News/Business
Tying it all together: Credo’s purple cables power the $4B AI data center boom
Credo, a Silicon Valley semiconductor company specializing in data center cables and chips, has seen its stock price more than double this year to $143.61, following a 245% surge in 2024. The company's signature purple cables, which cost between $300-$500 each, have become essential infrastructure for AI data centers, positioning Credo to capitalize on the trillion-dollar AI infrastructure expansion as hyperscalers like Amazon, Microsoft, and Elon Musk's xAI rapidly build out massive computing facilities. What you should know: Credo's active electrical cables (AECs) are becoming indispensable for connecting the massive GPU clusters required for AI training and inference. The company...
read Oct 17, 2025AI advances faster than corporations can possibly adapt, executives warn
Executives at Semafor's World Economy Summit highlighted a growing disconnect between AI's rapid technological advancement and corporate America's ability to adapt organizationally. While AI is enabling breakthrough innovations like Formula 1 teams using digital twins instead of physical testing, legacy companies are struggling to rewire decades-old business processes quickly enough to keep pace with the technology. What you should know: AI is delivering on ambitious promises faster than many anticipated, creating practical solutions that were impossible just years ago. Sassine Ghazi, CEO of Synopsys, a chip design software company, pointed to Formula 1 as an example where teams now create...
read Oct 17, 2025Kentucky distillery takes its shot at AI, uses 1,500 sensors to automate bourbon production
Whiskey House, a new Kentucky distillery founded by bourbon industry veterans David Mandell and John Hargrove, has launched as a fully automated, technology-driven contract distilling operation amid widespread turmoil in the American whiskey market. The facility represents a dramatic departure from traditional whiskey-making methods, using advanced sensors, real-time analytics, and predictive control systems to address quality inconsistencies that plague the industry while serving the growing demand from non-distiller producer brands. The big picture: The American whiskey industry is experiencing significant upheaval, with major brands seeing declining sales and several companies filing for bankruptcy, yet Whiskey House sees opportunity in the...
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Uber’s gig within gig allows drivers to make money labeling AI data
Uber has launched a pilot program in the US that allows its drivers to complete data labeling tasks during downtime, expanding on a similar initiative already running in India. The move positions Uber to become a major player in the AI training data market by leveraging its global workforce of drivers and delivery workers to help enterprises scale their artificial intelligence efforts. What you should know: Uber's AI Solutions division is testing a program where select US drivers and couriers complete digital tasks like recording speech samples, submitting multilingual documents, and uploading images. The pilot builds on a successful program...
read Oct 17, 2025AI data centers projected to comprise 12% of US electricity consumption by 2028
Rising electricity costs across America are increasingly linked to the artificial intelligence boom, as data centers powering AI tools strain the power grid and drive up consumer bills. The average price of electricity has jumped 13% since 2022, with data centers projected to consume up to 12% of US electricity by 2028—nearly triple their 2023 usage—creating unprecedented demand that utilities struggle to meet. What you should know: Individual consumers are feeling the impact of AI's massive power requirements in their monthly electricity bills. Kentucky nurse Lindsey Martin saw her bill spike from around $150 two to three years ago to...
read Oct 17, 2025AI and robots go to White Castle in new Ohio prototype restaurant
White Castle has unveiled its "Castle of Tomorrow" prototype restaurant in Columbus, Ohio, featuring AI-powered drive-thru assistance, robotic fry stations, and redesigned dining spaces that blend automation with hospitality. The 104-year-old burger chain's tech-forward approach reflects a broader industry shift toward balancing digital efficiency with enhanced on-premise experiences as consumer spending returns to in-restaurant dining. What you should know: The new prototype incorporates several cutting-edge technologies designed to improve both customer experience and operational efficiency. The restaurant features Julia, an AI-powered drive-thru voice assistant named after a long-time team member, and the latest generation of Flippy, a robotic fry station...
