Waymo is expanding its robotaxi service, MrBeast's company is acquiring the fintech app Step, and Bluesky is rolling out drafts, according to recent announcements. Meanwhile, a new study suggests that the widespread adoption of AI in the workplace may lead to burnout, and a London-based startup, Tem, is using AI to revolutionize electricity markets.
Waymo, the Alphabet-owned company, removed human safety drivers from its autonomous test vehicles in Nashville, Tennessee, as it moves closer to launching a robotaxi service in the city this year. The company will partner with Lyft, with riders initially hailing rides through the Waymo app. Once the service expands, Waymo's self-driving vehicles will also be available through the Lyft app. Lyft will handle fleet services, including vehicle readiness, maintenance, charging infrastructure, and depot operations. Waymo already operates commercial services in Atlanta, Austin, Los Angeles, Miami, and the San Francisco Bay Area.
MrBeast's company, Beast Industries, is acquiring Step, a teen-focused banking app. Step, which raised half a billion in funding and has over 7 million users, provides financial services geared toward Gen Z, helping them build credit, save money, and invest. The app has attracted celebrity investors like Charli D'Amelio, Will Smith, The Chainsmokers, and Stephen Curry, in addition to venture firms. Partnering with MrBeast, the most-subscribed creator on YouTube with over 466 million subscribers, is a strategic move to reach young users.
Social network Bluesky is finally rolling out drafts, a feature long requested by its users. Users can access drafts by opening the new post flow and selecting the Drafts button. The rollout of drafts comes as Bluesky recently teased its roadmap for the year, which includes improving the app's algorithmic Discover feed, offering better recommendations, and making the app feel more real-time. The company acknowledged that it still needs to get the basics right.
In the realm of AI, a new study published in Harvard Business Review suggests that companies are at risk of becoming burnout machines due to the increased use of AI in the workplace. The study follows the premise that AI will save workers from their jobs, but its findings indicate that this may not be the case.
Tem, a London-based startup, is using AI to cut electricity prices. The company has built an energy transaction engine that relies on AI and has signed up more than 2,600 business customers throughout the U.K. Tem recently closed an oversubscribed $75 million Series B led by Lightspeed Venture Partners, valuing the startup at over $300 million. The company plans to use the funding to further develop its AI-powered energy solutions.
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