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The Morning Brief

Good morning. Here’s what’s leading each section today 👇

📰 Above the Fold

THE CULTURE

 The new Google Chat borrows from Slack, Teams, Discord, and even ChatGPT. Google says over half of generative AI startups use its cloud. New map APIs from Google. AI won't make us more productive if we neglect this kind of thinking. Generative AI makes Grammarly an essential student learning tool. Meta plans to take on GPT-4 with a rumored Llama 3, which is still free. Farmers Insurance laying off 11% of workforce, citing industry challenges. British officials say AI chatbots could carry cyber risks. Stability AI launches open source chatbot Stable Chat. AI startup buzz Is facing a reality check.

INSIGHT OF THE DAY

U.S. Startup Funding Doubles, With OpenAI and Anthropic Leading the Charge (8-minute read)

2023 is shaping up to be a monumental year for U.S. startups, with funding practically doubling compared to previous years. OpenAI and Anthropic are among the standouts, securing hefty investments that signal strong confidence in AI and robotics. Dive into the numbers and trends shaping this unprecedented surge in startup funding. (Crunchbase News)

Source: Crunchbase News

Must-reads

PARTNERSHIPS

GM's OnStar Embraces Google's AI Chatbot (6-minute read)

General Motors plans to integrate Google AI chatbots into its OnStar service, aiming for more efficient and responsive customer service. (TechCrunch)

Google Cloud and NVIDIA Forge Alliance to Energize AI Computing (7-minute read)

In a move that's got the tech world buzzing, Google Cloud and NVIDIA have joined forces to turbocharge AI computing. The partnership aims to deliver high-speed, cloud-based AI solutions, setting the stage for innovations across sectors from healthcare to fintech. (WCCFTech)

Ginkgo Bioworks Collaborates with Google Cloud to Push Biotech Boundaries (5-minute read)

Biotech company Ginkgo Bioworks is making waves by partnering with Google Cloud. This collaboration aims to leverage cloud technology for cutting-edge biological research, effectively accelerating discoveries in healthcare, agriculture, and more. (Yahoo Finance)

TECH INNOVATIONS

 Watermarking AI-Generated Images (4-minute read)

Google DeepMind is addressing the authenticity crisis in AI-generated content with a new watermarking tool. This tool aims to help users distinguish between real and synthetic images. (MIT Technology Review)

Google Chat Duet AI Redefines Virtual Meetings (6-minute read)

Say goodbye to mundane virtual meetings. Google Chat's Duet AI feature is about to jazz up your huddles with its redesign. The feature aims to make virtual communications more dynamic, enabling better collaboration and engagement. You won't want to miss the details on how this can reshape your digital workspace. (The Verge)

BLOCKCHAIN & WEB3

MoonPay's New Venture Arm (5-minute read)

MoonPay is expanding its horizons by launching a venture arm that aims to invest in Web3 infrastructure, gaming, and fintech sectors. This move solidifies MoonPay's commitment to nurturing emerging technologies. (TechCrunch)

Grayscale's Trading Frenzy (7-minute read)

Grayscale's victory leads to a trading frenzy as investors bet on a narrowing discount to Bitcoin price. An in-depth look at how this impacts the crypto market. (CoinDesk)

Shavonne Wong's European Solo Exhibit at NFT Factory (4-minute read)

3D digital artist Shavonne Wong kicks off her solo European exhibit at the NFT Factory. The showcase includes a range of NFTs, solidifying her status as a groundbreaking artist in the digital space. This exhibit opens up discussions on the intersection of art, technology, and blockchain. (Decrypt)

Tokenized US Treasuries on XDC Network (5-minute read)

Tokenized US treasuries make their way to the XDC Network, spurring growth in the digital bond market. (CoinDesk)

🦄 Startups

Microsoft Inks Partnership With AI and Data Analytics Startup (6-minute read)

Microsoft is aiming for the stars—literally. The tech giant has recently announced a new partnership with an AI and data analytics startup focused on space technology. The collaboration aims to enhance satellite data analysis and could have far-reaching implications for industries like telecommunications and Earth monitoring. (SpaceNews)

UserTesting Adopts Generative AI to Amplify Human Insights (6-minute read)

UserTesting is stepping up its game by incorporating generative AI into its platform. This new feature aims to scale human insights, enabling businesses to make more data-driven decisions without sacrificing the 'human touch.' Learn how this blending of AI and human insights can be a game-changer in business analytics. (VentureBeat)

💸 Fund Raises

Refiberd sews up $3.4M seed round to use its AI to tackle textile waste Tackling one of the fashion industry's biggest issues—textile waste—ReFiberd introduces an innovative sorting solution. By automating the sorting process, ReFiberd aims to make recycling textiles as mainstream as paper and plastic.

Allseated, a virtual venue tour and event planning platform, raises $20M AllSeated, a virtual venue tour and planning platform, just raised a whopping $20 million in funding. The platform aims to simplify event planning by offering a 360-degree view of various venues, making it easier for planners and clients to visualize and organize events. With this new capital, expect AllSeated to bring even more innovative features to the event planning space. 

Voxel Secures $12 Million to Make Workplaces Safer Through Computer Vision

Tackling the staggering 340 million workplace incidents yearly, Voxel has raised $12 million in a funding round led by Rite-Hite. The startup differentiates itself by integrating with existing security cameras to identify various hazards like near-miss vehicle collisions and improper ergonomics. Currently in use by giants like Clorox and Office Depot, Voxel sends real-time alerts to on-site personnel, aiming to redefine safety measures at workplaces.

Seez Secures Fresh Funding for Car Shopping Revolution

Seez, the startup reimagining the car buying experience, has successfully closed a new funding round. With a focus on leveraging AI to streamline the car shopping process, Seez is looking to expand its offerings and take the hassle out of finding the perfect ride.

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