The AI Times is a weekly newsletter covering the biggest AI, machine learning, big data, and automation news from around the globe. If you want to read A|I before anyone else, make sure to subscribe using the form at the bottom of this page.
Computer vision startup Algolux secures $23 million CAD Series B round (BETAKIT)
“The world of cameras is actually going to evolve very quickly, but we feel…in many ways, well ahead of the curve.”
Self-driving startup Aurora to go public through SPAC (WALL STREET JOURNAL)
Aurora develops technology for both the trucking and passenger markets, and it is one of the latest self-driving companies to tap the public markets as startups look for funding to build out their products and reach commercial scale.
ZoomInfo drops $575M on Chorus.ai as AI shakes up the sales market (TECHCRUNCH)
Sales intelligence, Chorus’s market, is a hot space that uses AI to “listen” to sales conversations to help improve interactions between salespeople and customers.
Microsoft, AltaML among partners in new University of Waterloo student training program (BETAKIT)
Microsoft Canada and AltaML are leading the AI stream of WE Accelerate, with the goal of helping train the next generation of AI leaders in Canada.
Quantexa raises $153M to build out AI-based big data tools to track risk and run investigations (TECHCRUNCH)
The Series D values the London-based startup between $800 million and $900 million on the heels of Quantexa growing its subscriptions revenues 108% in the last year.
What ever happened to IBM’s Watson? (NEW YORK TIMES)
IBM’s artificial intelligence was supposed to transform industries and generate riches for the company. Neither has panned out. Now, IBM has settled on a humbler vision for Watson.
Eli Fathi retiring as MindBridge CEO (BETAKIT)
Fathi publicly announced his intentions this week, after informing MindBridge’s board of directors earlier this year.
Scale AI’s rapid growth reflects widening demand for smart software (WALL STREET JOURNAL)
Corporate demand for data to train artificial intelligence algorithms has propelled the San Francisco-based startup to a $7 billion valuation.
Tired of traffic jams? Mercedes plans autumn launch of self-driving feature for the Autobahn (FORTUNE)
Mercedes-Benz is in talks with regulators to bring the first “eyes-off” self-driving feature to Germany’s Autobahn later this year, ahead of other rivals including Tesla.
Intuit, Highline Beta launch new Prosperity accelerator for AI startups (BETAKIT)
The five-month program is aimed to accelerate the growth of seed-stage startups based in North America that use AI to power their financial solutions.
Health department had opioid-tracking AI forced on them by Utah lawmakers, emails show (VICE)
Newly released emails show that the Utah Department of Health thought Banjo AI was full of hot air.
The ethics of a deepfake Anthony Bourdain voice (THE NEW YORKER)
The new documentary “Roadrunner” uses A.I.-generated audio without disclosing it to viewers. How should we feel about that?
How a father and son duo is using technology to keep pilots in the air (THE GLOBE AND MAIL)
Paladin doesn’t manufacture flight simulators or develop courseware for pilot training. Rather, the company provides analytical services, seamlessly integrating its AI and machine learning into existing training tools.