Xiaomi SU7 Ultra Officially Hits the Market with a Starting Price of RMB 529,900

Posted on March 2, 2025March 2, 2025 by Munazza Shaheen

Xiaomi has officially launched the Xiaomi SU7 Ultra, a high-performance electric sedan that aims to redefine luxury and speed in the EV industry. Priced at RMB 529,900, the SU7 Ultra is now available for purchase. With its groundbreaking speed, aerodynamics, and smart technology, it sets a new standard for four-door sports sedans.

The launch includes optional configurations such as the “Racing Package” and the “Nürburgring Nordschleife Limited Edition,” both of which will be available once Xiaomi completes its Nürburgring Nordschleife track challenge.

A New Benchmark in EV Performance

The Xiaomi SU7 Ultra comes equipped with a tri-motor configuration and a high-performance battery, delivering an astonishing 1,548PS. It accelerates from 0 to 100 km/h in just 1.98 seconds and reaches a top speed of 350 km/h, making it the fastest mass-produced four-door sedan in the world.

Designed for high-speed track performance, the SU7 Ultra features:

Enhanced Cooling System – Prevents overheating, ensuring stable performance over long races.
Top-Level Braking System – Achieves a braking distance of 30.8m from 100km/h to 0.
Peak Chassis System – Tuned at the Nürburgring Nordschleife for superior control.

The SU7 Ultra has already proven its dominance by securing record lap times at major racetracks in China:

Shanghai International Circuit: 2’09″944
Chengdu Tianfu International Circuit: 1’26″741
Zhuzhou International Circuit: 1’41″806
Zhuhai International Circuit: 1’37″758

Xiaomi also plans to take on the Nürburgring Nordschleife track later this year with the SU7 Ultra.

Luxury Meets Performance

The Xiaomi SU7 Ultra is designed for both track and luxury car enthusiasts, combining aerodynamic efficiency with high-end materials.

Five Exclusive Exterior Colors: Lightning Yellow, Space Silver, Verdant Green, Pearl White, and Obsidian Black.
Aerodynamic Enhancements: Large front splitter, air curtains, active rear diffuser, and carbon fiber rear spoiler for enhanced downforce.
Carbon Fiber Integration: The roof and multiple body components use carbon fiber to reduce weight while maintaining strength.

Inside, the SU7 Ultra delivers luxury and comfort with:

Premium Alcantara® Microfiber Fabric – Covers seats, dashboard, and steering wheel for a high-end feel.
Sporty Steering Wheel Design – Features carbon fiber, Alcantara grip, and a yellow centering marker.
Racing-Inspired Seat Design – Improved side support, ventilation, massage, and heating for ultimate comfort.

The interior color options include Bright Yellow, Black/Yellow, and Black/Red, ensuring a customized, premium experience for every driver.

Advanced Tech for a Next-Level Driving Experience

Xiaomi integrates its HyperOS Smart Cabin, XiaoAi AI assistant, and Snapdragon 8295 chip to create a seamless, connected driving experience.

Racetrack Master App: Tracks real-time lap times, car performance, and driving mode adjustments.
Immersive Sound System: Includes new driving sound enhancements and external speakers.
Smartphone & AI Voice Integration: Allows control via voice commands or smartphone apps.

Unmatched Safety & Control

Xiaomi has upgraded the safety features of the SU7 Ultra to ensure maximum driver protection.

MAI (Mis-Acceleration Inhibition) – Prevents accidental acceleration in risky situations.
LAEB (Low-Speed Autonomous Emergency Braking) – Enhances safety in crowded areas.
Reinforced Battery Protection – Features bulletproof coating to protect against damage and punctures.

Available Now

The Xiaomi SU7 Ultra is available exclusively via the Xiaomi EV App and Xiaomi EV WeChat Mini Program. With a blend of cutting-edge performance, luxury, and smart technology, the SU7 Ultra marks a new era in electric vehicle innovation.

About Xiaomi Corporation

Founded in 2010, Xiaomi Corporation has grown into one of the world’s leading technology companies, with its focus on smartphones, smart home devices, and now electric vehicles. Listed on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange, Xiaomi has been included in the Fortune Global 500 list for six consecutive years.

With its “Human × Car × Home” smart ecosystem, Xiaomi is shaping the future of AI-driven consumer technology worldwide.

