September 10, 2025

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OpenAI Sam Altman, Mistral AI $13.8B Valuation

The artificial intelligence landscape is seeing rapid developments across various sectors. In drug discovery, Eli Lilly has launched Lilly TuneLab, an AI platform offering biotech companies access to its advanced drug discovery models, trained on over $1 billion in research data. This initiative uses federated learning to protect proprietary data while allowing partners to contribute their own data to improve the models. Meanwhile, CoreWeave, an AI cloud provider, has established CoreWeave Ventures to invest in AI technology and computing infrastructure, offering capital and technical expertise to accelerate innovation. On the language front, OpenAI CEO Sam Altman observes that AI's influence is making online interactions feel increasingly artificial, with people adopting 'LLM-speak.' Competitors are also emerging, with French company Mistral AI reaching a valuation of $13.8 billion and developing its chatbot, Le Chat, and various AI models. In cybersecurity, new malware campaigns like MostereRAT and ClickFix demonstrate evolving threats that leverage AI and social engineering tactics. The retail sector is also transforming, with AI technologies like computer vision enhancing efficiency and enabling 'business-to-agent' commerce. Government services are also adopting AI, as seen with California's use of an AI virtual assistant to help manage taxpayer inquiries. However, concerns about AI's impact on employment persist, highlighted by a former Commonwealth Bank employee's claim of job loss due to AI adoption, a connection the bank denies. The film industry is also exploring AI's societal impact, with the upcoming 'Tron: Ares' trailer delving into the consequences of AI breaking out.

Key Takeaways

  • Eli Lilly launched Lilly TuneLab, an AI platform providing biotech companies access to drug discovery models trained on over $1 billion in research investment, utilizing federated learning for data privacy.
  • CoreWeave has launched CoreWeave Ventures to invest in AI technologies and computing infrastructure, offering capital and technical expertise to innovators.
  • OpenAI CEO Sam Altman notes that AI language patterns are making online interactions feel artificial, attributing this to 'LLM-speak' and social media optimization.
  • Mistral AI, a French competitor to OpenAI, has reached a valuation of approximately $13.8 billion and offers AI models like Mistral Large and its chatbot, Le Chat.
  • New malware campaigns, including MostereRAT and ClickFix, highlight rising cybersecurity risks involving AI and advanced phishing tactics.
  • The retail industry is transforming with AI, using computer vision for real-time awareness and moving towards 'business-to-agent' commerce.
  • California is using an AI virtual assistant to manage taxpayer inquiries and improve efficiency in its Department of Tax and Fee Administration.
  • A former Commonwealth Bank employee claims job loss due to AI adoption, underscoring concerns about AI's impact on employment in the finance sector, though the bank denies the connection.
  • The upcoming film 'Tron: Ares' trailer explores the societal impact and potential consequences of artificial intelligence.
  • Vanderbilt Law School is set to host an AI Governance Symposium on October 21, 2025, focusing on AI accountability, transparency, and governance frameworks.

Lilly offers free AI drug discovery tools to small biotechs

Eli Lilly is providing access to its advanced AI drug discovery models through a new platform called Lilly TuneLab. This initiative aims to help smaller biotech companies accelerate their research by using Lilly's extensive data, gathered over two decades and costing over a billion dollars. In return for using these powerful AI tools, the biotech partners will contribute their own data to help improve Lilly's models. The platform uses a privacy-preserving method called federated learning, ensuring that proprietary data remains secure for all parties involved. This program expands Lilly's existing Catalyze360 external development efforts, offering a significant boost to early-stage drug development.

Lilly's TuneLab platform gives biotechs AI drug discovery access

Eli Lilly and Company has launched Lilly TuneLab, an AI and machine learning platform offering biotech companies access to drug discovery models trained on Lilly's vast research data. This platform provides access to AI capabilities developed with over $1 billion in research investment. In exchange for using the platform, selected biotech partners contribute training data to continuously improve the AI models. Lilly TuneLab uses federated learning, a privacy-preserving technique, allowing biotechs to utilize Lilly's AI without sharing sensitive data. This new offering is part of Lilly Catalyze360, which supports early-stage drug development.

