Benchmark Capital invested at least $225 million in AI chipmaker Cerebras Systems' latest funding round, according to a source familiar with the deal, as the company raised $1 billion in fresh capital. The investment comes as Cerebras' valuation nearly tripled to $23 billion. The news, announced this week, highlights the continued growth in the AI sector and the significant backing from early investors.
Benchmark, a prominent Silicon Valley firm, led Cerebras' Series A round in 2016. To accommodate the investment, which was made through two separate vehicles, both called Benchmark Infrastructure, the firm raised separate funds, as it typically keeps its funds under $450 million, according to regulatory filings. The latest funding round was led by Tiger Global, but a significant portion came from Benchmark.
In other tech news, Apple is reportedly working on integrating AI chatbots like ChatGPT into its CarPlay system, according to Bloomberg, which cited anonymous sources. This move would allow drivers to interact with AI chatbots through their vehicle's infotainment system, potentially expanding the functionality of CarPlay beyond its current offerings, which include apps like Apple Music, messaging, and navigation. The next-generation CarPlay Ultra will include the central touchscreen display and digital dashboard, giving users control of certain vehicle settings.
Meanwhile, HBO's financial thriller "Industry" is exploring tech fraud this season, focusing on a fraudulent fintech company called Tender. The show follows Harper Stern, who is investigating Tender after receiving a tip from a journalist. Sweetpea, one of Stern's associates, discovered that the company was built on fabricated numbers, according to the show.
In Super Bowl advertisements, brands are increasingly leveraging AI. Svedka Vodka created what it touts as the first primarily AI-generated national Super Bowl spot, featuring its robot character, Fembot, and her companion, Brobot.
Additionally, WordPress launched a new Claude connector, allowing site owners to share back-end data with Anthropic's chatbot system. Users can control what data they share and revoke access. Claude will have read-only access, preventing it from altering anything within a user's CMS.
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