Twitter working on its own LLM, UMG tells streaming platforms to block AI scrapers

Insider sources: Twitter has purchased ~10K GPUs and is working on its own LLM - Link

FT sources: UMG, which controls ~1/3 of the global music market, told streaming platforms like Apple and Spotify to block AI from scraping beats and lyrics from its copyrighted content - Link

PitchBook Data: Global VC crypto funding dropped ~80% y/y in Q1, from an ATH of ~$12.3B in Q1 2022 to ~$2.4B last quarter - Link

Fivecast, an Australia-based startup that helps businesses and governments identify threats like terrorism and human trafficking, raised a ~$20M Series A led by Ten Eleven - Link

QuickNode gives blockchain developers unparalleled reliability and speed, with access to unlimited endpoints across 18 chains and 35 networks. Get one month free by using code TWIST at go.quicknode.com/twist.

Jason breaks down an AI experiment conducted by Google and Stanford researchers, where they created a Sims-like video game environment with characters driven by AI (2:27). Then, he discusses Bloomberg announcing its own financially-focused LLM and what it means for analysts (21:58) before wrapping with two quick hits about SF’s dire CRE situation and the collapse of an instant delivery startup (37:51). - Link

Sei, an L1 blockchain startup focused on building better infrastructure for crypto trading exchanges, raised $30M at an $800M valuation from Jump Crypto, Multicoin Capital, and others - Link

Infogrid, a startup that uses AI to gather and analyze building data like air quality, occupancy, and energy consumption, raised a $90M Series B led by Northzone - Link

PitchBook Data: Miami VC deal volume grew 278% to $5.4B from 2020 to 2022; Silicon Valley VC deal volume grew 19% to $74.9B during the same period - Link

Video game illustrators in China are losing work due to generative AI; one worker claims she is making 10% of her original rate to tweak AI-generated art - Link

This Week in Startups

E1718: Stanford & Google’s Westworld-like AI experiment, BloombergGPT, SF CRE collapse

E1717: Praying For Exits on the state of VC, ZIRP fraudsters, revolutionary product launches & more

E1716: YC demo day valuation tensions, how VCs can find gems, Substack's performance & more

E1715: Satya Patel on the state of VC, flexible investing frameworks & converting to evergreen

E1714: Startup pitch competition: Jason invests $25K

Embroker - Get an extra 10% off with code TWIST

Notion - Sign up for FREE

LinkedIn Marketing - Get a $100 ad credit