AI Weekly: 06/16/25
Meta invests $14.3B in Scale AI, OpenAI launches its latest reasoning model, and Antimetal raises $20M to automate infrastructure management
Good morning and welcome to this week’s edition of AI Weekly! In this week’s news, Meta invested $14.3 billion for a 49% stake in data-labeling startup Scale AI, reflecting Meta’s push to catch up in AI development, as it continues to trail competitors like OpenAI, Google, and Anthropic.
In frontier model news, OpenAI launched o3-pro, its most advanced reasoning model yet, now available to ChatGPT Pro, Team, Enterprise, Edu users, and through the developer API.
Also, Antimetal made noise around its $20M Series A funding round led by Sound Ventures to support new software deployments and offer usage-based pricing for its AI capabilities.
Read more about this past week’s top AI stories below!
- ZG
Here are the most important stories of the week:
AGENTS
Antimetal has raised a $20 million Series A led by Sound Ventures, with participation from Buckley Ventures, Nat Friedman, Daniel Gross, Aravind Srinivas, Naval Ravikant, and others, to support new software deployments and offer usage-based pricing for its AI capabilities. Link.
Antimetal, initially focused on optimizing AWS costs, is expanding into AI-driven infrastructure management, offering prescriptive guidance and automated fixes for system issues.
Its platform integrates with tools like GitHub, cloud providers, monitoring systems, and ticketing platforms to analyze data and suggest or automate solutions.
The company is gradually moving from read-only insights to optional automation, building trust through incremental permissions and adaptive learning.
Daniel Saks founded Landbase to automate outbound marketing using AI trained on 40 million campaigns, after learning the importance of digital trust from a cold outreach by Michael Dell. Link.
Landbase raised a $30 million Series A co-led by Sound Ventures, following a $12.5 million seed round, with a customer base growing from 10 to over 100 in less than a year.
The platform focuses on helping SMBs, differentiating itself by not mimicking humans and offering a freemium model, with paid plans starting at $3,000/month.
Saks' strategy of building online credibility drove massive VC interest, with over 130 firms reaching out post-launch, validating his “vibe GTM” approach.
Clay raised a Series C round at a $3 billion valuation led by CapitalG, shortly after a $1.5 billion secondary tender offer led by Sequoia. Link.
The startup, founded in 2017, pivoted to AI-powered sales automation tools that help users build prospect lists and send personalized outreach.
Clay’s platform is used by thousands of customers, including major firms like OpenAI, Canva, and HubSpot, as well as over 100 consulting agencies.
The company plans to continue annual tender offers and competes with platforms like ZoomInfo, Apollo.io, and Unify.
Microsoft is testing an AI agent in the Windows 11 Settings app to help users solve issues through natural language input. Link.
The agent can offer suggestions or directly fix problems like adjusting a small mouse pointer when given permission.
The feature is currently being rolled out to Windows 11 Insiders in the Dev Channel.
Initial testing is limited to Snapdragon-based Copilot Plus PCs.
TEXT
OpenAI launched o3-pro, its most advanced reasoning model yet, now available to ChatGPT Pro, Team, Enterprise, Edu users, and through the developer API. Link.
O3-pro excels in domains like science, math, programming, and writing, outperforming o3 in expert reviews and leading AI benchmarks, including AIME 2024 and GPQA Diamond.
The model supports tools like web browsing, file analysis, visual reasoning, and memory personalization but lacks image generation and Canvas integration, and has disabled temporary chats.
API pricing is set at $20 per million input tokens and $80 per million output tokens, with slower response times compared to o1-pro.
OpenAI has delayed the release of its open-weights model until later this summer, citing unexpected breakthroughs by its research team. Link.
The model is intended to rival top open reasoning models like DeepSeek’s R1, with performance comparable to OpenAI’s own o-series.
The open model could include advanced features like connectivity to OpenAI’s cloud models for complex queries, though final features remain uncertain.
The release is seen as crucial to improving OpenAI’s standing with the research community and addressing criticism over its lack of open-sourcing.
Mistral launched Magistral, its first family of reasoning AI models, designed for step-by-step problem solving in areas like math, logic, and decision trees. Link.
Magistral comes in two versions: the open-source 24B-parameter Magistral Small, and the more powerful Magistral Medium, available via Le Chat, Mistral’s API, and partner clouds.
Though underperforming on key benchmarks compared to Gemini 2.5 Pro and Claude Opus 4, Mistral highlights Magistral’s speed (10x faster) and multilingual support.
The launch follows Mistral’s recent focus on enterprise AI tools, including a coding client, Le Chat Enterprise, and several new coding models.
SPEECH/AUDIO
Apple executives refuted claims that last year's AI-powered Siri demo was vaporware, affirming it was built on real, working software with a functional large language model. Link.
Siri’s enhanced AI features, originally previewed at WWDC 24, have been delayed until 2026 due to a necessary shift from version 1 to a more capable version 2 architecture.
Apple emphasized it chose not to rush a release with an “unacceptable” error rate, prioritizing long-term quality and integration over early entry in the AI race.
The company clarified that its goal isn’t to create a chatbot like ChatGPT, but to embed intelligence throughout its platforms in a seamless, user-centric way.
INFRASTRUCTURE
Taiwan has added Huawei and SMIC to a strategic high-tech commodities export control list, requiring government approval for Taiwanese firms to ship to them. Link.
