OpenAI’s browser ambitions + Nvidia’s AI surge

Welcome back to a new edition of AI Odyssey!

Sam Altman says OpenAI ditched its nonprofit roots because scaling AI required "vastly more capital" than a nonprofit could raise. The shift, tied to a $6.6 billion funding round, pushes OpenAI toward a full for-profit model within two years.

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1: OpenAI eyes Google with browser and search push

The news: OpenAI is exploring a new frontier: a web browser integrated with its ChatGPT AI, plus partnerships to power search features on sites like Redfin, Eventbrite, and Priceline. The move targets Google’s dominance in search and browsers.

Why it matters:

• Growing reach: ChatGPT, with 300M weekly users, is already challenging Google Search in some use cases.

• Strategic hires: OpenAI recently recruited key developers of Google Chrome, signaling serious intent.

• Samsung talks: OpenAI is in discussions to power AI features on Samsung devices, a critical Google partner.

The big picture:

• Browser ambitions: A ChatGPT-powered browser could give OpenAI control over how users access the web, echoing Google’s Chrome strategy.

• Search evolution: The NLWeb product aims to make website interactions conversational, from recommending coats for travel to pairing dishes with tikka masala.

• Market challenge: While Google dominates search and browsers, its Gemini chatbot and Samsung integrations signal it’s not sitting idle.

What’s next: OpenAI’s plans are still early, but the stakes are high as it positions itself as a major player in AI-driven web interactions. If executed well, this could redefine how users experience the internet.

2: France stakes its claim as an AI leader

The news: France is positioning itself as a global hub for AI development, with plans to host the AI for Action Summit in Paris on February 10-11. The event will bring together world leaders, AI companies, and researchers to discuss equitable tech access, environmental sustainability, and safety.

Why it matters:

• France is leveraging its strong academic foundations, nuclear-powered infrastructure, and growing AI ecosystem to compete globally.

• Companies like OpenAI are setting up shop in Paris, highlighting its appeal as a tech hub.

Challenges:

• Funding remains a hurdle, with France working to attract capital from pensions, insurers, and international investors to support its AI startups.

The big picture: With its focus on broader issues beyond safety, the Paris summit aims to cement France’s role in shaping AI’s future. However, its success may hinge on global cooperation—something that remains uncertain given shifting U.S. policies under the new administration.

3: Nvidia doubles profit as AI chip sales skyrocket

The news: Nvidia, the leading supplier of chips for artificial intelligence, reported record-breaking results as AI adoption continues to surge.

Key numbers:

• Revenue: $35.08B last quarter, up 94% YoY, exceeding expectations.

• Profit: $19.04B, a 106% increase YoY, surpassing Amazon and Meta.

• Forecast: Revenue expected to hit $37.5B this quarter, up 70% YoY, driven by the new Blackwell chip.

Why it matters:

• Nvidia dominates 90% of the AI chip market, with GPUs powering tools like chatbots and drug discovery.

• CEO Jensen Huang compares AI’s economic impact to the Industrial Revolution, reinforcing Nvidia's role as a cornerstone of the tech.

Challenges ahead:

• Supply constraints: Demand for the Blackwell chip exceeds supply, with relief expected next year.

• Global scrutiny: Nvidia faces regulatory investigations across the U.S., EU, and China.

• Infrastructure needs: New chips require significant updates to data center design and cooling systems.

The big picture: Nvidia’s growth cements its status as a critical player in AI, but scaling to meet demand and navigating geopolitical headwinds will define its path forward.

4: ElevenLabs eyes $3b valuation in new funding round

The news: Voice-cloning startup ElevenLabs is set to raise $200 million in a funding round led by Iconiq Capital, potentially tripling its valuation to over $3 billion, sources revealed.

By the numbers:

• Current valuation: $3B, up from $100M a year ago.

• Annual recurring revenue (ARR): $90M, on track to hit $100M by year-end.

What they do: ElevenLabs creates voice agents that mimic a user’s voice with just minutes of audio, primarily serving publishers, content creators, and media companies.

Why it matters:

• ElevenLabs leads in funding among voice-tech startups, outpacing competitors like Vapi and Retell.

• OpenAI's pilot voice-cloning project poses a looming threat to its dominance.

The big picture: With exponential growth and investor interest, ElevenLabs is defining the voice-tech space, but competition from giants like OpenAI could reshape the landscape.

AI NOTES 🗒️

📈 Charts: This chart shows how crazy fast the value of Elon Musk's xAI has risen in 16 months.

👀 Read more: Apple is reportedly working on ‘LLM Siri’ to compete with ChatGPT.