June 14, 2025

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AI: Meta, Google, AMD, Retail, Security and Regulation

Recent developments in artificial intelligence span various sectors, highlighting both its potential and the strategies companies are employing to leverage it. GitHub's CEO emphasizes that while AI assists startups, it cannot replace skilled developers, as complex systems require deep understanding and independent coding. Meta is enhancing its coding processes using AI models from competitors like Anthropic, integrated into a tool called Devmate, and is investing heavily in Scale AI, with its CEO Alexandr Wang playing a key role in Meta's AI strategy. Google also utilized ChatGPT to refine its AI chatbot, Gemini, through a project called 'Bulba.' In the AI chip market, AMD claims its new MI350 chips rival Nvidia's performance at a lower cost and is partnering with AI startups to improve chip and software designs. Major retailers like Amazon and Walmart are investing in AI to enhance retail experiences, including logistics and customer service. Simultaneously, AI is being implemented for security purposes, as seen in Jacksonville schools adopting an AI security system to monitor for weapons. Legislative measures are also being taken to regulate AI, with the Pennsylvania Senate passing a bill to address AI 'deepfakes.' Companies like Hebbia are providing custom AI platforms to automate complex tasks for financial firms. The automotive industry is also seeing AI integration, with Japan developing an AI-powered supercar. Finally, data infrastructure companies are becoming attractive M&A targets as they are crucial for processing data for AI models, reflecting the increasing investment and strategic importance of AI across industries.

Key Takeaways

  • GitHub CEO asserts AI tools cannot replace skilled developers in startups for complex systems.
  • Meta is using AI models from companies like Anthropic to improve coding via a new tool called Devmate.
  • Meta is investing heavily in Scale AI, integrating its CEO Alexandr Wang into their AI strategy.
  • Google used ChatGPT to enhance its AI chatbot, Gemini, through a project called 'Bulba.'
  • AMD claims its new MI350 chips rival Nvidia's performance at a lower cost and is partnering with AI startups.
  • Amazon and Walmart are investing heavily in AI to enhance retail experiences.
  • Jacksonville schools are implementing an AI security system to monitor for weapons.
  • The Pennsylvania Senate passed a bill to regulate AI 'deepfakes' as digital forgery.
  • Hebbia's AI platform is transforming financial firms' workflows by automating complex tasks.
  • Data infrastructure companies are becoming hot M&A targets in the AI race.

GitHub CEO says AI can't replace real developers in startups

GitHub CEO Thomas Dohmke says that while AI tools can help launch startups, they can't replace skilled developers. Speaking at VivaTech in Paris, Dohmke noted that investors are less likely to fund startups heavily reliant on AI coding assistants. He emphasized that complex systems require developers and a deep understanding of how systems operate. Dohmke also mentioned that software engineers need to learn how to use AI prompts effectively and know when to code independently.

Meta uses AI from rivals like Anthropic to improve coding

Meta is using AI models from companies like Anthropic to improve its engineers' coding through a new tool called Devmate. Devmate helps with complex coding tasks that Meta's other AI assistant, Metamate, struggles with. Despite investing in its own AI, Meta is using competitor models for better performance. Employees say Devmate has increased productivity by helping write code, analyze failed tests, and submit fixes. Meta's CEO Mark Zuckerberg believes AI will write half of Meta's code within a year.

Meta invests in Scale AI founder Alexandr Wang to lead AI efforts

Meta is investing nearly $15 billion in Scale AI, making its 28-year-old CEO, Alexandr Wang, a key part of Meta's AI strategy. Wang, an MIT dropout, will join Meta to work on AI. Scale AI is now valued at over $29 billion. Wang previously advised the US government on AI and national security. He will continue to serve as a director on Scale's board.

Google used ChatGPT to improve its AI chatbot Bard

Google used ChatGPT to improve its AI chatbot, now called Gemini, by having Scale AI contractors compare and rewrite Bard's responses. Scale AI contractors generated responses from ChatGPT and improved their rewrites of Bard's answers to match or exceed ChatGPT. Documents showed that Scale AI managers instructed workers to 'make it BETTER than GPT.' Scale AI and Google deny using ChatGPT to train their models. The project, codenamed 'Bulba,' aimed to enhance Bard's performance.

