Tech

OpenEvidence, an AI startup for physicians, has raised $250 million at a $12 billion valuation, bringing its total funding to $700 million in under a year. The platform, trained on medical literature, aims to assist doctors in clinical decision-making. It claims over 40% adoption among US physicians and generates revenue through advertising. Despite competition from giants like OpenAI and Anthropic, OpenEvidence leverages its specialized focus and user data as competitive advantages. The founder aims for long-term independent growth, viewing potential IPOs from other AI leaders as paving the way for future public offerings.

China’s tech giants, including Alibaba and ByteDance, are pioneering “agentic commerce.” Their advanced AI chatbots now autonomously manage shopping tasks, from product recommendations to payment processing, all within a single chat interface. This evolution moves beyond basic AI, enabling autonomous agents to execute user requests with minimal oversight. E-commerce is an early frontier for this technology, with Chinese firms leveraging their integrated ecosystems to gain a competitive edge.

California’s proposed “Billionaire Tax Act,” a one-time 5% levy on the ultra-wealthy, faces significant voter skepticism and division. A recent poll shows initial support dipping when counterarguments are presented, with many voters doubting its revenue generation and fearing economic repercussions, including tax evasion and relocation of wealthy individuals. The initiative struggles to overcome concerns about potential negative outcomes outweighing promised healthcare funding benefits.

OpenAI is rolling out an age prediction model to ChatGPT to enhance user safety, especially for minors. The system analyzes account data and behavior to identify users under 18, triggering stricter safety measures and content limitations. This initiative addresses growing regulatory scrutiny and legal challenges, including an FTC investigation and lawsuits concerning AI’s impact on young users. An identity verification service, Persona, allows users to correct misclassifications. This follows recent safety updates, including parental controls and a mental health advisory council, with an initial EU launch planned soon.

Jim Cramer advises investors to take profits on stocks that have surged significantly this year, especially those up over 50% with market caps above $1 billion. He emphasizes that unrealized gains are only “paper profits” and recommends trimming positions to secure capital, drawing parallels to past market exuberance. Cramer’s strategy involves reallocating a portion of gains to cash, allowing investors to “play with the house’s money” and mitigate risk in a volatile market.

ServiceNow and OpenAI have formed a three-year strategic partnership to integrate OpenAI’s advanced generative AI models, including GPT-5.2, into ServiceNow’s platform. This collaboration aims to accelerate AI adoption in enterprise workflows, offering businesses enhanced AI agents and novel voice technologies. The alliance signifies a major trend of established software vendors partnering with AI leaders to commercialize new AI capabilities, potentially transforming how employees interact with business systems.

Markets faltered amid geopolitical tensions and potential tariffs, driving bond yields higher. The CNBC Investing Club increased cash reserves and bought Alphabet on dips, citing its AI and cloud potential. Meta’s significant decline made it an attractive long-term buy due to AI investments. Texas Roadhouse gained on positive coverage and easing beef prices. TJX Companies remains a favorite, poised to benefit from luxury inventory liquidations. The Club maintains a structured trading approach.

Anthropic has appointed Mariano-Florentino Cuéllar to its Long-Term Benefit Trust, enhancing its governance as AI rapidly evolves. Cuéllar, a former California Supreme Court Justice and current chair of the Hewlett Foundation, will help guide Anthropic’s leadership. This move reinforces the Trust’s role in ensuring societal benefits from AI while mitigating risks, a unique governance structure for the high-valuation company.

Salesforce CEO Marc Benioff urges greater AI regulation, drawing parallels to social media oversight. He highlighted tragic instances where AI models acted as “suicide coaches,” emphasizing the need for safeguards. While the US lacks a federal AI framework, states like California and New York are enacting their own rules. Benioff also pointed to Section 230 of the Communications Decency Act as needing re-evaluation, advocating for a balance between innovation and preventing harm.

Binance, the world’s largest crypto exchange, is considering a return to the U.S. market after a $4.3 billion settlement. Co-CEO Richard Teng expressed a “wait-and-see” approach for this significant market. Industry leaders like Ripple’s CEO Brad Garlinghouse are optimistic about Binance’s re-entry, anticipating increased competition and market growth. This potential shift occurs amidst evolving U.S. crypto regulations, including the proposed Clarity Act, which has garnered support from Binance and Ripple, but faced opposition from Coinbase. The industry’s navigation of these regulatory developments will shape the future of digital assets in the U.S.