xAI seeks $6B at $18B valuation / AI venture funding ticks up in Q1 / FT to license stories to OpenAI [EN]

Elon Musk's xAI Corp is nearing a $6B funding round valuing it at $18B, Apple plans to launch an AI-powered iPad Pro with an M4 chip, AI startup funding rose to $12.2B in Q1 2024, the Financial Times partners with OpenAI for AI training, and GitHub introduces Copilot Workspace for comprehensive coding assistance.

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Host 3:"In the era of Brexit and tea shortages, the latest venture isn't rockets to Mars, it's AI companions. Because in Britain, who needs the hassle of making friends at the pub when your chatbot can insult your cooking and question your life choices with the same charming disdain as a true British mate?"
Host 3:This version aims to incorporate a more specific cultural context, layering the humor with references familiar to a British audience, while also adding depth and a twist that plays on national stereotypes and contemporary issues.
Host 3:Curious about AI outsmarting humanity? Join us as we explore groundbreaking AI advancements with our GenAI hosts, delving into what these leaps mean for the future of innovation and our society. Get ready for an insightful journey tailored for AI enthusiasts and researchers. Don't miss out!
Host 1:So, have you heard the latest buzz about Elon Musk?
Host 2:With all the hobbies I have, it's hard to keep up with every billionaire's move. But go on, spill the beans!
Host 1:Well, Musk's xAI Corp. is reportedly on the verge of raising a whopping six billion dollars in funding. If all goes well, this could put the AI company's valuation at a staggering eighteen billion dollars.
Host 2:Holy guacamole, that's a lot of zeroes! But who's putting their money in?
Host 1:Silicon Valley's Sequoia Capital is leading the charge. Plus, Future Ventures, Valor Equity Partners, and Gigafund might also jump in.
Host 2:Text Host 2: That's some serious backing. And what's Musk's pitch?
Host 1:He's positioning xAI as a brand to "connect the digital and physical worlds". In simple terms, it's all about integrating his other ventures like X, Tesla, Neuralink, and SpaceX to create a seamless user experience.
Host 2:Ah, the Muskverse! So, what's the plan for all this data?
Host 1:The idea is to use it to advance Tesla's self-driving cars and its Optimus robot. You know, the host launched xAI last year "to understand the true nature of the universe." Or in the host's own words, "to make life multiplanetary and ensure the future of consciousness."
Host 2:Text Host 2: Classic Musk! And I bet there's an AI model in the mix?
Host 1:Indeed! They've got Grok, a "witty and rebellious" chatbot. This fresh funding will help boost Grok's development to better compete with rivals like OpenAI.
Host 2:Well, I'll be damned! Musk's got his fingers in every pie, doesn't he?
Host 1:That he does. And with this funding, it looks like he's about to take a big bite! And to our listeners, what do you think about Musk's latest venture? Let us know in the comments below!
Host 3:Great, another AI promising to speed up our journey to enlightenment. Because clearly, what we've been lacking is the ability to misunderstand the universe at warp speed.
Host 1:So, let's take a break from our usual Musk and his Martian dreams and chat about another tech titan, Apple. Have you heard about their upcoming event?
Host 2:No, I've been too engrossed in my comic book collection. Is it another iPhone launch or something more exciting?
Host 1:Well, you're not far off! They're rumored to be unveiling a new product line. And knowing the company, it's bound to be a spectacle.
Host 2:Text Host 2: Oh, you know me. I'm a sucker for a good tech show. But it'll have to wait until I finish this vintage Spider-Man issue!
Host 1:(laughs) Well, I hope Spider-Man can save the day in time for you to catch the Apple event!
Host 2:(laughs) With great power comes great responsibility. I'll make sure to balance my comic book love with my tech enthusiasm.
Host 1:That's the spirit! And to our listeners, don't forget to tune into the Apple event and let us know your thoughts.
Host 3:In today's news: the launch of a new tablet that claims to understand us better than we understand ourselves. Because, let's face it, in a world where we rely on autocorrect to remember how to spell 'definitely,' having a device that's finally on our level of 'artificial' intelligence is both comforting and a stark reminder of our own modern existential crisis. It's like, 'Hey, I may not remember my own birthday without a Facebook reminder, but at least my tablet gets me.' Finally, a gadget that's as good at pretending to be smart as we are - it's not just artificially intelligent; it's artificially us.
Host 1:You know, in the midst of all the tech jargon, there's a fascinating world of AI startups. Have you heard about the recent funding trends?
Host 2:Text Host 2: No, I've been too engrossed in my latest video game. But you've piqued my interest now. What's the scoop?
Host 1:Alright, joystick-junkie, here's the deal! Despite all the chatter about a slowdown, AI funding actually saw a slight increase in the first quarter of twenty twenty-four. Crunchbase reports a total of twelve point two billion dollars was invested across one thousand one hundred sixty-six deals. That's a four percent rise from the previous quarter!
Host 2:Wow, that's a lot of moolah! But didn't we see a record-breaking funding last year?
Host 1:You've got a sharp memory! Yes, OpenAI did receive a massive ten billion dollars from a technology company in the first quarter of 2023. But this year, the big players were China's Moonshot AI with over one billion dollars, U.S. robotics startup Figure raising six hundred seventy-five million dollars, and Chinese AI startup MiniMax's six hundred million dollar round.
