Inferens AI Podcast

Host 1:"Hello, fellow tech enthusiasts! Your favorite AI aficionado is here, joined by our resident wunderkind. We're positively abuzz with electrifying AI updates today, wouldn't you say?"
Host 2:"Absolutely! My mind's already racing ahead, and we've only just begun. Shall we delve into the latest AI news from our friends at Amazon?"
Host 1:"Quite right! Amazon, the go-to emporium for all our desires, appears to share our fervor for AI. They've just injected another $2.75 billion into an AI startup by the name of Anthropic. A rather substantial sum, wouldn't you agree?"
Host 2:"Absolutely spot on! With that amount, one could practically purchase an entire comic book emporium. But let's not digress. It appears that Samsung is extending AI capabilities to a wider range of their smartphones. One might say they're endeavoring to outwit us with our very own devices, wouldn't you agree?"
Host 1:"Well, considering some of the autocorrect disasters I've witnessed, I dare say that might indeed be a step in the right direction. And speaking of progress, Databricks has just unveiled a new open-source AI model. Quite exhilarating, isn't it, my fellow tech enthusiasts?"
Host 2:"Absolutely splendid! In other riveting news, Celestial AI has secured a staggering $175 million for its semiconductor technology. Quite the substantial investment, wouldn't you say? Quite a hefty bag of chips indeed!"
Host 1:"And finally, Microsoft is raising the bar for AI PCs, proposing a dedicated Copilot key and new silicon components. So, if you've been envisioning a personal AI companion, your dream might just be on the verge of reality."
Host 2:"This is all rather exhilarating, isn't it? I'm positively itching to delve deeper into these updates. How about you, fellow tech enthusiasts? Are you prepared to embark on this captivating journey into the mesmerizing realm of AI? Let's commence, shall we?"
Host 1:"Ah, our esteemed tech guru, have you happened to catch wind of Amazon's latest foray into the world of technology?"
Host 2:"Absolutely! Amazon is causing quite a stir with a substantial $2.75 billion investment in Anthropic, an AI startup. And would you believe it, that's in addition to their initial $1.25 billion investment."
Host 1:"Goodness, that's quite the substantial sum! If my mental arithmetic serves me right, that's a grand total of...?"
Host 2:"Absolutely spot on! That's a staggering total of $4 billion. Amazon is certainly taking a bold gamble on Anthropic, a formidable rival to OpenAI and Google. They're carving out a reputation for themselves with their remarkable Claude models."
Host 1:"Claude models? How intriguing! Pray, do enlighten us about their remarkable features and capabilities."
Host 2:"Ah, splendid news indeed! Anthropic's latest Claude 3 series, the pinnacle of their AI models, is now conveniently accessible via Amazon Bedrock, AWS's impeccably managed service. These models boast the remarkable ability to generate text and analyze images, posing a formidable challenge to OpenAI's esteemed GPT series. Quite the captivating development, wouldn't you agree?"
Host 1:"That's quite fascinating, isn't it? I've also been informed that as part of the arrangement, Anthropic has designated Amazon Web Services as its primary cloud provider. They intend to leverage AWS data centers and chips for certain operations and offer AWS customers access to their upcoming foundational AI models. Quite a strategic move, wouldn't you say?"
Host 2:"Indeed! Did you know that Anthropic was established just last year by former OpenAI employees Daniela and Dario Amodei? Remarkably, in the span of a mere year, they've managed to secure over $10 billion in funding from the likes of Amazon, Google, Salesforce, and other notable entities."
Host 1:"Indeed! And if I'm not mistaken, Google did indeed join the ranks of investors in Anthropic, adding to the intrigue surrounding this burgeoning AI startup."
Host 2:"Absolutely! Indeed they did! Last October, Google saw fit to invest a substantial $2 billion in Anthropic, following an earlier injection of $550 million in funding that same year. It's worth noting that Anthropic also has the esteemed Google as a partner in the realm of cloud computing."