China Restricts AI Leaders to Avoid US Travel Citing Security Concerns

Posted on March 2, 2025March 2, 2025 by Rabia Tayyab

A report by The Wall Street Journal (WSJ) states that Chinese officials have ordered the nation’s leading artificial intelligence (AI) researchers and top executives not to travel to the United States, citing increasing security fears. The new order is prompted by a fear that AI professionals might inadvertently share valuable information on China’s technological progress or be used as bargaining chips in U.S.-China geopolitics during detention. The WSJ’s report recalls the arrest of Huawei executive Meng Wanzhou in Canada at the behest of U.S. authorities in the early Trump administration, which escalated tensions between the two countries. With China and the U.S. engaged in a fierce AI race, Beijing is becoming more sensitive to the openness of its AI industry to foreign influence.

The issue is especially urgent as Chinese startup DeepSeek has recently launched AI models that aim to match or exceed top U.S. firms such as OpenAI and Google but at much lower prices. The U.S. government has imposed limits on China’s access to advanced AI technology, further fueling the technology rivalry. Chinese President Xi Jinping reaffirmed national security as a top priority while meeting with Communist Party officials and instructed them to prioritize cybersecurity and AI threats. As reported by the WSJ, Beijing has also ordered AI leaders who go overseas to preannounce their travel schedule and debrief the authorities after returning.

According to WSJ sources, DeepSeek founder Liang Wenfeng turned down an invitation to an AI conference in Paris earlier this year after the government’s advice. Another founder of a leading Chinese AI company is said to have canceled a scheduled U.S. visit last year after being instructed by Beijing. The White House and China’s State Council Information Office have not commented on the WSJ report. Beijing, however, is adamant about strengthening control over its AI industry and ensuring that China’s progress in the sector remains protected from foreign interference.

Mark Cuban Offers to Fund Ex-Government Tech Workers After 18F Shutdown

Posted on March 2, 2025March 2, 2025 by Munazza Shaheen

Billionaire investor Mark Cuban has stepped in to support recently laid-off federal tech workers, offering to invest in a new consulting firm formed by the displaced employees. His offer came after the General Services Administration (GSA) abruptly shut down 18F, a key government technology unit, in a late-night layoff that affected around 70 employees. Cuban took to the social network Bluesky on Saturday, urging the affected engineers and designers to turn the government upheaval into an opportunity.

“If you worked for 18F and got fired, group together to start a consulting company,” Cuban posted. “It’s just a matter of time before DOGE needs you to fix the mess they inevitably created. They will have to hire your company as a contractor to fix it. But on your terms. I’m happy to invest and/or help.”

His message quickly gained traction, sparking discussions about the future of civic tech and government outsourcing. The layoffs, which were announced around 1 a.m. on Saturday, were part of a broader federal workforce reduction directed by the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), an agency created under the Trump administration and overseen by Elon Musk.

Could Former 18F Employees Reshape Government Tech?

18F was a government tech unit that helped agencies develop and implement technology solutions. The team was behind Login.gov, a secure portal for public access to agencies like Social Security and the Department of Veterans Affairs. Two dozen employees were already cut in February as part of GSA’s workforce reduction. According to Politico, employees received their termination notices in the middle of the night, and many had also received Friday night emails from DOGE titled: “What did you do last week? Part II.”

These emails, requiring employees to list their weekly accomplishments by Monday, were reportedly sent to multiple agencies, including the State Department, IRS, and NIH. Cuban’s offer raises an interesting question: Could the very workers being pushed out of government now reshape the future of government tech from the private sector? As DOGE accelerates its agency cuts, even Elon Musk has acknowledged the unintended consequences. Just this past Wednesday, Musk admitted that the USAID Ebola prevention program was accidentally canceled—briefly—due to rushed downsizing.

Public health experts argue that funding for the program still hasn’t been fully restored. With more experienced government tech workers being displaced, Cubans see an opportunity for former public employees to launch their own independent tech firm—one that the government may eventually have no choice but to rely on. One Bluesky user even proposed a tongue-in-cheek name for the new startup, suggesting: “Name the new company 18FU.”

With the growing number of laid-off government tech workers, Cuban’s backing of a new civic tech startup could be the first step in turning government job cuts into a private-sector business opportunity. Will former 18F employees seize the moment and turn their expertise into a powerful private-sector force? Or will this shake-up weaken the government’s ability to handle its own tech infrastructure in the long run?

