Suki, a healthcare startup is developing AI-powered voice assistants, has raised $70 million in a Series D funding round led by London-based Hedosophia, with participation from Venrock and March Capital. The latest funding brings Suki’s total to $165 million and reportedly values the company at around $500 million. The Redwood City-based startup aims to reduce the administrative burden on healthcare providers with AI tools that streamline tasks like clinical documentation.
Founded in 2017 by former Google and Flipkart executive Punit Soni, Suki has seen growing demand for its products, particularly its Suki Assistant and Suki Platform, as more healthcare systems adopt generative AI technology. The startup now partners with over 300 health systems, including St. Mary’s Healthcare in New York, and integrates with major Electronic Health Record (EHR) systems such as Epic and Oracle’s Cerner.
Suki plans to use the new funding to further develop its AI assistant, adding new features and tools to manage multiple AI models. Competing in the same space as Microsoft’s Nuance and other startups like Abridge, Suki continues to expand its footprint in the AI healthcare market.
A person recently claimed to have used an AI tool called AI Hawk to apply for 2,843 jobs, sparking discussions about the increasing role of automation in the hiring process. The tool automatically generated résumés, wrote custom cover letters, and completed job applications within hours, removing much of the human effort typically required.
AI Hawk is just one example of a growing number of tools designed to help users apply for jobs en masse. This trend highlights a new phenomenon where AI is both filling out applications and, in many cases, reviewing them. In fact, a 2023 survey revealed that 42% of companies use AI to screen and even interview candidates, creating a feedback loop where human involvement is increasingly sidelined. The impact on traditional job seekers who manually apply for positions is still unclear. However, the rise of AI in recruitment could reshape how people search for jobs and how employers identify candidates.
Brazil‘s government has proposed a reform to its competition law that would empower the antitrust authority, CADE, to designate certain digital platforms as systemically relevant, imposing new obligations on them as needed. The Finance Ministry emphasises the importance of equipping local legislation with tools to tackle the challenges posed by large tech firms that inhibit competition due to their size and market influence. This reform targets practices like exclusivity agreements, ‘killer acquisitions,’ and self-preferencing in search results.
The proposed changes would require digital platforms to submit pre-merger notifications and follow transparency rules concerning service and product usage. They would also need to disclose any modifications to their terms of service. The government seeks to find a balance between the regulatory frameworks of the US and the EU while taking inspiration from practices in Japan, the UK, and Germany.
The next steps for the Brazilian government include deciding whether to present these recommendations as a new bill to Congress or to integrate them into existing legislative proposals. Economic Reforms Secretary Marcos Pinto highlighted that the goal of the proposal is to promote competition while avoiding hindrances to innovation or unnecessary bureaucracy, underscoring the need to maintain a competitive economic environment.
The rise of AI and digitalisation could displace up to 600,000 workers in Malaysia over the next five years, according to the Ministry of Human Resources. A report by Talentcorp, set for release in November, highlights how ten key industries will be most affected, including information technology, food manufacturing, and aerospace.
However, the government assures that many of these displaced workers will transition into new roles, as around 60 new types of jobs are expected to emerge. Workers in high-risk sectors will receive targeted support to upskill or reskill, making it easier for them to adapt to the changing job market. The report’s purpose is to prevent negative reactions and help industries prepare.
The report is part of a broader initiative to keep the workforce informed about the changing landscape. The government is launching a dedicated website to provide detailed information on the jobs most affected by AI, digitalisation, and green technology, as well as opportunities for training.
Steven Sim, the Human Resources Minister, has expressed optimism about the future, urging workers and industries to stay positive and proactive. The government’s ongoing studies will continue to assess other sectors in the coming years, ensuring workforce in Malaysia remains resilient in the face of technological change.
Infosys and Microsoft are expanding their collaboration to drive the global adoption of generative AI and Microsoft Azure. The partnership is set to enhance customer experiences and increase the value of their technology investments across various industries such as finance, healthcare, and telecommunications.
Infosys, an early adopter of GitHub Copilot, currently has over 18,000 developers who have generated more than seven million lines of code through the tool. The company has also launched a GitHub Centre of Excellence to support AI and Cloud solutions like Infosys Topaz, Cobalt, and Aster, aimed at transforming business operations globally.
Customers will have access to a variety of solutions through Azure Marketplace, allowing them to benefit from their Microsoft Azure Consumption Commitment (MACC). Microsoft’s Chief Partner Officer, Nicole Dezen, highlighted the potential of this collaboration to drive AI innovation and improve employee and customer experiences.
The growth of AI developer productivity could potentially add over $1.5 trillion to the global GDP by 2030, with GitHub Copilot playing a key role in boosting efficiency. More than one million developers and 20,000 organisations have adopted GitHub Copilot to date.
