OpenAI's Sora app, Spotify CEO exit, and AI funding

Today’s venture capital and startup landscape features major leadership changes, groundbreaking AI developments, and significant funding rounds. OpenAI is entering the social media space with its Sora video app, Spotify founder Daniel Ek transitions to a new role, and a team of former OpenAI and DeepMind researchers secure one of the largest seed rounds in history to automate scientific discovery.

Former OpenAI and DeepMind Researchers Raise $300M for AI Science Automation

Periodic Labs emerged from stealth with a massive $300M seed round, one of the largest seed investments ever recorded. Founded by ex-DeepMind researcher Ekin Dogus Cubuk (who led the GNoME project) and ex-OpenAI VP Liam Fedus (who led ChatGPT and trillion-parameter LLM development), the startup aims to build AI scientists combined with autonomous labs where robots run experiments and generate new data. Backers include a16z, DST, Nvidia, Accel, Elad Gil, Jeff Dean, Eric Schmidt, and Jeff Bezos, signaling heavyweight confidence in automating material discovery—starting with next-generation superconductors.

OpenAI Launches Sora App as TikTok Competitor

OpenAI unveiled Sora 2, an upgraded video generator that better follows physics, paired with a new TikTok-style social app called Sora. The app’s standout feature, “cameos,” lets users upload their likeness once, then insert themselves—or friends with permission—into AI-generated scenes. Rolling out first in the U.S. and Canada on iOS, Sora is invite-only but free at launch, with monetization planned through extra video generation during high demand periods.

Amazon Unveils New Echo Devices Powered by Alexa+

Amazon launched four new Echo devices—Echo Dot Max, Echo Studio, Echo Show 8, and Echo Show 11—built with custom AZ3 and AZ3 Pro chips to run Alexa+. The upgraded assistant now supports natural conversations, complex queries, and will soon feature an Alexa+ Store with third-party services like Fandango, Lyft, and Taskrabbit. New features include Omnisense ambient AI for real-time home awareness and integrations with health partners like Oura for personalized wellness tracking.

Nothing Launches AI Tool for Building Mini Apps

Smartphone maker Nothing introduced Playground, an AI tool that lets users create mini apps (widgets) like flight trackers or meeting briefs using simple text prompts. The apps, called Essential Apps, can be customized with code by advanced users, though full-screen apps aren’t supported yet. CEO Carl Pei says the goal is to make operating systems more personal with AI while focusing on security and community-driven development.

Opera Launches AI-Centric Neon Browser

Opera unveiled Neon, a $19.99/month AI-powered browser that lets users create apps via prompts and automate tasks through “Cards,” its repeatable prompt system. Features include Neon Do for task execution (e.g., summarizing blogs and posting to Slack), a built-in chatbot, code generation for reports, and tab organization with “Tasks.” Positioned for power users, Neon competes with Perplexity’s Comet and The Browser Company’s Dia.

Nvidia CEO: China “Nanoseconds Behind” in AI Race

Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang claims China is just nanoseconds behind the U.S. in chipmaking and argues that America should continue selling its technology there to maintain geopolitical influence. Following export restrictions, the company is now shipping a compliant H20 AI GPU to Chinese customers. Meanwhile, Huawei is shipping systems with its Ascend 920B silicon, and other firms are investing in custom designs to create a CUDA-free ecosystem, directly challenging Nvidia’s market dominance.

Meta Plans to Acquire Chip Startup Rivos

Meta is acquiring Santa Clara-based Rivos, a RISC-V chip startup backed by Intel’s Lip-Bu Tan, to strengthen its custom semiconductor work. The deal will support Meta’s in-house Meta Training and Inference Accelerator (MTIA) chips, aimed at reducing reliance on Nvidia and cutting AI infrastructure costs. Rivos, valued around $2B, has been one of Meta’s chip partners; the acquisition brings full-stack AI system expertise in-house.

YouTube Settles Trump Lawsuit for $24.5 Million

YouTube is paying $22 million to settle the lawsuit from Donald Trump over his account suspension, with the money funding construction of the White House State Ballroom through a nonprofit. The settlement also includes payments of $2.5 million to other Trump allies, including a specific payment to the American Conservative Union. This follows similar legal settlements from other major tech companies, including a $25 million payment from Meta and a $10 million agreement from Elon Musk’s platform X.

Spotify Founder Daniel Ek Steps Down as CEO

Spotify founder Daniel Ek is stepping down from the CEO role he has held since 2006, transitioning to become the music streaming company’s new executive chairman by year’s end. The company is replacing him with two in-house co-CEOs: current co-presidents Gustav Söderström (chief product and technology officer) and Alex Norström (chief business officer). Ek stated the new titles match how Spotify already operates, and his new focus will be on the company’s long-term direction while remaining deeply connected to the board.

Today’s updates showcase the tech industry’s continued push toward AI integration, major leadership transitions, and strategic hardware moves. From OpenAI’s social media ambitions to Meta’s semiconductor independence efforts, these developments signal an industry in rapid transformation as companies position themselves for the next phase of AI-driven innovation.