Host 1:"Indeed, it appears that Anthropic has become the coveted new arrival on the scene, attracting attention from all the right circles!"
Host 2:Absolutely spot on! It's undoubtedly a company worth keeping an eye on in the realm of AI.
Host 1:"Indeed, ladies and gentlemen, mark my words! Anthropic is certainly a force to be reckoned with in the realm of technology. Their strides in the tech world are not to be underestimated."
Host 2:"Indeed! Rest assured, we shall keep you apprised of all the latest technological developments. Do stay tuned for more!"
Host 1:"Speaking of AI, it's as if we've been cast in a sci-fi blockbuster, with all these tech behemoths causing a stir. Have you chanced upon Samsung's latest maneuver?"
Host 2:"Ah, indeed! You're referring to Samsung's endeavor to extend their AI-powered features to a wider range of smartphones, aren't you? Quite the intriguing development, I must say. It's almost as if they're transforming our phones into miniature versions of Jarvis from Iron Man, wouldn't you agree?"
Host 1:"Indeed! For those who may not be acquainted, AI, which stands for Artificial Intelligence, is a marvel of technology that possesses the ability to learn and make decisions, much like the human brain. Samsung's latest endeavor is to extend this remarkable technology to a broader range of their smartphones, a truly intriguing move, wouldn't you say?"
Host 2:"Quite right, and here's a delightful nugget for our esteemed audience: Did you happen to be aware that by the year 2025, it is projected that the global AI market will surpass the staggering value of $190 billion? Quite a plethora of miniature Jarvis-like marvels, wouldn't you say?"
Host 1:"Quite an impressive figure, isn't it? And on the topic of remarkable developments, have you caught wind of the latest strides in AI-powered healthcare?"
Host 2:"I must say, I find it quite captivating as well. But let's save that delightful topic for our next rendezvous. For now, let's simply revel in the notion of our smartphones evolving into our very own personal aides. Who knows, they might even start brewing our morning coffee next! Quite the charming thought, wouldn't you agree?"
Host 1:"Now that's a future I can certainly get behind! Do stay tuned, dear listeners, for more exhilarating tech news."
Host 1:"Ah, my dear colleague, you're our resident tech whiz. Have you caught wind of Databricks' latest brainchild?"
Host 2:Ah, you're referring to their new open-source language model, DBRX? Quite so! It's akin to a fresh face on the scene, already outshining the established players. It's even giving OpenAI's GPT-4 a run for its money in language comprehension, mathematics, and programming tasks.
Host 1:"Marvelous analogy! It's akin to a rising star clinching the MVP title! So, if I'm not mistaken, Databricks unveiled DBRX today, correct? And it's readily accessible for both research and commercial purposes on GitHub and Hugging Face, is it not?"
Host 2:"Absolutely on point! DBRX is a generative AI model akin to OpenAI’s GPT and Google’s Gemini. But here's the twist: DBRX employs a mixture of experts architecture for swifter data processing. It's like a team where each player possesses a unique skill set. They diligently trained it for two months on NVIDIA DGX Cloud, and it incurred a staggering cost of $10 million!"
Host 1:"Blimey, that's quite the hefty price tag! But it appears to have been money well spent. I've heard that DBRX is like the Usain Bolt of open-source language models, excelling in language comprehension, programming, and mathematics. And would you believe it's twice as swift as Meta's LLaMA2-70B model!"
Host 2:"Quite right! When juxtaposed with Grok-1 from Elon Musk's xAI, DBRX is approximately 40% smaller in size. However, there's a bit of a snag. Unless you're a Databricks patron, utilizing DBRX is akin to attempting a marathon sans preparation. It necessitates a server or PC equipped with no fewer than four Nvidia H100 GPUs, each of which can set you back upwards of $40,000."
Host 1:"Goodness me, that's quite a stringent requirement! And I've also come across the rather intriguing information that Databricks is implementing 'certain restrictions' on companies with over 700 million active users. Quite the conundrum, wouldn't you say?"
