News/Partnerships
Google’s AP2 protocol enables secure AI agent payments with cryptographic proof
Google introduced the Agent Payments Protocol (AP2) on Tuesday, a standardization framework designed to enable AI agents to authorize and complete purchases while maintaining accountability and audit trails. The protocol addresses a fundamental challenge in AI-driven commerce: proving that automated transactions carry the same legitimacy as human-initiated purchases, with backing from over 60 companies including American Express, Mastercard, PayPal, and Coinbase. How it works: AP2 uses cryptographically signed "mandates" that create tamper-evident records for each transaction phase. An intent mandate captures when a user requests an item, followed by a cart mandate that approves the final purchase basket. A third...
read Sep 17, 2025Workday acquires AI firm Sana for $1.1B to boost HR automation
Workday announced it will acquire AI firm Sana for approximately $1.1 billion, marking another significant consolidation move in the rapidly evolving HR software sector. The deal underscores how established HR platforms are aggressively pursuing AI capabilities to meet growing customer demands for automated workplace solutions, joining a wave of major acquisitions that have reshaped the industry landscape this year. The big picture: HR software companies are consolidating at breakneck speed as they race to integrate AI capabilities into their platforms. Private equity firm Thoma Bravo agreed to buy Workday rival Dayforce for $12.3 billion just last month. Paychex announced a...
read Sep 16, 2025Dyna Robotics raises $120M with $600M valuation from tech giants
Dyna Robotics has secured $120 million in Series B funding led by CRV, First Round Capital, and RoboStrategy, with participation from Nvidia, Amazon, and Salesforce venture arms. The round values the general-purpose robotics startup at over $600 million, highlighting growing investor confidence in cost-effective robotic solutions for widespread deployment. What you should know: The funding round demonstrates significant backing from major technology companies investing in the future of robotics automation.• The $120 million Series B was led by CRV, First Round Capital, and RoboStrategy, a specialized robotics investment fund.• Technology giants Nvidia Corp., Amazon.com Inc., and Salesforce Inc. participated through...
read Sep 16, 2025CoreWeave secures $6.3B Nvidia deal with guaranteed cloud capacity buyback
CoreWeave has signed a $6.3 billion initial order with Nvidia, securing a deal where the AI chipmaker guarantees to purchase any cloud capacity not sold to customers. The agreement provides CoreWeave with crucial financial protection against potential declines in AI computing demand while cementing its position as a key Nvidia cloud partner. What you should know: The deal extends through April 2032 and builds on CoreWeave's existing partnership with Nvidia from April 2023.• CoreWeave operates AI data centers in the U.S. and Europe, offering access to Nvidia's highly sought-after GPUs used for training and running large AI models.• Shares of...
read Sep 16, 2025Menlo Ventures promotes Deedy Das to partner after just 1 year
Menlo Ventures has promoted Deedy Das to Partner, recognizing his rapid impact on the firm's AI investment strategy since joining in 2024. The elevation reflects Menlo's aggressive push into AI investing, where Das has co-launched a $100M fund with Anthropic and backed 35 startups while helping establish the firm as a leading early-stage AI investor. What you should know: Das made an unusually fast ascent to partner level, achieving the promotion in just over a year at the firm. He co-launched the $100M Anthology Fund with Anthropic, the AI safety company behind the Claude chatbot, and has already backed 35...
read Sep 16, 2025Brilliant Labs integrates Liquid AI to boost smart glasses vision processing
Brilliant Labs has partnered with MIT-born Liquid AI to integrate advanced vision-language foundation models into its Halo smart glasses, significantly enhancing the device's ability to interpret visual content. This collaboration aims to improve the glasses' agentic memory capabilities, which create personalized knowledge bases by analyzing users' daily experiences and providing contextual responses to future questions. What you should know: The partnership will integrate Liquid AI's LFM2-VL series models into Brilliant Labs' products, starting with the Halo AI glasses launched in July. Liquid AI's vision-language foundation models can process text and images at various resolutions with "millisecond latency," transforming camera sensor...
