Stainless, a New York-based startup, is transforming software development with its AI-driven platform that automatically generates software development kits (SDKs) from APIs. Founded by former Stripe engineer Alex Rattray, Stainless addresses the inefficiency developers face in creating SDKs manually, providing support for multiple programming languages like Python, Kotlin, and TypeScript. Its platform also ensures APIs remain updated, simplifying versioning and changelogs.
Attracting major clients such as OpenAI and Meta, Stainless claims its SDKs are downloaded millions of times weekly. Backed by $35 million in funding, including a recent $25 million Series A led by a16z, the company aims to expand its 20-person team and solidify its position in the API development space. Most of its revenue comes from enterprise customers paying for tailored services, driving its annual recurring revenue to $1 million and nearing profitability.
Rattray envisions Stainless as more than an SDK generator. The company plans to build a comprehensive developer platform addressing every aspect of API interaction, setting it apart from competitors like OpenAPI Generator and LibLab.
Alphabet, the parent company of Google, is doubling down on AI to reshape its core search business, which generates the majority of its $300 billion annual revenue. At the Reuters NEXT conference in New York, Alphabet President Ruth Porat described AI as a ‘generational opportunity’ for the company, with tools like AI-generated query overviews aiming to make search more intuitive. However, challenges such as AI ‘hallucinations,’ where incorrect information is generated, remain a key hurdle.
Beyond search, Alphabet is channeling its AI expertise into healthcare advancements. Porat highlighted innovations like AlphaFold, which predicts protein structures to aid drug discovery, and AI tools that could prevent blindness or enhance the doctor-patient relationship by reducing screen time for medical professionals. These efforts reflect the company’s broader commitment to applying technology for societal benefits.
Alphabet’s financial investments in AI are substantial, with $50 billion projected in capital expenditures for 2024, including data centres and chips. Porat emphasised the need for these investments to yield tangible returns while shaping the future of both technology and human connection.
OpenAI Chief Financial Officer Sarah Friar sees President-elect Donald Trump as potentially becoming ‘the president of this AI generation,’ arriving at a pivotal moment in the development of artificial general intelligence (AGI). Speaking at the Reuters NEXT conference in New York, Friar highlighted that Trump will be in office as critical infrastructure for AGI, such as autonomous systems, begins to take shape. While acknowledging Elon Musk’s public opposition to OpenAI’s corporate restructuring, Friar expressed confidence that Musk, a close advisor to Trump, would prioritise national interests in his competitive efforts.
Friar also discussed OpenAI’s recent advancements, including the release of its video generation tool, Sora, which has seen overwhelming demand. Account creation has been paused, but she emphasised the company’s careful approach to ensure safety. She predicted significant progress in AI agent products in the coming year, with more autonomous software expected to assist with everyday tasks. Friar further noted the growing collaboration with Microsoft, OpenAI’s largest investor, while also advocating for diversification within the industry.
Despite governance controversies and recent executive departures, Friar reported that OpenAI continues to expand rapidly, with ChatGPT’s weekly active users growing from 200 million to 300 million since August. This surge, she said, is driven by new reasoning models like o1, indicating that the company’s innovation trajectory is accelerating.
In a forest clearing in Normandy, France, Maiaspace is preparing to test a reusable rocket aimed at strengthening Europe’s space competitiveness. The subsidiary of ArianeGroup plans to launch its first partially reusable rocket by 2026, catering primarily to small commercial satellites. The project follows criticism of Europe’s earlier focus on non-reusable launchers, which some say put it at a disadvantage against SpaceX‘s cutting-edge technology.
The rocket, designed to carry up to four tonnes, features a reusable first stage capable of being recovered at sea. Engineers face challenges in adapting to reusable technology, particularly in managing atmospheric disturbances during stage separation. Testing is underway to address these technical hurdles.
Maiaspace‘s development budget of several hundred million euros has so far secured €125 million from ArianeGroup, with further funding discussions expected next year. As competition intensifies, including from Germany‘s Rocket Factory Augsburg, Europe seeks to close the gap with industry leader SpaceX.
Congressman Jay Obernolte has called on federal energy regulators to prioritise co-located data centres directly connected to power plants. The move, he argues, is essential for advancing US AI capabilities while addressing energy demands and grid resilience.
The proposal comes amid debates over co-location’s potential impact on grid reliability. A recent Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) decision rejected an Amazon-Talen Energy project in Pennsylvania, citing grid concerns. Obernolte urged FERC to expedite decisions on such projects to support US AI innovation.
