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 Apple is reportedly working to integrate AI chatbots like ChatGPT into CarPlay, and as the tech industry grapples with issues ranging from proposed wealth taxes to the use of AI in Super Bowl advertising.
Benchmark's investment in Cerebras represents a significant commitment to the AI chipmaker. The firm, a long-time backer of Cerebras, led the startup's $27 million Series A round in 2016. To accommodate the latest investment, Benchmark raised two separate funds, both named Benchmark Infrastructure, according to regulatory filings. The recent funding round nearly tripled Cerebras' valuation from $8.1 billion just six months prior.
Meanwhile, the tech world is facing other developments. An AI startup founder is planning a "March for Billionaires" in San Francisco to protest California's proposed wealth tax, according to TechCrunch. The event, scheduled for this coming Saturday, is intended to highlight the potential negative consequences of the tax. The website advertising the event stated, "Vilifying billionaires is popular. Losing them is expensive."
In other news, HBO's financial thriller "Industry" is tackling tech fraud in its current season, with a storyline centered on a fraudulent fintech company called Tender. The show's plot involves a hunt to expose the company, which appears to be built on fabricated numbers, according to the show.
Apple is also exploring ways to integrate AI chatbots like ChatGPT into its CarPlay system, according to Bloomberg, as reported by TechCrunch. This move would allow CarPlay users to interact with AI chatbots through their vehicles' infotainment systems, potentially enhancing the functionality of the system.
Finally, the Super Bowl showcased the growing influence of AI in advertising. Svedka Vodka ran what it touted as the first primarily AI-generated national Super Bowl spot, featuring its robot character, Fembot, according to TechCrunch. This trend reflects the increasing use of AI in both creating and promoting products.
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