This move restricts Huawei and SMIC’s access to essential construction technologies, materials, and equipment from Taiwan.
The restrictions could significantly hinder China’s ability to advance in AI semiconductor development.
The update, made on June 10, includes 601 entities from several countries and aims to address arms proliferation and national security concerns.
DATA/DEVTOOLS
Meta invested $14.3 billion for a 49% stake in Scale AI, valuing the data-labeling startup at $29 billion and deepening their AI collaboration. Link.
Scale AI CEO Alexandr Wang is stepping down to join Meta’s superintelligence efforts, with chief strategy officer Jason Droege stepping in as interim CEO.
Scale will remain an independent entity, using Meta’s investment to fuel growth and pay investors, while Wang stays on as a board director.
The deal reflects Meta’s push to catch up in AI development, as it continues to trail competitors like OpenAI, Google, and Anthropic.
Google reportedly plans to sever its $200 million relationship with Scale AI, while Microsoft and OpenAI are also scaling back ties. Link.
The shift comes amid Meta’s $14.3 billion investment for a 49% stake in Scale, raising concerns about data independence and competition.
Scale’s core business involves providing specialized human annotation services for generative AI model training, serving clients like the U.S. government and self-driving firms.
Scale maintains it will remain independent and continue safeguarding customer data despite its close ties to Meta.
ROBOTICS
Moove, backed by Uber and aiming for a $1 billion+ valuation, is raising $300 million after hitting $360 million in annualized revenue, primarily from financing Uber drivers. Link.
The company is expanding its U.S. operations by managing Waymo’s robotaxi fleets in Phoenix and soon Miami, with plans for broader growth and more AV depot facilities.
Moove uses a “drive-to-own” model for Uber drivers in several regions and plans to lease robotaxi mini-fleets to individuals and businesses in the future.
With over 2,100 global employees and recent U.S. hires, Moove’s future strategy includes supporting robotaxi adoption through infrastructure and fleet ownership models.
Coco Robotics raised $80 million from investors including Sam and Max Altman, Pelion Venture Partners, and Offline Ventures, spanning funding rounds from 2021 to 2025. Link.
The startup, founded in 2020, develops zero-emissions last-mile delivery robots and has completed over 500,000 deliveries for clients like Subway and Jack in the Box.
Coco partnered with OpenAI in March, granting OpenAI access to real-world data from its robots to help train AI models, though Sam Altman wasn’t involved in the deal.
Each robot can carry up to 90 liters of goods, supporting the company’s mission of sustainable, tech-enabled local delivery.
POLICY/LAW/ETHICS
New York lawmakers passed the RAISE Act, a bill mandating transparency from frontier AI labs like OpenAI and Google to prevent AI-linked disasters involving mass harm or large-scale damages. Link.
The bill targets only major AI models trained with over $100 million in compute and includes requirements for safety reports and incident disclosures, with penalties up to $30 million.
Designed to avoid stifling innovation, it excludes mandates like kill switches and doesn’t penalize smaller AI firms or post-training developers.
Critics warn the bill could deter AI companies from offering advanced models in New York, though backers argue the economic incentive to stay outweighs compliance costs.
OTHER
Apple introduced several new AI features at WWDC 2025, including Visual Intelligence for real-world image analysis, AI-driven Workout Buddy, and real-time translation in Messages, FaceTime, and calls. Link.
ChatGPT is now integrated into Image Playground for generating images in styles like anime or watercolor, and Apple Intelligence now assists with call screening and hold detection.
AI enhancements also include poll suggestions in Messages, smarter Shortcuts, improved Spotlight search, and offline-accessible Foundation Models for developers.
Notably, Apple delayed its AI-powered Siri overhaul until next year, disappointing expectations for major voice assistant updates.
Kore.ai, generating $110 million in annual recurring revenue with high margins and aiming for 80% growth, focuses on large enterprises and has diversified AI offerings. Link.
Venture capital is heavily backing AI startups in customer support, with Intercom in talks for a $2–$3 billion valuation and rapid revenue growth from its AI product Fin.
Sierra, led by ex-Salesforce executive Bret Taylor, raised funds at a $4.5 billion valuation despite lower revenue, leveraging strong industry connections.
Intercom’s outcome-based pricing and strong customer retention metrics have driven growth, while competition includes both AI startups and established software firms.
Mattel and OpenAI have partnered to develop AI-powered products, marking OpenAI’s first deal with a toymaker and extending its reach into entertainment and consumer goods. Link.
The collaboration will focus on enhancing fan engagement while prioritizing safety, privacy, and security, with their first AI product expected later this year.
Mattel will retain full control over its IP and is not licensing it to OpenAI, but will use tools like ChatGPT Enterprise to support product development and creativity.
The partnership aligns with Mattel’s broader push into entertainment and gaming, following the success of the “Barbie” movie and upcoming films based on other toy brands.
In his new essay “The Gentle Singularity,” Sam Altman predicts 2026 will bring AI systems capable of generating novel insights, hinting at OpenAI’s next area of focus. Link.
OpenAI has already begun developing AI reasoning models (like o3 and o4-mini) that scientists use to spark new ideas, signaling progress toward Altman’s vision.
Competitors like Google, FutureHouse, and Anthropic are also pursuing AI that aids scientific discovery, aiming to revolutionize industries such as drug development and material science.
Despite optimism, experts remain skeptical, arguing today’s AI lacks the creativity and questioning ability needed for true scientific breakthroughs.