🤖 Cloud 2 AI Launched | 🤝 Microsoft-Activision Deal Advances | 💰 Huge AI Investments

Hello folks!

Today is Wednesday, 12 July, and we have an exciting rapid-fire tech news roundup for you today. Check out these awesome headlines in our latest update:

• Microsoft-Activision Deal Advances

• Threads Prepare for Branded Content

• Twitter Restricts Threads Link Searches

• Claude 2 AI Launched

• KPMG Targets AI with $2B Investment

• and more...

READ TIME: ~3.9 MINUTES

🌐 Tech Companies

Microsoft-Activision Deal Advances (3-minute read)

Microsoft's acquisition of Activision Blizzard is progressing as a judge rejects the Federal Trade Commission's injunction request. This ruling is a significant step forward for the $68.7 billion deal, potentially transforming the gaming landscape.

Threads Prepare for Branded Content (5-minute read)

Instagram is developing branded content tools for Threads, enabling marketers to experiment with paid promotion. Until advertising is introduced, brands are advised to disclose paid partnerships using text or hashtags. Many major companies have already established their presence on Threads with organic content, despite the lack of chronological feeds.

Roku Enables Shopify Purchases via TV (2-minute read)

Roku has partnered with Shopify to allow users to purchase products directly from their TVs via Roku Action Ads. Transactions are completed through Roku Pay, providing a seamless streaming experience. The initiative also provides Shopify advertisers with valuable customer data and insights into buying patterns.

Salesforce Increases Prices for AI Features (3-minute read)

Salesforce is increasing prices by around 9% across major products in August, marking its first hike in seven years. The decision follows the introduction of resource-intensive generative AI features, for which Salesforce will also levy additional charges.

Twitter Restricts Threads Link Searches (3-minute read)

Twitter seems to be limiting search results for Meta's microblogging competitor, Threads. Searches using the "url:" operator to locate Threads links yield zero results, making it more challenging to find Threads content.

🚀 Startup Scene

Oritain Secures $57M for Forensic Traceability (3-minute read)

New Zealand-based startup Oritain obtains $57 million to enhance its forensic traceability tech further, authenticating the origins and compositions of products.

Collective Lands $50M for Freelancer Finance (3-minute read)

Collective, offering financial management tools for freelancers, raised $50 million for product development and scaling operations, expecting 30% employee growth by next year.

Rocsys Secures $36M for EV Charging Robots (4-minute read)

Rocsys, the autonomous EV charging solutions provider, has raised $36 million to expand its robotic charging solution, catering to the increasing EV and self-driving vehicles market.

Prolific Raises $32M for AI Training (2-minute read)

London-based startup Prolific garners $32 million to amplify its AI stress-testing and training platform, leveraging a human participant network of 120,000.

Gardens Nets $31.3M for Fantasy RPG (7-minute read)

Gardens, a gaming startup, has secured $31.3 million in funding to develop a unique, ever-evolving, fantasy-action role-playing game featuring novel cooperative gameplay elements.

Savvy Exits Stealth with $30M (3-minute read)

Israeli startup Savvy, focusing on SaaS application security, comes out of stealth mode, armed with $30 million from two investment rounds.

Raft Secures $30M for AI Logistics (3-minute read)

AI-driven logistics platform Raft raised $30 million in Series B funding to enhance the development and deployment of its core automation products.

🤖 AI Corner

Claude 2 AI Launched: Exciting Improvements (5-minute read)

Anthropic introduces Claude 2, a new AI model showcasing enhanced performance and safety. The model boasts impressive scores on the Bar exam, GRE exams, and Python coding tests. It can interpret lengthy technical documents and write extensive memos, courtesy of its expanded input and output length. Available via API and a beta website, Claude 2 also promises safer, less harmful responses.

KPMG Targets AI with $2B Investment (4-minute read)

KPMG plans a $2 billion investment in artificial intelligence and cloud services over the next five years via an expanded Microsoft partnership. This move aims to automate its tax, audit, and consulting services while increasing revenue.

Sapphire Ventures Pledges $1B for AI Startups (4-minute read)

Sapphire Ventures intends to invest over $1 billion in AI-focused enterprise startups, leveraging existing funds of $10 billion. The focus is on B2B software companies that enhance predictive outcomes using AI and machine learning.

Wipro Dedicates $1B for AI Training (2-minute read)

Wipro plans to invest $1 billion in training its 250,000 employees in artificial intelligence, with a goal to integrate AI into all its operations and client solutions.

Shutterstock Surges on OpenAI Partnership (1-minute read)

Shutterstock's stock rises following a newly established deal with OpenAI, fostering exciting investor anticipations.

💰´Markets & Money

Global PC Shipments Decline Continues (4-minute read)

In the second quarter of 2023, global PC shipments dropped by 13.4% year-over-year, as per IDC data. The sixth consecutive quarter of shrinkage is attributed to macroeconomic factors, weaker consumer and commercial demand, and IT budget shifts. Apple and HP Inc. resisted the overall trend, with the latter finally approaching normal inventory levels.

India Slams 28% Tax on Online Gaming (3-minute read)

India will impose a 28% tax on online gaming, affecting both skill-based and chance-based games. The decision has drawn criticism from industry leaders, claiming it will devastate the rapidly growing sector.

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