Waymo plans to issue a voluntary software recall over how its robotaxis operate around school buses following an NHTSA investigation opened in October (Kirsten Korosec/TechCrunch)

Seattle-based Yoodli, an AI-powered communication training startup, has successfully raised $40 million in a Series B funding round led by WestBridge Capital, bringing its valuation to over $300 million. This funding will be utilized to enhance Yoodli's AI-driven learning platform, which aims to assist users in improving their communication skills.

Aaru, a one-year-old startup specializing in market research on simulated populations, has successfully raised a Series A funding round at a valuation of $1 billion, according to sources. This multi-tier valuation round highlights the growing interest in AI-driven research methodologies.

Waymo has announced a voluntary software recall to address concerns regarding its robotaxis' behavior around school buses, following increased scrutiny from federal regulators and local school district officials. This decision comes after reports of the autonomous vehicles failing to adequately slow down or stop for school buses, raising safety and reliability issues.

Waymo announced plans for a voluntary software recall to address incidents where its autonomous vehicles failed to adequately slow down or stop for school buses, prompting concerns over safety and reliability. This decision follows a series of erratic behaviors exhibited by Waymo's self-driving cars, reminiscent of aggressive driving patterns seen in urban taxi drivers.

Forenza has developed Awear, a small device designed to be worn behind the ear that continuously monitors brainwaves. This innovative device connects to an app that provides insights into the wearer's mood and offers AI-driven coaching to help manage stress and enhance emotional resilience.

ChatGPT's user growth has significantly slowed, with only a 5% increase in global monthly active users from August to November, contrasting sharply with Gemini's impressive 30% growth during the same period. This trend raises concerns about ChatGPT's competitive position in the rapidly evolving AI landscape.

AWS has launched a series of new AI technologies during its re:Invent 2025 conference, showcasing advancements such as new AI models, partnerships, and autonomous coding capabilities. However, there are concerns that enterprise customers may not be fully prepared to adopt these innovations yet.

Max Hodak, co-founder of Neuralink, is embarking on a new venture that aims to redefine the boundaries of brain interaction, suggesting the possibility of integrating multiple hemispheres or devices into a single cognitive framework. This innovative approach could fundamentally alter how humans interact with technology and each other.