• Open AI released its GPT-4 Omni model (GPT-4o) last week that can understand and generate text, audio, and images faster and more accurately than previous models. The model is available to all users for FREE and can even search the internet (search was previously paywalled). OpenAI also unveiled a desktop version of ChatGPT for macOS users, a realistic-sounding voice version of ChatGPT that’s straight out of the movie Her, and an improved vision model that can accurately understand things in the real world.

• Uber unveiled several new product updates at its annual Go-Get showcase in NYC: Uber Shuttle will provide a more affordable way to get to the airport, sports games, and concerts. Uber Caregiver will allow caregivers to book rides and order essentials on behalf of their loved ones. Uber also unveiled that Costco will be available as an on-demand option within Uber Eats and students are eligible for a discounted Uber One membership ($9.99 to $4.99/month).

• Ohalo Genetics unveiled “Boosted Breeding,” a proprietary gene-editing technology for crops. Ohalo’s new process allows for a plant/crop offspring to inherit the complete DNA from both parents instead of a random 50/50 split. (With the new method offspring have 2x the normal amount of DNA). Through this method, Ohalo was able to increase crop yields by 50-100% compared to conventional methods.

AI NEWS

• Strava announced an AI feature to catch cheaters on its leaderboard.

• Airlines are using AI to adjust departure times so customers make connecting flights.  

• Co-founder of Instagram joined Anthropic as their newest CPO.

• OpenAI is dissolving its safety team after chief scientist Ilya left.

• David Sacks released Glue, an AI-powered Slack killer.

• Netflix announced a 3-year deal to broadcast the NFL’s Christmas Day games, starting this year with airing two NFL games on the holiday.

• Samsung mocked Apple’s controversial “Crush!” iPad Pro ad. 

• Twitter finally transferred to the X.com domain.

• Squarespace will go private in a $6.9B purchase by Permira. 

• AT&T struck a 6-year space satellite deal to compete with SpaceX.

• Tesla fired its entire 500-person supercharger team under Musk’s order.

• Co-founder of Cruise is now building a robot that will complete chores at home.

• Raspberry Pi is planning a potential London IPO.

• Apple stopped $1.8B in App Store fraud last year by rejecting apps/updates.

• 14% of Gen Z credit card borrowers have maxed out their credit cards. (Just 4.8% of Baby Boomer borrowers and 9.6% of Gen Xers are maxed out).

• In 2018, FanDuel was acquired for $465M in cash but the founders and employees received $0.

• Waymo's robotaxis complete 50k paid trips per week (1M+ total ever).

• OpenAI reached 100 million users worldwide across its various products.

• Accel raised a $650M fund targeting early-stage startups in Israel and Europe.

• Figma hit a $12.5B valuation - up 25% from its 2021 fundraising round but below the $20B that Adobe offered to buy it at in 2022.

• Cita lets you buy and sell reservations at exclusive restaurants.

• Polymarket is a current events prediction betting marketplace.

• Zest lets you borrow against your bitcoin and/or earn from your idle bitcoin.

• Fittr provides virtual fitness coaches and nutrition specialists.

• Extern is a marketplace to find remote internships. 

• Twelve Labs uses AI to interpret and label videos like humans.

• VibeCheck helps you find the best [product] using AI and Reddit. 

• Fay Nutrition connects you with dietitians who accept your insurance.

• Voxel51 is an open-source tuning tool for visual data for AI models.

• Humanity is an identity system using blockchain and palm scans.

• Gausium manufactures autonomous floor cleaning robots.

• OpenStore buys successful businesses built on Shopify.

• Spoor uses AI to detect birds approaching wind turbine farms. 

• Canvas produces autonomous drywall finishing robots.

• Shinkei uses software to optimize the fish supply chain. 

• Layup Parts allows you to 3D print composite materials like carbon fiber.

• 222 Place curates events with strangers where you just have to show up.

• Whoosh offers modern golf operations software for private clubs.

• Relocalize is relocalizing food supply with mini robot factories.

• Athena offers remote executive and delegation assistants.

• UNC is dismantling its DEI program to focus funds on police after anti-Israel protests.

• Biden and Trump agreed to debates on June 27th and September 10th.

• Secret Hamas files now show how it spied on everyday Palestinians. 

• Melinda Gates is leaving the Gates Foundation with $12.5B for her charity.

• Wayfair is opening its first large-format store near Chicago. 

• A video clip from the floor of the House of Representatives seems like it’s an SNL skit.

• New F1 movie starring Brad Pitt could be the most expensive movie ever.

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