Generative AI to Save Millions in the Public Sector, Daisy the AI Grandma Scammers Fear, and Why 98% of Young Leaders See AI Transforming Industries

Happy Thursday everyone!

Welcome to AI Weekly Digest 📬 Your essential AI briefing, carefully curated by me, Rubén Colomer, AI Specialist and GP at Next Tier Ventures. Stay ahead of the curve with the latest AI breakthroughs, key funding news, innovative tools, thought-provoking reads, and the best AI job opportunities - it's all here!

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News 🗞️📰

• Generative AI Could Save Billions in the Public Sector. A report by Google Cloud reveals how generative AI could revolutionize the public sector by automating up to a third of routine tasks, potentially saving billions and significantly cutting expenditures. This transformation could free resources equivalent to millions of additional service hours or substantial increases in critical staff ratios, offering a major opportunity for cost efficiency and resource optimization.
• 82% of Young Leaders Embrace AI, 98% Predict Impact in 5 Years. Research by Google Workspace and The Harris Poll reveals that 82% of young leaders are already using AI tools, with 98% forecasting that AI will significantly transform their industries or workplaces within the next five years. This underscores AI's growing role in shaping the future of work and leadership.
• Meet Daisy: The Adorable AI Grandma Who’s Every Scammer’s Worst Nightmare. Virgin Media O2's Daisy, an AI-powered "grandma," is frustrating scammers by keeping them on the line with tales of her grandchildren and tech confusion. Since her launch on Nov. 14, Daisy has intercepted over 1,000 scam calls, turning the tables on fraudsters and raising awareness about phone scams. Virgin Media O2's initiative highlights the power of AI in fighting fraud, protecting consumers, and exposing criminal tactics
• Amazon Ventures Into AI Chip Market, Challenging Nvidia's Dominance Amazon is developing custom AI chips in Austin, Texas, aiming to reduce its reliance on Nvidia and compete in the $100 billion AI chip market. While Amazon’s efforts signal its ambition to power future AI workloads independently, analysts argue that Nvidia’s leadership remains unchallenged in the near term.
• The Beatles' 'Now and Then' Becomes First AI-Assisted Song Nominated for Grammy. "Now and Then," completed with AI stem separation to isolate John Lennon’s vocals from a 60-year-old demo, earned Grammy nominations for Record of the Year and Best Rock Performance. This marks the Beatles’ first nominations in decades and highlights the Recording Academy’s evolving stance on AI in music production
• OpenAI Halts Sora After Artists Protest Exploitation. OpenAI has paused its video generation tool Sora following a protest by artists who leaked public access to the tool. The group criticized OpenAI for using unpaid artist labor as "PR puppets" while offering minimal compensation. Their actions highlight tensions over fairness and transparency in AI tool development.
• France stakes its claim as a global AI hub ahead of February AIAction Summit France, home to notable AI companies and research institutes, is positioning itself as a key player in the AI landscape. The AIAction Summit in Paris (Feb. 10-11) will host global leaders and AI experts, expanding discussions beyond safety to equitable access and sustainability. With initiatives to attract capital and foster innovation, France aims to solidify its leadership in AI development.