DeepSeek Claims 545% AI Profit Margin After Rapid Industry Rise

Posted on March 2, 2025March 2, 2025 by Munazza Shaheen

Just a few months ago, DeepSeek was a little-known name in AI, but that changed in January when the Chinese startup launched an AI model that challenged OpenAI’s dominance. Despite operating under U.S. trade restrictions, DeepSeek developed a model that reportedly matched OpenAI’s GPT-4 (o1 variant) on certain benchmarks, grabbing headlines and briefly overtaking ChatGPT on Apple’s App Store rankings. DeepSeek is making another bold claim about its profitability this time. The company recently revealed that its AI models supposedly generate an eye-watering 545% profit margin. But there’s a catch: the number is based on theoretical income rather than actual revenue.

DeepSeek’s 545% Profit Claim: The Fine Print

In a post on X (formerly Twitter), DeepSeek claimed that if all AI usage over 24 hours had been billed under its R1 model pricing, the company would have earned $562,027 in daily revenue. Meanwhile, leasing the required GPUs (graphics processing units) would have been only $87,072—resulting in the headline-grabbing 545% cost-profit margin. However, DeepSeek admitted in a longer GitHub post that its actual revenue is much lower due to the following:

Nighttime discounts reduce revenue during off-peak hours.
Lower pricing for the V3 model, which undercuts theoretical income.
Free access to web and app services, meaning only a portion of users are monetized.

The GitHub post also outlined DeepSeek’s technical approach to improving AI efficiency, focusing on higher throughput and lower latency. The company emphasized that its infrastructure is optimized for performance, but profitability still depends on how AI services are priced and used.

A Glimpse Into AI’s Profitability Debate

DeepSeek’s claim, while speculative, adds fuel to the ongoing discussion about the cost of AI and its potential for profitability. Training and running AI models require enormous computing power, often making them expensive. Tech giants like OpenAI, Google, and Anthropic have yet to prove whether AI chatbots can become sustainably profitable at scale. Yet, DeepSeek’s ability to develop a competitive AI model at a fraction of OpenAI’s cost already had analysts questioning the actual financials of AI research. Its latest claim of theoretical profitability further challenges the narrative that AI is a money-losing business.

DeepSeek’s AI and Market Impact

DeepSeek has already left a mark on the AI industry:

Its January model launch rattled Wall Street, raising concerns about AI development costs.
Its app briefly displaced ChatGPT at the top of Apple’s App Store rankings before settling at #6 in the productivity category, behind ChatGPT, Grok, and Google Gemini.

AI Monetization: Reality vs. Hype?

DeepSeek’s numbers suggest AI models could be extremely profitable under the right conditions, but whether this translates to sustainable revenue growth remains unclear. With the race for AI profitability heating up, one key question remains: Are AI startups truly on the brink of massive profits, or are these numbers just hopeful projections? Let us know your thoughts in the comments.

Samsung Galaxy A56 Unveiled with AI Upgrades at a Budget-Friendly Price

Posted on March 2, 2025March 2, 2025 by Rabia Tayyab

Not too long ago, AI-powered features were found in costly mobile phones. However, Samsung is altering this tendency by incorporating capable AI tools into its affordable Samsung Galaxy A56, A36, and A26 mobile models. Though these phones may lack major hardware renovations, the objective is clear: Samsung wants to bring brilliant AI abilities to more individuals without the top-tier cost. Is this enough to distinguish them in the competitive mid-range phone market? Let’s examine this more closely.

Artificial Intelligence Capabilities Now Accessible in Budget Phones

Samsung is promoting its new AI-driven instruments as “remarkable intelligence,” a fun way of saying that inexpensive phones are becoming brainier. One of the handiest fresh features is Best Face, an AI-guided instrument that enables you to swap expressions in group images. If someone blinks or gazes away, Samsung’s AI can fix it. This resembles Google Pixel’s Best Shot, which debuted last year. Another significant addition is Google’s Circle to Search, which allows you to look for anything on your screen merely by encircling it.

This feature was first unveiled in Samsung’s high-end phones but is now available in the budget-friendly A-series. Samsung has also improved its AI-powered object elimination tool, making cleaning up undesirable parts of your photos simpler. Most significantly, Samsung is extending software program support, providing six years of Android OS and security updates. This implies that A-series users will get longer-lasting performance and security updates—a major win for cost-conscious buyers.

Design and Hardware: Small Adjustments, Big Impact

While AI is the headline feature, Samsung has made subtle design changes to enhance the overall look and feel of the A-series.

