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Reddit Expands Horizons with Acquisition of AI Startup Memorable

Reddit Expands Horizons with Acquisition of AI Startup Memorable

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Reddit has announced its acquisition of Memorable, a company that helps improve ad creative. This move, revealed on Thursday, aims to strengthen Reddit’s advertising capabilities and make it more competitive with big players like Google, Meta, Amazon, and TikTok, all of which have recently upgraded their ad technologies.

Improving Ad Performance

Reddit Expands Horizons with Acquisition of AI Startup Memorable

Image Source: forbes.com

By acquiring Memorable, Reddit plans to boost the effectiveness of its ads across various formats, including display and video. The goal is to make Reddit’s ads more appealing and effective.

“Creative quality is crucial for how well ads perform,” said Roelof van Zwol, Reddit’s VP of Ads Engineering. “Memorable has made great strides in understanding and improving ad content with its smart analysis and recommendations.”

Memorable, backed by industry experts such as MediaLink CEO Michael Kassan and Brian O’Kelley, former CEO of AppNexus, raised $2.75 million in 2022. The company has worked with big brands like Unilever, Mars, Georgia Pacific, and ExxonMobil, many of whom are also Reddit advertisers.

What’s Next

Reddit will use Memorable’s technology to give advertisers detailed feedback on their ads, including text, images, and videos. This tool will analyze past campaigns to suggest improvements, helping advertisers get better results.

Memorable’s technology also helps lower costs associated with testing ads. Usually testing can eat up a lot of a campaign’s budget, but the company’s system offers valuable insights without extra spending.

Also Read: Taco Bell Expands AI Technology in Drive-Thrus by Year-End

This acquisition is part of Reddit’s broader strategy to improve its advertising services. It follows previous purchases of platforms for machine learning, textual analysis, and audience insights.

Van Zwol emphasized the importance of good ad creative, saying, “This acquisition helps us enhance our work in optimizing and generating ads, leading to better results for our advertisers.” Reddit’s goal is to give advertisers a stronger edge in their campaigns on the platform.

Taco Bell Expands AI Technology in Drive-Thrus by Year-End

Taco Bell Expands AI Technology in Drive-Thrus by Year-End

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By the end of the year, Taco Bell plans to transform the drive-thru experience at hundreds of its stores around the country by implementing artificial intelligence (AI) technology This announcement by Yum! Taco Bell’s parent company, Brands Inc., is planning to take a crucial step towards the direction of utilizing artificial intelligence in their business which is to enhance the overall customer experience and also increase their operational performance.

Using Artificial Intelligence More Often

Taco Bell Expands AI Technology in Drive-Thrus by Year-End

Image Source: cnbc.com

Voice AI is currently integrated in over 100 Taco Bell drive-thrus across 13 states. Yum! In the end, the brands hope to have this tech at each Taco Bell store. The spoken artificial intelligence system generates a simple and easy ordering procedure that increases customer satisfaction overall by utilizing their data, getting the correct analysis on that data, and output as well. 

Step to Enhance User Experience and Worker Productivity

Yum! Brands says that rather than laying off current employees, the utilization of artificial intelligence in drive-thrus will make the operations less cluttered and complex, it will improve order accuracy, and minimize wait times. Following almost two years of testing and development, they are now ready to implement this in real-time.  Yum! Brands’ Chief Innovation Officer, Lawrence Kim, reaffirmed the company’s belief in technology’s potential to improve operations and increase customer happiness.

Comparisons and Industry Trends

The trend toward AI is in line with other fast-food chains’ exploration of automation to address labour scarcities and improve operational efficiency. However, Taco Bell’s main rival, which is the McDonald’s, is no longer testing artificial intelligence drive-thrus because of multiple bad feedbacks from the customers, which shows the challenges that come with using such technology. In contrast, Taco Bell’s method is more systematic and broader, which is likely to avoid the same mistakes.

