Paul Pope, renowned for his comics like "Batman: Year 100" and "Battling Boy," is experiencing a career resurgence with a gallery show, an expanded art book, and the upcoming release of his sci-fi epic "THB."

Pope acknowledges the challenges of creating graphic novels, describing the process as lengthy and often frustrating due to the lack of public visibility during production. He views his current activities as strategic moves to reintroduce and rebrand himself in the comics world.

Despite his preference for traditional analog techniques using brushes and ink, Pope isn't averse to using AI for research and acknowledges its potential as a tool. However, he expresses concerns about AI's implications, particularly regarding copyright and the potential displacement of artists. He worries more about the development of killer robots and surveillance technologies than AI plagiarism.

Pope discusses his career arc, his analog working style, and his views on the increasing digitalization of comics. He emphasizes the importance of preserving the human element in art and creativity, which he believes machines cannot replicate. He is also working on "Battling Boy 2", which will be released after "THB".

Keith O'Brien, the confessed spy in the Rippling vs. Deel lawsuit, has been granted a restraining order against unidentified men allegedly following and watching him. O'Brien claims these incidents have caused significant emotional distress to him and his family, fearing for their safety.

O'Brien's involvement stems from his admission of spying for Deel, for which he was allegedly paid to steal Rippling's data. Rippling caught him in a honeypot scheme, leading to his current role as a key witness in their lawsuit against Deel.

Deel has denied any connection to the alleged harassment and has countersued Rippling, claiming they were also spied on. The judge presiding over O'Brien's injunction likened the situation to a "1970s cops and robbers" scenario, highlighting the escalating tensions between the rival HR tech companies.

Thinking Machines Lab, founded by ex-OpenAI CTO Mira Murati, has secured a $2 billion seed round, valuing the six-month-old startup at $10 billion.

The round was reportedly led by Andreessen Horowitz with participation from Sarah Guo’s Conviction Partners.

Murati, who left OpenAI in September after leading development on ChatGPT and DALL-E, is joined by former OpenAI colleagues, including co-founder John Schulman.

The company's specific focus remains undisclosed, but it has attracted significant investment due to Murati's reputation and the involvement of high-profile AI researchers.

Murati was also briefly the interim CEO of OpenAI after Sam Altman's ouster in November 2023.

This week's transportation news highlights significant developments in autonomous vehicles, micromobility, and future flight. Waymo is expanding its robotaxi service in California and eyeing New York City, while Applied Intuition's valuation soared to $15 billion after a $600 million Series F round. The micromobility sector is experiencing a resurgence, with companies focusing on profitability and integration into public transportation. Honda launched an electric last-mile delivery vehicle, and VanMoof returned with a new e-bike. In future flight, the FAA is collaborating on an advanced air mobility roadmap, and Archer Aviation showcased its Midnight aircraft at the Paris Air Show.

Charles Hudson of Precursor Ventures discusses the changing dynamics of seed investing, driven by LPs seeking interim liquidity amidst drying venture returns. The traditional seven-to-eight-year hold periods are under scrutiny, pushing investors to consider secondary sales and more tactical portfolio management. Hudson's analysis revealed that selling at Series B could yield significant returns, reshaping his approach to portfolio management in 2025. Smaller funds are feeling the pressure to optimize for cash returns, akin to private equity managers. The shift is also evident in LPs' demands, with some prioritizing quick returns while others prefer holding to maturity. This evolving landscape requires seed investors to adopt more sophisticated portfolio management strategies, balancing art and finance.

This week's startup scene saw rapid growth for some, particularly in defense tech. Wix acquired Base44 for $80M, while Ramp's valuation jumped to $16B. Meta's deal to acquire 49% of Scale AI and OpenAI's contract with the U.S. Department of Defense were also highlights. In funding news, Applied Intuition secured $600M, Helsing closed a €600M investment, and Coralogix became a unicorn. Aspora raised $50M, Sword Health locked in $40M, and Multiplier Holdings raised $27.5M. Grifin secured $11M, and Polar raised $10M. Endeavor Catalyst is seeking to raise $300M for its fifth fund. Alexa von Tobel anticipates Fintech 3.0 with deep product reinvention.

Meta has been actively pursuing top AI talent, including attempts to acquire Safe Superintelligence, co-founded by Ilya Sutskever. While Sutskever declined, Meta is now in discussions to hire Safe Superintelligence's CEO, Daniel Gross.

Additionally, Meta is reportedly in talks with former GitHub CEO Nat Friedman and considering a stake in their joint venture, NFDG, which invests in AI startups. These potential hires could bolster Meta's AI superintelligence lab.

Earlier this month, Meta also announced the addition of Scale AI CEO Alexandr Wang and other executives from the data labeling startup.

Dutch e-bike startup VanMoof returns with the S6, its first model since bankruptcy, focusing on higher-quality custom parts and a robust servicing network. Co-CEO Elliot Wertheimer emphasizes intuitive design, akin to an iPhone, avoiding off-the-shelf components.

VanMoof, acquired by e-scooter maker Lavoie, redesigned problematic components using Formula 1 expertise for reliability and co-designed batteries with Panasonic. They've established a network of 250 repair centers and 130 sales partners, focusing on European markets, with plans to launch in the U.S. by the end of 2025.

The S6 features improved tech, including a brighter Halo Ring, integrated navigation, and a cricket-like sound for alerts. Enhanced anti-theft features with a more accurate tracking system are included, and crash detection is in development. The bike offers a smoother ride with pre-tuned mechanical shifting, four pedal-assist levels, and a front-wheel motor for a natural experience.

Wertheimer highlights the company's focus on rebuilding the business, improving unit economics, logistics, and after-sales service, aiming to deliver on VanMoof's original promises with the S6.