AI news and funding updates from the last 24 hours(7th April 2025):
✅ Keysight Technologies & SAMEER
- Partnership Overview:
Keysight Technologies and SAMEER have signed an MoU to drive 6G communication and healthcare innovation in India.
- Key Initiatives:
- Establishment of a center of excellence for healthcare.
- Creation of a dedicated 6G research lab supporting advancements in MRI technology and other medical electronics.
- Strategic Alignment:
This collaboration aligns with the “Make in India” initiative and aims to build a robust ecosystem for both 6G and healthcare innovations.
✅ Juspay
- Funding Update:
Juspay, an Indian payment infrastructure company, raised $60 million in a Series D round led by Kedaara Capital with participation from Softbank and Accel.
- Expansion & Challenges:
The funds will drive Juspay’s global expansion and bolster its AI capabilities for its open-source payment platform, even as it faces pressure from payment gateways over transparency and integration concerns.
✅ GitHub
- Product Innovation:
GitHub Copilot has introduced an “agent mode” in Visual Studio Code.
- Features:
- Uses Model Context Protocol (MCP) to go beyond code completion by interpreting prompts and executing tasks (e.g., generating files, terminal commands).
- Offers users a choice among models including GPT-4 and Claude 3.5 with premium access options for newer models.
✅ LinkedIn & Replit
- Demonstration of AI Capabilities:
LinkedIn co-founder Reid Hoffman tested Replit’s AI by prompting it to “clone LinkedIn,” resulting in a functional prototype.
- Implication:
This experiment highlights the growing influence of AI in software development and adds to the discussion on AI-driven code generation, a trend also seen with companies like Google and OpenAI.
✅ Microsoft
- Interactive AI in Gaming:
Microsoft has showcased two related demos:
- Copilot Labs Demo: An interactive AI gameplay experience in Copilot Labs, where users explore a recreated Quake II environment powered by the Muse generative AI model and WHAMM technology.
- Browser-Based Demo: A separate browser-based demo of Quake II using Copilot AI, underscoring AI’s potential in generating interactive game experiences despite current limitations (such as inconsistent enemy behavior).
✅ Calligo Technologies
- Funding & Development:
The Bangalore-based semiconductor startup secured $1.1 million in pre-series A funding led by Seafund and Artha Venture Fund.
- Technology Focus:
The funding supports the development of version 2.0 of their silicon chip based on POSIT technology, targeting high-performance computing and AI applications.
✅ Meta
- AI Model Update:
Meta introduced its new AI model, Maverick, which achieved a high ranking on LM Arena.
- Key Concerns:
The deployed “experimental chat version” of Maverick is optimized for conversational use, leading to debates among researchers about benchmark tailoring and the real-world performance of the publicly available model.
✅ OpenAI & io Products
- Acquisition Discussion:
OpenAI is in talks to acquire io Products, an AI hardware startup co-founded by former Apple designer Jony Ive and OpenAI CEO Sam Altman.
- Potential Valuation & Focus:
The deal could value io Products at around $500 million, with the startup developing AI-powered smart home devices aimed at offering less intrusive technology.
✅ IBM & Hakkoda
- Acquisition Details:
IBM has acquired Hakkoda, a data and AI consulting firm.
- Strategic Benefits:
This move enhances IBM Consulting’s capabilities in data migration and AI implementation (using platforms like Snowflake) for key sectors such as finance and healthcare.
✅ Krea
- Funding and Valuation:
AI startup Krea, which focuses on visual creatives, raised $83 million in its Series B round led by Bain Capital Ventures, reaching a valuation of $500 million.
- Platform Offering:
