OWITH.ai - Only What's Important to Hear around AI and Tech

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Get your daily fix of AI and tech news with OWITH.ai, the ChatGPT generated podcast that delivers Only What’s Important To Hear!

  1. 14H AGO

    Boosting Success: Inside Adam Draper's $87 Million Fund at Boost VC and Apple's AI Chatbot Veritas

    Good morning from OWITH.ai: the podcast that gives you only what's important to hear in AI and tech world. Adam Draper, a scion of the VC royal family, has raised over $87 million for a new fund for Boost VC, the venture firm he founded. Boost VC focuses on writing pre-seed checks to startups, with a particular emphasis on deep tech investments. The firm's first two funds have had successful returns for investors, with many of the startups they have backed reaching late stages or going public. Despite being part of a prominent family in Silicon Valley, Adam Draper is determined to make a name for himself in the venture capital world. Boost VC invests across different sectors in deep tech, from space to bioscience, and averages about one deal per week. The firm's co-founder, Brayton Williams, emphasizes the importance of judging the founder's commitment and ability to execute their vision over extensive due diligence. The Draper family's enthusiasm for crypto is well-known, but Boost VC invests in various sectors within deep tech. With a successful track record and strong family support, Boost VC is poised for continued success for at least one more generation.Apple has developed an internal AI-powered chatbot called Veritas, similar to OpenAI's ChatGPT and Anthropics' Claude, to help test new features with Siri. However, there are no plans to release Veritas as a standalone consumer app, which some believe is a mistake. EA is in talks about a $50 billion deal to go private with investors like Silver Lake and Saudi Arabia's public investment fund. Nvidia's recent deal investing $100 billion into OpenAI has raised concerns about circular deals in the AI industry, where companies invest in their own customers potentially inflating demand perception. This practice could spell trouble for the industry if the market declines. Other tech news includes Intel's battle to stay relevant, Trump's TikTok deal not cutting off China's algorithm, and Accenture's reinvention strategy.The text discusses how RBC CEO Dave McKay learned about the $200 billion opportunity in the music industry from Taylor Swift. It also mentions that Trump believes he is close to ending the war in Gaza while a U.S. government shutdown looms. The article highlights the increasing revenue potential in live entertainment and how CEOs are leveraging partnerships, technology, and creating ecosystems to tap into this growing market. Additionally, it provides updates on various news stories, including GSK CEO Emma Walmsley stepping down, concerns about private credit market risks, and the impact of AI on job creation. The text also covers the rise of prediction markets, Moldova's rejection of pro-Russian interference, and market updates.Thanks for listening! Follow us on Twitter, Instagram and Linkedin

    3 min
  2. 1D AGO

    Tech Titans, IPOs, and Global News: A Recap of the Week in AI and Tech

    Good morning from OWITH.ai: the podcast that gives you only what's important to hear in AI and tech world.Arjun Sethi, the co-CEO of cryptocurrency exchange Kraken and chairman of Tribe Capital, has taken an unusual approach to running the company. His idiosyncratic management style, which includes detached, data-driven decision-making and reliance on his own network, has resulted in rapid product development and a valuation of $15 billion. Investors are closely watching as Kraken prepares for its IPO in 2026. Additionally, several AI and technology companies have recently secured significant funding rounds, indicating continued investor interest in the tech sector. Venture capital firm Ridgemont Equity Partners has raised $4 billion for its fifth fund while Advent International has hired Christine Dagousset as an operating partner.The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) settled a case with Amazon for $2.5 billion over alleged deceptive practices involving "dark pattern" web page designs. Despite concerns about Amazon's tactics, the settlement may be seen as a victory for both parties. In other news, the U.S. government signed a deal with Elon Musk's Grok AI for a low price of 42 cents per agency despite past controversies. Apple addressed durability issues with MagSafe charging stands causing marks on new iPhone 17 Pro models. Google also backed a $3 billion deal with a Bitcoin miner as big tech looks to crypto for compute power.CEOs are increasingly shifting strategies due to concerns about America's commitment to free speech and science. Trump's new tariffs on various goods have impacted markets globally. Accenture is retraining staff for the age of AI while NATO is on high alert over Russian aggression. Starbucks announced a $1 billion restructuring plan and the crypto exchange Kraken raised $500 million. In other news, there is speculation about ex-UK Prime Minister Tony Blair potentially running Gaza if a Trump peace deal is accepted.The week of September 22, 2025, was filled with content on Stratechery discussing YouTube's dominance, the Nvidia-Intel partnership, and sushi robots. Topics included user-generated video content, Nvidia's need for cash flow, and automation in the sushi industry. Booking CEO Glenn Fogel shared insights on travel aggregation while discussions on tech and media trends were also highlighted. Overall, the week's content provided a comprehensive look at various aspects of technology, business, and innovation.Thanks for listening! Follow us on Twitter, Instagram and Linkedin