read Sep 16, 2025White House launches AI education task force with 2M worker training pledge
The White House Task Force on AI Education held its inaugural meeting, positioning artificial intelligence literacy as a cornerstone of America's competitive strategy and educational future. Led by science and technology policy director Michael Kratsios, the task force outlined plans to integrate AI education across K-12 systems while securing major private sector commitments to train millions of American workers. What you should know: The task force was established through President Trump's April 2025 executive order and focuses on three core missions: promoting AI literacy among students and educators, organizing a nationwide AI challenge, and forging public-private partnerships for K-12 AI...
read Sep 15, 2025Oracle stock soars 40% after $300B OpenAI cloud deal
OpenAI has signed a $300 billion contract with Oracle to purchase computing power over the next five years, marking one of the largest cloud deals in history. The agreement, which begins in 2027, represents a massive bet on AI's continued growth while highlighting the extraordinary financial risks both companies are taking in the artificial intelligence race. What you should know: The deal requires unprecedented power and financial commitments that could reshape both companies' futures. The contract will consume 4.5 gigawatts of power capacity—enough electricity to supply about four million homes. OpenAI will owe Oracle an average of $60 billion annually...
read Sep 15, 2025DOF Robotics raises $40M in IPO for immersive attraction expansion
DOF Robotics, an award-winning producer of immersive simulation attractions and robotic systems, has completed its Initial Public Offering on Borsa Istanbul, raising over $40 million and representing 29% of the company's current value. The IPO enables significant investment in R&D projects, production capacity expansion, and entry into new markets as the 19-year-old company continues its global growth trajectory across 60 countries. What you should know: DOF Robotics has established itself as a major player in the immersive entertainment industry through strategic partnerships and consistent growth. The company exports to over 60 countries across six continents, providing simulators and immersive experiences...
read Sep 12, 202510 best Granola AI alternatives for meeting productivity in 2025
Meeting productivity has become a critical business challenge as organizations navigate hybrid work environments and an increasing volume of virtual discussions. Traditional note-taking methods often leave participants torn between actively engaging in conversations and capturing important details, leading to missed action items and unclear follow-ups. Granola AI emerged as one solution to this problem, offering an AI-powered meeting assistant that blends user-typed notes with automated transcriptions to create comprehensive meeting summaries. However, the platform's current limitations—including Mac-only availability, speaker recognition issues, and the absence of mobile applications—have prompted many teams to explore alternative solutions. The market for AI-powered meeting assistants...
read Sep 12, 2025Bank of New York Mellon invests $10M in Carnegie Mellon AI research lab
Bank of New York Mellon is investing $10 million over five years to establish an AI research lab at Carnegie Mellon University, with the physical BNY AI Lab set to open this academic year. The partnership positions both organizations at the forefront of AI research in financial services while strengthening Pittsburgh's growing reputation as an artificial intelligence hub. What you should know: The collaboration extends far beyond basic research funding, creating comprehensive opportunities for students and faculty alike. The BNY AI Lab will support faculty-led research and multi-disciplinary projects focused on AI governance, trust, and accountability frameworks for financial services....
read Sep 12, 2025OpenAI signs $300B Oracle cloud deal for massive Stargate AI project
OpenAI has signed a $300 billion cloud computing agreement with Oracle, marking one of the largest cloud contracts in history. The five-year deal, which begins in 2027, positions OpenAI to secure massive computing resources as part of the broader $500 billion Stargate AI infrastructure initiative, while providing Oracle with unprecedented revenue visibility in the rapidly expanding AI market. What you should know: The agreement forms part of Stargate, an ambitious $500 billion AI infrastructure project that includes building 4.5 gigawatts of new data center capacity. OpenAI will purchase computing power from Oracle starting in 2027, providing the AI company with...
