Strategic Shift in Zomato's Status
The $1 billion fundraise has strategically transformed Zomato's status to that of a "domestic" company. By pushing its foreign ownership below 50%, Zomato can now adopt an inventory-led model for its quick-commerce unit, Blinkit. This model gives the company direct control over products and warehousing, opening up new avenues for growth. It's a move that positions Zomato well in the highly competitive quick-commerce market.The timing of this capital raise is also highly strategic. Just weeks after rival Swiggy's $1.35 billion IPO, Zomato has managed to secure a substantial amount of funds. This shows its determination to stay ahead in the race and maintain its competitive edge. Another leading quick-commerce startup, Zepto, also secured $350 million this month in a deal brokered by Motilal Oswal.Shares of Swiggy were down 4.1% on Friday, capping this week's overall rally at 12.8%. Zomato's shares, offered to investors participating in the share placement at a 5% discount, were down roughly 1% on Friday but still remain up 127.7% year-to-date. With a market cap of about $30 billion, Zomato is clearly a force to be reckoned with.Unraveling the Complexities of AI Browsing in a Human World
Section 1: The Quest for Holiday Gifts
In the midst of searching for holiday gifts for his sisters, Josh Miller, the CEO of Browser Company, found himself opening multiple tabs. He realized the need to seek his wife's advice. This simple act showcases a human touch in an otherwise digital pursuit. It highlights how our personal lives often intersect with the technological tools we use. 1: Miller's search for the perfect gifts reflects the common dilemma many of us face during the holiday season. The act of consulting a loved one for suggestions adds a layer of warmth and thoughtfulness to the gift-giving process. It shows that even in the digital realm, human connections remain important. 2: However, this incident also sets the stage for the larger discussion about the role of AI in our lives. As Miller turns to his AI browser, Dia, it raises questions about whether technology can truly replace the human element in certain situations.Section 2: The Shift from Arc to Dia
Browser Company's new product, Dia, is replacing the beloved Arc browser that put them on the map. This transition has not been without controversy. Some are not happy with the company's pivot towards AI browsing. 1: The decision to focus on AI browsing represents a significant change in the company's strategy. It shows their belief in the potential of this technology to transform the browsing experience. But it also raises concerns among those who valued the simplicity and functionality of Arc. 2: This shift highlights the dynamic nature of the technology industry. Companies are constantly evolving and adapting to meet the changing needs and expectations of consumers. While some may resist these changes, others see them as opportunities for growth and innovation.Section 3: The Impersonal Nature of AI Communication
Instead of directly communicating with his wife, Miller opts to use his AI chatbot. This leads to a rather cold and impersonal exchange. 1: The example of Miller communicating with his wife through the AI chatbot shows how AI can sometimes distance us from genuine human interactions. It raises questions about the authenticity of our connections in a world where technology is increasingly involved. 2: This is not to say that AI has no place in our lives. It can be a useful tool for certain tasks, but it should not replace the warmth and intimacy of human communication. We need to find a balance between technology and human connection.Section 4: AI's Impact on Human CreativityExamples like Google's ad and Apple's unveiling of AI features at WWDC demonstrate how AI can reduce our humanity. 1: These ads show how AI is automating activities that were once considered unique to humans. Whether it's creating fan letters or identifying dog breeds, AI is taking over tasks that were once reserved for our creativity and interpersonal skills. 2: It makes us question the value of these human qualities in a world where technology is advancing at a rapid pace. We need to be aware of how AI is shaping our lives and find ways to preserve and enhance our humanity.Section 5: The Banality of AI Advertisements
Many AI advertisements are vague and lack specific use cases. They often paint AI as a magical and amorphous entity. 1: The examples of odd AI billboards in San Francisco highlight the lack of clarity in how companies are promoting AI. These ads seem to focus more on creating a buzz than on actually explaining the benefits of the technology. 2: This banality raises questions about the effectiveness of these advertisements. Consumers are left confused and unsure about what AI can actually do for them. Companies need to be more specific and transparent in their messaging.Section 6: The Uncertain Future of AI Advertising
The current state of AI advertising is strange. While previous generations of technology promised liberation and connection, the promise of AI is still unclear. 1: As we navigate the world of AI advertising, we are left wondering what the "right way" is to promote this technology. There is a tension between the potential benefits of AI and the concerns about its impact on our lives. 2: Companies need to find a balance between showcasing the capabilities of AI and respecting the human element. Only then can we truly embrace the potential of this technology without sacrificing our humanity.
China’s open source AI models have been making the news lately for their strong performance on various AI tasks such as coding and ‘reasoning.’
However, they have also attracted criticism – including from OpenAI employees – for censoring topics sensitive to the Chinese government, such as the Tiananmen Square massacre.
HuggingFace’s CEO Clement Delangue says he has similar concerns. In a recent podcast (in French), he warned about the unintended consequences of Western companies building on top of well-performing, open source Chinese AI.
“If you create a chatbot and ask it a question about Tiananmen, well, it’s not going to respond to you the same way as if it was a system developed in France or the US,” Delangue warned.
Delangue noted that if a country like China “becomes by far the strongest on AI, they will be capable of spreading certain cultural aspects that perhaps the Western world wouldn’t want to see spread.”
Delangue has previously stated that Chinese AI is quickly catching up to Western AI thanks to its embrace of the open source movement.
Delangue warned on the podcast that the strong concentration of top open source models coming from China is a “fairly new development and I’m a little worried about it to be honest,” he said. “It’s important that AI is distributed between all countries – that there isn’t one or two countries which are much stronger than the others.”
HuggingFace is the world’s biggest platform for AI models and a popular place for Chinese AI companies to showcase their latest LLMs. In fact, HuggingFace’s CTO announced this week that the default model on HuggingChat is Qwen2.5-72B-Instruct, which was developed by Chinese e-commerce giant Alibaba.
This particular model does not appear to censor questions about the Tiananmen Square massacre or other issues typically censored by the Chinese government.
A different model from Alibaba’s Qwen family available on HuggingChat, QwQ-32B, however, clearly does when TC asked:
DeepSeek, another Chinese model which went viral in the AI community for its reasoning capabilities, also extensively censors topics deemed sensitive by the Chinese government, TechCrunch previously reported.
Chinese AI companies are in a tough spot as the Chinese government forces their models to “embody core socialist values” and comply with its already-extensive censorship system.
A HuggingFace spokesperson declined further comment but pointed out that Delangue recently predicted China would start to lead the global AI race in 2025.