October 2, 2025

finance  
openai, google and meta Updates

The artificial intelligence sector continues its rapid expansion, with significant investments and strategic moves shaping its future. Startup Periodic Labs has emerged from stealth, securing $300 million in seed funding to develop "AI scientists" capable of conducting autonomous scientific experiments. Founded by former experts from OpenAI and DeepMind, the company aims to accelerate discoveries in physical sciences, starting with areas like superconductors and materials design for applications in space travel and nuclear fusion. This surge in AI development is driving massive infrastructure needs, with Brookfield estimating $7 trillion in global investment required to support AI growth. Major tech players are heavily involved; Meta has secured a $4.2 billion deal with CoreWeave for AI infrastructure powered by NVIDIA hardware, while also pursuing its own custom AI chip development to reduce reliance on Nvidia. Microsoft, Meta, and Apple are all increasing investments in data centers and computing power, with overall AI infrastructure spending projected to hit $2.8 trillion by 2029. In the stock market, Tesla is highlighted by analysts as a top AI stock buy, with potential for significant growth driven by its autonomous driving and robotics initiatives, including the Optimus robot. Meanwhile, GE Vernova's stock saw a downgrade amid the AI energy trade, as its service contract revenue growth is expected later in the decade, despite earlier gains from the AI data center boom.

Key Takeaways

  • Startup Periodic Labs has raised $300 million in seed funding to build "AI scientists" that can conduct autonomous scientific experiments.
  • Periodic Labs was founded by former experts from OpenAI and DeepMind and aims to accelerate discoveries in physical sciences.
  • Brookfield Asset Management estimates that approximately $7 trillion in investment is needed globally to support the expansion of AI.
  • Meta has secured a $4.2 billion deal with CoreWeave for AI cloud infrastructure, which utilizes NVIDIA hardware.
  • Meta is also developing its own custom AI chips to decrease its dependence on Nvidia.
  • Analysts predict AI infrastructure spending will reach $2.8 trillion by 2029, with Microsoft, Meta, and Apple increasing their investments.
  • Wedbush analyst Dan Ives believes Tesla is the most undervalued AI stock, citing opportunities in autonomous driving and robotics.
  • Tesla is developing an autonomous ride-hailing service and the Optimus humanoid robot.
  • GE Vernova's stock was downgraded by RBC analysts, with long-term earnings expectations for its service contracts seen as potentially too optimistic in the short term.
  • New investment firms like Maverick Silicon, Interlagos Capital, and Marathon Management Partners are emerging as significant players in AI funding rounds.

Startup Periodic Labs raises $300M for AI scientists

Periodic Labs, a new startup founded by former OpenAI and DeepMind experts, has raised $300 million in seed funding. The company aims to create AI systems that can conduct scientific experiments, test theories, and learn like human researchers. Their initial focus is on discovering superconductors, which could lead to faster computers and better power grids. Periodic Labs plans to build automated labs where robots perform experiments, generating new data to help AI models evolve.

Periodic Labs builds AI scientists with $300M funding

Periodic Labs has emerged from stealth, securing $300 million in seed funding led by Andreessen Horowitz. The startup is developing "AI scientists" and autonomous labs to speed up discoveries in physical sciences. Co-founders William Fedus and Ekin Dogus Cubuk have experience with projects like ChatGPT and GNoME. The company will focus on areas like higher-temperature superconductors and industrial applications, using AI to analyze experimental data and accelerate research cycles.

Startup Periodic Labs gets $300M to create AI scientist

Periodic Labs, a startup with about 20 employees, has raised $300 million in seed funding to build an "AI scientist." The company plans to merge artificial intelligence with real-world lab experiments to accelerate scientific discovery. Led by former OpenAI researcher Liam Fedus and ex-OpenAI scientist Ekin Dogus Cubuk, the team has experience from projects like ChatGPT and MatterGen. Periodic Labs will initially focus on physical sciences, aiming to automate materials design for breakthroughs in areas like space travel and nuclear fusion.

Brookfield estimates $7 trillion needed for AI growth

Brookfield Asset Management estimates that approximately $7 trillion in investment is required to support the rapid expansion of artificial intelligence globally. The firm is creating a dedicated strategy to develop AI infrastructure, combining its expertise in infrastructure, renewables, and real estate. This investment is seen as crucial for building the backbone of AI technology. Brookfield has previously committed significant funds to data center and AI infrastructure development in France and Sweden.

New investors join AI funding race

Several new investment firms are emerging as significant players in the AI and large funding rounds. Maverick Silicon, founded in 2024, focuses on semiconductor companies and recently co-led a $100 million seed round for AI networking firm Astera Labs. Interlagos Capital, founded by SpaceX alumni, has invested in space tech and robotics. Marathon Management Partners, launched in 2025, has led rounds for AI payroll and freight booking platforms. Intrepid Growth Partners, from former Shopify executives, is backing AI advertising and tax research platforms, while Vanara Capital, with TPG's Rise Fund as an anchor, has invested in enterprise AI efficacy technology.

CoreWeave lands $4.2B deal with Meta for AI infrastructure

CoreWeave has secured a $4.2 billion deal with Meta for cloud infrastructure, continuing its rapid funding growth. The company rents out data centers equipped with NVIDIA hardware and has previously made significant deals with OpenAI and Oracle. This agreement positions CoreWeave as a key provider of infrastructure for the expanding AI sector.

Tesla is the best AI stock buy now analyst says

Wedbush analyst Dan Ives believes Tesla is the most undervalued AI stock, estimating its market value could reach $3 trillion. He points to Tesla's opportunities in autonomous driving and robotics, despite recent challenges in the electric vehicle market. While Tesla's stock is expensive, Ives suggests it could be a bargain if the company successfully executes its AI-driven strategies. Tesla has launched an autonomous ride-hailing service and is developing the Optimus humanoid robot, which could significantly impact future revenue.

AI spending to hit $2.8 trillion by 2029 analysts say

Despite fears of an AI stock bubble, analysts predict continued growth in AI infrastructure spending, reaching $2.8 trillion by 2029. Major tech companies like Microsoft, Meta, and Apple are significantly increasing their investments in data centers and computing power. This surge is driven by the global race to build AI capabilities and achieve self-sufficiency. While some AI software stocks face challenges, the demand for AI infrastructure remains strong.

Meta's custom AI chip plans affect Nvidia stock

Nvidia's stock saw a dip after Meta announced its acquisition of AI chip startup Rivos. This move strengthens Meta's custom silicon program, aiming to reduce reliance on Nvidia hardware for its AI training and inference tasks. While Meta continues to invest in Nvidia-powered infrastructure, its development of custom chips signals a growing trend of tech giants seeking greater independence in AI hardware. This also impacts Nvidia's stock performance, which had recently reached a record valuation.

Analyst downgrades GE Vernova amid AI energy trade

GE Vernova's stock declined after RBC analysts downgraded their rating from 'outperform' to 'sector perform.' Analysts believe long-term earnings expectations for the power turbine maker may be too optimistic, particularly regarding revenue growth from service contracts. While GE Vernova was a strong performer earlier in the year due to the AI data center boom, the benefits from new service contracts are expected to materialize later in the decade. The company's stock remains up over 80% for 2025 despite the downgrade.

Sources

AI scientists startup funding scientific discovery autonomous labs superconductors AI infrastructure AI investment semiconductor companies AI networking space tech robotics AI payroll freight booking platforms AI advertising tax research platforms enterprise AI cloud infrastructure data centers NVIDIA hardware AI stock autonomous driving humanoid robot AI spending AI software AI chip custom silicon AI hardware AI energy trade power turbine maker service contracts AI data center boom