Funding 💼💸

• Cyera raises $300M in Series D, reaching a $3B valuation. Cyera, an AI-driven data security platform, has secured $300 million in a Series D round led by Accel and Sapphire Ventures, with participation from Sequoia, Redpoint, and others. Founded in 2021, Cyera leverages AI to protect data across cloud, SaaS, and on-premises systems with unmatched speed and precision. Co-founder and CEO Yotam Segev leads the company as it continues to innovate in the $23.68 billion data security market.
• Enfabrica secures $115M Series C for AI networking chips. Enfabrica, an AI networking chip startup, raised $115M in a Series C led by Spark Capital. Investors include Arm Holdings, Cisco, Samsung Catalyst Fund, and Nvidia, which had participated in its $125M Series B last year. Enfabrica’s new ACF SuperNIC chip aims to optimize data flow for AI workloads, enhancing accelerated computing clusters. CEO Rochan Sankar emphasized its groundbreaking impact on AI infrastructure.
• Cradle Raises $73M to Expand Protein-Design AI Platform. Cradle, a biotech startup leveraging AI for protein design led by Stef van Grieken and Elise de Reus , has secured $73M in funding led by IVP, with participation from Index Ventures and Kindred Capital. The platform accelerates protein engineering, helping scientists optimize biomolecules like antibodies and enzymes for better performance while reducing experimental costs and time. Cradle also operates a wet lab in Amsterdam to refine datasets and train AI models, aiming to democratize access to protein-design tools for a million scientists.
• Wordware raises $30M to revolutionize AI development with natural language Wordware, led by CEO Filip Kozera , has raised $30M from Felicis, Y-Combinator, and other investors. The platform enables AI development without traditional coding, leveraging natural language and AI agents to streamline processes. Companies like Instacart and Metadata are early adopters, highlighting its potential to reshape AI implementation for enterprises.
• Spines Raises $16M to Revolutionize Publishing with AI. Spines, an Israeli startup, founded by Yehuda Niv , Lev David, Niv Ovdat , and Nir Kenner , is transforming the publishing process with its AI-powered platform. is transforming book publishing with AI, slashing production time to under three weeks and cutting costs by over 50%. With its $16 million Series A funding, led by Zeev Ventures, the platform aims to publish 8,000 titles annually by 2025, streamlining editing, design, and distribution for authors worldwide.
• Keychain raises $15M Series A, valued at $250M, to transform manufacturing Keychain, a manufacturing platform led by CEO Oisin Hanrahan , secured $15M in a Series A round co-led by BoxGroup and General Mills. The funding, which follows an $18M seed round, brings Keychain's valuation to $250M. Co-founded by Hanrahan, Umang Dua , and Jordan Weitz , the platform connects CPG brands with manufacturers, facilitating $500M in monthly projects.
• Eden AI raises €3M Seed round for AI interoperability. Eden AI, led by CEO Taha Zemmouri , raised €3M in a Seed round led by Galion.exe with participation from 50 Partners and angels like Olivier Pomel (Datadog). The platform centralizes access to AI models from providers like Google, AWS, and OpenAI, simplifying integration for businesses. Eden AI serves customers such as Atos and the Council of Europe, aiming to make AI adoption seamless across industries.
• Rosie AI raises $1.5M pre-seed to bring generative AI to Excel. Rosie AI, led by CEO Dennis Jiang , has secured $1.5M in pre-seed funding from NOMO Ventures, Hyphen Capital, and other investors. The platform integrates a chatbot into Excel, simplifying complex tasks like formula creation, formatting, and data visualization for non-expert users. Co-founded by Andrew Tamura , Rosie AI operates on a freemium model, offering plans for individuals, students, and enterprises.
• Theo AI raises $2.2M pre-seed to revolutionize legal case predictions. Theo AI, led by Alex Alben , Patrick Ip , and Tiago Luchini , secured $2.2M in pre-seed funding co-led by NextView and NVP Capital. Theo AI uses a proprietary prediction engine to help legal professionals assess case outcomes in seconds, streamlining decisions for firms that review hundreds of cases yearly. The platform offers real-time analytics, predictive modeling, and case summaries, aiming to enhance efficiency and strategy in the legal industry.
• FertilAI raises $4.5M seed to scale AI-powered fertility treatment platform. FertilAI, led by CEO Rohi Hourvitz , secured $4.5M in a seed round co-led by Longevity Venture Partners and Redseed. Used by over 50 physicians for 20,000+ patients globally in 2024, FertilAI aims to improve clinical efficiency and outcomes while reducing treatment costs.

M&A 💰

• Crossmint acquires Mordisco to advance AI-driven commerce. Crossmint has acquired Mordisco, a platform enabling AI agents to securely transact on users' behalf. The acquisition strengthens Crossmint’s AI agent toolkit, which supports real-world commerce with zero-fee USDC payments. Agustín Armellini Fischer , Mordisco's CEO and former Spotify web3 lead, joins Crossmint to accelerate their vision.
• Snowflake acquires Datavolo to enhance AI Data Cloud capabilities. Snowflake has announced the acquisition of Datavolo, an open data integration platform co-founded by Joe Witt, to simplify and scale multimodal data pipelines for enterprise AI. Snowflake CEO Sridhar Ramaswamy highlighted the move as a step toward radical simplicity and interoperability for enterprise data
• Medtronic acquires Fortimedix Surgical to enhance minimally invasive surgeries Medtronic has acquired Fortimedix Surgical, a leader in articulating instrument technology for robotic and non-robotic minimally invasive surgeries. Medtronic, known for integrating AI into healthcare, uses artificial intelligence to optimize patient care, including diagnostics and treatment pathways, further advancing its capabilities with this acquisition