Eli Lilly launches AI platform for faster drug discovery

Drugmaker Eli Lilly has introduced Lilly TuneLab, an artificial intelligence and machine learning platform that gives biotech companies access to its advanced drug discovery models. These models are trained on years of Lilly's research data, representing an investment of over $1 billion. The platform aims to equalize access to AI capabilities for smaller companies, enabling them to accelerate the development of new medicines. In return for access, partner companies contribute training data to enhance the AI platform. Companies like Circle Pharma and Insitro are already partnering with Lilly on TuneLab.

Eli Lilly offers biotechs its new AI platform for drug development

Eli Lilly is making its drug discovery AI models available to early-stage biotech companies through a new platform called Lilly TuneLab. This platform allows selected companies to use models trained on Lilly's extensive research data. In return, these partners will contribute training data to help improve the AI models for everyone in the ecosystem. Lilly TuneLab uses a privacy-focused method called federated learning, so neither Lilly nor its partners need to share their proprietary data directly. This initiative is part of Lilly's Catalyze360 program, designed to support biotech partners.

Lilly launches AI platform to speed up drug discovery

Eli Lilly has launched an artificial intelligence and machine learning platform named TuneLab, providing biotech companies access to drug discovery models trained on its extensive research data. This initiative aims to accelerate drug discovery and safety testing, aligning with efforts to reduce animal testing. The TuneLab platform utilizes AI models built with proprietary data valued at over $1 billion. In exchange for access, partner companies contribute training data to enhance the platform's capabilities. Circle Pharma and Insitro are among the initial partners utilizing TuneLab for developing cancer therapies and new AI models.

CoreWeave launches investment division for AI technology

CoreWeave, an AI cloud provider, has launched CoreWeave Ventures, a new investment division focused on supporting companies and founders developing AI technologies and computing infrastructure. This initiative aims to provide capital, technical expertise, and access to CoreWeave's AI-optimized cloud platform. CoreWeave Ventures will help innovators bring new ideas to market faster by offering various investment models and testing environments. The program also provides strategic insights based on CoreWeave's extensive relationships within the AI industry. Moonvalley, a tech company, is among the early partners benefiting from this support.

CoreWeave Ventures to fund next-gen AI development

CoreWeave, known as an AI Hyperscaler, has established CoreWeave Ventures to invest in companies and founders shaping the future of AI and computing. This new initiative will offer capital, technical expertise, and access to CoreWeave's specialized cloud platform for AI workloads. The goal is to accelerate innovation by supporting the development of new AI technologies and applications. CoreWeave Ventures will provide various investment options, including capital and compute-for-equity deals, alongside strategic guidance. Companies like Moonvalley are already partnering with CoreWeave Ventures to advance their technological development.

Sam Altman: AI language is making online interactions feel fake

OpenAI CEO Sam Altman believes people are starting to adopt AI-like language patterns, making online interactions feel artificial. He observed this trend on a Reddit thread discussing his company's Codex tool, noting that many posts felt 'fake/bots.' Altman suggested several reasons for this shift, including people picking up 'LLM-speak,' the influence of online communities, and engagement optimization on social platforms. Researchers have also noted that AI tools like ChatGPT can influence vocabulary and writing styles. This phenomenon is leading to online discussions feeling less authentic than in the past.

Sam Altman notes AI's influence on human language

OpenAI CEO Sam Altman has observed that people are beginning to use language similar to artificial intelligence, making online interactions feel inauthentic. He noted this trend on social media platforms like X, where discussions about OpenAI's Codex tool seemed artificial. Altman suggested that people are adopting AI's linguistic quirks, and that online communities and social media engagement strategies might be contributing to this effect. This observation aligns with research indicating that AI language models can influence human vocabulary and communication styles, leading to a perceived decrease in authenticity online.

'Tron: Ares' trailer explores AI's impact on society

The trailer for 'Tron: Ares,' the upcoming sequel to the 1982 film, delves into the world of technology and artificial intelligence. The movie explores the potential consequences of AI breaking out and its influence on society. The trailer offers a glimpse into the film's narrative, which appears to examine the evolving relationship between humans and advanced technology in a future where AI plays a significant role.

