OpenAI’s new hire changes everything

👋 Good morning/evening (wherever you are). It’s Thursday.

AI animated shows are a million-dollar opportunity. I’m being dead serious.

I break it down in my latest LinkedIn post.

If you’re a fan of Robot Chicken, you’ll enjoy it. If you’ve never heard of it...seriously, where have you been?

(Robot Chicken was created by Seth Green and Matthew Senreich)

OK let’s keep going ↓

Here’s what you should know:

• OpenAI hires Instacart CEO Fidji Simo

  News leaked last night, forcing them to announce early. Simo has been on OpenAI's board for the past year and will now lead their applications business, reporting to Sam.

• Amazon reveals its first robot with a sense of touch

  Built on major advances in robotics, engineering, and physical AI.

• FDA completes first AI-assisted scientific review pilot

  In a historic first for the agency, FDA Commissioner Martin A. Makary announced an aggressive timeline to scale the use of artificial intelligence across all FDA centers by June 30, 2025, following the completion of a generative AI pilot for scientific reviewers.

• Apple is developing specialized chips for smart glasses and AI servers

  Doubling-down to compete with Meta’s Ray-Ban glasses? Meanwhile, rumors suggest Meta’s upcoming AI glasses could feature a "super-sensing mode" that tracks everything you do throughout the day (source: The Information).

• Wiley and Perplexity announce new AI search partnership

  With the agreement, Wiley becomes Perplexity's first education partner.

• Can a Photograph Reveal Your Biological Age?

  Scientists have developed an AI tool that uses face photos to estimate biological age and predict cancer outcomes. Here’s the paper if you want to dive in.

• China's Baidu looks to patent AI system to decipher animal sounds

  Baidu has filed a patent with China’s National Intellectual Property Administration for a system that can translate animal vocalizations into human language, according to a patent document published this week.

• Runway’s AI Studio arm launches animated pilot

  Mars and Siv is an upcoming animated series from directors Jeremy Higgins and Britton Korbel.

The numbers:

• NTT Corp plans a $20B tender offer to fully acquire NTT Data, aiming to strengthen its AI and global data center capabilities.

• Sequoia leads a $1.5B tender offer for sales automation startup Clay.

• Ex-Synapse CEO aims to raise $100M for his new humanoid robotics venture.

Thought starters:

Last Friday, Sequoia gathered 100+ leading founders and researchers in AI for their 3rd annual AI Ascent, discussing the transformational opportunities ahead.

Check out the YouTube playlist, currently featuring 7 videos.

Meme of the day:

Thanks for reading,

Eddie

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