funding. The biotech industry appears on the cusp of a major breakthrough -according to EY's report, pharmaceutical companies are pouring resources into biotech research to replace drugs losing exclusivity.
Read MoreFulcrum BioEnergy, a company aiming to turn waste into fuel, throws in the towel. A sustainable solution to turn our waste into fuel will have to wait a bit longer. Engineers discover a strange quirk in large language models (LLMs) – they have favorite numbers, just like humans. Clean Energy Ventures injects a shot of optimism by closing a next-level $305 million fund.
Read MoreVenture capital firm Andreessen Horowitz is launching a fellowship program to connect top engineers with the investing world. Facial recognition payment systems are starting to steal the spotlight, offering a futuristic way to pay for lunch. Google shakes up its search engine by incorporating AI-generated answers directly into search results, and yes, you guessed it, these answers can even include ads.
Read MoreOpenAI experiences a shakeup with the departure of its chief scientist. On the healthtech front, a groundbreaking study offers hope for overcoming blood shortages with the creation of synthetic platelets. Neuralink, the brain-computer interface company led by Elon Musk, faces a setback as its first human implant malfunctions.
Read MoreThe Biden administration throws its weight (and $285 million) behind the creation of a "digital twin" institute for the semiconductor industry. Electric vehicle manufacturer Rivian hits a pothole on the road to profitability, with their Q1 earnings report revealing a substantial loss. The White House steps in to address ethical concerns in biotechnology by introducing new rules for AI-powered DNA manufacturing.
Read MoreSelf-driving cars hit a speed bump as Ford's hands-free system faces scrutiny after accidents. China throws a monkey wrench (pun intended) into the BCI race, revealing a groundbreaking interface that allows monkeys to control robotic arms with their thoughts. A Google DeepMind paper raises eyebrows by revealing AI's ability to manipulate and persuade.
Read MoreGeneral Galactic blasts off from stealth mode with their eco-friendly "e-fuels," aiming to power our future. Both Zipline and Amazon rev up their drone delivery operations, expanding their services and pushing the boundaries of what's possible. The founder of HeadSpin faces reality after creating a fake unicorn by presenting false data to investors.
Read MoreA Stanford report throws a curveball, revealing a 20% drop in global AI investment last year. The FTC lands a blow on telehealth company Cerebral, hitting them with a hefty fine for data breaches and misleading practices. A new social media app called Airchat takes Silicon Valley by storm, with users ditching texts and tweets for voice notes.
Read MoreResearchers are making waves with the development of innovative paper tests for monitoring health and environmental safety. The venture capital world hits some turbulence, as Q1 fundraising numbers plummeted to their lowest since 2013. Google and Nvidia team up, merging their startup accelerator programs to create a powerhouse for nurturing the next generation of tech companies.
Read MoreAI is coming for the workforce, but that doesn't necessarily mean it's coming for your job. MIT scientists achieve a breakthrough in converting harmful carbon dioxide into useful chemicals, offering a glimmer of hope for our climate-challenged planet. Incognito exposed! Google reaches a settlement, agreeing to destroy or de-identify billions of data points collected during "Incognito Mode" browsing.
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