Interesting Reads 💡🤔

• State of Europe Tech 2024: AI Powers Growth Amid $375B Funding Gap. The State of Europe Tech 2024 report reveals AI's pivotal role in driving Europe's tech boom, with $426 billion invested since 2015 and a 24% annual increase in tech talent. However, a $375 billion funding gap for growth-stage startups underscores the challenges ahead as Europe strives to lead global innovation.
• AI's Next Platform Shift: Revolutionizing the Tech Landscape. Benedict Evans’ 2024 AI and Everything Else explores how generative AI is reshaping industries, sparking debates about its transformative potential and limitations. Highlighting its evolution from groundbreaking demos like ChatGPT to widespread adoption across sectors, the report delves into the platform shifts AI drives, from reimagining productivity to challenging traditional workflows and value creation models.
• Five Hidden Ways AI Operates in Cities. Artificial intelligence is seamlessly integrated into everyday city life, often unnoticed by residents. From traffic systems optimizing flows to lampposts equipped with AI sensors for air quality and surveillance, cities are becoming smarter. Trials include AI-adapted ads on billboards, road sensors detecting hazards, and even drones delivering medical supplies. While promising, transparency is key as public trust hinges on understanding how this technology truly benefits citizens.
• How Kraft Heinz uses AI to boost supply-chain efficiency and add $30M in sales Kraft Heinz has revolutionized its supply chain with Lighthouse, an AI-powered platform that centralizes data from suppliers, factories, and retailers. This innovation has improved demand forecasting and managed disruptions, resulting in an additional $30M in sales. With plans for a fully autonomous supply chain, Kraft Heinz also leverages tools like KraftGPT to streamline operations and empower its workforce with data-driven decision-making.
• 50 Generative AI Innovations Revolutionizing Industries. Generative AI is reshaping industries by automating workflows, enhancing creativity, and solving complex problems. From simplifying project management and content creation to advancing healthcare and education, these tools showcase how AI can boost productivity and streamline processes. With applications in coding, video production, and personalized learning, generative AI continues to push boundaries across diverse fields.
• Cracking Y Combinator: Lessons for AI Startups. The State of AI Startups 2024 highlights the growing focus on technical founders in AI-driven ventures, as 82% of accepted Y Combinator startups are led by founders with deep technical expertise. With an acceptance rate under 1%, YC's program emphasizes clear pitches, demonstrated traction, and addressing flaws honestly. Emerging themes include leveraging generative AI tools for product innovation and fine-tuning pitches with VC feedback. The report showcases resilience and strategy as key traits for success in the highly competitive YC application process.
• AI Captures Your Personality in Just Two Hours. Stanford and Google DeepMind reveal a method to create AI agents that replicate human values and preferences with 85% accuracy. Through a two-hour interview, these "simulation agents" can mimic decision-making and behaviors, offering transformative applications in social sciences, from studying misinformation interventions to traffic patterns, all while raising ethical concerns about potential misuse.
• How to Get Your Résumé Past AI Screening Systems. Optimize your résumé to navigate AI-powered Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) by using job-specific keywords, clear formatting, and quantifiable achievements. These systems, used by over 90% of Fortune 500 companies, filter applications before reaching human recruiters. Tailoring your résumé for both machines and humans is crucial for success in today's competitive job market.

Startups / Tools 🧰🛠️

• Julius: AI-Powered Data Analysis and Visualization Tool. Julius is an advanced AI tool designed to analyze and visualize datasets of any size. Ideal for business, academic, or personal projects, it enables users to process large files, run Python or R scripts, and gain actionable insights from complex data. Unlike other AI platforms, Julius offers extended computational power for faster analysis, making it perfect for tasks like financial projections, survey interpretation, or advanced scientific research.
• Rosie: Your AI Excel Assistant. Rosie simplifies working with Excel by explaining complex models, generating and refining formulas, and accelerating data insights directly within Excel. With enterprise-grade security and no additional learning curve, Rosie empowers users to work smarter and faster.
• Dora AI: Build Stunning Websites with a Simple Prompt. Dora AI is redefining web design by enabling users to create fully customized websites using just a prompt. The platform generates responsive layouts, original images, and tailored copy without relying on templates or stock photos. Features include brand-aligned designs, intelligent layout coordination, and upcoming capabilities like AI-generated 3D assets and animations.
• Virbo: AI-Powered Video Marketing Made Simple. Virbo is your all-in-one AI video marketing platform designed to create, share, and analyze high-quality videos effortlessly. From text-to-speech and montage creation to advanced AI translations and digital avatars, Virbo empowers businesses and creators to produce professional content tailored for global audiences. Available across web, desktop, and mobile.
• Suno v4 Update: Revolutionizing AI Music Creation. Suno’s v4 enables users to create any song with enhanced audio, sharper lyrics, and dynamic structures. Features include track remastering, creative lyric generation, custom cover art, and tools to explore new styles and musical personas. Currently in beta for Pro and Premier users, it’s setting a new standard for AI-driven music creation.
• Artisse: AI-Powered Photo Editing App. Artisse revolutionizes photo editing by generating realistic and personalized images in minutes. With features like facial editing, background removal, and unique themes, it’s perfect for creators seeking fast, professional results. Available on web and mobile.

NTV Highlights 🪩🎉

Next Tier Ventures will participate in the VIII Congreso de Científicos Emprendedores on November 28 and 29 at Fundación Botín in Madrid. We'll join a roundtable discussion titled AI for Change: Exploring New Frontiers in Scientific Entrepreneurship alongside Andreu M. Climent (Corify Care), Ignasi Belda (AESIA), and Mikel Artetxe (Reka AI). Looking forward to exploring the impact and potential of AI in scientific entrepreneurship.