April 23, 2025

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Manychat Raises $140M, HiddenLayer Unveils AISec Platform 2.0, AI in Hospitality, Archaeology, and Surveillance

Recent developments in the field of artificial intelligence have seen significant advancements and investments. Manychat, a conversational AI and automation platform, has raised $140 million in a Series B round to expand its business, invest in R&D, and boost sales and marketing. The company's platform helps businesses manage and automate conversations across multiple messaging channels, with over 1.5 million customers across 170 countries. Meanwhile, HiddenLayer has unveiled AISec Platform 2.0, a new release that delivers unmatched context, visibility, and observability for enterprise AI security. Other notable developments include the use of AI in various industries such as hospitality, archaeology, and video surveillance. However, concerns have also been raised about the vulnerability of AI datacenters to cyber threats and the potential for AI to replace certain jobs. Despite these challenges, AI is expected to create new opportunities and improve efficiency in various industries.

Key Takeaways

  • Manychat has raised $140 million in a Series B round to expand its conversational AI and automation platform.
  • HiddenLayer has unveiled AISec Platform 2.0, a new release that delivers unmatched context, visibility, and observability for enterprise AI security.
  • AI is being used in various industries such as hospitality, archaeology, and video surveillance to improve efficiency and solve complex problems.
  • The hospitality industry faces significant cybersecurity risks, with 31% of organizations having suffered a data breach in the past.
  • AI datacenters are potentially vulnerable to cyber threats, with every AI datacenter being potentially vulnerable to China.
  • AI is expected to replace certain middle-class jobs by 2030, including data entry clerks, accountants, and customer service representatives.
  • Axis Communications has released a research report on the state of AI in video surveillance, highlighting the importance of trust, responsibility, and accountability in AI integration.
  • AI is being used to solve complex puzzles, such as the Nazca Lines in Peru, and to create new content, such as AI-generated series on TikTok.
  • UPS is using AI to optimize its pricing strategy, resulting in a 22% increase in win rate and a reduction in discounting.
  • Experts emphasize the need for responsible AI use, including setting clear boundaries, keeping humans in the loop, and monitoring and adapting AI systems to ensure they align with business values.

Manychat Raises $140M

Manychat, a conversational AI and automation platform, has raised $140 million in a Series B round led by Summit Partners. The company plans to use the funding to expand its business, invest in R&D, and boost sales and marketing. Manychat's platform helps businesses manage and automate conversations across multiple messaging channels, with over 1.5 million customers across 170 countries. The company sends billions of messages annually on behalf of its users, and its client list includes major brands like Nike and the New York Times.

Manychat Gets $140M Funding

Manychat, a company that provides conversational AI and automation tools, has raised $140 million in a growth capital round led by Summit Partners. The funding will be used to accelerate the company's global expansion, invest in R&D, and enhance marketing and customer support. Manychat's platform is used by over 1 million businesses and social media influencers across 170 countries, and the company plans to use the funding to further develop its AI-powered chatbots and automation tools.

Manychat Expands Social Chat

Manychat, a conversational AI startup, has raised $140 million in a growth capital round to expand its social chat platform. The company's platform uses AI to automate social media interactions for brands, creators, and businesses, and is already used by over 1 million businesses and social media influencers across 170 countries. Manychat plans to use the funding to develop more AI features and improve its platform, which can respond to customer inquiries and provide personalized support.

HiddenLayer Unveils AISec Platform

HiddenLayer has unveiled AISec Platform 2.0, a new release that delivers unmatched context, visibility, and observability for enterprise AI security. The platform includes features such as Model Genealogy and AI Bill of Materials, and is designed to help security teams accelerate model development, gain visibility into AI model usage, and automate model governance. AISec Platform 2.0 is built for the future of AI security and lays the foundation for a new generation of AI threat detection and response.

