Mark Zuckerberg has some things to say about AI: In an interview about the future of the sector, he touted the value of open source to put AI tools into many people's hands. Then Zuckerberg took a moment to disparage the efforts of unnamed competitors who he sees as less than open, adding that they seem to think they're "creating God." Read more
AI big shot Andrew Ng raising new AI fund: Andrew Ng's AI Fund, a startup incubator that backs small teams of experts looking to solve key problems using AI, plans to raise upward of $120 million for its second tranche. This is smaller than the first tranche of the fund, and perhaps a sign that the AI bubble — particularly the buzzy generative AI segment within it — may be deflating. Read more
Sila charges up with $375 million in new funding: Amid a fraught environment for battery startups, Sila has raised $375 million to finish construction of a U.S. factory that will scale its next-generation battery technology for customers like Mercedes-Benz and Panasonic by the end of 2025. Sila's ability to raise such a large round in a challenging environment could be seen as a vote of confidence for the company's approach to battery chemistry and its ability to scale production. Read more
Meta tests user-created AI chatbots: The company will begin to surface AI characters made by creators through Meta AI Studio on Instagram. The tests will begin in the U.S. And don't worry, Mark Zuckerberg noted that these chatbots will be clearly marked as AI so users are aware. Read more
If you can't beat ChatGPT, join 'em: That's what MagicSchool AI, which is building generative AI tools for educational environments, is doing for teachers and schools — helping them use AI tools, like ChatGPT, to plan lessons, write tests, and produce other learning materials. Read more
Climate's "valley of death": Companies in the climate sector need large infusions of cash, sometimes well beyond what a typical venture investor might offer, to reach a size where they'll be able to make a mark. A new deal involving Rondo Energy, which makes thermal energy batteries, suggests a new way forward: Philanthropic grants. Read more
Amazon folds Amazon Clinic into One Medical: Amazon rebranded its telehealth clinic offering and continues to bet on its healthcare strategy as health tech startups, particularly in the virtual care space, are still emerging. Read more
Who's your avatar?: Character.AI now enables all users to talk to AI characters over calls, which the company said can be useful for practicing language skills, giving mock interviews, or adding them to the gameplay of role-playing games. Read more
