Blackstone Boosts Stake in AI Startup Anthropic to $1 Billion
Blackstone has increased its investment in AI startup Anthropic PBC, raising its total stake to approximately $1 billion at the company's current valuation of $350 billion. The firm is contributing an additional $200 million as part of a funding round that has surpassed its initial $10 billion target and is expected to exceed $20 billion, with major commitments from investors including Coatue Management, GIC, and Iconiq Capital, as well as strategic backers like NVIDIA and Microsoft.
Waymo aims for 1 million weekly robotaxi rides by year-end
Waymo co-CEO Tekedra Mawakana announced plans for the company to achieve over 1 million paid weekly robotaxi rides in the US by the end of this year, following a quadrupling of trips in 2025. This announcement comes amid scrutiny from lawmakers regarding the reliance on remote operators in the Philippines for guidance during complex driving situations, raising concerns about safety and cybersecurity as Waymo transitions to using Chinese-made Zeekr minivans.
ByteDance and Zhipu Unveil Major AI Model Upgrades
ByteDance Ltd. and Zhipu have released significant upgrades to their AI models, intensifying competition among Chinese tech companies ahead of the Lunar New Year. Zhipu's new GLM-5 model, which boasts enhanced coding capabilities and improved performance on benchmark tests, has surpassed offerings from rivals, leading to a 34% surge in its shares on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange. Meanwhile, ByteDance introduced Seedance 2.0, a video generation model, as part of a broader trend among domestic firms to capitalize on the AI boom and showcase advancements in technology.
Microsoft AI CEO predicts white-collar job automation soon
Mustafa Suleyman, CEO of Microsoft AI, predicts that white-collar jobs could be automated within the next 18 months, coinciding with Microsoft's decision to reduce its ties with OpenAI. In an interview, he discussed the challenges facing the AI industry, including market pressures for revenue growth and the significant capital expenditure increases reported by AI companies. Suleyman acknowledged the rapid advancements in AI capabilities, noting that some models now outperform human coders.