Worldwide Growth

The application of AI technology is not just for the US market. The Yum! Brands-owned KFC outlets in five Australian regions will implement the AI drive-thru technology. This action reflects Yum! Brands’ dedication to using AI throughout its international operations to improve operational effectiveness and service quality.

Also Read: Uber Expands EV Fleet with 100,000 BYD Electric Vehicles

Digitalisation

Delicious! The value of brand sales via digital platforms reached over 30 billion dollars last year, which is nearly the double number from the previous year. By the start of 2024, Online outlets had given their contribution to more than 50 percent of the sales. Taco Bell is integrating artificial intelligence into its drive-thrus as part of a larger plan for digitalisation which is an attempt to maintain its position as the quickest drive-thru amongst other well-recognized fast-food chains, it is not we say it is a claim made by QSR Magazine for three years running

 

In conclusion, Taco Bell’s adoption of AI for its drive-thru operations promises greater customer experiences, more efficiency, and a sustained emphasis on innovation, making it a significant achievement in the fast-food business.

 
Uber Expands EV Fleet with 100,000 BYD Electric Vehicles

Uber Expands EV Fleet with 100,000 BYD Electric Vehicles

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Uber and BYD have entered into a major partnership. This multi-year partnership will see 100,000 BYD EVs added to the Uber platform. This move will start in Europe and Latin America before expanding to the Middle East, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand.

Uber Expands EV Fleet with 100,000 BYD Electric Vehicles

Image Source: qz.com

Both Uber and BYD are leading companies in their respective fields. Uber is the largest mobility and delivery platform and BYD is a leader in EV production. The goal of the deal is to reduce the costs associated with owning an electric vehicle and make it easier for Uber drivers to switch to electric vehicles. Apart from financial benefits to the drivers, this deal also aims to introduce millions of passengers to greener travel options.

Overcoming Problems with EV Adoption

Although Uber drivers are adopting EVs at a pace five times faster than private car owners, the high price of these vehicles and limited financing options are still major hurdles. BYD’s vehicles are known for their affordability, low maintenance costs, and top-notch battery. This partnership will provide discounts on charging, maintenance, and insurance, and offer several financing and leasing options to the drivers. 

The deal aims to make electric vehicles more affordable and accessible for Uber drivers and to promote the broader use of EVs. Both Uber and BYD are leaders in their industries. Uber operates the largest on-demand EV network in the world, while BYD is a major player in EV manufacturing.
By teaming up both companies are looking to cut the costs of owning an electric vehicle. This deal is not only designed to save drivers money but also to give millions of passengers a chance to experience more environmentally friendly travel.

Chuanfu Wang who is the Chairman and President of BYD shared his excitement about the deal saying “Uber and BYD are both committed to driving innovation towards a cleaner, greener future. I’m thrilled about what we can achieve together.”

Also Read: Flo Health Raises Over $200M, Achieves Unicorn Status in Femtech

Uber CEO Dara Khosrowshahi highlighted the environmental impact stating “When an Uber driver switches to an EV, they can cut emissions by up to four times compared to a regular car. Many riders experience EVs for the first time through Uber, and we’re eager to show more people the benefits of electric vehicles.”

Stella Li who is the Executive Vice President of BYD and CEO of BYD Americas, stated, “We’re thrilled to partner with a global leader like Uber to speed up the shift to electric vehicles and make sustainable transportation accessible and affordable for all.”

This partnership marks a significant step forward in the drive towards greener, more sustainable transportation options.

Flo Health Raises Over $200M, Achieves Unicorn Status in Femtech

Flo Health Raises Over $200M, Achieves Unicorn Status in Femtech

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During a Series C funding round led by General Atlantic, the innovative female wellness app Flo Health secured approximately 275 million dollars in total funds. Flo’s worth climbs past a million dollars with this substantial investment, which makes it the first wholly digital unicorn application for the health of women.

All-inclusive Medical Assistance for Females

Flo Health Raises Over $200M, Achieves Unicorn Status in Femtech

Image Source: uktech.news

Flo Health is a comprehensive platform that assists women at every stage of life, including menstruation, conception, pregnancy, and menopause. With more than 120 medical experts on staff, the app provides accurate tracking of the period and ovulation.

