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The londonbusinessblog.com Top 3
- Image prompts: Microsoft enables Bing users to tap into their most creative selves – via AI, of course, via the use of OpenAI’s DALL-E image maker, Frederick reports. Frederic also writes about two additional features, Visual Stories and Knowledge Cards. “As far as I know, Microsoft has been testing these quite a bit over the past few weeks since they’ve been popping up in my searches with some regularity.”
- Look who’s into generative AI: Firefly is Adobe’s approach to generative AI and “will consist of multiple AI models that work in different use cases” Kyle writes. More Adobe news in Big Tech.
- Get in line: Speaking of Generative AI (because that’s basically all we’ve been talking about for weeks now), Google is opening early access to Bard, its AI chatbot. You can register for the waiting list. Roman has more.
Startups and VC
The world of technology and medicine is betting big on AI playing a central role in the delivery of healthcare in the future. Today, a Durham, North Carolina, startup called Bionic Health — built by two early movers in the commercialization of AI — is throwing its hat into that ring to build out its approach, Ingrid reports. It raised $3 million for its AI health clinic.
Last week the FBI arrested a man alleged to be “Pompompurin”, the administrator of the infamous and popular BreachForums, Lorenzo reports. Days after the arrest, the new administrator of the cybercrime website announced that they are closing the forum for good.
Another handful of stories worth mentioning:
SaaS is still open for businesses, but it will take longer to buy and sell
Image Credits: Ruslan Malysh/EyeEm (Opens in a new window) /Getty Images
More than 225,000 technical workers were laid off in the past year, directly impacting SaaS renewal and purchase cycles.
SaaS customers who have fewer staff are buying fewer licenses and sales cycles are taking a little longer than they used to, said Ryan Neu, CEO and co-founder of SaaS purchasing platform Vendr.
“Over the past three years, our data shows a steady decline in multi-year deals,” he writes. “However, we also see a significant increase in the number [average contract value] from purchase to renewal in mission-critical and sticky software categories, such as CRM or email.”
Three more from the TC+ team:
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Big Tech Inc.
Well, here’s an interesting turn of events in the credit age: DoorDash adds cash support. Sara writes that it is only rolling out as a DoorDash Drive feature, but that when it was tested, about 20% of US customers who ordered pizza paid in cash. She notes that the cash option has helped attract customers who aren’t fans of handing over their payment information.
Meanwhile, Devin wants to have some words with Amazon, which he reports is shutting down DPReview, “the best camera review site on the web.” He writes that the company’s team was fired as part of Amazon’s latest round of layoffs and that “DPReview isn’t the first media property to get the ax in these turbulent times, but it’s certainly one of the oldest and most unique. I hope the talented and knowledgeable team steps up and Amazon regrets its decision.
And we have five more for you:
- Control, I like to have a lot: And much you shall have. A new WhatsApp feature gives admins an easier way to control who can join a group, Aisha reports.
- At Adobe: There is a lot to unpack. Ivan writes about the enterprise tier of Adobe Express, while Frederick looks at the Experience Cloud. And Kyle writes that there are some new generative AI tools aimed at marketers, and Ron reports on artist fees for works used to train Adobe’s generative AI product.
- Car talk: Ford unveiled its €45,000 Explorer EV for the European market, Mat writes. And Ferrari says a ransomware attack exposed customers’ personal data. Carly has more.
- Ready for adversity: Before speaking before the convention, TikTok CEO Shou Zi Chew told me that the streaming giant has 150 million active users in the US. Ivan reports. In the meantime, Aisha writes that TikTok is revising its community guidelines and adding new policies on AI and climate misinformation.
- Priorities: Some goods and services may be more expensive due to inflation, but a new study from Counterpoint shows that consumers are still spending money on premium smartphones. Ivan has more.
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