Sierra, which builds custom AI agents for enterprise customer service, is expanding to Japan, backed by a new investment from Softbank's Vision Fund 2, co-founders Clay Bavor andBret Taylor announced at Axios' AI+ Summit in San Francisco on Thursday.
The big picture: AI agents are a hot topic in 2025 — though they've been Sierra's focus from the start. And it has seen rapid growth since its launch last year.
Copper prices have been on a tear, rising to record highs, spurred by supply disruptions and worries over Trump's tariffs.
Why it matters: When it comes to the digital economy, copper is a precious metal, vital for computer chips, EVs, data centers and just about everything that is electrified.
Scale AI made headlines after Meta took a 49% stake in the AI app development company and poached its co-founder and CEO Alexandr Wang to serve as its chief AI officer.
As head of communications, Tom Channick is tasked with telling the story of Scale's next phase, with former chief strategy officer Jason Droege taking the reins as CEO.
Former communications executive Michelle Masek has launched an AI operating system for comms and public relations professionals called Honeyjar AI, Axios is first to report.
Why it matters: It's an AI platform for communications, by communicators and backed by leading VC, media and comms executives.
A survey out Thursday finds that knowledge workers under 40 want AI to be less generic, with styles tailored to how they actually write and speak.
Why it matters: The youngest workers are typically on the bleeding edge — first to adopt new technology and a leading indicator of where it's headed next.
A geothermal energy company announced Thursday that it has discovered — with AI's help — the first commercially viable system of its kind in over 30 years.
Why it matters: Zanskar Geothermal and Minerals officials said the underground find, in a remote area of western Nevada, offers fresh evidence that geothermal can become an attractive option to meet soaring U.S. energy demand.
MOJAVE, CALIF. — Northrop Grumman on Wednesday revealed Project Talon, a robo-wingman expected to fly next year, to a select few reporters gathered in the California desert.
Why it matters: Only one of the drones exists today. But it's designed to be manufactured en masse relatively cheaply, which should appeal to the Pentagon.
Memory giant Micron is shuttering its nearly three-decade-old consumer business saying on Wednesday it would rather focus on selling its memory and storage products to AI companies.
Why it matters: It's the latest sign of company pivoting to take advantage of the AI boom, but could also lead to even higher prices for consumers who want to upgrade their computers.
Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang said his company is the only one in the world whose business model is fully driven by technology, rather than by social media or advertising, he said on a new episode of "The Joe Rogan Experience."
Why it matters: Huang is emphasizing his company as the central player in the AI race as competition heats up.
Archer Aviation plans to create an electric air taxi network in south Florida by linking regional airports with properties owned by Miami Dolphins owner and real estate developer Stephen Ross.
Why it matters: Traffic in Miami, one of the fastest-growing metropolitan regions in the U.S., can be a nightmare.