Energy firms Talen and Constellation have challenged FERC’s recent rulings, highlighting the growing importance of energy policies in AI expansion.
Jack Ma, co-founder of Alibaba, made a rare public appearance on Sunday, expressing optimism about the future of Ant Group, the fintech affiliate he also helped establish. Speaking at Ant’s 20th-anniversary celebration, Ma highlighted the transformative potential of AI, stating that the changes driven by AI in the next two decades will surpass current expectations. His remarks, reported by Chinese media outlet 36kr, marked a notable return to the spotlight following his retreat from public life amid regulatory challenges.
Reflecting on Ant Group’s turbulent journey, Ma acknowledged the value of criticism and encouragement in fostering the company’s growth. Ant, the operator of China’s leading mobile payment app Alipay, faced a regulatory crackdown after Ma’s public critique of Chinese regulators in 2020. This led to the cancellation of Ant’s $300 billion IPO, followed by a stringent overhaul of its operations to align with financial regulations. The reforms included Ma relinquishing control of the company in 2023.
Despite these challenges, Ant is charting a path forward, underscored by a leadership transition announced Sunday. President Cyril Han will succeed Eric Jing as CEO starting March 1, 2024. Ma’s renewed confidence in Ant’s potential, especially in the AI era, signals a fresh chapter for the fintech giant as it emerges from years of regulatory scrutiny.
Meta Platforms has partnered with Invenergy to purchase green energy credits from four large solar projects in the United States, supporting its goal to power operations with 100% clean energy. These projects, generating 760 megawatts—enough to power approximately 130,000 homes—will be located in Ohio, Texas, New Mexico, and Arkansas and are expected to connect to the grid between 2024 and 2027.
The deal is part of Meta‘s broader strategy to meet the energy demands of its data centres sustainably, including prior agreements with geothermal and solar initiatives. While Meta won’t directly use the power, the credits will offset its energy footprint.
Urvi Parekh, Meta’s head of global energy, stated the projects reaffirm Meta’s commitment to environmental sustainability. The move comes amid rising energy demands from the company’s expanding global operations.
Amazon has successfully conducted its first drone delivery test in Italy, marking the country as its initial European market for this innovative service. The trial took place on 4 December in San Salvo, Abruzzo, using Amazon‘s new MK-30 drone equipped with advanced computer vision for obstacle detection and safety.
The e-commerce giant aims to launch Prime Air drone deliveries in Italy and the United Kingdom by late 2024, subject to regulatory approvals. The service is already operational in select areas of Texas and Arizona, with plans for expansion.
Italy joins the UK as a focal point for Amazon’s European drone delivery ambitions, supported by local aviation regulators. Amazon’s technology promises safer, more efficient package delivery while navigating complex airspaces.
OpenAI is working to integrate AI into e-learning through customisable GPT tools, potentially revolutionising how students interact with academic content. According to Siya Raj Purohit of OpenAI‘s education team, professors are already using AI to create tailored course models, allowing students to engage with focused material. These tools could become staples in education, enabling personalised, lifelong learning.
The initiative complements OpenAI’s broader push into education, marked by the launch of ChatGPT Edu for universities and the hiring of former Coursera executive Leah Belsky. Despite these efforts, challenges remain as many educators express reservations about AI’s role in teaching. Tools like Khanmigo, developed with OpenAI, demonstrate AI’s potential but also reveal its current limitations, including accuracy issues.
With the education AI market expected to reach $88.2 billion, OpenAI is committed to refining its tools and addressing educators’ concerns to drive adoption in this burgeoning sector.
AI startup Perplexity has expanded its publisher partnerships, adding media outlets such as the Los Angeles Times and The Independent. These new partners will benefit from a program that shares ad revenue when their content is referenced on the platform. The initiative also provides publishers with access to Perplexity’s API and analytics tools, enabling them to track content performance and trends.
The program, launched in July, has attracted notable partners from Japan, Spain, and Latin America, including Prisa Media and Newspicks. Existing collaborators include TIME, Der Spiegel, and Fortune. Perplexity highlighted the importance of diverse media representation, stating that the partnerships enhance the accuracy and depth of its AI-powered responses.
Backed by Amazon founder Jeff Bezos and Nvidia, Perplexity aims to challenge Google’s dominance in the search engine market. The company has also begun testing advertising on its platform, seeking to monetise its AI search capabilities.
Perplexity’s growth has not been without challenges. It faces lawsuits from News Corp-owned publishers, including Dow Jones and New York Post, over alleged copyright violations. The New York Times has also issued a cease-and-desist notice, demanding the removal of its content from Perplexity’s generative AI tools.
