In today’s newsletter:

• News - 🤖 Nvidia’s Tiny $249 AI Brain Packs a Big Punch

• Culture - 🍪 How AI is Tweaking Oreos Without Ruining the Magic

🤖 Nvidia’s Tiny $249 AI Brain Packs a Big Punch

Nvidia is shaking things up with its new Jetson Orin Nano Super—a $249 AI computer that’s half the price of its predecessor but nearly twice as powerful. Designed for hobbyists, students, and small companies, this palm-sized device brings AI capabilities to “the edge,” meaning it lets robots, drones, and cameras process advanced tasks locally, without needing a massive data center. It’s a far cry from Nvidia’s usual billion-dollar AI hardware, but CEO Jensen Huang’s oven-fresh reveal signals Nvidia’s commitment to making AI accessible to everyone.

The move could expand Nvidia’s reach beyond big-tech customers, positioning it to attract developers building the next wave of AI-powered gadgets. Competitors like Intel, Google, and Qualcomm also have their eyes on the edge-AI market, but Nvidia says its device stands out for its ability to run the “latest and greatest generative AI models.” The Jetson lineup isn’t just tech for tech’s sake—it’s a deliberate bet on robots, automation, and AI innovation becoming everyday tools, even for the smallest teams.

🗞️ In Other News…

• Paul McCartney, despite benefiting from AI in the Grammy-nominated song "Now and Then," warns about the potential dangers of unregulated AI to future musicians, as UK lawmakers consider legislation to protect creators from unauthorized use of their art in AI training.

• Tata Consultancy Services has introduced a comprehensive AI lifecycle platform that implements a responsible AI framework, focusing on security, accountability, fairness, transparency, and identity protection, to help clients deploy AI solutions ethically and safely while addressing potential biases and ensuring compliance with regulations.

• The UK government is proposing a new copyright exemption system for AI training, allowing tech companies to use copyrighted material unless rights holders opt out, while also considering measures to increase transparency in AI model training and output labeling, aiming to balance the interests of the creative industries and the tech sector.

• Broadcom's recent success in AI chip development, particularly with custom XPUs for hyperscalers, is seen as complementary rather than competitive to Nvidia's GPU dominance, suggesting a growing market that can benefit both companies as the AI industry expands and diversifies its hardware needs.

• Moonvalley and Asteria Film are launching "Marey," a new AI image and video generation model trained exclusively on ethically sourced data, positioning it as a legally and ethically sound alternative for Hollywood productions in 2025, challenging tech giants accused of data scraping.

🍪 How AI is Tweaking Oreos Without Ruining the Magic

Mondelez International, the maker of Oreos, Chips Ahoy, and Ritz crackers, is turning to AI to whip up snack recipes faster and smarter. Their AI tool, developed with Thoughtworks, helps food scientists craft optimal flavors, aromas, and textures while balancing ingredient costs, sustainability, and nutrition. The result? New snacks like Gluten-Free Golden Oreos and tweaks to classics get to shelves four to five times faster—meaning fewer endless tastings for R&D pros like Kevin Wallenstein, who’s seen one too many cookies.

But AI isn’t running the snack show solo. Brand stewards ensure that the “essence” of beloved treats like Oreos stays intact—no rogue baking soda cookies here. While AI speeds up innovation, Mondelez sticks to what works: tasty new twists on familiar favorites. With AI-powered efficiency and a commitment to constant reinvention, Mondelez is serving up snacks faster than ever while keeping fans’ cravings satisfied.

VC Fundraising Rounds

• Databricks is securing an enormous $10 billion in additional funding, a move that will catapult its valuation to $62 billion. (12/17/24)

• Liquid AI Inc., an MIT spinoff specializing in generative AI models built on a novel architecture distinct from transformer-based systems, has secured $250 million in early-stage funding. (12/13/24)

• Zest AI, a company offering AI-driven credit scoring and underwriting solutions for financial institutions, has secured a $200 million growth investment. (12/13/24)

• Legion Technologies, a leader in AI-native workforce management innovation, has announced securing $50 million in financing. (12/12/24)

• Astrix Security, a trusted provider of enterprise solutions for securing non-human identities (NHIs), has raised $45 million in its Series B funding round. (12/10/24)

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