Customized Health Information

Flo Health offers daily visual content, expert advice, and personalized health insights to its clients. Additionally, it creates an online network that provides assistance for its users by providing a closed digital forum for talks about wellness and health-related topics.

Collaborating for increased Health

“Flo for Partners,” a new function that was introduced by Flo in 2023, provides users’ partners with scientific information regarding menstruation and reproductive health. This training improves understanding and support for relationships.

Outstanding Development and Involvement

With its founding more than eight years ago, Flo Health has grown significantly. By the end of June 2024, the app’s performance was so good , over 70 million active monthly people were using this app and there were 5 million premium consumers. Flo’s people made an estimation of total income for 2024, which was to surpass 200 million dollars and show a 50 per cent rise over the previous year, reflects this development pattern.

Also Read: Xiaomi Expands EV Production with $116 Million Site Acquisition in Beijing

A Watershed Moment for Femtech

"Reaching unicorn status is a significant milestone for Flo and the entire femtech industry," says Dmitry Gurski, co-founder and CEO." "When we founded Flo, we saw a large gap in the provision of women's health services. We now spearhead an international effort to put women's health first everywhere."

tech.eu

Investing Wisely for Future Development

The goal of Flo Health, which is to improve health literacy globally and normalize conversations about women's health, will be accelerated by the investment from General Atlantic. This investment from General Atlantic will help propel Flo Health’s growth as we continue normalising conversations about women's health, improving health literacy, and raising awareness of women's health issues worldwide, especially in underserved regions.” Gurski stated.

tech.eu

Dedication to Transforming Women's Health

The Chief Medical Officer of Flo Health, Anna Klepchukova, highlighted how the app is changing women's health: "With women spending 25 per cent more of their lives in poor health compared to men, we're committed to changing this unacceptable status quo."

tech.eu

Strategies for Expansion

With this fresh capital, Flo hopes to expand into new market sectors including menopause and perimenopause, enhance its tech-driven healthcare information, and look at strategic expansion opportunities. The company will also benefit from General Atlantic’s expertise in the expanding consumer tech and medical industries.

Also Read: Xiaomi Expands EV Production with $116 Million Site Acquisition in Beijing

New Board Members

As an element of the investment structure, Jessie Cai along with Tanzeen Syed who is the Managing Director at General Atlantic, will be joining Flo Health’s Board of Directors. Their immense expertise will assist Flo’s ambitious expansion goals.

 
Google-Parent Alphabet’s Partnership with AI Firm Anthropic Under Investigation in the UK

Google-Parent Alphabet’s Partnership with AI Firm Anthropic Under Investigation in the UK

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Britain’s Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) is scrutinising Google-parent Alphabet’s partnership with artificial intelligence (AI) startup Anthropic to assess its impact on competition, the regulator announced on Tuesday. This investigation highlights growing global concerns among antitrust regulators about the increasing influence of major tech companies in the burgeoning AI sector.

Google-Parent Alphabet’s Partnership with AI Firm Anthropic Under Investigation in the UK

Image Source: cnbc.com

The partnership between Alphabet and Anthropic comes under the spotlight more than 18 months after Microsoft-backed OpenAI triggered an AI boom with the release of ChatGPT. The CMA’s probe aligns with similar inquiries into other significant deals between tech giants and smaller AI firms. Notable partnerships under review include Microsoft’s collaborations with OpenAI, Inflection AI, and Mistral AI, alongside Alphabet’s connections to companies like Anthropic and Cohere.

Global Coordination on AI Competition

The examination of Alphabet’s partnership with Anthropic is part of a broader initiative to ensure fair competition in the AI industry. Last week, the CMA, along with antitrust regulators from the United States and the European Union, issued a joint statement pledging to work together to maintain competitive markets in AI.