read Sep 12, 2025Microsoft and OpenAI reshape $13B partnership as OpenAI eyes IPO
Microsoft and OpenAI have signed a non-binding memorandum of understanding to establish the "next phase" of their partnership, marking a significant shift in their collaboration structure. The deal reportedly modifies key provisions around technology access and revenue sharing, while paving the way for OpenAI's long-anticipated transformation from a nonprofit into a public benefit corporation. What you should know: The new agreement addresses how the companies will share technology and revenue from those technologies, though specific terms remain under negotiation. The deal modifies the original clause preventing Microsoft from accessing OpenAI's most advanced technology if the board determines it has achieved...
read Sep 12, 2025AI sign language platform debuts at Rochester’s Susan B. Anthony Museum
The National Susan B. Anthony Museum and House is partnering with Rochester-based startup Sign-Speak to provide on-demand AI-powered American Sign Language interpretation for visitors. This marks the first museum collaboration for the AI platform and addresses a significant accessibility gap in Rochester, which has one of the world's largest deaf populations per capita. Why this matters: The partnership aligns with the museum's mission to broaden conversations about civil rights and inclusion, making historical narratives accessible to previously underserved visitors while showcasing how AI can bridge communication barriers. How it works: Visitors will scan a QR code to access Sign-Speak's AI...
read Sep 11, 2025Naval War College and Salve Regina host AI national security forum
The U.S. Naval War College partnered with Salve Regina University to host the third Forum at Newport, focusing on artificial intelligence and national security implications. The event brought together military leaders, academics, and industry experts to examine how AI technologies are reshaping defense strategies and preparing tomorrow's military leaders for emerging challenges. What you should know: The forum featured keynote remarks from Admiral (ret.) Michael S. Rogers, former commander of U.S. Cyber Command, emphasizing the critical intersection of AI and national security.• The event was designed to strengthen collaboration between the two Rhode Island institutions and foster scholarship on global...
read Sep 11, 2025Water in a dust bowl: Tulsa teachers build underwater robots for Navy-aligned STEM program
The Tulsa Regional STEM Alliance hosted professional development training for 20 teachers to launch underwater robotics programs at their schools through the SeaPerch Challenge. The initiative aims to expand access to hands-on STEM education while preparing students for real-world careers in fields like naval operations and engineering. What you should know: The SeaPerch program teaches students to build and operate remotely operated underwater vehicles (ROVs), developing skills directly applicable to military and civilian careers. Teachers learn comprehensive technical skills including cutting pipe, soldering, and drilling to construct the underwater robots. The program is partnered with the Naval League, which helps...
read Sep 11, 2025AI rent-a-bots patrol Austin neighborhoods with remote human oversight
Austin-based CTX Patrol has deployed AI-powered security robots in partnership with Daxbot, an Oregon-based robotics company, to patrol northeast Austin neighborhoods. One robot named Palmer now monitors the Windsor Park area, representing a cost-effective approach to maintaining continuous security presence while keeping human operators safely removed from potential threats. How it works: Palmer combines advanced surveillance technology with remote human oversight to monitor neighborhoods around the clock.• The robot is equipped with advanced cameras and facial recognition technology to detect suspicious activity in real-time.• Trained operators monitor Palmer continuously from Daxbot's headquarters in Philomath, Oregon, ready to assess threats and...
read Sep 11, 2025Seattle unveils responsible AI plan with 40 priority projects
Seattle Mayor Bruce Harrell has unveiled a comprehensive "responsible AI plan" designed to guide the city's artificial intelligence use while positioning Seattle as a leader in the AI economy. The initiative includes frameworks for AI deployment in city operations, employee training programs, and strategic partnerships with local tech companies to tackle urban challenges like permitting delays and traffic safety. What you should know: Seattle is leveraging its position as the second-ranked city for AI talent to create a balanced approach to AI adoption in municipal operations.• The city has identified 40 priority projects where AI could improve government performance and...
