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Aetherflux, a space solar startup founded by Robinhood's co-founder Baiju Bhatt, raises $50 million in Series A round.
OpenAI's o3 AI model estimated to cost around $30,000 per task, a significant increase from initial estimates. Let’s dive deeper…
In today's ContentBuffer update:
Space solar startup Aetherflux raises $50 million
OpenAI's O3 AI model costs skyrocket
Automattic cuts 16% of staff in restructuring move
Epic Games acquires AI platform Loci to streamline content management and detect IP violations.
Amazon bids for TikTok amid deadline
Redwood Materials expands to San Francisco with new R&D center
5 new AI tools & 5 new AI jobs
More tech news
Latest Development
Space Technology
Image source: TechCrunch
Summary: Aetherflux raises $50 million, plans to demonstrate space solar power technology in 2026. The startup aims to provide electricity to remote locations using small, portable ground stations.
Key Points:
Aetherflux will use the funds to hire more engineers and invest in the technology and infrastructure needed for its first several missions.
The company is working on building out Aetherflux's first ground station, which will be made up of photovoltaic arrays that convert sunlight to energy.
Aetherflux's goal is to build small, portable ground stations - anywhere from 5 to 10 meters in diameter - to bring electricity to even the most remote locations.
Why it matters: The success of Aetherflux could pave the way for a new source of renewable energy and provide electricity to remote areas.
Artificial Intelligence Costs
Image source: TechCrunch
Summary: OpenAI's o3 AI model costs have been revised to around $30,000 per task, making it one of the most expensive AI models currently available. The cost is based on the amount of computing resources required to run the model, which uses significantly more resources than other AI models.
Key Points:
The estimated cost of o3 high is around $30,000 per task, a significant increase from initial estimates of around $3,000.
OpenAI has not officially priced or released the o3 model yet, but its pricing is expected to be similar to that of its o1-pro model, which is its most expensive model to date.
The cost of o3 high is due to the amount of computing resources required to run the model, which uses significantly more resources than other AI models.
Why it matters: This significant increase in cost highlights the challenges and limitations of using AI models for certain tasks, especially those that require a large amount of computing resources.
Tech Industry News
Image source: TechCrunch
Summary: Automattic reduces workforce by 16%, citing market competition and tech evolution. The move follows a challenging year for the company, marked by a legal battle with WP Engine. Employees affected will receive severance packages and job placement assistance.
Key Points:
The layoffs impact employees across 90 countries, with some longtime employees losing their jobs after over a decade of service.
Automattic CEO Matt Mullenweg believes the restructuring will make the company more agile and responsive, allowing it to focus on product quality and financial sustainability.
Employees who were let go will receive a severance package, job placement assistance, and support from the company.
Why it matters: The layoffs are significant because they impact nearly one-third of Automattic's workforce, highlighting the challenges faced by the tech industry as it navigates market competition and rapid technological change.
Game_development
Image source: TechCrunch
Summary: Epic Games acquires AI platform Loci to automate content tagging and detect IP violations; helps creators streamline asset management and reduce infringement risks.
Key Points:
The acquisition aims to automate manual content tagging, making it easier for creators to search, share, and discover assets.
Loci's technology uses computer vision models to understand 3D content and automatically tags assets, reducing the need for manual effort.
The integration will be rolled out across the Epic ecosystem, including Unreal Editor for Fortnite (UEFN) and Fab, a marketplace for buying and selling digital assets.
Why it matters: This acquisition has significant implications for game development and intellectual property management, as it streamlines content creation and detection of potential infringement risks.
Tech News
Image source: TechCrunch
Summary: Amazon submits a late bid to acquire TikTok, amid concerns over the app's future in the US. The bid is not being taken seriously by the parties involved, and President Trump is set to meet with officials to discuss the app's fate.
Key Points:
Amazon submits a bid to acquire all of TikTok
TikTok faces an April 5 deadline to shed its Chinese ownership or face a ban in the US
President Trump is scheduled to meet with officials to discuss the app's fate
Why it matters: The acquisition bid has significant implications for TikTok's future, as it could impact its ownership and presence in the US.
Green Technology
Image source: TechCrunch
Summary: Redwood Materials is expanding to San Francisco with a new R&D center, which will focus on developing novel process equipment engineering and battery diagnostic methods. This move aims to help improve cathode production and expand the company's battery recycling capabilities.
Key Points:
The new R&D center will be equipped with lab space to support engineers who will work on every point of the battery ecosystem.
Redwood Materials is looking to hire around 50 or more people for the facility, which currently has a handful of engineers on site.
The company aims to improve cathode production and expand its battery recycling capabilities through the new R&D center.
Why it matters: This expansion into San Francisco's Design District showcases Redwood Materials' commitment to developing innovative solutions for the lithium-ion battery ecosystem, which has significant implications for the environment and the industry as a whole.
New Tools & Job
Food Kit 🍲 - AI-powered platform creates customizable food kits for content creators.
Baby Face 👶 - Upload photos to generate a realistic baby face prediction instantly.
Meme Gen 🤣 - Create and share custom memes using AI-powered text and image overlays.
Immplify 💼 - Simplify immigration processes with an advanced document management system and services.
Authentic 📊 - Web platform for authentic voice analysis and speech recognition solutions.
QUICK HITS
🔥 DeepMind publishes a 145-page paper on AGI safety, warning of severe harm and existential risks here.
💸 The Nivenly Foundation launches a new security fund to pay for responsible disclosures of vulnerabilities in the Fediverse.
🏠 Roam, a startup, has created an assumable mortgage platform that simplifies homebuying and speeds up the process here.
📚 Anthropic launches Claude for Education, a chat interface for students and faculty to develop critical thinking skills here.
📊 AI sales rep startups are booming, but VCs are wary due to AI's limitations 💸.
THAT’S A WRAP
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