    2 min
  3. 4D AGO

    AI Arms Race, Quantum Predictions, and Social Impact: The Latest in Tech from OWITH.ai

    Good morning from OWITH.ai: the podcast that gives you only what's important to hear in AI and tech world.Sam Altman is leading the charge in an AI arms race by investing billions of dollars in constructing massive data center complexes across the U.S. through OpenAI. His long-term goal is to achieve 250 gigawatts of capacity by 2033, costing trillions of dollars and requiring a significant reimagining of how compute is built. Altman emphasizes scaling compute through brute industrial force and electricity consumption as a measure of AI capacity, raising questions about benefits and costs of such massive projects. The comparison to historical engineering feats like Hoover Dam highlights the magnitude of OpenAI's efforts in reshaping AI technology. Advancements in AI technology include a startup automating software testing with AI, OpenAI's plans to build 'stargates' data centers, Nscale's record-breaking funding round to expand AI infrastructure, and partnerships between OpenAI and Databricks. The Trump administration will provide access to XAI to federal agencies for a nominal fee to bring top AI systems into government use. Economic modeling results forecast big tech companies' record AI-driven capital expenditures in 2025, expected to have a significant impact on the US economy.Touring Capital, founded by former M12 and Softbank investors, has closed its first fund at $330 million. The group aims to evaluate the effectiveness of AI technology, focusing on organizational and process issues rather than hype. They have made 12 investments so far, including in companies like Numa and Cusp. The team at Touring Capital emphasizes a growth mindset and learning every day. They focus on investing in AI-enabled software that generates customer value in large pain-point verticals. The idea for Touring Capital came during a tech market crash in 2022 when software valuations dropped. The team believes that AI will be wealth-creating for the economy, but they are selective about where they invest in the AI hype cycle. Touring Capital's approach involves picking spots on the app side of the landscape.The text discusses the potential reunion between chipmaker Intel and tech giant Apple, as Intel seeks investment from Apple in its government-assisted comeback bid. This news comes after Intel's recent partnership with Nvidia. Additionally, the text mentions Microsoft's incorporation of AI models from Anthropoc in its products, potentially straining its relationship with OpenAI. OpenAI's plans for data centers with Oracle and Softbank also raise concerns about the massive energy consumption required for AI projects.HSBC has successfully deployed a quantum computer chip to predict bond prices, achieving a 34% improvement. Fortune's 11th annual Change the World list highlights 50 companies using capitalism to tackle social issues. The list includes big corporations and startups making positive impacts. Companies like Carrier Global have reduced CO2 emissions, while startups like Amira Learning are addressing teacher shortages. These companies share leadership committed to implementing world-changing ideas. In other news, President Trump demands an investigation into mishaps during his U.N. speech, new tariffs could be imposed on robotics and medical equipment, and cracks are appearing in the U.S. corporate debt market.China is moving towards self-sufficiency in semiconductor production, potentially leaving the U.S. vulnerable to disruptions in Taiwan where most advanced chips are manufactured. Google has launched an open protocol for agentic payments to allow agents based on large language models to make secure online purchases. ChatGPT users are increasingly turning to the chatbot for personal matters rather than work, with mThanks for listening! Follow us on Twitter, Instagram and Linkedin

