Top News | Creative Commons for AI: The nonprofit organization Creative Commons launched a new program, CC Signals, allowing dataset holders to detail if and how AI systems can make use of their data, particularly for training purposes. It’s a logical development for the licensing pioneers. As debates rage on about copyright and fair use regarding AI training, there’s an obvious and compelling need for a legal framework for consensual data sharing. ICE deploys facial recognition app: 404 Media reports that US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has started using the mobile phone app Mobile Fortify to identify suspects in the field. The system, which has already been used on people entering and exiting the US at border crossings, utilizes both contactless fingerprint scans and facial images to identify people on the streets. An ACLU representative cautions that these kinds of apps can sometimes generate “false matches” and result in “wrongful arrests.” Is AI your friend or not?: According to new research carried out by TWiST 500 faves Anthropic, people who spend time speaking with their Claude chatbot about “emotional issues” tend to feel better by the end of the conversation. The researchers noted that, often, users don’t intend to build a personal or intimate relationship with Claude, but find that it happens organically over time. Also this week, Wired shared a much less positive view of AI companionship, detailing how a remote getaway with strangers and their AI “partners” quickly skipped the rails and turned dark.
| TWiST500 | According to Bloomberg, Meta is in “advanced talks” to acquire PlayAI, a TWiST 500 entrant that uses AI to simulate and replicate human voices. They aim to make chatting with an AI as seamless and responsive as a discussion with another human. (We feel PARTICULARLY proud about calling our PlayAI shot, as Bloomberg refers to them as a “small startup.” They were still on our radar! You can’t hide from “This Week in Startups”!) | Primarily, it seems that Meta wants PlayAI to enhance the vocal features of its own virtual assistants, particularly as they continue integrating AI into wearable devices like sunglasses. | But it’s certainly also possible that Meta wants some PlayAI vets to join the Superintelligence super-group the company is rapidly building out behind-the-scenes. To that end, the company also lured away multiple OpenAI researchers this week as well. He’s reportedly offering experts $100 million+ pay packages in order to secure them for his Superintelligence team, which aims to build an AI that’s smarter than any living human. – Lon | A message from Retool | Bridge the gap between AI demos and business impact with technology that's designed for developers, and built for the enterprise. Visit retool.com/twist and try it out today. | This Week in Startups | E2143: It’s an EPIC, legendary VC roundtable special this week, with Jason sitting down with Sequoia partner Doug Leone and Cyberstarts founder Gili Raanan for some insider, brutally honest insights on recruiting, working with first- and second-time founders, finding true market fit, the myth of early ARR, their early investments in Wiz, and much much more. Do not miss this episode! | E2142: On today’s show, we welcome the newest member of the TWiST Team: Anthropic’s Claude Sonnet 4 model. “Producer Claude” is helping us research interviews, plan segments, and even doing some live real-time fact checking for us. Plus Jason and Alex talk about Tesla’s robotaxi rollout, how AI is already taking people’s jobs, and Mark Zuckerberg’s sudden pivot into FOUNDER MODE. Plus Scott Hickle from Throne Science on the future of gut health. | E2141: It’s a Friday TWiST-apalooza, with Jason and Alex talking Meta’s aggressive AI strategy, Midjourney’s major recent advancements, the ongoing debate about copyright and AI model training, and Amazon CEO Andy Jassy’s cautionary memo. PLUS a visit from Giram Taitana of Doctours to talk about the growing field of medical tourism and why so many Americans are traveling overseas to get work done. | TWiST Partner Offers | | LAUNCH Accelerator | We’re hosting an in-person Demo Day for LA34 in SF on July 16 from 9a-12p PT, the latest cohort from Jason Calacanis’ Accelerator. | If you are an early-stage investor and interested in attending, please reach out to bianca@launch.co. | Want to Work for This Week in Startups? | We’re looking to fill two in-person sales positions at our Austin, Texas HQ! First, a high-performing Sales Executive to help us seek out and promote clients, sponsorships, branded content, and more. Plus an experienced Sales Manager to lead, coach, and scale our sales executive team, while setting performance goals. Love the podcast and have B2B sales experience? We want to hear from you! | SF Live-Work Space Now Available | Need a flexible living and working environment in San Francisco? This thoughtfully designed loft-style residence at 787 Bryant St., the heart of the vibrant SOMA district and the city’s creative hub, is now available for rent or purchase. Check the listing for more details. | Founder University | Applications are open for Founder University Cohort 11, a 12-week remote pre-accelerator program tailored towards navigating early-startup practices, building an MVP, and growing traction. Submit your application at Founder University— Cohort 10 will kick off Summer 2025! | The TWiST500 newsletter is the new, updated, and improved TWiST Ticker. |
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