read Oct 17, 2025Billionaire VC Tim Draper compares OpenAI to AOL, predicts AI market correction
Legendary venture capitalist Tim Draper, who became a billionaire through early investments in Skype, Hotmail, Tesla, and Baidu, has compared OpenAI to AOL from the early internet era, suggesting the AI leader may not be the ultimate winner of the current AI revolution. The comparison comes as Draper embraces AI technology extensively in his own venture capital operations, creating multiple AI avatars of himself while predicting we're near the peak of AI hype before an inevitable market correction. What he's saying: Draper draws parallels between today's AI landscape and the early internet boom, positioning OpenAI as potentially vulnerable to future...
read Oct 17, 2025Handshake lays off 96 employees while launching new AI division
Handshake, the college-to-career platform often called "LinkedIn for students," has laid off nearly 100 employees at its San Francisco headquarters as it pivots toward artificial intelligence. The cuts come as the company launches Handshake AI, a new division designed to connect academic experts with AI labs that need human feedback to train and validate models. Key details: The layoffs affect 96 positions across multiple departments and will be implemented over the next few months. Most departures take effect this week, with some continuing through November and December. The cuts impact software engineers, recruiters, marketers, and senior managers at the company's...
read Oct 16, 2025Wedbush analyst doubles down on AI investments after Asia trip
Dan Ives, managing director at Wedbush Securities, has reinforced his bullish stance on artificial intelligence investments after witnessing strong AI demand across Asian markets. His latest assessment comes as investors seek clarity on AI's global growth trajectory and regional adoption patterns. What you should know: Ives appeared on CNBC's "Fast Money" to discuss his continued optimism about AI sector investments, specifically highlighting robust demand he's observed in Asia. Why this matters: Asian markets represent a crucial growth driver for AI companies, and strong regional demand signals could validate current AI valuations and investment strategies. Institutional investor sentiment around AI remains...
read Oct 16, 2025Google’s Gemini 3 AI model reportedly set for October 22 launch with 5 key upgrades
Google's anticipated Gemini 3 AI model appears closer to launch than many expected, with leaked internal timelines suggesting a potential October 22 release date. While Google hasn't officially confirmed this timeline, the tech giant's historical pattern of Wednesday launches for major AI updates lends credibility to the speculation. The leaked calendar, which surfaced on social media platform X (formerly Twitter), could represent either a public launch or limited developer access. Regardless of the exact timing, Gemini 3 represents Google's next major advancement in artificial intelligence capabilities, building on the success of the current Gemini 2.5 Pro and Gemini 2.5 Flash...
read Oct 16, 2025Novelists sue Salesforce for using copyrighted books to train AI models
Two authors have filed a proposed class action lawsuit against Salesforce, alleging the cloud computing giant used thousands of copyrighted books without permission to train its xGen AI models. The lawsuit highlights growing legal pressure on tech companies over AI training practices, with dozens of similar cases targeting major firms like OpenAI, Microsoft, and Meta. What you should know: Novelists Molly Tanzer and Jennifer Gilmore claim Salesforce infringed their copyrights by using pirated books to train xGen AI models for language processing.• The complaint was filed on Wednesday, with Salesforce declining to comment on the lawsuit Thursday.• Attorney Joseph Saveri,...
read Oct 16, 2025How they do it, not what they do it with: PepsiCo cracks enterprise AI with novelty
PepsiCo has cracked the code on enterprise AI adoption, but not in the way most companies expect. While businesses worldwide scramble to deploy the latest AI tools, the beverage and snack giant is taking a fundamentally different approach: buying best-in-class technology while fiercely protecting ownership of core business processes. This strategic balance—embracing external innovation while maintaining internal control—represents a significant departure from the outsourcing-heavy model that dominated enterprise technology for decades. Dr. Athina Kanioura, PepsiCo's Chief Strategy and Transformation Officer, shared this philosophy at Salesforce Dreamforce 2025, outlining an approach that other enterprises can adapt for their own AI transformations....