New Oval-Shaped Camera Module: Provides the phones with a more premium appearance.
Bigger Displays: All three models now feature a 6.7-inch Full HD+ display with a 120Hz refresh rate, making them smoother and more immersive.

The Galaxy A36 has a dazzling Awesome Lavender hue and boasts a vibrant 6.7-inch Full HD+ display.

Under the hood:

Samsung has added IP67 dust and water resistance to the A26 for the first time, making it more durable than before. The Galaxy A56 receives a fresh Exynos 1580 chipset, whereas the A36 sticks with the older Snapdragon 6 Gen 3—both the Samsung Galaxy A56 and A36 support 45W fast charging, unlike the A26, which lacks this feature.

Costing and Availability

Samsung has strategically priced the A-series phones to cater to different budgets:

Galaxy A56 – $499, launching later this year in the US (£499 in the UK on March 19th)
Galaxy A36 – $399, available March 26th at Best Buy (£399 in the UK)
Galaxy A26 – $299, debuting March 28th (£299 in the UK)

Is Samsung’s AI Push Enough to Make an Impact?

Samsung’s decision to bring AI to its budget phones is a smart move, but will it be enough to convince buyers? Many consumers still prioritize hardware aspects like camera quality, battery life, and overall performance over AI-powered features. However, as AI technology continues to shape how we use smartphones, Samsung may be setting a new trend that other brands will soon follow. Will AI features become the key selling point for budget phones? Or do buyers still prefer traditional hardware upgrades? Let us know your thoughts!

WhatsApp Beta for Android Introduces Sticker Photos in Status Updates

Posted on March 1, 2025March 1, 2025 by Munazza Shaheen

WhatsApp continues to refine its status update features, bringing them closer to Instagram’s dynamic storytelling tools. With the latest WhatsApp beta for Android (2.25.5.20), a fresh addition is making waves—sticker photos for status updates. This feature allows users to overlay images onto their statuses, adding a more engaging and creative touch to their shared moments. But why is this significant? To understand WhatsApp’s shift, let’s look at the evolution of status updates across platforms.

From Plain Text to Interactive Visuals: The Status Update Evolution

Once a simple text-based feature, WhatsApp’s status updates have transformed into a multi-media-rich experience. Inspired by Snapchat and Instagram Stories, WhatsApp introduced image and video status updates years ago, but creativity was limited. Unlike Instagram, where users could layer stickers, GIFs, and additional media onto their stories, WhatsApp primarily allowed users to post separate images or videos without much personalization. The new sticker photo feature represents a major leap forward, allowing users to customize their status updates like never before.

What’s New? How the Sticker Photo Feature Works

With the latest beta update, some users can now:

Overlay additional images on photos or videos in their status updates.
Choose from predefined sticker shapes, including rectangles, circles, squares, hearts, and stars.
Resize and reposition sticker photos for more creative freedom.
Create structured layouts using rectangular stickers, perfect for collages and visual storytelling.
Use heart and star-shaped stickers to highlight romantic moments or special occasions.

This functionality mirrors Instagram’s content sticker, allowing for a layered storytelling approach where multiple images can be placed within a single status update rather than uploaded separately.

A More Interactive Status Experience? Why This Update Matters

More Personalization – Users can now express emotions, highlight key moments, and create themed status updates more flexibly.
Better Storytelling – Users can now consolidate their memories into a single, engaging visual post instead of posting multiple updates.
A Step Closer to Instagram & Snapchat – WhatsApp is aligning itself with the visual creativity of competing platforms, making its status feature more interactive and engaging.
Potential for Business Use – Brands, influencers, and businesses on WhatsApp can use sticker photos to create mini-promotions, event highlights, or storytelling-based updates, making their content more engaging for customers.

Who Gets It First? Beta Testing & Wider Rollout

This feature is available for select beta testers who have updated to WhatsApp beta 2.25.5.20 on Android via the Google Play Store. WhatsApp plans to expand access in the coming weeks, meaning more users will soon get to experiment with this new status customization tool.

A Step in the Right Direction?

WhatsApp has often been cautious with feature rollouts, preferring functionality over flashy additions. However, with increasing competition from Instagram, Snapchat, and Telegram, this update suggests WhatsApp is ready to embrace richer visual communication. But will users embrace this change and use sticker photos creatively? Or will WhatsApp need further refinements to match Instagram’s more dynamic sticker capabilities?

