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 its CarPlay system, and as brands like Svedka are leveraging AI in Super Bowl advertisements. Meanwhile, an AI startup founder is planning a "March for Billionaires" in San Francisco to protest California's proposed wealth tax, as reported by TechCrunch.
Benchmark's investment in Cerebras represents a significant commitment to the AI chipmaker. The firm, a long-time backer of Cerebras, initially led the startup's $27 million Series A round in 2016. To facilitate the latest investment, Benchmark raised two separate funds, both named Benchmark Infrastructure, due to the firm's policy of keeping its funds under $450 million, according to regulatory filings.
Apple's reported move to integrate AI chatbots into CarPlay could significantly impact how drivers interact with their vehicles. CarPlay, which projects iPhone apps onto a vehicle's infotainment system, already allows users to interact with apps via Siri. The next-generation CarPlay Ultra will expand this functionality further, including the central touchscreen display and digital dashboard.
The Super Bowl advertisements also showcased the growing influence of AI. Svedka Vodka's 30-second ad, "Shake Your Bots Off," was primarily AI-generated, featuring the company's robot character, Fembot, and her new companion, Brobot. This trend highlights the increasing use of AI in both creating and promoting products.
In a contrasting development, the planned "March for Billionaires" in San Francisco reflects the ongoing debate surrounding California's proposed wealth tax. The event, organized by an AI startup founder, is scheduled for this coming Saturday. The website advertising the event uses the tagline: "Vilifying billionaires is popular. Losing them is expensive." The organizer confirmed the march is not a joke, according to TechCrunch.
The HBO financial thriller "Industry" also highlights the current moment, with a storyline about a fraudulent fintech company. The show's plot involves a hunt to expose a company built on fabricated numbers, according to TechCrunch.
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