New malware campaigns show rising AI and phishing risks

Cybersecurity researchers have identified new malware campaigns, including MostereRAT and ClickFix, highlighting increasing risks from AI and phishing. MostereRAT is a banking malware that uses advanced evasion techniques to gain system control and steal data, employing a programming language called EPL and disabling security tools. The ClickFix campaign uses deceptive tactics, mimicking tools like AnyDesk, to trick users into downloading malware. Additionally, a novel adaptation of ClickFix uses invisible prompts and 'prompt overdose' to manipulate AI summarizers, potentially delivering malicious instructions for ransomware deployment. These campaigns demonstrate evolving threats that leverage AI and social engineering.

Mistral AI: A look at the French AI competitor

Mistral AI is a French company gaining recognition as a competitor to OpenAI, developing AI models and the chatbot Le Chat. The company recently secured significant funding, reaching a valuation of approximately $13.8 billion, with a strategic partnership with ASML. Mistral AI aims to make advanced AI accessible, offering a mix of open-source and proprietary models like Mistral Large, Mistral Small, and Codestral. Its chatbot, Le Chat, has achieved widespread popularity in France. Founded by former researchers from Google and Meta, Mistral AI is positioning itself as an independent and innovative player in the AI landscape.

Vanderbilt Law to host AI Governance Symposium

Vanderbilt Law School will host its first AI Governance Symposium on October 21, 2025. The event, organized by the Vanderbilt AI Law Lab, will gather experts from industry, academia, and government. Discussions will focus on critical issues such as AI accountability, transparency, and governance frameworks. Panels will cover AI policy developments, environmental impacts, and AI education. The symposium aims to provide essential insights for professionals working at the intersection of AI and society, concluding with a networking reception.

California uses AI assistant to help collect taxes

The California Department of Tax and Fee Administration has implemented a new AI virtual assistant to help manage taxpayer inquiries. This AI tool is designed to answer tax questions, aiming to reduce the workload on human agents, especially during peak tax seasons. The assistant has reportedly decreased call times and improved efficiency for agents like Brandon Taylor. This initiative is part of Governor Gavin Newsom's broader effort to integrate generative AI technologies into state government services. While the state is exploring AI's benefits, concerns about its impact on the workforce and the need for strong labor safeguards are also being addressed.

AI is transforming retail, forcing companies to adapt

Artificial intelligence is rapidly changing the global retail industry, pushing companies to adapt to new consumer demands for immediacy. AI technologies, such as computer vision, are being deployed directly on the sales floor to provide real-time situational awareness, identifying issues like empty shelves and assigning tasks to staff instantly. The industry is moving towards 'business-to-agent' commerce, where AI agents can detect problems, prioritize actions, and deliver outcomes with minimal human intervention. While AI enhances efficiency, it also allows human employees to focus more on customer service and building loyalty, ultimately making the retail experience more human.

AI chatbot leads to job loss at Commonwealth Bank

Dhanushi Jayatileka, a former employee of Commonwealth Bank (CBA), claims she lost her job due to the bank's increasing use of AI, a connection the bank denies. Jayatileka stated that her team had been reducing staff since 2024, relying on AI to cover the work of former colleagues. Experts suggest a growing trend of white-collar job cuts in Australia's finance and banking sectors linked to AI adoption, though companies often do not officially confirm this connection. While CBA states Jayatileka's redundancy was unrelated to AI, the incident highlights concerns about AI's impact on employment in the financial services industry.

Sources

AI drug discovery Eli Lilly Lilly TuneLab biotech federated learning drug development AI platform machine learning AI models research data AI capabilities early-stage drug development Circle Pharma Insitro cancer therapies CoreWeave AI cloud provider CoreWeave Ventures AI technologies computing infrastructure AI workloads Moonvalley OpenAI Sam Altman LLM-speak AI language human language online interactions authenticity Tron: Ares AI impact on society cybersecurity malware campaigns phishing MostereRAT ClickFix AI summarizers ransomware Mistral AI French AI competitor Le Chat AI accessibility open-source AI proprietary AI models ASML AI Governance Symposium Vanderbilt Law AI accountability AI transparency AI governance frameworks AI policy AI education AI virtual assistant California Department of Tax and Fee Administration taxpayer inquiries generative AI state government services AI in retail computer vision business-to-agent commerce AI and employment Commonwealth Bank job loss finance industry