100k enterprise users for OpenAI; Mistral launches AI coding tool; xAI's new legal chief and money from ARK

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Welcome to the second edition of the Daily AI Brief, where we bring you the latest developments and trends in the artificial intelligence sector. Here’s what’s making headlines in the world of AI today.

Mistral Launches Codestral: AI Model for Code Generation in 80+ Programming Languages
Mistral, a French AI startup, has released Codestral, a generative AI model aimed at assisting developers with coding in over 80 programming languages. Read more.

Cathie Wood’s ARK Buys Stake in Elon Musk’s AI Startup xAI
ARK Investment Management, led by Cathie Wood, has acquired a stake in Elon Musk’s AI startup xAI. This investment signifies ARK’s increasing involvement in the AI industry. Read more.

Vox Media and The Atlantic Sign Content Deals with OpenAI
Vox Media and The Atlantic have entered into licensing agreements with OpenAI, permitting the use of their content to train AI models and integrate within ChatGPT. Read more

OpenAI Partners with PwC, Signs Up 100K Workers to ChatGPT’s Enterprise Tier
OpenAI has signed PwC as its first resale partner for ChatGPT’s enterprise tier, covering 100,000 users. This partnership marks a significant enterprise adoption of OpenAI’s AI technology. Read more.

AI Startup for Retail Biometrics Closes $30M Series A Funding Round
Aisles, a startup leveraging AI and biometrics for retail shopping, has closed a Series A funding round, raising $30 million. The company plans to use the funds to refine its technology, develop new products, and expand its market presence. Read more.

OpenAI Former Safety Leader Jan Leike Joins Rival AI Startup Anthropic
Jan Leike, previously a key safety researcher at OpenAI, has joined Anthropic, emphasizing the importance of AI safety. Leike’s move comes after OpenAI dissolved its superalignment group, highlighting the increasing significance of AI safety in the tech industry. Read more.

Robert Keele Joins Elon Musk’s xAI as Legal Chief Amid $6 Billion Fundraising
Robert Keele has been appointed as the legal chief at Elon Musk’s AI startup xAI, which recently closed a $6 billion fundraising round. Read more.

WAN-IFRA and OpenAI Launch Global AI Accelerator for Newsrooms
WAN-IFRA, in collaboration with OpenAI, has launched the Newsroom AI Catalyst accelerator to promote AI integration in newsrooms globally. Read more.

GitHub Accelerator Fuels Open Source AI Revolution, Empowering Startups
GitHub’s 2024 Accelerator program supports open source projects by providing financial aid, mentorship, and community-building opportunities. This initiative aims to democratize access to AI technologies. Read more.

OpenAI CEO Sam Altman Pledges to Give Away the Majority of His Wealth
Sam Altman, CEO of OpenAI, along with his partner Oliver Mulherin, has signed the Giving Pledge, committing to donate most of their wealth to philanthropic causes. This decision follows Altman’s recent appearance on the Forbes and Bloomberg billionaires lists. Altman and Mulherin’s pledge focuses on supporting technologies that foster societal abundance. They expressed gratitude for the societal structures that enabled their success and pledged to contribute to enhancing these structures for future generations. Read more.

Funding news

Montreal-based Startup Receives $850,000 to Protect Whales with AI
Whale Seeker Inc. has been awarded $850,000 by the federal Fisheries Department to develop AI technology aimed at protecting marine life from ship strikes. Read more.

Swedish Startup’s Grid Solution Tech Secures ABB-Led Funding Round
Swedish startup Eneryield has secured a seed funding round led by ABB and Chalmers Ventures for its AI-based grid maintenance solution, Intelliview. Read more.

Oslo-based Iris.ai Snaps €7.64M Funding for Its Scientific Research Processing
Iris.ai, an AI startup based in Oslo, has raised €7.64 million in Series A funding to support its AI-assisted solutions in scientific research, enhancing its capabilities to categorize and summarize vast amounts of data. Read more.

Faircado Raises €3M to Accelerate AI-Powered Resale Shopping Browser Extension
Faircado, a Berlin-based startup, has raised €3 million to enhance its AI-powered browser extension that promotes sustainable shopping by recommending second-hand alternatives. The company plans to expand its operations into the UK and French markets. Read more.

Ukrainian-founded AI Startup Bluedot Raises $600k in Angel Funding
Bluedot, an AI startup specializing in an AI-powered note-taking extension for Google Meet, has raised $600,000 in pre-seed funding, bringing its valuation to $5 million. The company plans to use the funds for marketing efforts and team expansion. Read more.

Announcements

Former Amazon Exec Launches AI Advisory Startup
Trent Gillespie, a former Amazon executive, has founded Stellis AI, a startup focusing on advising non-tech organizations on AI integration and strategy. Read more.

Austin Tech Firm Valkyrie Spins Out New AI Startup Andromeda for Military Psyops
Andromeda, an AI startup spun out of Austin’s Valkyrie, aims to assist the U.S. military in analyzing and countering propaganda and misinformation. Read more.

iLearningEngines Partners with Doublu.ai to Empower AI-Driven Business Transformation
iLearningEngines has partnered with Doublu.ai to enhance AI-driven business transformation through tailored AI solutions, providing exceptional business insights and efficiencies across various industries. Read more.

Acai Travel to Power AI-Driven Enhancements for Globespan Travel Management
Globespan Travel Management has partnered with Acai Travel to incorporate AI technologies into its service offerings, aiming to improve operational efficiencies and customer service. Read more.

Ignition AI Accelerator Launches in Singapore with Industry Support
The Ignition AI Accelerator, supported by Tribe, DISG, and NVIDIA, has been launched in Singapore to support AI startups. The program aims to provide comprehensive business and technical support to selected startups. Read more.

CaseWare Launches AI-Driven Platform for the Audit Industry
CaseWare has introduced AnalyticsAI, a new AI-driven platform designed to enhance the efficiency and effectiveness of financial audits. The platform uses machine learning algorithms to handle large volumes of data and identify anomalies, setting a new standard in auditing practices. Read more.

Regulatory, policy, and ethics

HP Report Surfaces Shifts in Cyber Attack Tactics
HP Wolf Security’s latest report reveals evolving tactics and techniques used by cybercriminals, emphasizing a move towards more targeted and cost-effective methodologies. The report highlights primary threat vectors and the increasing sophistication of attacks. Read more.

UK Judge Predicts Artificial Intelligence Will Transform Role of Expert Witnesses
At the Expert Witness Institute conference, Sir Keith Lindblom discussed the integration of AI into the legal system, emphasizing that expert witnesses will still play a crucial role despite AI advancements. AI is predicted to assist but not replace expert witnesses, who will need to adapt to overseeing AI-generated evidence. Read more.

Malta has more AI startups per capita than the US
Malta has a higher concentration of AI startups per capita compared to the United States, showcasing its leadership in the AI industry. The Maltese government, along with local businesses and universities, are leveraging AI for various applications, aiming to become the ‘Ultimate AI Launchpad’ by 2030 under new EU AI regulations. Read more.

How One School District is Turning to AI to Solve Bus Driver Shortage
The Colorado Springs School District 11 has implemented AI technology from RouteWise AI to address the shortage of school bus drivers. This partnership has significantly improved efficiency and cost savings. The district has reduced its bus routes by nearly 50%, enhanced punctuality, and saved substantial funds, which helped secure the jobs of at least ten teachers. Read more.