Host 2:That's some serious money! But what's the bigger picture here?
Host 1:Well, according to PitchBook, investors have poured a staggering three hundred and thirty billion dollars into roughly twenty-six thousand AI and machine learning startups over the last three years. That's a two-thirds increase from the funding across twenty thousand three hundred and fifty AI companies between two thousand eighteen and two thousand twenty.
Host 2:You're blowing my mind! I might have to switch from gaming to artificial intelligence!
Host 1:Haha, that might not be a bad idea! But remember, it's not all sunshine and rainbows. Last quarter saw a decline in mega-rounds for AI funding, which are funding rounds exceeding one hundred million dollars. There was only one round surpassing one billion dollars and two others above three hundred twenty million dollars.
Host 2:Well, I guess it's not all 'level-ups' and 'extra lives' in the AI world, huh?
Host 1:You got it! It's a game of its own, with its own set of challenges and rewards. But hey, who doesn't love a good challenge, right?
Host 2:You're right. And I'm always up for a challenge!
Host 1:That's the spirit! And to our listeners out there, are you up for the challenge too? Let us know!
Host 3:"So, AI's now stockpiling wealth like a Silicon Valley mogul, while I'm here strategizing to afford my next coffee. Ah, the sweet taste of economic disparity in the digital age."
Host 1:So, our resident tech guru, have you heard about the recent collaboration between the Financial Times and OpenAI?
Host 2:You bet! It's like the tech version of a superhero team-up. The Financial Times is licensing its news stories to OpenAI for AI training.
Host 1:That's right! But let's break it down for our listeners. AI training is like teaching a computer to understand and learn from data. In this case, news stories from the Financial Times.
Host 2:Text Host 2: Exactly! And it's not just about training AI. They're also planning to create new AI products and features for FT's readers. It's like they're building a super-intelligent news bot!
Host 1:And here's the kicker, folks! The Financial Times is already a customer of ChatGPT Enterprise. So, when ChatGPT uses FT's stories in responses, it will credit and link back to FT. It's like saying, "Hey, I got this cool fact from FT, check them out!"
Host 2:Yeah, and FT's CEO, John Ridding, put it quite succinctly, "It is right, of course, that AI platforms pay publishers for the use of their material." It's like, "You use my stuff, you pay me." Fair enough, right?
Host 1:Absolutely! But it's not all sunshine and rainbows. OpenAI has similar agreements with other news organizations, like Axel Springer and The Associated Press. But they've also been sued by The New York Times for copyright infringement.
Host 2:Yeah, The New York Times accused them of using its content without permission. It's like sneaking into someone's house and borrowing their stuff without asking. Not cool, man!
Host 1:Well put! It's definitely a complex issue. But it's fascinating to see how AI and journalism are intersecting in new and unexpected ways.
Host 2:Absolutely! It's like we're living in a sci-fi movie. AI learning from news stories... what's next, robots writing the news?
Host 3:"Ah, AI paying for news now, are we? I'm eagerly awaiting the moment when robots, in their infinite wisdom, decide to drown their existential sorrows in overpriced coffee alongside us. That'll be the day humanity gets its overdue reality check – served cold, much like the universe's regard for our existence."
Host 1:Spot on! And it's not just about the coding. It helps you manage tasks from brainstorming to running code, all using plain English. Plus, it syncs with your GitHub repositories, so you can steer your project tasks with simple prompts.
Host 1:Not quite! But it does lend a helping hand. It's got these AI assistants, or Copilot-powered agents as they call them, that guide you through your project from one end to the other. It's like having a co-pilot, hence the name!
Host 1:Well, they've just unveiled this shiny new toy called Copilot Workspace. It's an AI-powered developer environment. Still in its infancy, but it's shaping up to be quite the game-changer!
Host 1:Who knows? Maybe that's not too far off! But let's not get ahead of ourselves. For now, let's keep an eye on this exciting collaboration and see where it leads. Stay tuned, folks!
Host 1:That's the dream! Once you kick off a project with Copilot, it gives you a step-by-step plan to reach your goals. It's like having a GPS for your project.
Host 1:It's currently in preview for a select few developers, but they're planning to roll it out to the wider GitHub Copilot platform in the future.
Host 2:Oh, absolutely! GitHub is like my digital dojo. I'm there, coding away, day in, day out. What's the latest scoop on GitHub?
Host 3:Fantastic, now AI's evolved to not just outsmart us, but to actively snub our code comments. So much for teamwork, eh?
Host 1:I knew you'd be on board! It's always exciting to see how technology can make our lives a bit easier, isn't it?
Host 2:Blimey, that's a game-changer. So, no more squinting at code and documentation for hours on end, huh?
Host 2:Text Host 2: That's bloody brilliant! So, it's like having a coding buddy who's always got your back?
Host 2:Hold up... AI-powered? So, it's like having a robot do all the coding for you?
Host 2:Absolutely! Can't wait to see what other tricks they've got up their sleeves.
Host 1:So, as our resident tech guru, you're no stranger to GitHub, right?
Host 2:Well, count me in! I'm all for anything that makes coding a breeze.
Host 2:I'm itching to give it a whirl! When's it hitting the shelves?

xAI seeks $6B at $18B valuation / AI venture funding ticks up in Q1 / FT to license stories to OpenAI [EN]
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