. . AI: Figure Robotics Raises $675M to Develop AI Models for Humanoid Robots (3.1.24)

Friends, today's edition features Figure Robotics' announcement of a hefty $675M funding round, with the company outlining its plans to develop AI models specifically for humanoid robots. What we find most interesting about this story is the parallelization we're seeing across the various frontiers. It's interesting to note that in 2022 and 2023 robotics funding actually dipped, but it is now reemerging, partially aided by developments in AI. In other news, we see Elon take action against OpenAI and see some research on LLMs in the gaming industry. Enjoy!

Figure Secures $675M in Series B Funding to Advance AI Training and Robot Manufacturing

First impacted: Robot manufacturers, AI engineers
Time to impact: Medium

The AI and robotics company Figure reports they have raised $675M in a Series B funding round with investments from Microsoft, OpenAI Startup Fund, NVIDIA, Jeff Bezos, Parkway Venture Capital, Intel Capital, Align Ventures, and ARK Invest, which puts its valuation at $2.6B. They say the funds will be used to enhance AI training, increase robot production, and expand commercial deployment, as well as grow the engineering team and work with OpenAI to create new AI models for humanoid robots, utilizing Microsoft Azure for AI infrastructure, training, and storage. [Figure Raises $675M at $2.6B Valuation and Signs Collaboration Agreement with OpenAI] Explore more of our coverage of: AI Robotics, Series B Funding, AI Infrastructure Development. Share this story by email

Elon Musk Sues OpenAI Over Alleged Pact Breach

First impacted: OpenAI and Microsoft's legal teams, Tech entrepreneurs
Time to impact: Medium

Elon Musk is taking OpenAI to court, accusing them of breaking their original agreement and prioritizing profit over technological advancement for humanity’s sake. He alleges that OpenAI's main AI model, GPT-4, is being used to increase Microsoft's profits and accuses OpenAI's CEO Sam Altman and President Gregory Brockman of unfair business conduct. Musk was one of the largest early donors to OpenAI. [Elon Musk sues OpenAI over AI threat] Explore more of our coverage of: Elon Musk Lawsuit, OpenAI Controversy, AI Ethics. Share this story by email

Survey Highlights LLMs Gaining Traction in Gaming Industry

First impacted: Video game developers, AI specialists
Time to impact: Medium

A recent study from the Institute of Digital Games at the University of Malta, indicates an increase in the use of Large Language Models (LLMs) in video game development, particularly for creating characters, storylines, and game features. The survey analysis points to three levels of assistance AI co-creators of games are providing: conceptual assistance (high level guidance), procedural assistance (where AI is part of the creative process), and production assistance, where the AI must create the final artifact based on user requirements. [Large Language Models and Games: A Survey and Roadmap] Explore more of our coverage of: AI in Gaming, LLM Technology, Game Development. Share this story by email

Hugging Face Platform Hits 100,000 Organization Milestone

First impacted: AI researchers, Business organizations
Time to impact: Short

Hugging Face's co-founder, Clement Delangue, says their AI platform is now used by over 100,000 organizations. The variety of organizations using Hugging Face's AI platform includes academic institutions like Stanford NLP, to major tech companies like Google and Nvidia, and early stage startups. For reference, tech giant Salesforce has something like ~150,000 customers and this speaks to the amazing pace at which AI companies are expanding. [via @ClementDelangue] Explore more of our coverage of: Hugging Face, AI Platforms, User Milestones. Share this story by email