read Oct 14, 2025Firefox adds Perplexity AI as default search engine option
Mozilla has officially added Perplexity AI as a default search engine option in Firefox for desktop users, expanding beyond an earlier limited test. The integration brings conversational AI-powered search with citations directly to Firefox's address bar, positioning Mozilla to compete with other browsers offering AI-enhanced search capabilities. What you should know: Perplexity provides conversational answers with citations, allowing users to validate information without navigating through multiple search result pages. Users can access Perplexity through the unified search button in Firefox's address bar alongside traditional search engines. Mozilla plans to bring Perplexity to mobile Firefox browsers "in the coming months," though...
read Oct 14, 2025Serve Robotics tops Fast Company’s tech list with Gen3 delivery robots
Serve Robotics has secured the top spot in Fast Company's "Next Big Things in Tech" list for the Robotics and Automation category, highlighting its third-generation autonomous sidewalk delivery robot. The recognition validates Serve's position in the expanding last-mile logistics market as the company scales toward its goal of deploying 2,000 robots across major U.S. cities by the end of 2025. What you should know: Serve's third-generation robot represents a significant leap in autonomous delivery capabilities compared to previous models. The Gen3 robot operates nearly twice as fast, travels double the distance, runs six additional hours per day, and carries larger...
read Oct 14, 2025Shop, talk: Walmart partners with OpenAI to enable ChatGPT conversational purchases
Walmart has partnered with OpenAI to integrate ChatGPT into its shopping experience, allowing customers to purchase items through AI-powered conversations. The collaboration represents a significant shift from traditional search-and-browse e-commerce toward conversational shopping, as America's largest retailer seeks to leverage artificial intelligence to streamline customer interactions and reduce purchase friction. What you should know: Walmart is deploying ChatGPT technology to create a more seamless shopping experience that moves beyond conventional search bars and product lists. The partnership will enable customers to buy items through OpenAI's chatbot services, though Walmart has not specified an exact launch date beyond "soon." CEO Doug...
read Oct 14, 2025Salesforce partners with OpenAI and Stripe for conversational commerce
Salesforce announced two major AI collaborations on Tuesday, partnering with OpenAI to integrate ChatGPT directly into its customer relationship management (CRM) platform and working with both OpenAI and Stripe to enable conversational commerce through its Agentforce platform. These partnerships position Salesforce to deliver enterprise-grade AI capabilities that mirror consumer experiences while accelerating the shift toward autonomous digital commerce. What you should know: The OpenAI partnership brings ChatGPT functionality directly into Salesforce's customer relationship management system, allowing businesses to query sales records and build visualizations without leaving their workflow. Companies can access their sales data, review customer conversations, and create Tableau...
read Oct 14, 2025France’s Publicis raises growth forecast as AI powers 73% of operations
French advertising giant Publicis raised its full-year organic growth forecast for the second time in 2025, crediting artificial intelligence as its primary growth driver. The company now reports that 73% of its operations are AI-powered, demonstrating how strategic AI implementation can deliver measurable business results amid ongoing debates about AI's practical value. What you should know: Publicis has systematically invested €12 billion ($12.7 billion) in data, technology, and AI infrastructure since 2015, enabling the company to monitor consumer behavior across more than 4 billion individuals globally. The advertising firm now individualizes marketing strategies at unprecedented scale, leveraging this massive data...
read Oct 14, 2025AI drives 25% of major M&A deals worth upwards of 5 billion dollars
Artificial intelligence companies are driving a surge in major M&A activity, accounting for more than a quarter of deals valued at $5 billion or above this year. Latham & Watkins, a global law firm, has emerged as the clear winner in capturing this lucrative legal work, advising on $110.5 billion worth of AI-related transactions—nearly double that of its closest competitor. The big picture: AI's influence on the M&A landscape extends beyond pure-play AI companies to include deals supporting AI infrastructure, security services, and power demands driven by data center expansion. Key details: Of nearly 90 transactions valued at $5 billion...
