April 9, 2025

news  
Read News
AI Revolutionizes Industries with New Education and Investment

The artificial intelligence (AI) landscape is rapidly evolving, with significant developments in education, investment, and application. The University of St. Thomas is launching a Master's program in AI Leadership, while business schools are offering courses to help leaders leverage AI for innovation and growth. Meanwhile, Menlo Ventures has appointed a new partner to drive AI investments, and Forbes has compiled a list of the most promising privately-held AI companies. AI is also being applied in various industries, including retail real estate, software engineering, and autonomous driving. However, challenges such as debugging software and addressing ethical considerations remain. Additionally, new AI-powered threats like Xanthorox AI are emerging, highlighting the need for continued research and development in the field.

University of St Thomas Launches AI Leadership Master's

The University of St. Thomas in Minnesota is introducing a new graduate program, the Master of Arts in Artificial Intelligence Leadership. The program targets non-technical professionals seeking to understand and manage AI in their workplaces. It focuses on ethical considerations, strategic implementation, and effective communication. The program aims to empower leaders to collaborate with AI developers and technical experts. Classes will begin in fall 2025, and the program consists of 10 asynchronous online courses delivered over five terms.

Top AI Courses for Business Leaders

Business schools are now offering short courses to help leaders and managers improve their knowledge and strategy around AI. These courses are designed to teach business leaders how to compete in the age of AI and how to leverage AI to drive innovation and growth. Some of the top courses include Artificial Intelligence: Implications for Business Strategy by MIT Sloan, AI for Business by INSEAD, and Leadership Program in AI and Analytics by Wharton. These courses are available online and in-person, and they cater to different levels of experience and expertise.

Matt Kraning Joins Menlo Ventures as AI Investment Partner

Matt Kraning, former co-founder and CTO of Expanse, has joined Menlo Ventures as a partner to drive AI investments. Kraning will invest in AI, enterprise SaaS, national defense, and cybersecurity companies. He brings deep technical expertise and experience in building and scaling transformative technologies. Menlo Ventures has a strong track record of backing technically sophisticated AI startups, and Kraning's addition strengthens the firm's ability to support AI-native entrepreneurs.

Forbes Compiles 2025 AI 50 List

Forbes has compiled its 2025 AI 50 list, which spotlights the most promising privately-held companies applying artificial intelligence to solve real-world challenges. The list was created in partnership with data partners Sequoia and Meritech Capital. The selection process involved a public call for nominations and targeted outreach to thousands of eligible startups. A panel of expert judges reviewed the top 100 companies, and the final list was curated by Forbes editors.

AI Models Struggle to Debug Software

A study by Microsoft Research has found that AI models from top AI labs struggle to debug software. The study tested nine different models on a software development benchmark and found that even the best models failed to debug many issues. The study's co-authors speculate that the lack of data representing sequential decision-making processes in current models' training data may be a major contributor to this limitation. The findings highlight the need for more research into AI-powered debugging tools.

AI in Retail Real Estate

Artificial intelligence is being used in retail real estate to streamline and improve the leasing process. AI can help with tasks such as lease abstracts, tenant matching, and negotiation support. However, experts caution that AI is not a replacement for human judgment and that data governance and stewardship are crucial for effective AI implementation. The use of AI in retail real estate is expected to continue to evolve and improve, with potential applications in predictive analytics and smart outsourcing.

Indian Startup Unveils AI System Without Advanced Chips

An Indian startup, Ziroh Labs, has collaborated with researchers to design an affordable system that can run large AI models without requiring advanced computing chips. The system is a significant development in the field of AI, as it could make AI more accessible to businesses and individuals who cannot afford high-end hardware.

AI in Modern Software Engineering

Artificial intelligence is revolutionizing software engineering by automating mundane tasks, improving code quality, and enhancing collaboration. AI-powered tools can generate code snippets, optimize performance, and offer architecture suggestions. AI is also being used in project planning, testing, and quality assurance. However, there are ethical considerations and technical challenges associated with integrating AI into software development, such as data privacy concerns and algorithmic bias.

Nissan Partners with Wayve on Autonomous Driving Tech

Nissan has partnered with AI startup Wayve to develop autonomous driving technology. Wayve's self-driving cars use cameras and AI to navigate roads, and the company is testing its vehicles in the UK, US, and Germany. The partnership aims to incorporate Wayve's AI Driver into Nissan's ProPILOT driver-assist system by 2027. Wayve's technology allows vehicles to 'generalize' and adapt to new driving scenarios, making it a significant development in the field of autonomous driving.

Analyst Recommends Lesser-Known AI Stocks

An analyst at Piper Sandler is recommending three lesser-known stocks for the 'next major AI wave'. The stocks are Duolingo, Reddit, and Opera, which are well-positioned to benefit from the widespread adoption of AI at the application layer. Duolingo has invested in AI-powered applications, including a conversational AI tool, and has seen significant growth in its user base and revenue. The analyst believes that these stocks have significant potential for growth and are worth considering for investors looking to capitalize on the AI trend.

Automation and AI in Cell and Gene Therapy Production

The cell and gene therapy industry is under pressure to make treatments more affordable, and automation and AI are seen as key solutions. Experts believe that automated bioprocessing technologies and AI will be adopted to reduce costs and improve product consistency. However, regulatory hurdles and the need for human interaction with AI systems are challenges that need to be addressed. The use of AI in cell and gene therapy production is expected to grow, with potential applications in QA/QC and batch release.

Xanthorox AI: A New Malicious AI Threat

A new AI-powered hacking tool called Xanthorox AI has emerged on the darknet. The tool uses five separate AI models and runs on private servers, making it difficult to track and shut down. Xanthorox AI is designed for offense, not defense, and can be used for tasks such as generating malicious code, exploiting vulnerabilities, and cracking passwords. Cybersecurity experts are sounding the alarm, warning that Xanthorox AI could change the way digital attacks are launched and make them more automated and adaptive.

Key Takeaways

* The University of St. Thomas is introducing a Master of Arts in Artificial Intelligence Leadership program to empower non-technical professionals.
* Business schools are offering courses to help leaders improve their knowledge and strategy around AI.
* Menlo Ventures has appointed Matt Kraning as a partner to drive AI investments.
* Forbes has compiled a list of the most promising privately-held AI companies, known as the AI 50 list.
* AI models are struggling to debug software, highlighting the need for more research into AI-powered debugging tools.
* AI is being used in retail real estate to streamline and improve the leasing process.
* An Indian startup, Ziroh Labs, has developed an affordable system that can run large AI models without requiring advanced computing chips.
* AI is revolutionizing software engineering by automating mundane tasks and improving code quality.
* Nissan has partnered with AI startup Wayve to develop autonomous driving technology.
* A new AI-powered hacking tool called Xanthorox AI has emerged on the darknet, posing a significant threat to cybersecurity.

Sources

Artificial Intelligence AI Leadership AI in Business AI in Retail AI in Software Engineering Autonomous Driving