Meta is reportedly in discussions to acquire Play AI, a voice cloning startup, to expand its consumer-facing AI capabilities. The acquisition aims to integrate Play AI's technology and talent into Meta, potentially adding audio features to Meta's creative tools. Play AI allows users to clone voices for AI applications like customer service and has raised $23.5 million from investors. This move follows Meta's recent efforts to bolster its AI features, including chatbots and video editing capabilities.

Redwood Materials, led by co-founder JB Straubel, is launching Redwood Energy, a new business focused on energy storage using repurposed EV batteries. Their first project involves powering a 2,000 GPU modular data center for AI infrastructure company Crusoe with a microgrid comprised of 805 retired EV batteries in Nevada.

The system generates 12 MW of power with 63 MWh of capacity, utilizing energy from an adjacent solar array. Redwood aims to deploy 20 gigawatt-hours of grid-scale storage by 2028, becoming a major player in repurposing used EV battery packs.

Redwood recovers over 70% of used battery packs in North America, processing over 20 GWh annually. The company sees this as a revenue-generating opportunity, with potential for faster growth than its core recycling business. Redwood's expansion includes deals with Toyota, Panasonic, and GM, and new facilities in South Carolina and Europe.

Redwood Energy's model addresses the challenge of grid-scale energy storage, offering an economically viable and carbon-free solution. The repurposing market allows Redwood to capitalize on batteries before they are fully retired, ensuring a continuous revenue stream.

Henrik Werdelin's new venture, Audos, aims to leverage AI to scale startup creation, targeting 'everyday entrepreneurs' without technical skills.

Audos provides AI tools and social media strategies to help users build sophisticated products and find niche customers, operating on a 15% revenue share model instead of taking equity.

Since its beta launch, Audos has launched hundreds of businesses, focusing on 'donkeycorns' - one- or two-person teams creating million-dollar businesses.

Audos secured $11.5 million in seed funding led by True Ventures, with investors highlighting the potential for AI to enable more leverage in entrepreneurship.

The company's mission is to empower smaller entrepreneurs and foster a world with more entrepreneurship, offering funding, AI tools, and distribution support.

Cluely, a startup focused on AI-driven 'cheating' tools, secured a $15 million Series A funding from Andreessen Horowitz (a16z). The investment sparked debate due to Cluely's controversial marketing tactics, which some have labeled as 'rage-bait.' However, a16z partner Bryan Kim believes that in the age of AI, rapid marketing and product development are crucial for success. Kim argues that traditional 'artisan' product development is too slow and vulnerable to being overtaken by larger AI models. Cluely's founder, Roy Lee, attributes the startup's buzz to understanding how to create viral content by leveraging controversy, which he says generates more views than many other startups, despite Cluely still developing its core product. A16z sees Cluely's approach as a model for AI startups, where building 'momentum' is key to long-term success.

Google has launched Offerwall in Google Ad Manager, a new tool designed to help publishers generate revenue beyond traditional ad models, as AI-driven search features impact website traffic. Offerwall allows publishers to offer readers various ways to access content, including micro payments, surveys, and watching ads. Publishers can also add custom options, such as newsletter sign-ups.

The feature is available for free in Google Ad Manager. Google uses AI to optimize Offerwall display, but publishers can set their own thresholds. While similar solutions like micro payments have struggled in the past, Google is partnering with Supertab to enable small payments for content access. Initial tests show positive results, with one case study reporting a 20% revenue boost and increased impressions.

Offerwall also allows customization, including logos and introductory text. One default option allows visitors to watch a short ad for content access. Publishers can track Offerwall metrics in Google Ads Manager reports, including revenue, messages, engagement, and page views.

Meta has hired Trapit Bansal, a prominent OpenAI researcher, to enhance its AI reasoning models within the company's new AI superintelligence unit. Bansal, a key contributor to OpenAI's first AI reasoning model, o1, brings valuable expertise to Meta's efforts to develop competitive AI technology.

Meta's AI superintelligence lab, which includes leaders like former Scale AI CEO Alexandr Wang, aims to create frontier AI reasoning models to compete with industry leaders such as OpenAI's o3 and DeepSeek's R1. Mark Zuckerberg has been actively recruiting top AI talent, with three other former OpenAI researchers recently joining Meta's AI team.

Meta's push into AI includes building AI agents for business, requiring advanced AI reasoning models. With the addition of Bansal and other AI researchers, Meta seeks to gain an edge in the AI race, despite OpenAI's plans to release an open AI reasoning model.

U.S. and French authorities have apprehended five individuals linked to major cyberattacks and the notorious BreachForums.

Kai West, a British national known as IntelBroker, faces indictment in the U.S. for allegedly causing over $25 million in damages through hacking schemes targeting various organizations, including a healthcare provider where sensitive patient data was compromised.

French police have also arrested four individuals suspected of administering BreachForums and being part of the ShinyHunters group.

BreachForums, a prominent hacking forum, was previously shut down by international law enforcement in 2023 and 2024 after its original administrator's arrest.

West faces charges including conspiracy to commit computer intrusions and wire fraud.