Amazon Plans Global Expansion for Its Discount Platform Haul, Taking on Shein and Temu

Posted on March 1, 2025March 1, 2025 by Rabia Tayyab

Amazon is set to expand Haul, its discount-focused shopping platform, beyond the United States, marking a strategic move to compete with Shein, Temu, and TikTok Shop on a global scale. Sources familiar with the matter indicate that Amazon is preparing to launch Haul in Europe later this year, with further expansion plans in progress.

Amazon’s Global Push for Haul

Recent job postings suggest Amazon is gearing up for an international launch of Haul, with hiring efforts focused on regions outside the U.S. One such listing sought a software development engineer for the Haul team to support a worldwide expansion, while another role targeted a senior product manager for a launch in Mexico. Both job openings, which were posted earlier this month, have since been removed.

While Amazon has yet to make an official announcement, a company spokesperson provided a general statement regarding its expansion strategy:

“We are always exploring new ways to work with our selling partners to delight our customers around the world with more selection, lower prices, and greater convenience.”

What Is Amazon Haul?

Launched in November 2023, Haul is Amazon’s answer to Shein and Temu, offering ultra-low-cost products across various categories, including fashion, beauty, and home goods. Most items on Haul are priced under $20, with some products—such as $1 eyelash curlers and $2.99 cubic zirconia rings mirroring the budget-friendly pricing strategies of its competitors.

Unlike Amazon’s main e-commerce site, Haul is only accessible via the Amazon mobile app, aiming to create a more engaging, app-driven shopping experience.

Challenges in Amazon’s Expansion Strategy

Amazon’s ambitions for Haul’s European launch may face some hurdles, particularly concerning sustainability policies. The company has committed to eco-friendly packaging in the region, eliminating plastic in favor of recyclable paper bags and cardboard. However, Haul shipments may rely on plastic packaging, which could pose a challenge to Amazon’s green initiatives in Europe.

Additionally, Amazon’s expansion of Haul comes at a time when the de minimis rule, a U.S. trade regulation that allows goods valued under $800 to enter the country duty-free, is under political scrutiny. The rule has allowed companies like Shein and Temu to import goods from China without tariffs, an advantage that Haul also leverages.

Former President Donald Trump briefly suspended the de minimis rule earlier this month before reinstating it. However, the rule is expected to be permanently revised once new customs systems are in place. If stricter regulations are implemented, it could impact Haul’s supply chain, given that many of its sellers operate from China.

Amazon CEO Andy Jassy addressed concerns about the de minimis rule during an interview with Bloomberg Television, stating:

“We have a certain number of items that are shipped in that way for Haul, but likely fewer than Chinese e-commerce companies like Shein and Temu.”

Amazon’s Strategy to Monetize Haul

Beyond product sales, Amazon is integrating ads and influencer marketing into Haul to drive revenue. The company has introduced sponsored product placements in Haul search results, similar to the advertising strategies used on its main marketplace, which helped generate $56.2 billion in ad revenue in 2024.

Additionally, Amazon is partnering with influencers to promote Haul’s offerings. The platform now features curated storefronts from lifestyle influencers, including TikTok’s Michaela Delvillar, who has over 150,000 followers and is labeled as a “Top Creator” on Amazon’s storefront.

The Future of Haul

Amazon’s expansion of Haul signals a strong commitment to competing in the budget e-commerce space. While regulatory challenges and sustainability concerns remain, the company’s aggressive monetization strategy and global ambitions indicate that Haul could become a permanent fixture within Amazon’s ecosystem.

With Europe and Mexico in its sights, Amazon appears to be positioning Haul as a key competitor in the low-cost shopping market, one that could challenge Shein, Temu, and TikTok Shop on a global scale.

Microsoft Has Officially Announced Skype Shuts Down in May

Posted on March 1, 2025March 1, 2025 by Munazza Shaheen

What was once a symbol of digital communication will soon be a thing of the past—Skype is officially shutting down in May 2025, marking the end of an era for video calls that once felt futuristic. Once a trailblazer in digital communication, Skype is officially shutting down in May 2025, marking the end of a platform that revolutionized video calling. Microsoft confirmed the news through Skype’s official X (formerly Twitter) account, urging users to transition to Microsoft Teams to continue their conversations. This decision follows years of Skype’s declining relevance, as competitors like WhatsApp, Zoom, and FaceTime overtook the market. Initially launched in 2003, Skype soared in popularity by offering free global voice and video calls, becoming a household name before Microsoft acquired it for $8.5 billion in 2011.

