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.
Vector Institute knew about provincial AI funding cuts in the fall(BETAKIT)
Vector Institute was well aware of the recently revealed $20 million loss, dating back to the fall of 2018.
People.ai, the predictive sales startup, raises $60M at around $500M valuation(TECHCRUNCH)
The startup is not disclosing its valuation, but sources tell us it is around $500 million — specifically in the “mid-nine-figures.”
Clinc raises over $50 million to bring conversational AI to cars, banks, and kiosks(VENTUREBEAT)
The mammoth round is over eight times the size of the company’s $6.3 million series A in February 2017, and Clinc claims it’s one of the largest single investments in the history of conversational AI.
Former Infosys CEO Vishal Sikka’s AI startup raises $50M(VCCIRCLE)
Citing a source with knowledge of Sikka’s plans, the report said the company is likely to launch its operations in the next few months.
LG and University of Toronto expand AI research partnership(BETAKIT)
LG is expanding its artificial intelligence research investment in the University of Toronto to focus on business-to-business applications.
Hunters.ai raises $5.4M for its autonomous threat-hunting solution(TECHCRUNCH)
Similar solutions often rely on agents, scanners and other techniques that collect the data, but Hunters gathers its information by integrating with existing systems.
How AI could save lives without spilling medical secrets(TECHNOLOGYREVIEW)
The first big test for a platform that lets AI algorithms learn from private patient data is under way at Stanford Medical School.
AI “experimentation bases” developer Bases.ai acquires SenseAI(BETAKIT)
Bases.ai, a company looking to create experimentation bases for other businesses wanting to use AI, has announced the signing of an agreement to acquire SenseAI Technologies.
MIT and U.S. Air Force launch AI accelerator program(VENTUREBEAT)
The accelerator will explore research related to areas like advanced algorithms, machine learning, and robotics, as well as logistics and data.
Ravin.ai raises $4M to use computer vision for vehicle damage inspections(TECHCRUNCH)
Ravin.ai, an Israel and U.K.-based startup developing AI to autonomously inspect vehicles for damage, has closed a $4 million seed round.
A quarter of Google Duplex calls are actually placed by humans(THEVERGE)
Google says that a quarter of Duplex calls start with human callers, and 15 percent start with the AI and are later intervened by a person from the Duplex call center.
Senso.ai announces $1.5 million CAD raise at #CollisionConf(BETAKIT)
Toronto-based Senso.ai, a machine learning and predictive AI company, has announced the close of a $1.5 million Seed round led by BreakawayGrowth, a Silicon Valley venture capital fund, alongside NEXT Canada and Techstars.
When will customers start buying all those AI chips?(TECHCRUNCH)
Growth in chips capable of processing artificial intelligence workflows is expected to swell phenomenally over the coming years.
