ChatGPT's tasks and Synthesia's raise: This week's AI launches
Each week, Quartz rounds up product launches, updates, and funding news from artificial intelligence-focused startups and companies. Here’s what’s going on this week in the ever-evolving AI industry.
OpenAI's ChatGPT Launches New Feature 'Tasks'
OpenAI launched a new feature in beta for ChatGPT this week called tasks. ChatGPT users can prompt tasks for one-time or recurring actions such as receiving a weather report at the same time every morning or setting a reminder about a passport expiration. The beta version of tasks, which allows for 10 active tasks at a time, rolled out to Plus, Team, and Pro users around the world this week.
Nvidia's Partnerships in Healthcare Sector
Nvidia announced partnerships with healthcare leaders including IQVIA and Mayo Clinic this week to advance drug discovery, genomic research, and healthcare services with its AI technology. The chipmaker's technology will be used to develop solutions such as AI agents to speed up clinical trials and physical AI robots for surgery and patient monitoring. Kimberly Powell, vice president of healthcare at Nvidia, emphasized the potential of AI in advancing healthcare and life sciences.
Synthesia Secures $180 Million in Series D Funding
Enterprise AI video platform Synthesia announced a $180 million Series D funding round this week, becoming the largest generative AI media company in the U.K. The funding round, led by NEA with participation from existing investors, brings Synthesia’s total capital raised to over $330 million, valuing it at $2.1 billion. The new capital will support Synthesia’s growth in markets including Japan, Australia, Europe, and North America.
Victor Riparbelli, CEO and co-founder of Synthesia, highlighted the potential of the investment in developing new AI-powered video experiences for customers worldwide.
IBM and L’Oréal Collaborate on AI for Sustainable Cosmetics
IBM and L’Oréal announced a collaboration this week to utilize IBM’s generative AI technology for discoveries in cosmetic formulation data that can aid in L’Oréal’s use of sustainable raw materials. The collaboration aims to build a custom AI foundation model for L’Oréal’s research and innovation team to formulate new products and reformulate existing ones using large data sets of formulations and components for cosmetics.
