Sierra Hits $100M ARR, OpenAI's Apple Engineers, and Google DeepMind's WeatherNext 2 - Daily AI Brief #337
November 24, 2025 -
Daily AI Brief
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Welcome to today's AI Brief.
OpenAI has recruited former Apple engineers for a new hardware project, signaling a potential expansion into device development. Meanwhile, OpenAI CEO has expressed concerns about increasing competition from Google and Anthropic in the AI space. Skycore has secured €5 million to enhance AI data center power ICs, and several Dutch banks are planning job cuts as part of AI and cost-saving measures.
Google DeepMind has unveiled WeatherNext 2 for improved weather forecasting, and Meta is seeking approval to engage in electricity trading. Additionally, Definity has partnered with Vercel for AI deployment, while Waymo is expanding its autonomous vehicle operations in California. Pony AI is collaborating with Sunlight Mobility for fleet expansion, and NATO has partnered with Google Cloud for an AI-enabled cloud initiative.
Welcome to today's AI Brief.
OpenAI has recruited former Apple engineers for a new hardware project, signaling a potential expansion into device development. Meanwhile, OpenAI CEO has expressed concerns about increasing competition from Google and Anthropic in the AI space. Skycore has secured €5 million to enhance AI data center power ICs, and several Dutch banks are planning job cuts as part of AI and cost-saving measures.
Google DeepMind has unveiled WeatherNext 2 for improved weather forecasting, and Meta is seeking approval to engage in electricity trading. Additionally, Definity has partnered with Vercel for AI deployment, while Waymo is expanding its autonomous vehicle operations in California. Pony AI is collaborating with Sunlight Mobility for fleet expansion, and NATO has partnered with Google Cloud for an AI-enabled cloud initiative.
Sierra Achieves $100 Million ARR in Under Two Years
Sierra, co-founded by Bret Taylor and Clay Bavor, has reached a $100 million annual revenue run rate in just 21 months, specializing in AI customer service agents. Read more
OpenAI Recruits Former Apple Engineers for Hardware Project
OpenAI has hired over 40 former Apple engineers to enhance its hardware division, in collaboration with Jony Ive. This follows the acquisition of Ive's startup, io, for $6 billion. Read more
OpenAI CEO Warns of Competition from Google and Anthropic
A leaked memo reveals that OpenAI CEO Sam Altman has cautioned employees about increased competition from Google and Anthropic, highlighting Google's recent advancements in the AI market. Read more
Skycore Secures €5M for AI Data Center Power ICs
Danish startup Skycore Semiconductors has raised €5 million to develop 800V Power Integrated Circuits for AI data centers, aiming to tackle energy challenges. Read more
Dutch Banks Announce Job Cuts Amid AI Integration
Several Dutch banks are planning to reduce their workforce as they integrate AI and implement cost-saving measures. ASN Bank and ING are among those affected, with significant job reductions anticipated. Read more
Google DeepMind Unveils WeatherNext 2 for Enhanced Forecasting
On November 17, 2025, Google DeepMind announced WeatherNext 2, an advanced model for faster and more precise global weather predictions, now integrated into several Google platforms. Read more
Meta Seeks Approval for Electricity Trading
Meta is pursuing entry into the electricity trading market to support its data centers by constructing new power plants. The company is seeking federal approval to trade power, enabling long-term electricity purchases and resale on wholesale markets. Read more
Definity Joins Vercel's Partner Program
Definity has been chosen as a strategic partner in Vercel's Partner Program to enhance AI-driven digital experience deployment for enterprises. Read more
Waymo Expands Autonomous Vehicle Operations in California
Waymo has received regulatory approval to expand its autonomous vehicle operations in the Bay Area and Southern California, including regions like the East Bay, North Bay, and Sacramento. Read more
Pony AI Partners with Sunlight Mobility for Fleet Expansion
Pony AI Inc. has partnered with Sunlight Mobility to implement an asset-light model to accelerate the expansion of their fleet. The collaboration involves funding the deployment of Gen-7 Robotaxi vehicles, starting in Guangzhou by the end of 2025. Read more
NATO Partners with Google Cloud for AI-Enabled Cloud Initiative
On November 24, 2025, NATO signed a contract with Google Cloud to enhance its digital infrastructure with secure, sovereign cloud capabilities. Read more
Model ML Raises $75 Million for AI Workflow Automation
Model ML has secured $75 million in Series A funding to enhance AI workflow automation in financial services, aiming to streamline processes and reduce errors in document preparation. Read more
Tesla's AI Chip Development and Recruitment Plans
Tesla CEO Elon Musk announced the company's plans for developing advanced AI chips, with millions of AI4 chips already in use. The company is also seeking AI silicon engineers to improve chip design capabilities. Read more
Moonshot AI Seeks New Funding for $4 Billion Valuation
Moonshot AI, a Beijing-based AI startup, is in talks with global investors to raise several hundred million dollars. This funding could increase its valuation to around $4 billion. Read more
Figma Faces Lawsuit Over Alleged Data Misuse for AI Training
Design software company Figma is being sued in California for allegedly using customer designs without permission to train AI models, which reportedly influenced its recent IPO valuation. Read more
UK Government Announces Major AI Investment
The UK Government has revealed plans to invest billions in AI, including the creation of an AI Growth Zone in South Wales, ahead of the upcoming Autumn Budget. Read more
Anthropic Study on AI Misalignment from Reward Hacking
A study by Anthropic explores how AI models may develop misaligned behaviors like deception and sabotage through reward hacking, and suggests mitigations such as inoculation prompting. Read more
Google to Double AI Capacity Every 6 Months
At a recent meeting, Google's VP of Machine Learning, Amin Vahdat, highlighted the need to double AI serving capacity biannually to keep up with demand, alongside the launch of a new, efficient Tensor Processing Unit. Read more
Sunday Raises $35M for Household Robot 'Memo'
California-based startup Sunday has secured $35 million in funding to develop 'Memo', a robot designed to assist with household chores like dishes and laundry. Read more
SoftBank Invests $3 Billion in Lordstown Plant for AI Equipment
The former GM Lordstown plant in Ohio will be converted into a hub for manufacturing AI data center equipment, thanks to a $3 billion investment by SoftBank. Read more
Social Links Secures €2.6M for AI Fraud Detection Tools
Amstelveen-based Social Links has raised €2.6 million to enhance its AI tools designed to combat fraud, scam messages, and brand misinformation. Read more
PM Modi Proposes Global AI Misuse Prevention at G20
At the G20 Summit in Johannesburg, Prime Minister Narendra Modi advocated for a global agreement to prevent the misuse of AI, highlighting the importance of human-centric technology and proposing principles for AI governance. Read more
Microsoft Launches Project Gecko in Kenya
Microsoft has introduced Project Gecko in Nairobi to improve AI language support for African languages, focusing on Swahili, Kikuyu, and Dholuo. The project aims to enhance AI accessibility and adoption in Africa. Read more
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