Amazon is introducing new technologies designed to speed up deliveries and online shopping decisions. Announced on Wednesday, the company’s Vision Assisted Package Retrieval system will be installed in 1,000 electric delivery trucks starting next year. This system uses cameras and LED projectors to guide delivery workers to the correct packages, cutting down the time needed for each delivery.
Amazon also enhances its shopping experience with AI software to help customers make faster and more informed purchasing decisions. The software provides detailed information and product recommendations, from electronics to pet supplies, reducing the need for extensive research. These tools aim to improve customer satisfaction by making the buying process more efficient.
In addition, Amazon plans to open smaller warehouses attached to Whole Foods locations to offer a broader range of products not carried in-store. The first hybrid stores will open in Pennsylvania next year, allowing customers to order items like soft drinks alongside their grocery purchases for a seamless checkout experience.
The All England Club has announced that Wimbledon will replace line judges with AI technology from 2025. This decision marks the end of a 147-year tradition, as the courtside presence of immaculately dressed line judges has long been a staple of the event. AI technology, already in use at the US Open since 2020, is set to fully automate line calls, leaving the future of more than 300 line judges uncertain.
Many officials have expressed disappointment, with chair umpire Richard Ings calling it a ‘sad but inevitable day’. While the shift to AI offers undeniable precision, there are concerns about the loss of the human element in the sport. Ings highlighted that certain decisions, like not-ups or crowd disruptions, will still require human oversight, even though automated systems will handle line calls.
The move to Electronic Line Calling (ELC) has raised worries about the future of officiating, particularly for smaller tournaments. The cost of implementing AI technology, estimated at £100,000 per court, could deter officials from smaller events that lack the budget. Organisers of Wimbledon acknowledge the importance of tradition but emphasise the advantages of the change.
Despite the transition, some aspects will remain unchanged. Chair umpires will continue to lead matches, but the courts will look and feel different without the line judges who once shared the stage. Wimbledon’s decision follows a similar switch at Queen’s Club and adds to growing concerns about officiating’s future direction.
Companies in Japan are increasingly turning to AI to manage customer service roles, addressing the country’s ongoing labour shortage. These AI systems are now being used for more complex tasks, assisting workers across various industries.
Ridgelinez Ltd, a Fujitsu subsidiary, and Autobacs Seven Co have launched trials for ‘Rachel,’ an AI assistant that recommends products based on customer needs, specific car models, and available stock. The system, developed by Tokyo-based Couger Inc, is designed to ease the burden on car sales staff, allowing them to focus on more specialised tasks while the AI handles routine queries.
In other sectors, Oki Electric Industry and Kyushu Railway have introduced a trilingual AI assistant capable of speaking Japanese, English, and Chinese. This system provides passengers with station maps and assists with transfer information. Meanwhile, Tokyo startup Sapeet Co has developed an AI system that simulates customer interactions for training staff at jewellery stores, helping to improve customer service skills.
These AI solutions are playing a key role in addressing the labour shortage, allowing human employees to focus on more advanced tasks while AI systems manage routine customer service functions.
Vodafone has announced a significant development in its Giga TV service, as part of a renewed billion-dollar partnership with Google Cloud. Over the next ten years, Google’s artificial intelligence capabilities will be integrated into the platform to enhance personalisation and content discovery for its users.
The companies plan to leverage Google Cloud’s AI to improve Vodafone’s Android-based TV system in Germany. New features will help users find content more easily and deliver a more tailored viewing experience. Additionally, Google Ad Manager will be integrated into Giga TV, enhancing the advertising landscape within the platform.
Further collaboration will see YouTube become more deeply embedded in Vodafone’s TV devices, providing a richer video experience. These improvements are set to bring significant advancements in how viewers engage with television content, both in entertainment and beyond.
Margherita Della Valle, Vodafone Group CEO, expressed excitement about the partnership, emphasising how these AI-driven innovations will transform communication and learning. She highlighted the unprecedented scale on which the new content and services will be delivered to millions of users.
Captions, an AI-powered video editing app, has introduced a new tool that manages content publishing schedules for websites and generates videos on relevant topics. This tool analyses a site to collect content, keywords, service offerings, and key selling points, creating a customised content plan. Currently, the emphasis is on producing videos for social media platforms such as Instagram Reels and TikTok, with plans to explore additional formats in the future.
The tool is designed to support small businesses like cafes and dental clinics by showcasing their offerings and seasonal trends. In June, Captions launched a feature that enables users to automatically create and edit videos using 12 AI characters. This new tool utilises a business’s existing content and relevant trends to generate video prompts, allowing sellers to create a digital twin and incorporate their brand identity, including custom colours, logos, and fonts.
Captions CEO Gaurav Misra highlighted that the tool assists businesses lacking resources to create high-quality content, enabling them to build an online presence without requiring advanced video production skills. He envisions a future where businesses can incorporate more of their web pages into the AI content planning process. Recently, Captions secured $60 million in Series C funding, which will be used to enhance its AI capabilities. The company offers paid plans, including Max at $25 per month and Scale at $70 per month.