Anthropic, co-founded by former OpenAI executives Dario and Daniela Amodei, has been a significant player in the AI landscape with its Claude AI models competing against OpenAI’s GPT series. Last year, Anthropic announced securing $500 million from Alphabet, with a promise of an additional $1.5 billion in the future. The startup also utilizes Google Cloud services as part of its operations.

The CMA is currently seeking public and industry feedback on whether the Alphabet-Anthropic partnership could potentially lessen competition in the UK market. Interested parties have until August 13 to submit their comments. Based on this input, the CMA will decide whether to launch a formal investigation into the partnership.

Responses from Alphabet and Anthropic

In response to the CMA’s inquiry, a spokesperson for Anthropic expressed the company’s willingness to cooperate fully, emphasizing their independence. “We are an independent company and none of our strategic partnerships or investor relationships diminish the independence of our corporate governance or our freedom to partner with others,” the spokesperson stated.

Also Read: PayPal Raises 2024 Profit Forecast Again Amid Strong Spending and Improved Margins

Similarly, Google reiterated its commitment to fostering an open and innovative AI ecosystem. “Anthropic is free to use multiple cloud providers and does, and we don’t demand exclusive tech rights,” a Google spokesperson said.

As antitrust regulators continue to scrutinize the alliances between major tech firms and AI startups, the outcome of the CMA’s investigation into Alphabet and Anthropic will be closely watched. The decision could set a precedent for how similar partnerships are regulated in the future, potentially reshaping the competitive dynamics of the AI industry.

PayPal Raises 2024 Profit Forecast Again Amid Strong Spending and Improved Margins

PayPal Raises 2024 Profit Forecast Again Amid Strong Spending and Improved Margins

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The strong performance of PayPal’s branded checkout division has led to an increase in the company’s full-year adjusted profit projection once again, which has caused a 9% spike in the company’s shares during morning trade.

Market Position and the Competitive Environment

PayPal continues to have a significant market presence in spite of competition from large IT companies like Apple and Google. Alex Chriss, our CEO, pointed out, "In the desktop/web segment, which represents 40% to 50% of all checkouts, our market share has remained steady over the past four years."

finance.yahoo.com

Trends in Consumer Spending

Even in the face of growing credit card and utility bills, American consumers have demonstrated tenacity in their spending habits. PayPal expects this tendency to continue into the holiday and back-to-school purchasing seasons.

Improved Budgetary Estimates

PayPal Raises 2024 Profit Forecast Again Amid Strong Spending and Improved Margins

Image Source: manilatimes.net

After initially predicting “mid-to-high single digits” adjusted profit growth for 2024, the company now anticipates adjusted profit development in the “low to mid-teens percentage” range. Adjusted income per share for the quarter ended June 30 climbed from 87 cents to $1.19 from the same period last year. Analysts at Jefferies stated that the gross profit beat’s magnitude was very encouraging.

Growth in Revenue and Payment Volumes

In the second quarter, revenue increased 9% to $7.89 billion on a foreign exchange-neutral basis, despite an 11% increase in total payment volumes to $416.81 billion. This suggests that PayPal’s turnaround efforts have made substantial progress.

A Strategic Emphasis on Profitable Expansion

In the second quarter, PayPal’s branded checkout volumes rose by about 6%, including major contributions from Venmo and Braintree. CFO Jamie Miller emphasized the company’s emphasis on profitable, high-quality growth, projecting a slower increase in volume and revenue in the second half of the year. According to her, it is progressive and good. 

Extension of Margin

Surpassing forecasts, transaction margin dollars increased by 8% to $3.61 billion. The company's adjusted operating margins increased by 231 basis points to 18.5% as a result of cost cuts and restructuring initiatives. According to Chriss, "We have returned the company to transaction margin growth, increased consumer user growth, and significantly improved the profitability of Braintree and Venmo."

finance.yahoo.com

Also Read: Xiaomi Expands EV Production with $116 Million Site Acquisition in Beijing

Prospects

PayPal is well-positioned to sustain its performance due to its elevated profit projection and ability to withstand market pressures. In the upcoming quarters, investors will be keenly observing the company’s performance.