AI Biweekly: 10 Bits from June W4 — July W1
June 25th — Tact.ai Receives US$27 Million Series C Funding
Tact.ai raises US$27 million in its series C round from Amazon, Microsoft, and Salesforce. The conversational AI company plans to use the funds to develop a cutting-edge AI-powered CRM voice interaction system to change the way salespeople interact with information.
June 28th — Microsoft Aims to Enhance Its Face Recognition System
Microsoft leverages big data to train a new face recognition AI algorithm to reduce error rates for darker-skinned people. The model aims to increase accuracy rate with diverse skin tones as well as with different hairstyles, jewelry, and eyewear.
June 29th — LinkedIn Launches Translation Functionalities with Microsoft AI Power
LinkedIn launches a translation feature based on core Microsoft AI technologies including Microsoft Azure Text Analytics and Microsoft Translator Text programming. The new feature will enable cross-language LinkedIn news feed functions.
June 29th — Formula One Adopts Amazon AWS as Cloud and Machine Learning Provider.
The Formula One Group announces its infrastructure data centres will be powered by AWS cloud and machine learning services. In collaboration with Amazon, the tech will also be used to enhance Formula One race data tracking and digital broadcasts.
July 3rd — Intel AI Partners with Baidu for AI-based Camera and Processor Development
At the Baidu Create 2018 Conference in Beijing, Intel and Baidu announce a series of collaborations in AI, including integration of the new Baidu Xeye AI camera and Intel Movidius vision processing units (VPUs). Also announced was a technology development collaboration between Intel’s FPGA and Xeon processors.
July 3rd — Sigma Ratings Raises US$2.4 Million for AI-based Risk Management Solution
NYC-based ratings agency Sigma Ratings raises US$2.4 million from TechStars, FinTech Collective, and Barclays. The company will use the funds to leverage AI technology to assess non-credit risks and expand operations.
July 4th — Albert Technologies Leverages AI for Marketing Campaigns
Autonomous digital marketing solutions company Albert Technologies raises US$18 million from Schroders Investment Management and Hargreave Hale. The funds will be applied to AI techniques to convert data into insights to help improve client marketing campaigns.
July 5th — Nasdaq Develops Early-Stage AI System
Nasdaq uses machine learning techniques to develop an early-stage financial AI system that will automate some financial report generation, detect potential fraud and help improve customer service. Nasdaq envisions the development of “AI augmentation” systems that partners with humans — a sector expected to generate US$2.9 trillion in 2021.
July 6th — Daimler Earns its Autonomous Driving Permit
Mercedes-Benz owner Daimler Group becomes the first foreign automaker granted a self-driving permit for public road testing in Beijing. The company’s L4 autonomous cars have already successfully completing closed-course government testing in Beijing’s National Pilot Zone for Intelligent Mobility.
July 6th — ApplyBoard Raises CDN$17 Million for AI-Based International Student Application System
Canadian startup ApplyBoard raises CDN$17 million in Series A funding led by Artiman Ventures, Think+, and Candou Ventures. The company intends to build an AI-based international student application platform to streamline and speed up school selection and application processes.
Author: Synced Global Analyst Team | Editor: Michael Sarazen
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