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THE DAILY INDEX

Technology, AI, software, security, crypto and business

HEADLINES & LAUNCHES

TLDR AI

ERIC SCHMIDT-BACKED AUGMENT, A GITHUB COPILOT RIVAL, LAUNCHES OUT OF STEALTH WITH $252M

AI-powered coding platform Augment has launched from stealth with $252 million in funding, valuing the company near $977 million. Founded by ex-Microsoft developer Igor Ostrovsky, the platform aims to enhance software quality and productivity using advanced AI models. Augment plans to offer standard SaaS subscriptions and expects to reveal pricing details later this year ahead of its GA release.

THE BIGGEST OPEN-SOURCE WEEK IN THE HISTORY OF AI

The last week of March 2024 marked a significant moment in open-source large language models (LLMs) with multiple notable releases, including DBRX by Databricks, Jamba by A21 Labs, and Samba-CoE by SambaNova Systems. These launches signify a pivotal moment in the diversification and proliferation of accessible and decentralized AI models. The trend reflects a narrowing performance gap between open-source LLMs and their closed-source counterparts, indicating a vibrant future for AI innovation and enterprise adoption.

GENERATIVE A.I. ARRIVES IN THE GENE EDITING WORLD OF CRISPR

Profluent, a Berkeley startup, has used generative AI technology to create new gene editors based on CRISPR. The company has used one of the AI-generated gene editors to edit human DNA, but it has yet to put any of them through clinical trials. While Profluent plans to open source the gene editors generated by its AI technology, it will not be open sourcing the AI technology itself. The project is part of a wider effort to build AI technologies that improve medical care.

FLEXAI LAUNCHES TO DELIVER UNIVERSAL AI COMPUTE

FlexAI launched with $30 million in seed funding led by Alpha Intelligence Capital, Elaia Partners, and Heartcore Capital. The company is rearchitecting compute infrastructure to deliver universal AI compute: effective and seamless infrastructure needed to propel advancements in artificial intelligence. FlexAI's cloud service, launching later this year, enables developers to utilize heterogeneous compute architectures to build and train AI applications reliably and efficiently.

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