Benchmark Capital invested at least $225 million in AI chipmaker Cerebras Systems' latest funding round, which raised a total of $1 billion and valued the company at $23 billion, according to TechCrunch. The investment comes as the tech world also grapples with a proposed wealth tax in California, sparking a planned "March for Billionaires" in San Francisco, and as Apple explores integrating AI chatbots like ChatGPT into its CarPlay system.
Cerebras Systems' recent funding round saw a nearly threefold increase in valuation from its previous $8.1 billion valuation just six months prior, according to TechCrunch. Benchmark Capital, a prominent Silicon Valley firm, was an early investor in Cerebras, having led the startup's $27 million Series A in 2016. To accommodate its investment, Benchmark raised two separate vehicles, both called Benchmark Infrastructure, due to its policy of keeping funds under $450 million, regulatory filings show.
Meanwhile, the debate surrounding California's proposed Billionaires Tax has intensified, leading to the organization of a "March for Billionaires" in San Francisco. The event, advertised on a website with the tagline "Vilifying billionaires is popular. Losing them is expensive," has garnered attention and raised questions about its purpose. The organizer confirmed the march is scheduled to take place this coming Saturday, according to TechCrunch.
In other tech developments, Apple is reportedly working on integrating AI chatbot apps into its CarPlay system, according to Bloomberg, as reported by TechCrunch. This move would allow users to interact with AI chatbots through their vehicle's infotainment system, potentially enhancing the functionality of the next-generation CarPlay Ultra, which includes the central touchscreen display and digital dashboard.
The use of AI continues to expand, with brands leveraging the technology in Super Bowl advertisements. Svedka Vodka, for example, created what it touts as the first primarily AI-generated national Super Bowl spot, according to TechCrunch. The 30-second ad, titled "Shake Your Bots Off," features the company's robot character, Fembot, and her new companion, Brobot.
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