Acquisition
Check Point Targets Israeli Startups Cyclops and Cyata in $150 Mn Cyber Acquisition Push
The acquisitions are part of a wider push by Check Point to strengthen its capabilities through local innovation and talent.
The Left Shift Bureau
AI Models
OpenAI to Retire GPT-4o, GPT-4.1, GPT-4.1 Mini, GPT-5 Instant and Other Models
The company said GPT-4o’s retirement comes after months of transition and user feedback.
Quantum
QpiAI, Alliance University to Set up Quantum AI Experience Centre in Bengaluru
Alliance University and QpiAI will jointly deploy the QVidya 8-qubit superconducting quantum system.
AI News
Musk Pitches Moon Factory and Space Catapult to Power xAI’s Future
During an all-hands meeting on Tuesday, Musk described a lunar facility that could produce satellites to provide computing power for advanced AI systems.
AI Models
OpenAI Faces User Backlash as Plan to Retire Popular AI Model Sparks Trust Debate
Users say the decision to phase out older systems has sparked widespread backlash from users who rely on them for professional, creative and accessibility-related needs.
AI Startups
OpenAI Researcher Resigns Citing Concerns Over Ads in ChatGPT
Zoë Hitzig announced her departure this week and outlined her reasons in a guest essay, saying she feared the move toward ads could create incentives that undermine user trust and safety.
Funding
Runway Raises $315 Mn from NVIDIA, AMD Ventures at $5.3 Bn Valuation
Runway said the new funding will be used to advance model development, address technical limitations and expand hiring across engineering and go-to-market teams.
AI Agents
LUMIQ Launches LiteCone Agentic AI Workforce for Financial Services Operations
The platform targets high-volume back-office functions across the financial services industry, aiming to automate workflows while meeting strict regulatory and governance requirements.
Funding
JumpCloud Launches Venture Arm to Back Next-Gen IT and Security Startups
JumpCloud Ventures has already made its first investment in Tofu, a startup focused on preventing identity fraud in hiring.
Acquisition
Salesforce to Acquire Cimulate to Boost AI-driven Commerce Search
Once integrated into Agentforce Commerce, the technology is expected to improve how customers find and evaluate products while enabling brands to focus on growth and customer engagement strategies.
Partnerships
TCS and Honeywell Partner to Enhance Autonomous Operations for Buildings and Industries with AI
The collaboration aims to unlock real-time intelligence, improve operational efficiencies, and help deliver measurable business outcomes for customers.
SaaS
C Com Digital Launches synapse1 AI Platform to Link Marketing Automation With Measurable ROI
The company said the solution combines conversational AI, generative video, and predictive analytics into a single system tailored for India’s multilingual and multicultural market.