But as technology progressed and Microsoft pivoted to Teams, Skype slowly started disappearing into the background. With this closure, an era of internet history is over, leaving behind memories of a time when video calls seemed like a futuristic breakthrough.

Why is Skype Shutting Down?

Skype used to be the default video-calling app for millions, but its downfall began when:

Competition Acceleration: WhatsApp, Zoom, and Google Meet provided instant, mobile-native, and integrated solutions.
Unpopular Redesigns: Widely criticized in 2017 for an update that had mimicked Snapchat’s home screen.
Microsoft’s shift to Teams: When Microsoft rolled out Windows 11 in 2021, it no longer pre-installed Skype, signaling its phasing out.

Microsoft said this to the point in its official announcement and no more Skype.

What Happens to Skype Users?

Microsoft announced that All Skype accounts can now sign into Microsoft Teams, migrating chats and contacts. Before the final closure, users can export their chat history and contacts. Skype services, for-pay, will remain active until the coming renewal cycle. In the meantime, anyone who still uses Skype for personal or business calls will need to migrate to Teams or switch to one of the many other modern alternatives.

A Goodbye to Skype: How Could It Have Happened?

For many, Skype was not merely an app but a technological breakthrough that made video calling affordable, free, and worldwide, accessing loved ones in different parts of the world. in the mid-2000s, without costly phone bills was revolutionary. However, Skype’s decline was not simply a matter of growing competition. It was also one of missed opportunities and mismanagement. While competitors embraced mobile trends, AI-powered features, and cloud-based cooperation, Skype fell behind, becoming relict rather than cutting-edge. However, as the official end approaches, it will leave behind a legacy. and lose its relevance. However, will Microsoft Teams learn from the past?

SymbyAI Secures $2.1M Seed Funding to Revolutionize Scientific Research with AI

Posted on March 1, 2025March 1, 2025 by Rabia Tayyab

Scientific research has long been burdened by outdated processes, scattered resources, and inefficient collaboration tools. Researchers often spend months reviewing papers, replicating experiments, and navigating fragmented data sources. Recognizing these challenges, SymbyAI, an AI-powered SaaS platform, aims to streamline the research process and enhance collaboration for scientists worldwide.

Founded in 2023 by Ashia Livaudais and Michael House, SymbyAI provides a centralized workspace where researchers can access papers, code, data, and experiment results in one place. The platform also features an AI-powered assistant designed to aid peer review and experiment replication, significantly reducing the time required for critical research tasks.

$2.1M Seed Funding to Fuel Expansion

To accelerate its mission, SymbyAI has raised a $2.1 million seed round, backed by investors including Drive Capital and CharacterVC. The fresh funding will be used to enhance platform capabilities, strengthen partnerships with research institutions, and expand its reach within the scientific community.

Livaudais, who co-founded SymbyAI after struggling with traditional research workflows, highlighted the real-world need for such a solution:

“The foundations of Symby were formed while creating a solution to a problem that I was facing every day, and then realizing that my colleagues in the research community were looking for solutions to the exact same problems. By the time we realized that we could successfully and repeatedly shorten critical research processes from months to hours, demand for a productized version started to emerge from almost every discovery conversation I had.”

Privacy-Focused AI for Researchers

Unlike many AI-powered tools that rely on external models, SymbyAI is built on its proprietary AI solution. This ensures that researchers’ intellectual property remains protected, as their data is not shared with or used to train models from OpenAI, Anthropic, or other third-party AI providers.

Livaudais reassured users about data security, stating:

“It’s also important to note that SymbyAI is built on a proprietary AI solution, so users don’t have to worry about accidentally sending confidential information to OpenAI, Anthropic, or any other company.”

Bridging Science and AI Through Strategic Partnerships

SymbyAI collaborates with academic publishers, universities, and research organizations, making it a valuable tool for institutions that require faster, AI-enhanced workflows.

The company’s journey began with participation in the gBeta program, a startup accelerator run by gener8tor. Through gBeta, Livaudais connected with early investors, including Antler, which had already backed SymbyAI in its pre-seed round.

With its new funding, SymbyAI plans to expand its development team and refine its AI-driven research tools, ensuring that scientists can work more efficiently, collaborate seamlessly, and accelerate discoveries in various fields.

As AI continues to reshape industries, SymbyAI is positioning itself at the forefront of scientific research innovation, promising to transform the way researchers work, publish, and collaborate.

