Technology 3/10: OpenAI hits $500 billion mark - AI startup dominates the world

OpenAI reaches $500 billion valuation, becoming the world's most valuable startup

OpenAI just reached a $500 billion valuation after current and former employees sold $6.6 billion worth of shares to major investors including SoftBank, Thrive Capital and MGX from the UAE. The company is expanding aggressively with the Stargate data center project in Texas, in partnership with Oracle and Nvidia.

Despite not yet turning a profit, OpenAI has attracted investment due to the potential of generative AI. They also recently launched the social networking app Sora and integrated shopping into ChatGPT, showing their ambitions to expand into commerce and entertainment.

OpenAI CEO Sam Atman, the man who built the success of one of the most valuable startups in the world. (Source: OpenAI)

Meta will use AI chat to personalize ads

Meta has announced that it will use AI assistant chat content on platforms like Facebook, Instagram, WhatsApp, and Messenger to show relevant ads. Both text and interactive audio will be used to personalize content. Users cannot opt out unless they stop using Meta AI. The feature will roll out in the US from December 16 and is expected to come to Europe after an update to GDPR regulations.

Meta pledges not to use conversations related to religion, politics , health, gender, racial origin, or philosophical views to personalize ads. This policy also does not apply in the EU, UK, and South Korea due to strict data privacy regulations.

Taiwan invests NT$500 million to develop AI model

Taiwan’s Ministry of Economic Affairs (China) will spend NT$500 million (about US$16.4 million) to build 20 shared AI models in eight key sectors such as chemicals, semiconductors and medicine. The “AI Application Accelerator” program will support up to NT$30 million per project, helping businesses reduce development and operating costs by about 10%.

The models will be developed by the research institute, helping businesses apply them quickly without having to build them from scratch. This is a strategic move to promote smart manufacturing and green transformation in the context of tax pressure and labor shortage.