Seattle-based Yoodli, which sells AI-powered communication training software, raised a $40M Series B led by WestBridge Capital, valuing the startup at $300M+ (Jagmeet Singh/TechCrunch)

Yoodli, an AI learning startup founded by a former Google employee, has successfully tripled its valuation to over $300 million, reflecting strong investor confidence and market demand for AI-driven educational tools. The company counts major tech firms like Google, Snowflake, and Databricks among its clientele.

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 plans to voluntarily issue a software recall concerning the operation of its robotaxis around school buses, following an investigation by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) that began in October. This decision comes in response to reports of the vehicles failing to adequately slow down or stop for school buses, raising safety concerns.

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.

Amazon Web Services (AWS) is currently hosting its major tech conference, re:Invent 2025, where it is unveiling significant advancements in AI services and computing technologies, including new AI models and partnerships with key players in the industry.