Google Sheets Gets a Gemini AI Upgrade for Smarter Data Analysis

Posted on March 1, 2025March 1, 2025 by Munazza Shaheen

Google is integrating Gemini AI into Google Sheets, giving users a powerful new way to analyze data, identify trends, and create advanced visualizations faster. The feature, now available to all Google Workspace business users, enables AI-driven insights directly within spreadsheets. With Gemini, users can quickly generate correlation insights, detect anomalies, and even create heatmaps that appear as static images in their sheets. The update eliminates the need for manual analysis, making it easier for professionals to extract valuable data insights in real time. Although the update was announced last month, Google confirmed on Friday that it is now available to all Workspace business users.

How Can Users Access This Feature?

To use Gemini in Google Sheets, users must click on the Gemini icon in the top-right corner of their spreadsheet. From there, they can enter queries such as:

“Predict my net income for the next quarter based on historical data.”
“Create a heatmap of support cases by category and device.”
“Identify anomalies in inventory levels for Product X.”

Gemini processes these requests using Python code for complex analyses while handling simpler queries with built-in formulas. For optimal results, Google advises users to ensure their data is structured with clear headers and no missing values.

What This Means for Users

The integration of Gemini AI into Google Sheets represents a significant shift in how businesses and professionals interact with data. Instead of relying on traditional spreadsheet formulas and manual calculations, users now have AI-powered analytics at their fingertips. This move also reflects Google’s growing focus on AI-driven productivity, competing with advanced business intelligence tools while maintaining the familiar ease of spreadsheets. As AI continues to evolve, the future of spreadsheets could shift toward fully automated data interpretation and decision-making support. With AI now embedded into Google Sheets, is this the beginning of a new era for spreadsheets, or will users still prefer manual control?

OpenAI to Integrate Sora’s AI Video Generator into ChatGPT

Posted on March 1, 2025March 1, 2025 by Rabia Tayyab

In a move that could redefine AI-driven content creation, a company leader said in the session on Friday that OpenAI has announced plans to integrate its video-generating platform Sora directly into ChatGPT. This shift signals OpenAI’s expansion beyond text-based AI, merging video creation tools with its flagship chatbot to offer a more immersive and interactive user experience. Currently, Sora is only available as a standalone web app, launched in December 2024. It allows users to generate short AI-generated cinematic clips up to 20 seconds long. However, according to OpenAI’s product lead for Sora, Rohan Sahai, the company is working on bringing Sora to ChatGPT, making video generation more accessible to users.

Why Is OpenAI Merging Sora with ChatGPT?

A More Versatile ChatGPT: By adding AI video generation, OpenAI is positioning ChatGPT as a one-stop creative hub for text, images, and videos.
Expanding Sora’s Audience: Initially targeted at video production studios and creative professionals, Sora is now being geared toward everyday users and businesses.
Boosting ChatGPT Premium Subscriptions: OpenAI may limit high-quality video generation to paid tiers, encouraging more users to subscribe.
Advancing AI-Driven Creativity: The integration could pave the way for ChatGPT-powered storytelling, allowing users to generate videos directly from conversations.

How Will Sora Work Inside ChatGPT?

While OpenAI hasn’t provided a detailed roadmap, Rohan Sahai hinted at a few key points:

The ChatGPT version of Sora may offer limited editing tools compared to the full web app.
Users might not have full control over stitching and modifying clips.
OpenAI wants to keep ChatGPT intuitive and user-friendly, balancing simplicity with powerful features.

This strategic integration suggests OpenAI prioritizes accessibility over complex video production, making AI video generation as easy as chatting.

What’s Next? OpenAI’s Plans Beyond ChatGPT

Standalone Mobile App for Sora: OpenAI is hiring mobile engineers, hinting at a dedicated Sora app for smartphones.
AI-Powered Image Generator: OpenAI is working on a Sora-powered image generator, potentially surpassing DALL·E 3 in photorealism.
Upgrading Sora Turbo: OpenAI is actively developing Sora Turbo 2.0, promising faster, higher-quality video generation.

What This Means for Users

Seamless AI-powered content creation: Imagine generating text, images, and videos—all within ChatGPT.
Potential for businesses and creators: Marketers, educators, and content creators could automate video storytelling directly from ChatGPT.

A step toward AI-generated movies? – If Sora continues to evolve, it could be a major disruptor in digital media. While OpenAI hasn’t confirmed when Sora will be available inside ChatGPT, this move marks a huge leap for AI creativity and accessibility. Would you use ChatGPT to generate AI videos? Share your thoughts in the comment section.