AMD claims its new AI chips rival Nvidia's at lower cost

AMD's CEO Lisa Su claims their new MI350 chips match Nvidia's performance with greater efficiency and lower prices. At a launch event, Su said the MI355X chip matches the performance of Nvidia's more expensive GB200. OpenAI CEO Sam Altman said his company would use the latest AMD chips. While Nvidia dominates the AI chip market, AMD asserts its chips process more tokens per dollar. Nvidia had 92% of the AI chip market in the first quarter of 2025, compared to AMD's 8%.

AMD partners with AI startups to boost chip, software design

AMD is working closely with AI startups to improve its chip and software designs. This partnership aims to create better software, like ROCm, and more competitive hardware as AI companies seek alternatives to Nvidia's chips. Cohere, an AI startup, benefits from AMD's improved software, reducing adaptation time from weeks to days. OpenAI also influenced AMD's MI450 chip design, particularly its memory architecture and mathematical operations.

Amazon and Walmart invest in AI to enhance retail experiences

Amazon and Walmart are investing heavily in AI, cloud computing, and FinTech to improve retail experiences. Amazon is investing $20 billion in AI and data centers and integrating Whole Foods into its logistics network. Walmart is expanding its OnePay digital banking system and launching an AI shopping assistant called 'Sparky.' Both companies are also exploring drone delivery to solve last-mile logistics challenges.

Jacksonville schools approve AI security and new cell phone policy

The Jacksonville City Schools Board approved an AI security system called ZeroEyes to monitor the district's camera network for weapons. The system alerts law enforcement and school officials in real-time. The board also approved a revised cell phone policy to comply with new state law requirements. The district is partnering with Jacksonville State University to provide nursing students with school nurse experience. Summer programs are showing strong participation, with high attendance in elementary and high school summer school.

Pennsylvania Senate passes bill to regulate AI 'deepfakes'

The Pennsylvania Senate passed a bill to classify AI 'deepfakes' as digital forgery, with criminal charges as the penalty. The bill, SB 649, aims to protect individuals from having their image or actions manipulated. Pennsylvania lawmakers are also considering a deepfake law specific to political campaigns. Another bill criminalized child pornography made with AI. Some lawmakers are also pushing to regulate AI programs that use rent-setting algorithms.

Hebbia's AI platform transforms financial firms' workflows

George Sivulka, the 27-year-old founder of Hebbia, provides AI platforms to firms like BlackRock and the U.S. Air Force. Hebbia's AI models are custom-made and evolve through repeated use, unlike transactional AI like ChatGPT. The platform lets firms build AI agents that mirror internal workflows, automating complex tasks. Sivulka says Hebbia frees employees from repetitive work, allowing them to focus on more interesting tasks. Hebbia is based in New York City to better understand user needs.

Meta faces scrutiny over investment in Scale AI

Meta's pursuit of Scale AI is drawing scrutiny from regulators. Meta is investing in Scale AI as part of its AI strategy. The article also mentions Airbnb's partnership with FIFA for upcoming World Cup events.

Japan reveals AI-powered futuristic supercar with sci-fi design

Japan is developing a futuristic supercar with artificial intelligence and a sci-fi movie-worthy design. Honda is working on an electric vehicle with AI and an innovative design. The Honda 0 Saloon and the Honda 0 SUV are expected to be sold in 2026. The cars feature digital screens instead of traditional controls and have level 3 autonomous driving capabilities. Honda aims to improve driver experience, comfort, and safety with these new EVs.

Data infrastructure becomes hot M&A target in AI race

Companies that process data for AI models are becoming highly sought after by tech firms like Meta and Salesforce. AI software deals account for 75% of tech mergers and acquisitions this year. Enterprise data infrastructure companies are valuable as potential targets. Worldwide spending on generative AI is expected to reach $644 billion in 2025. Companies are acquiring specialists to organize, clean, and connect data for their AI systems.

Sources

AI Artificial Intelligence Machine Learning Startups Developers Coding AI Coding Assistants GitHub Meta Anthropic Devmate Metamate Scale AI Alexandr Wang Google ChatGPT Gemini Bard AMD Nvidia AI Chips Lisa Su Sam Altman OpenAI Amazon Walmart Retail FinTech AI Security Deepfakes Pennsylvania Senate Hebbia BlackRock Data Infrastructure M&A Generative AI Autonomous Driving Electric Vehicles Honda ZeroEyes Cloud Computing