GREY Journal Daily News Podcast

Benchmark Capital, known for its small team investment model, has experienced the departure of three key general partners since March 2024, including Miles Grimshaw, Sarah Tavel, and Victor Lazarte. The firm has traditionally maintained a partnership of five or six general partners and invested around $500 million per fund, focusing on selectivity over scale. As the venture capital industry shifts with larger funds and new entrants, Benchmark's position as a leading Series A investor faces challenges from both established competitors and emerging firms.Learn more on this news by visiting us at: https://greyjournal.net/news/

Recent computer science and data science graduates are encountering increased difficulty securing tech jobs as companies implement AI-driven recruitment processes, including automated resume screening and video interviews. Some graduates report submitting thousands of applications with minimal response, while firms reduce junior engineering roles and rely on AI to streamline hiring. Despite these challenges, major employers such as Amazon, Microsoft, Meta, and Google continue to hire significant numbers of graduates from top universities. Analysis from the Economic Innovation Group indicates that AI is not the sole cause of a cooling labor market, as workers in AI-affected roles are less likely to be unemployed than others. Employers are advised to balance AI efficiency with human oversight to ensure access to qualified candidates.Learn more on this news by visiting us at: https://greyjournal.net/news/

Seattle hosts Worldcon 2025 at the Seattle Convention Center, featuring a five-day program with panels, workshops, and the Hugo Awards. Headliners include Martha Wells, Donato Giancola, Bridget Landry, Alexander James Adams, and George R.R. Martin. The event addresses controversy over the use of generative AI in speaker vetting, leading to an apology and process changes. An alternative event, ConCurrent Seattle, is organized in response, rejecting generative AI in programming. The convention highlights Seattle's historical influence on science fiction and its connection to the tech industry, while aiming to foster community and innovation.Learn more on this news by visiting us at: https://greyjournal.net/news/

Active housing inventory in 80 of the 200 largest U.S. metro areas has returned to or surpassed pre-pandemic 2019 levels, primarily in the Sun Belt, where builders are offering price reductions and incentives to maintain sales. These regions, which experienced significant growth during the pandemic, now see increased supply and more negotiating power for buyers. In contrast, the Midwest and Northeast maintain tight inventory and stable prices due to less new construction and lower migration. Markets with higher inventory have seen weaker or declining home price growth, while areas with low inventory continue to experience stronger price gains.Learn more on this news by visiting us at: https://greyjournal.net/news/

Tesla discontinued its Dojo AI supercomputer project after Elon Musk determined that the initiative was an evolutionary dead end. The company will now focus on developing AI5 and AI6 chips, produced by TSMC and Samsung, to support its Full Self-Driving system and large-scale artificial intelligence training. Tesla had previously invested in Dojo for autonomous vehicle and robotics ambitions, including a $500 million facility in Buffalo, New York. The strategic shift comes as Tesla faces declining electric vehicle sales and increased brand scrutiny, with future AI efforts concentrated on the new chip platforms.Learn more on this news by visiting us at: https://greyjournal.net/news/

Nintendo announced the Hello, Mario! app, a free mobile application for iOS, Android, and Nintendo Switch that allows children to interact with Mario’s face through touch-based controls. The company also introduced the My Mario collection, a series of Mario-themed products for young children, including plush toys, dinnerware, teething toys, clothing, an interactive board book, and wooden building block sets with Amiibo functionality. The app and collection will launch in Nintendo’s Japanese stores in Tokyo, Osaka, and Kyoto on August 26, with select products planned for international release next year.Learn more on this news by visiting us at: https://greyjournal.net/news/

The August 2025 Sturgeon Moon will reach peak illumination on August 9 at 3:55 a.m. Eastern Time, coinciding with the Perseid meteor shower, which peaks August 12-13. The Sturgeon Moon is named after lake sturgeon that were once abundant in the Great Lakes and Lake Champlain. Conservation efforts have helped restore lake sturgeon populations, and they are not currently listed under the Endangered Species Act. The brightness of the full moon is expected to reduce visibility of the Perseid meteors this year. NASA recommends the Geminids meteor shower in December for better meteor viewing.Learn more on this news by visiting us at: https://greyjournal.net/news/

Wild Zebra, a Seattle-based startup, developed an AI-powered tutor that uses a Socratic approach to guide students through lessons tailored to their interests and learning styles. The platform has been piloted in four schools, serving over 6,000 students, and focuses on math and reading comprehension. Wild Zebra employs multiple large language models for accuracy and privacy, partners with the Educational Records Bureau for anonymized data, and provides teachers with dashboards for tracking student progress. The company raised $2 million to expand its reach, plans to introduce an implementation fee for schools in fall 2025, and intends to launch a direct-to-consumer version.Learn more on this news by visiting us at: https://greyjournal.net/news/

Elon Musk announced that X will introduce advertisements into Grok's AI-generated responses to create new revenue streams after the departure of CEO Linda Yaccarino. Advertisers will be able to pay for their solutions to appear as suggestions when users interact with Grok. The company will use technology from xAI, which acquired X for $45 billion, to improve ad targeting and relevance. This initiative is designed to offset the high operational costs of running advanced AI and to strengthen X's advertising business.Learn more on this news by visiting us at: https://greyjournal.net/news/