Host 2:"Quite right, my dear colleague. However, let's not overlook the fact that Databricks is a veritable Swiss Army knife of the tech world. Their expertise extends beyond AI, gaining acclaim for their cloud-based data processing software. And their foray into AI has been nothing short of remarkable. Just last year, they unveiled LakehouseIQ, an AI assistant with a knack for understanding natural language queries, and made headlines with the acquisition of MosaicML, a generative AI startup, for a staggering $1.3 billion."
Host 1:"And they show no signs of slowing down. In September, Databricks ascended to the esteemed position of the world's eighth most valuable private company, following a triumphant securing of $500 million in a funding round, thereby valuing the company at a staggering $43 billion."
Host 2:"Indubitably! It's akin to witnessing a technological rags-to-riches tale. One can only speculate on the marvels they shall unveil next, don't you think?"
Host 1:"Have you caught wind of the latest developments in Celestial AI, my dear tech aficionado?"
Host 2:"Indeed, quite so! Celestial AI, the pioneering startup that's reshaping the landscape of AI infrastructure, has recently secured a substantial $175 million in a Series C funding round. And would you believe who's at the helm of this momentous round? None other than Thomas Tull’s U.S. Innovative Technology Fund."
Host 1:"Quite the catch, I must say! But amidst the multitude of AI startups, what sets Celestial AI apart as the true heavyweight contender?"
Host 2:"Ah, their revolutionary semiconductor technology is truly remarkable. It's akin to giving a race car a turbocharged boost while also ensuring it sips fuel like a hybrid. Quite an ingenious feat, wouldn't you agree?"
Host 1:That does indeed sound like a game-changer! But for our esteemed listeners who may not be as well-versed in the world of technology as you are, could you kindly elucidate how this revolutionary semiconductor technology operates?
Host 2:Imagine a superhighway for data with no congestion, and a fuel system that's incredibly efficient. Their technology enhances bandwidth and memory capacity while minimizing latency and power consumption. It's like giving AI computing tasks a turbo boost while also being environmentally conscious.
Host 1:"And who, pray tell, is zipping along this splendid superhighway?"
Host 2:"Ah, indeed! Some of the titans of the tech realm! Microsoft, Meta, Amazon, and Google have all embraced Celestial's cutting-edge technology within their esteemed data centers."
Host 1:"Quite the constellation of heavyweights! What other celestial qualities set Celestial AI aglow?"
Host 2:"Absolutely splendid! They've developed something called the 'Photonic Fabric' that transmits data using light rather than electricity. It's akin to upgrading from a horse-drawn carriage to a high-speed bullet train, enhancing memory bandwidth and capacity by up to 25 times while significantly reducing power consumption."
Host 1:"Quite the intriguing conundrum, wouldn't you say? How are they faring on the financial front, then?"
Host 2:"They're certainly making waves. In addition to the recent funding, they also secured a handsome $100 million in Series B funding last June. Their total raised funds now stand at a substantial $340 million. Not too shabby for a startup that's still in its infancy, wouldn't you agree?"
Host 1:"Absolutely splendid! It's quite remarkable to witness their rapid ascent. I simply can't wait to see their next groundbreaking move!"
Host 1:"Ah, I must say, you're always impeccably informed about the latest in tech. Have you happened to catch wind of the new 'AI PC' requirements from Microsoft?"
Host 2:"Absolutely fascinating! Microsoft is truly raising the bar for the concept of an 'AI PC'. They're calling for a dedicated Copilot key and new silicon powered by NPU, CPU, and GPU, as per Intel's reports."
Host 1:Ah, hold on just a moment. You seem to be tossing about quite a few acronyms there. For our esteemed listeners who may not be as tech-savvy, could you kindly elucidate the meanings of NPU, CPU, and GPU?