read Oct 14, 2025BlackRock exec says AI investments aren’t in a bubble—capacity is the real problem
BlackRock's Alex Brazier says artificial intelligence investments are not in a bubble and current valuations appear "pretty reasonable." He argues that the primary challenge facing AI development today is capacity constraints, which recent large-scale deals have been designed to address. What you should know: Brazier's assessment counters growing concerns about AI investment overheating in the current market environment. The BlackRock executive specifically pointed to capacity as the main bottleneck limiting AI progress, rather than inflated valuations or speculative investment. Recent mega deals in the AI space have been strategically focused on addressing these capacity constraints. In plain English: When Brazier...
read Oct 14, 2025Etsy sellers can now do business through ChatGPT as concern over being seen by customers grows
Etsy has launched a new ChatGPT integration allowing U.S. buyers to purchase products directly through OpenAI's platform without visiting Etsy's website. The partnership represents a significant shift in AI-powered commerce, but seller reactions remain divided as many worry about losing customer relationships and personalized connections that define their handmade businesses. What you should know: The integration is currently limited to sellers participating in Etsy's Offsite Ads program, which automatically enrolls most merchants but allows some to opt out. Only products from Offsite Ads participants can be purchased directly through ChatGPT, while others display a "visit" button redirecting to Etsy's main...
read Oct 13, 2025Google expands Imagen 3 to NotebookLM and more after 200M edits
Google has officially rolled out its Imagen 3 AI image generator to NotebookLM and Google Lens, with Google Photos integration coming soon. The expansion marks a significant broadening of the popular AI tool beyond its original home in Gemini, where it has already completed over 200 million edits since its August launch. What you should know: Imagen 3 is now live in NotebookLM's Video Overviews feature, automatically creating illustrations and explanatory diagrams in six visual styles including Watercolor, Papercraft, and Anime. In Google Lens, users can snap photos and instantly transform them using a new "Create" mode, currently available in...
read Oct 13, 2025Salesforce commits $15B to San Francisco AI innovation hub
Salesforce announced a $15 billion investment in San Francisco over the next five years, focusing on artificial intelligence innovation and workforce development in the city. The commitment represents one of the largest corporate investments in San Francisco's tech ecosystem and positions the company to strengthen its AI capabilities while supporting its hometown's economic growth. What you should know: The investment will fund a new AI incubator hub on Salesforce's San Francisco campus and help companies adopt AI agents that can perform tasks on behalf of users.• AI agents are software programs that can automatically handle routine business tasks like scheduling...
read Oct 13, 2025OpenAI partners with Broadcom to design custom AI chips
OpenAI has partnered with Broadcom, a major semiconductor company, to design custom artificial intelligence chips, marking the latest major infrastructure deal for the ChatGPT maker. The collaboration will see the companies deploy new racks of customized "AI accelerators" starting late next year, as OpenAI continues building the computing power needed to support its growing user base of over 800 million weekly ChatGPT users. What you should know: This partnership is part of OpenAI's broader strategy to secure the specialized hardware and data center capacity required for AI operations. OpenAI has recently announced similar partnerships with chipmakers Nvidia and AMD to...
read Oct 10, 2025How to choose the right AI writing assistant for your team
Most content teams waste thousands of dollars on AI writing tools they abandon within months. The problem isn't the technology—it's choosing the wrong tool for your specific workflow. A solo freelancer managing three clients needs different capabilities than a 50-person marketing department launching quarterly campaigns. This guide breaks down how to choose AI writing assistants based on your team size, content volume, and business objectives. We'll examine the key evaluation criteria, pricing models that make sense for different scenarios, and highlight the leading options currently available. What are AI writing assistants? AI writing assistants are software tools that use artificial...
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