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Googles AI model, Gemini, is now accessible to the Department of Defense via GenAI dot mil, streamlining administrative tasks. Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth emphasizes its potential to enhance military effectiveness. Google assures unclassified work use and data privacy. This follows previous AI contracts and a shift in Googles AI policy, with plans for future AI models in the Pentagon.

Cashew Research, a Calgary-based startup, leverages AI to revolutionize market research, making it faster and more affordable. Founded by Addy Graves and Rose Wong, Cashew creates custom research plans and surveys, using AI to analyze real human data and provide actionable insights. Recognized for its innovative approach, Cashew has raised $1.5M in pre-seed funding and plans to launch a seed round in 2026, aiming to raise $5M to further develop its technology.

Fal, a startup specializing in AI infrastructure for images, videos, and audio, raised $140 million in a Series D investment led by Sequoia, with additional support from Kleiner Perkins and Andreessen Horowitz. This funding, combined with a secondary sale, totals around $250 million. Founded in 2021 by Burkay Gur and Gorkem Yurtseven, Fal serves major companies like Adobe, Shopify, Canva, and Quora. With $200 million in revenue by October 2022, Fal is poised for continued growth and innovation in the AI sector.

Iniu BI-B41 power banks recalled due to overheating and fire risks; affected units have specific serial numbers ending in zero zero zero G twenty-one, zero zero zero H twenty-one, zero zero zero I twenty-one, or zero zero zero L twenty-one. Approximately two hundred ten thousand units sold on Amazon USA between August twenty twenty-one and April twenty twenty-two are impacted. Fifteen reports of overheating, including eleven fires causing minor injuries and property damage. Iniu will provide instructions for safe disposal and refund. Always check recall notices for electronic devices.

Max Hodak, founder of Science Corporation, shares groundbreaking news on brain-computer interfaces. His companys tiny retinal implant has restored vision for 80% of blind patients. They discuss medical applications, long-term possibilities, and ethical considerations, including the potential to move consciousness outside the body. The full interview is available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or your favorite podcast platform.

SpaceX, the trailblazing aerospace company, is reportedly set to go public in mid to late 2026, aiming to raise a colossal thirty billion dollars, potentially making it the largest IPO in history. This move, first hinted at by The Information and later confirmed by Bloomberg News and The Wall Street Journal, would value the company at around one point five trillion dollars. The company had previously considered a partial IPO, but this full offering signals a significant shift. Employees recently sold shares valued at about two billion dollars at four hundred twenty dollars per share, following a secondary share sale. This public offering marks a monumental step for SpaceX, further cementing its role in space exploration and technology.

Kabir Narang, a prominent figure at B Capital, is launching a new investment platform in 2026, focusing on AI and global capital flows. He emphasizes the importance of speed, pricing power, and unit economics in startups. Narang, who co-led B Capitals Asia strategy, is taking small stakes in companies he believes can grow intelligently. B Capital, founded by Eduardo Saverin, will continue its Asia strategy with the existing team.

Cursor, a successful AI coding tool company, is shifting focus from fundraising to product development. Despite reaching a billion dollars in annual revenue and securing $2.3 billion last month, theyre now concentrating on building more features. Their CEO, Truell, likens their approach to building a complete car, combining AI technologies from various providers with their own specialized models. This strategy helps them integrate different AI strengths into one cohesive product. Earlier, investors had concerns about Cursors reliance on other AI companies due to high costs. To address this, Cursor changed its pricing to a usage-based model in July, causing some customer upset. Now, theyre developing tools to help businesses manage AI model fees. Looking ahead, Cursor plans to focus on more complex tasks and expand beyond just writing code, while big competitors are also developing advanced AI tools and a new industry group is forming to create standards for these complex AI agents.

Rivian, the electric vehicle company, has been secretly working on its own AI assistant for nearly two years, separate from its partnership with Volkswagen. This AI, aimed for release by the end of this year, is deeply integrated with vehicle controls and is part of Rivians broader strategy of vertical integration. The company has developed custom AI models and an orchestration layer to ensure all components work together seamlessly, with the goal of building customer trust and engagement.