read Sep 11, 2025OpenAI ponders South Korea data center amid Samsung and SK partnerships
OpenAI is considering building a data center in South Korea while expanding partnerships with major Korean conglomerates like Samsung and SK, according to remarks made during the launch of its Seoul office. The move aligns with South Korea's push for AI sovereignty and positions OpenAI to tap into the country's advanced semiconductor ecosystem as it prepares to manufacture its own AI chips. What you should know: OpenAI's Chief Strategy Officer Jason Kwon confirmed the company's openness to Korean infrastructure investments during a September 10 press conference. "When it comes to the hardware chip side, I think we have a lot...
read Sep 10, 2025Adobe launches 6 AI agents to automate marketing campaigns
Adobe has unveiled a comprehensive AI agent system designed to transform how marketing and customer experience teams manage campaigns and customer interactions. The Adobe Experience Platform (AEP) Agent Orchestrator, now generally available alongside six specialized AI agents, represents a significant shift toward automated, intelligent marketing operations that could help teams scale their efforts dramatically. The launch addresses a fundamental challenge facing modern marketing teams: managing increasingly complex customer journeys across multiple channels while delivering personalized experiences at scale. Rather than forcing marketers to juggle multiple tools and platforms, Adobe's system uses a central orchestration layer that coordinates specialized AI agents...
read Sep 10, 2025UAE debuts K2 Think, a low-cost AI reasoning model to rival global competitors
The United Arab Emirates has unveiled K2 Think, a new low-cost AI reasoning model developed through a partnership between Emirati investor G42 and an AI research university in Abu Dhabi. The model represents the UAE's latest effort to establish itself as a global AI leader while diversifying its economy beyond oil dependence. What you should know: K2 Think delivers competitive performance while being significantly smaller and more cost-effective than existing AI reasoning models. Developers claim the model performs "just as well" as larger alternatives while requiring a fraction of the computational resources. The project emerged from collaboration between G42, a...
read Sep 10, 2025Reddit, Yahoo and Medium launch new licensing standard for AI content
Major web publishers including Reddit, Yahoo, Medium, and People Inc. have adopted a new Really Simple Licensing (RSL) standard that allows them to set compensation terms for AI companies scraping their content. The initiative creates a structured approach for publishers to negotiate fair payment from AI firms, addressing the ongoing crisis in web publishing as artificial intelligence companies have historically used online content without compensation. What you should know: The RSL standard integrates licensing terms directly into the robots.txt protocol, the basic file that provides instructions for web crawlers. Supported licensing options include free, attribution, subscription, pay-per-crawl, and pay-per-inference models....
read Sep 10, 2025Chemistry-focused CuspAI raises $100M to accelerate AI-designed materials discovery
CuspAI, an artificial intelligence startup developing models for chemistry discovery, has raised $100 million in Series A funding led by New Enterprise Associates (NEA), a prominent venture capital firm, and Temasek, Singapore's sovereign wealth fund. The round, which values the company at $520 million, positions CuspAI to accelerate the development of AI-designed materials ranging from carbon capture substances to advanced semiconductors, targeting markets that could reshape manufacturing and sustainability efforts. What you should know: CuspAI has assembled an impressive roster of AI luminaries and industry veterans to guide its mission of using AI to discover new materials. The company's advisory...
read Sep 10, 2025Volkswagen invests $1.2B in AI to cut vehicle development time by 25%
Volkswagen has committed up to 1 billion euros (roughly $1.17 billion) to artificial intelligence investments by 2030, positioning AI as central to accelerating vehicle development and strengthening industrial operations. The German automaker expects efficiency gains and cost avoidance of up to 4 billion euros by 2035 from scalable AI deployment across its value chain, while aiming to cut vehicle development cycles to as little as 36 months—about 25% faster than current timelines. What you should know: Volkswagen already has more than 1,200 AI applications in use across its operations, with hundreds more under development. The company announced its AI investment...
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