China Startups Rush to Ride DeepSeek AI Boom

Posted on February 28, 2025February 28, 2025 by Fatimah Misbah Hussain

At this time, the wave of China’s technology sector is once again crashing against the rocks of finance and innovation, as the country gets lifted by a flood of optimism for its startup ecosystem, with the powerful blast from DeepSeek’s AI model as well as the rare appearance of President Xi Jinping himself in support of private enterprises. Venture capitalists shut down outside investment due to concerns over the effects of severe regulations and the current general climate that breeds uncertainty in the economy, thereby rushing back the soonest to sponsor thought based startups, the next kind of technologically empowering.

Chinese technology startups are racing against each other to secure new rounds of funding from the recent popularity that DeepSeek’s AI breakthroughs have garnered, along with Xi’s endorsement of private enterprises. With AI innovations in the limelight, now is a time when investors and entrepreneurs are trying to accelerate the growth of China’s highly evolving tech field.

A few other major companies that are taking advantage include AI Optics startup Rid Vision, Brain Computer Interface company AI CARE Medical, and robotics firm Shanghai Qingbao Engine Robotics, all of whom are seeking onshore financing, as confirmed by Andrew Qian, CEO of New Access Capital, which has invested in all three firms. He said, “Many people are knocking at the doors of these AI companies, half discussing business cooperation, the other half talking about investment”. He added, “You can see from the DeepSeek case, that a batch of Chinese innovators with disruptive technologies is emerging… Previously, Chinese start-ups were nearly all ‘me too'”.

Revival of China’s Venture Capital Sector:

The buzz that has returned to AI related businesses, including chipmakers, cloud service providers, and AI applications have revived the domestic venture capital industry in China. The general investment outlook remains grim due to regulatory roadblocks for IPOs in China and the swing of geopolitical considerations that complicate offshore listings. Despite problems, investor confidence has received a much needed boost after DeepSeek’s breakthrough in AI and Xi’s meeting with business tycoons. For instance, New Access Capital has recently invested in a chip startup and millimeter wave antenna technology and is also pursuing opportunities in rocket recovery technology in anticipation of the next big AI-driven breakthrough in these areas.

Companies that stand to gain from the advances in AI in China are at the center of the latest investment frenzy. In its record fundraising round, AI image generation platform LiblibAI reported securing hundreds of millions of yuan. AI-oriented medical startup SenseCare raised 100 million yuan, while the latest rounds of investments were also reported for chipmakers Aspiring and Hyseim.

Resilience within Venture Capital Landscape:

Other startups that have recently garnered attention for investment have included AI infrastructure provider Siliconflow, robotics startup Ruichi Smart Technology, and medtech startup Neurodome.This surge in VC activities implies a potential change in trend after years of continuous decline in fundraising and investment.

Since its historical height in 2021, China has remained in a downward spiral for ventures that have held onto the probability of a better fortune. Preqin data reflects a drop by 91% from the funds raised, $12.5 billion gathered from 67 funds in 2024 against the background of $141 billion in 2021. They were still worse off than dollar denominated funds that raised a scanty $1 billion last year. Meanwhile, the record of case filing through venture deals stood at $229 billion in 2023, which represents a significant 36% decline as compared to last year, and even smaller when taken in isolation compared to $816 billion in 2021.

IPO exits a major mode of cashing out venture capital investments in China have been badly affected by the country’s stringent rules and regulations coupled with the uncertainties in the international geopolitics affecting the offshore listings. However, due to AI breakthroughs from DeepSeek, there has been a significant turnaround of the market. Zhongyan Huo, founder of Bonanza Capital, which has invested in an AI-powered garment designing and marketing startup said, “Since the launch of DeepSeek’s breakthrough AI model, the sentiment has improved a lot. People get more sanguine about China’s future … Stock bullishness made entrepreneurs more confident, and investors more willing to place bets”.

Risks and Regulatory Uncertainties:

Morgan Stanley cites indications of the normalizing IPOs in the A-share market in China, however, Huo is doubtful concerning any forthcoming relaxation of the IPO restrictions. Besides, they show improvements regarding offshore listings but keep on not being viewed as entirely or completely free from the webs of geopolitical disturbances and changing investor attitudes. Racing ahead, China’s AI industry definitely puts a high balancing act on both investors and startups, they have to continue maneuvering as best their efforts might allow through regulatory landscapes, turbulence in geopolitics, and the growing challenges of an ever changing tech ecosystem.