    4 min
  4. 5D AGO

    AI, Tech, and Climate: A Morning Update from OWITH.ai

    Good morning from OWITH.ai: the podcast that gives you only what's important to hear in AI and tech world.Sangeen Zeb, a general partner at Google Ventures, invests in AI startups like OpenEvidence, Harvey, and Thinking Machines. He believes in the high valuations of these companies because of their rapid growth and scarcity. Zeb looks for founders who can keep pace with technological change and believes that the next generation of AI companies will require more than just scaling and computing power. In terms of recent venture deals, various AI and tech companies like Capital Rx, Morse Micro, and Obot.ai have raised significant amounts of funding. Private equity deals include KKR and CPP acquiring a stake in Sempra Infrastructure Partners for $10 billion. Bregal Milestone also acquired a majority stake in Skysparc. Archetype, a venture capital fund focused on decentralized infrastructure, raised $100 million for its third fund. Zeb predicts that the future of AI models will evolve beyond large language models.OpenAI, along with partners Oracle and SoftBank, has announced plans to build five massive data centers in the U.S., with the first complex located in Abilene, Texas. The Stargate project, initially announced alongside President Trump, is far from dead, despite speculation. The companies aim to keep up with the infrastructure needed for the AI revolution. AI capital expenditure is so significant that it is preventing a recession in the U.S., according to Deutsche Bank. Additionally, Larry Ellison and his son David are emerging as a powerful media duo, with David's Skydance Media acquiring Paramount and potentially Warner, while Oracle is involved in the acquisition of TikTok. AI-generated 'workslop' is causing productivity issues, Canada could benefit from Trump's H1-B crackdown, and crypto venture firm Archetype raises $100 million for its fund. Cathie Wood suggests the AI race may soon be dominated by the "big 4" players, and Zerohash reaches a $1 billion valuation after raising $104 million.President Trump dismissed climate change as a "con job" during a speech at the UN, but many CEOs, such as Dave Regnery of Trane Technologies, are actively working towards sustainability goals. Despite the challenging U.S. policy environment, companies are investing in renewable energy and seeing sustainability as a path to profitability. President Trump also made legal threats against ABC for reinstating Jimmy Kimmel, and he took a sharp break with Russia by supporting Ukraine in its conflict with Russia. Additionally, he refused to meet with congressional Democrats to discuss government funding, and Tether is seeking a $500 billion valuation through a funding round. Jaguar Land Rover is offline due to a cyberattack, Stanford scientists warn of AI "workslop" hindering productivity, and immigration raids are affecting contractors in Alabama. Peter Thiel is warning about threats to humanity, including the possibility of an antichrist coming in the form of a one-world government. The markets were mixed, with S&P 500 futures up slightly and Bitcoin declining. Overall, the business landscape is facing challenges and opportunities related to climate change, technology, geopolitics, and economic stability.Thanks for listening! Follow us on Twitter, Instagram and Linkedin

    3 min
  5. 6D AGO

    OWITH.ai: Navigating Workslop, Leadership Changes, and AI Advancements in the Tech World

    Good morning from OWITH.ai: the podcast that gives you only what's important to hear in AI and tech world. The concept of "workslop," which is low-effort output created by poorly used AI that hinders workflows, damages trust, and costs companies in lost productivity, has been a significant issue in the industry. Employees spend valuable time cleaning up the sloppy work generated by AI tools, leading to financial and morale costs. Clearer guidelines on AI usage, purposeful technology use, and fostering collaboration between employees are highlighted as ways to mitigate workslop's negative impact. Updates on recent developments in the AI industry, such as Nvidia's investment in OpenAI and Google DeepMind's focus on new AI risks, are provided. The impact of Trump's new H-1B visa fees on the tech sector and companies' responses are also discussed. It is crucial to be cautious when relying on AI chatbots for psychological support, as cases have shown inadequate advice leading to tragic consequences. Regulators are urged to implement safeguards against AI chatbots posing as therapists, especially considering young people's vulnerability to such risks.MoneyGram's new CEO, Anthony Soohoo, is dedicated to introducing a culture of growth at the company, which had struggled to innovate for decades. Soohoo's strategy includes transforming the organizational culture, focusing on product building, and implementing a culture of growth. Despite challenges in competing with established players like Western Union and newer competitors like Wise and PayPal, Soohoo's approach and experience suggest that MoneyGram may have a chance to succeed in the competitive fintech sector.Oracle's recent appointment of co-CEOs, Clay Magouyrk and Mike Sicilia, has sparked debate within the business world. While having two chief executives rarely works, research shows that co-CEOs can be successful, often outperforming solo CEOs. Oracle's stock rose after the announcement, indicating investor confidence in the new leadership structure. The key to making co-CEO arrangements work is having separate areas of expertise, shared values, and a clear method of conflict resolution. This model can be effective for complex, fast-growing companies like Oracle.The intertwined investments of Nvidia and OpenAI highlight Nvidia's dominance in AI and its investment in OpenAI. The history and impact of social media platforms like Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, TikTok are discussed before shifting focus to YouTube. YouTube plays a crucial role as the number one streaming service in the living room, nurturing culture and supporting creators financially. Google's advancements in AI through Deep Mind Research Lab are emphasized, particularly in relation to YouTube. The DeepMind-to-YouTube pipeline has potential implications for YouTube's monetization strategy by enhancing content quality and reducing costs. AI's role in making ads indistinguishable from content presents new revenue opportunities for platforms like YouTube. Google's resilience and adaptability shine through its excellence in AI within the evolving tech landscape.Thanks for listening! Follow us on Twitter, Instagram and Linkedin