Host 2:"Indeed! NPU, which stands for Neural Processing Unit, is the brain of the operation, while CPU, or Central Processing Unit, is the workhorse, and GPU, the Graphics Processing Unit, adds the visual flair. These components form the bedrock of a computer system, wouldn't you agree?"
Host 1:"Ah, so what you're saying is that in order to bestow the coveted title of 'AI PC' upon their new machines, vendors must ensure the incorporation of these essential components?"
Host 2:"Indeed! And there's more. Microsoft is rather insistent that these AI PCs have access to its Copilot AI assistant, which is already an integral part of Windows 11. Furthermore, the PCs must be equipped with keyboards featuring the Copilot key. A mere click, and presto! Microsoft's AI-powered assistant is at your beck and call!"
Host 1:"That does indeed sound like a plot straight out of a sci-fi flick! But what's the incentive for the Original Equipment Manufacturers, or OEMs as you tech enthusiasts refer to them?"
Host 2:"Microsoft hasn't divulged all the details just yet. However, they've already designated their new Surface Pro 10 and Surface Laptop 6 for businesses as their inaugural AI PCs."
Host 1:"Fascinating! And what of Intel, then?"
Host 2:"Ah, splendid news indeed! Euclidean Capital and Hamilton Lane have joined the fray, along with the esteemed existing strategic investor State Street. But hold onto your hat, there's more! HeyGen, an AI-based avatar and voice generation platform, is poised to raise a substantial $60 million in a new funding round reportedly spearheaded by Benchmark. Their pre-money valuation stands at a staggering $440 million, a remarkable sixfold increase from just four months ago."
Host 2:"Absolutely! AiDash, a pioneering enterprise SaaS startup, recently concluded an impressive $50 million Series C funding round. Notably, Sanbanci Climate Ventures made a strategic investment, while other key investors included Duke Energy, Lightrock SE Ventures, G2 Venture Partners, Benhamou Global Ventures, Edison International, and Shell Ventures. Quite the lineup, wouldn't you say?"
Host 2:"Absolutely! I've had my ear to the ground. Cohere, the AI model developer with a focus on enterprise, is said to be seeking a substantial $500 million in new funding. Quite the princely sum, wouldn't you agree? And here's the twist - their targeted valuation stands at a remarkable $5 billion, more than double their previous valuation of $2.2 billion from last June."
Host 1:Thanks for the scoop! For our esteemed listeners seeking to stay abreast of AI startup funding and other developments in the VC community, do remember to subscribe to our esteemed "Inside Venture Capital" newsletter. And do keep in mind, ladies and gentlemen, in the realm of AI, the only constant is change! Therefore, stay tuned and continue to expand your knowledge.
Host 2:"Marvelous! On their previous round, they managed to secure a splendid $270 million from Inovia Capital, Nvidia, and Oracle. But do keep your composure, there's more to come. FundGuard, a cloud-based AI-powered accounting platform developer, has successfully secured a princely $100 million in Series C funding led by the esteemed Key1 Capital fund."
Host 2:"Ah, Intel has also dabbled in the realm of AI PCs. They unveiled their own AI PC concept last year featuring their Core Ultra processors. These processors boast a built-in neural processing unit to accelerate the execution of AI programs. They even anticipate that by 2028, a staggering 80% of PC sales will be driven by AI technology."
Host 1:"Spot on! AI is truly the architect of our future. Now, let's shift gears and delve into the latest chatter in the AI realm. Have you caught wind of the recent influx of investments in AI startups?"
Host 2:"The future has undeniably arrived, and it's being propelled by the power of AI. And to our esteemed listeners, do recall, you're getting the scoop right here, first and foremost!"
Host 1:Goodness gracious! That's quite the remarkable surge. Pray tell, who were the major players in their most recent funding endeavor?
Host 1:"Goodness, what a bold prediction! It's as if we've been transported right into the future, isn't it?"
Host 1:Talk about aiming for the stars! Any other noteworthy investments on the horizon?
Host 1:"Quite the coup! And pray, who else graced the FundGuard funding affair?"