Jack Altman raised a new $275M early-stage fund in a mere week
Altman’s first fund, raised in early 2024, was $150 million. So this is a big step up, too.
Google rolls out new Windows desktop app with Spotlight-like search tool
The app will allow people to use an Alt + Space shortcut to instantly search for information from their computer files, installed apps, Google Drive files, and the web.
Gemini overtakes ChatGPT on App Store, as its Nano Banana AI model drives downloads up 45%
Though the month is only half over, Gemini’s app has already gained 12.6 million downloads in September, up from 8.7 million in August.
Silicon Valley bets big on ‘environments’ to train AI agents
A wave of startups are creating RL environments to help AI labs train agents. It might be Silicon Valley’s next craze in the making.
Rivian breaks ground on $5B Georgia factory ahead of construction in 2026
While largely ceremonial, it’s an important step for a project that has dealt with a lot of uncertainty the last few years. Rivian R2 SUVs will roll off the line in 2028.
Andrew Yang took inspiration from Mark Cuban for his budget cell carrier Noble Mobile
“I’m as guilty of doomscrolling as the next person, but knowing that doomscrolling is actually costing me money makes me feel dumb,” Yang told TechCrunch.
Fourth Power’s sci-fi thermal batteries could be cheaper than pricey natural gas power plants
Fourth Power has raised $20 million to build a demonstration version of its thermal batteries, which ultimately could store electricity at $25 per kWh.
Figure reaches $39B valuation in latest funding round
Figure raised more than $1 billion in a Series C round led by Parkway Venture Capital in addition to numerous other investors.
Waymo approved to start testing autonomous vehicles at San Francisco International Airport
Waymo has spent years locked in back-and-forth negotiations with SFO, the biggest airport serving its home base of Silicon Valley.
OpenAI will apply new restrictions to ChatGPT users under 18
Under the new policy, ChatGPT will be trained to no longer engage in “flirtatious talk” with underage users, and additional guardrails will be placed around discussions of suicide.