HiddenLayer Launches AISec 2.0

HiddenLayer has launched AISec Platform 2.0, a new release that introduces advanced capabilities for securing AI systems. The platform includes features such as Model Genealogy and AI Bill of Materials, and is designed to help security teams accelerate model development, gain visibility into AI model usage, and automate model governance. AISec Platform 2.0 is built for the future of AI security and lays the foundation for a new generation of AI threat detection and response.

UPS Uses AI for Pricing

United Parcel Service (UPS) is using artificial intelligence to optimize its pricing strategy. The company has partnered with Zilliant to implement a pricing solution that uses AI to analyze data and provide personalized price quotes to customers. UPS has seen significant results from the implementation, including a 22% increase in win rate and a reduction in discounting. The company's pricing transformation director, Ryan Neal, emphasized the importance of getting data right and managing expectations when implementing AI-powered pricing solutions.

Cursor AI Glitch Teaches Lesson

A recent glitch in a chatbot developed by Cursor has highlighted the importance of responsible AI use in business. The chatbot, which was designed to provide customer support, began behaving unpredictably and offering inaccurate information. The incident serves as a reminder that AI is not perfect and requires careful oversight and training. Experts emphasize the need for setting clear boundaries, keeping humans in the loop, and monitoring and adapting AI systems to ensure they align with business values.

Hoteliers Should Know AI Trends

The hospitality industry is being transformed by artificial intelligence, with many hotels using AI to improve guest experiences and operational efficiency. However, the industry also faces significant cybersecurity risks, with 31% of hospitality organizations having suffered a data breach in the past. To mitigate these risks, hoteliers should be aware of four key trends: the lead of large brands, the evolution of threats, institutional changes, and the importance of technology. By being proactive and investing in cybersecurity, hoteliers can reduce the risk of data breaches and protect their customers' sensitive information.

AI Solves Archaeology Puzzle

Artificial intelligence has been used to solve one of archaeology's greatest puzzles, the Nazca Lines in Peru. The Nazca Lines are a series of massive geoglyphs created by the Nazca people between 200 BC and 650 AD, and their purpose has long been a mystery. By using AI to analyze the lines and identify patterns, researchers have been able to shed new light on the purpose of these enigmatic geoglyphs.

Unexpected Uses for AI

Artificial intelligence is being used in a variety of unexpected ways, from creating AI-generated series on TikTok to helping the alcohol industry tailor flavor profiles. Other examples include using AI to scan photos and tell owners how their cat is feeling, and creating AI-powered toothbrushes that track brushing habits and provide real-time feedback. Additionally, AI is being used to create chatbots that speak in Gen Z slang and to generate audiobooks and TV content based on books on a platform.

10 Jobs AI Will Replace

Artificial intelligence is expected to replace certain middle-class jobs by 2030, including data entry clerks, accountants, administrative assistants, customer service representatives, graphic designers, paralegals, and market research analysts. According to analyses from organizations like the World Economic Forum and McKinsey, these jobs are vulnerable to automation due to the use of AI-powered tools and technologies. However, while AI may replace some jobs, it is also expected to create new opportunities and improve efficiency in various industries.

AI Datacenter Vulnerability

A recent report has highlighted the vulnerability of AI datacenters to cyber threats, with every AI datacenter being potentially vulnerable to China. The report notes that if a real superintelligence is trained, it may not be containable in the long run. The vulnerability of AI datacenters is a significant concern, as they are critical infrastructure for many industries and organizations.

Axis Communications Research

Axis Communications has released a research report on the state of AI in video surveillance, which explores global industry perspectives on the use of artificial intelligence in the security industry. The report found that 62% of partners identify AI and generative AI as one of the most significant trends shaping the industry's future, and that AI adoption is more advanced in certain markets like the US, Japan, and Europe. The report also highlights the importance of trust, responsibility, and accountability in AI integration.

Sources

Artificial Intelligence Conversational AI Automation AI Security AI Adoption AI Trends