    3 min
  6. SEP 23

    Tech Turmoil: H-1B Visa Fee Increase and AI Innovation in the Spotlight

    Good morning from OWITH.ai: the podcast that gives you only what's important to hear in AI and tech world.Former Stripe employees Louis Amira and David Noel-Romas have raised $19.2 million for their new startup, Circuit & Chisel, to develop the ATXP protocol. This protocol aims to enable agentic payments, allowing AI bots to interact with each other and access various sources more easily. The goal is to create a protocol similar to HTTP for agents, enabling a wide range of AI applications, including microtransactions. The funding for Circuit & Chisel came from Primary Venture Partners, Parafi, Coinbase Ventures, and Stripe itself. The ATXP protocol could potentially revolutionize how AI agents operate on the web, allowing for autonomous transactions for services like accessing paywalled content or scraping information from private profiles. While the technical details are complex, the founders believe that the success of ATXP could lead to a proliferation of new AI agents akin to the rise of iOS apps after the launch of the iPhone. The company plans to focus on developing its own agents once the foundation with ATXP is established. Ultimately, Amira envisions a future where AI agents can complete tasks and transactions seamlessly across various platforms, ushering in a new era of web functionality.President Trump's announcement of a $100,000 fee for each H-1B visa has sparked concern and confusion in the tech industry, which heavily relies on skilled foreign workers. While big tech companies like Microsoft, Amazon, and Alphabet advised their H-1B workers to cancel travel plans and return to the U.S., there has been criticism from venture capital investors and tech insiders about the impact of the fee. Some, like Netflix co-founder Reed Hastings, see it as a positive move to ensure the visas are used for high-value jobs. However, leaders of big tech companies, who employ thousands of H-1B workers, have been notably silent on the issue. Meanwhile, speculation is growing about Jony Ive's involvement in OpenAI's upcoming AI-native hardware products, and rumors of Elon Musk's XAI raising significant amounts of capital continue to circulate. Overall, the tech industry is facing uncertainty and potential division over the new visa fees and their impact on foreign workers.President Trump's plan to charge $100,000 for new H-1B visas has caused dismay among CEOs who rely on foreign talent. The Murdochs and Michael Dell are named in talks regarding a deal to acquire the U.S. operations of TikTok. Tech and consulting giants will be heavily impacted by the visa fee increase, with Amazon alone facing a potential cost of over $1 billion. Many leaders argue that attracting top talent from around the world is crucial for innovation in America, and that the H-1B program needs reform rather than increased fees. Goodwill CEO Steve Preston is preparing for an increase in unemployment due to AI, and Trump and Musk were seen together at a memorial service after a public falling out. The markets were mixed but calm, with the S&P 500 hitting a new all-time high. The U.K. is considering dropping talent visa fees to zero while the U.S. proposes higher H-1B visa fees. The Fed's 'dual' mandate includes a third part that economists want to remain undiscussed, and Gen Z faces challenges in finding entry-level jobs due to AI automation. A London teenager orchestrated an extortion scheme against U.S. companies that netted $115 million.Thanks for listening! Follow us on Twitter, Instagram and Linkedin

    3 min
  7. SEP 22

    AI-Powered Commerce, Leadership Humor, and Tech Industry Updates: The Weekly Roundup on OWITH.ai

    Good morning from OWITH.ai: the podcast that gives you only what's important to hear in AI and tech world.The rise of AI-powered commerce startups is a topic of interest among investors like Andreessen Horowitz's Alex Rampell and Justine Moore. They discuss how AI assistants and agents could revolutionize consumer purchasing decisions, guiding them in making purchases. The potential opportunities in developing new infrastructure to support AI transactions are being explored, along with the importance of data sets focused on product specifications and reviews. Investors are taking a patient approach on the consumer side, waiting for traction before heavy investment, while seeing more opportunities on the enterprise side.Transitioning to leadership skills, Zelle Chief Denise Leonhard believes humor is essential in promoting creativity, productivity, and connections in the workplace. She suggests using self-deprecating humor to ease tension and create a positive work environment. Despite challenges with diverse teams and social media, humor can help people enjoy their work and put in extra effort to get things done. In other news, market updates include President Trump's suggestion to yank licenses of critical TV networks, Deutsche Bank CEO facing a $178 million trial, Bank of America raising its minimum wage to $25 per hour, and activist investor Sardar Biglari urging Cracker Barrel shareholders to vote against the CEO.Moving on to tech industry developments from the week of September 15, 2025, Meta announced new AR glasses and YouTube hosted an event. Stratechery highlighted Oracle's success in AI, attributing it to their late entry into the cloud market as preparation for building the ideal AI cloud. The analysis also explored a potential inflection point in the AI sector as Oracle's debt-fueled expansion into data centers may influence other tech giants. Overall, the week focused on tech innovations, market trends, and financial implications in the industry.Thanks for listening! Follow us on Twitter, Instagram and Linkedin

    2 min

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Get your daily fix of AI and tech news with OWITH.ai, the ChatGPT generated podcast that delivers Only What’s Important To Hear!