Welcome back to your daily dossier talking AI, robotics, crypto and the future of tech. 👾

In today’s edition we are tackling the following:

🌐 Microsoft launches 365 Copilot Chat Agents, priced at $30/user/month.
📊 Synthesia’s valuation climbs to $2.1B as demand for AI-generated videos surges.
🤖 XOCEAN raises $118M to expand robotic offshore energy monitoring solutions.
📈 Google raises Workspace prices, bundling new AI tools like Duet AI for free.
🧬 AI-designed proteins show promise for neutralizing lethal snake venom.

AI

• Microsoft 365 Copilot Launches Chat Agents

  • Microsoft unveils new Copilot Chat Agents to enhance workflows, integrating seamlessly across Teams, Outlook, and Office.

  • Pricing starts at $30/user/month for enterprises, with availability expanding globally by Q2 2025.

  • Focuses on leveraging AI to streamline collaboration, summarizing emails, and automating repetitive tasks.

• Google Increases Workspace Prices, Bundles AI Features for Free

  • Workspace subscription prices rise by 10–15%, justified by bundling its latest AI tools like Duet AI without additional charges.

  • AI tools include advanced text generation, smart scheduling, and enhanced collaborative features across Gmail and Docs.

  • Google emphasizes value-added innovation, aligning pricing with customer demands for AI-powered productivity.

• AI Video Platform Synthesia Doubles Valuation to $2.1 Billion

  • Synthesia’s valuation surges after raising $300M in Series C funding led by Accel and GV, reflecting enterprise demand for AI-generated videos.

  • Platform enables businesses to create realistic video content using customizable avatars, improving internal communication and training.

  • Synthesia now serves over 60% of Fortune 100 companies, signaling strong growth and market adoption in corporate sectors.

ROBOTICS

• Capra Robotics Raises $11.6M to Expand Distributor Partnerships

  • Capra Robotics secures $11.6M in funding to accelerate growth and expand globally, focusing on logistics, inspection, and maintenance.

  • Its patented wheel frame enables robots to operate both indoors and outdoors, addressing rising labor costs and operational challenges.

  • Investment from U.S. and European backers strengthens the company’s presence in North America and Europe, supporting sales and innovation.

• Rats Facing Lego Robot Scorpions May Help Understand Human Anxiety

  • Researchers use robot scorpions to simulate anxiety triggers in rats, studying brain responses and decision-making processes.

  • Findings reveal how specific neural activity is linked to anxiety and avoidance behavior, offering insights for mental health treatment.

  • This study highlights the tension between approach and avoidance, emphasizing the role of imagination in resolving conflicts.

• XOCEAN Secures $118M to Expand Robotic Offshore Inspections

  • XOCEAN raises $118M to scale its fleet of uncrewed surface vessels for offshore energy and environmental monitoring.

  • The company’s low-carbon solutions reduce emissions by 99.9% against manned vessels, supporting sustainable ocean data collection.

  • Funding will drive geographic expansion, product innovation, and support for renewable energy projects like offshore wind farms.

CRYPTO

• AI Meets Blockchain: The Next Frontier of Cryptocurrency

  • AI is transforming blockchain by optimizing smart contracts, enhancing security, and streamlining transaction verifications.

  • Integration enables faster scalability, reduces costs, and opens up new applications in DeFi, NFTs, and supply chain management.

  • Experts predict that AI-driven blockchain solutions will redefine the efficiency and transparency of digital assets.

• Crypto Company Reown Raises $13 Million from Shopify and Kraken

  • Reown, a platform facilitating real estate tokenization, secures $13M in funding, backed by Shopify and Kraken.

  • The funding will accelerate efforts to bridge crypto with real estate, focusing on tokenized property investment opportunities.

  • With interest in fractional ownership rising, Reown aims to democratize property investment through blockchain technology.

• Bitcoin Nears $100K as Inflation Fears Ease Under Trump

  • Bitcoin approaches the $100K mark as inflation fears subside and pro-crypto policies gain traction under Trump’s administration.

  • Analysts note renewed institutional interest and increased public confidence in digital assets, driving market optimism.

  • The milestone could cement Bitcoin’s position as a key financial asset amid evolving global economic conditions.

CONTENT

• AI Is Future of Retail, Las Vegas’ Brand, and Picking the Right College

  • Scott Galloway analyzes Perplexity’s ‘Buy With Pro’ feature, predicting a transformative shift in the retail landscape.

  • He explores Las Vegas’ enduring brand strength and its singular market positioning as a global entertainment hub.

  • Concludes with thoughtful advice for parents navigating the complexities of their children’s college choices.

• Altman: AGI Almost Here + Zuck and Bezos Kiss Trump’s Ring

  • Explores OpenAI’s O3 model and its progress toward AGI while analyzing Google's Gemini 2.0 in the competitive AI space.

  • Discusses 2025 as a pivotal year for robotics and the alignment of tech giants with the Trump administration.

  • Examines changes at Meta, including fact-checking policy reversals and shifts in DEI programs under new leadership.

• How to Leverage AI in Your Startup

  • YC General Partners outline strategies for startups to integrate AI effectively into their business models.

  • Emphasizes the importance of leveraging LLMs while addressing when and how to pivot to AI-based ideas.

  • Highlights examples of startups successfully using AI to optimize processes and build innovative solutions.

AND MORE…

• Lethal Snake Venom May Be Countered by New AI-Designed Proteins

  • AI-designed proteins neutralize venom toxins from snakes like cobras, saving mice exposed to lethal doses in lab tests.

  • Using the RFdiffusion model, scientists create toxin-binding proteins as a cost-effective alternative to traditional antivenoms.

  • This innovation highlights scalable solutions to venom treatment, though further research is needed to ensure safety for human use.

• OpenAI Backs Axios Expansion into Four New Markets

  • Axios receives funding from OpenAI to expand into four new markets, focusing on AI-powered local journalism initiatives.

  • The partnership will integrate AI to enhance storytelling, personalize content, and improve audience engagement.

  • OpenAI aims to showcase how AI can transform the delivery and monetization of local news at scale.

• Google Partners with Associated Press for Real-Time Updates in Gemini

  • Google collaborates with the Associated Press to bring real-time updates and trusted journalism to its Gemini AI platform.

  • The deal enhances Gemini's ability to deliver timely, credible news summaries, supporting users' information needs.

  • By integrating AP content, Google takes a step toward combating misinformation and promoting reliable reporting.