Baseten Seeks $1B at $11B Valuation on AI Inference Growth

A new generation of AI companion robots is being engineered to address loneliness among elderly adults, children with absent parents, and isolated urban professionals. Unlike earlier models that relied on voice commands and novelty appeal, today's robots use cameras, microphones, and emotional intelligence to initiate proactive interactions and provide persistent presence. The global AI companion market is projected to grow from $48 billion in 2026 to $318 billion by 2033, driven by shifts toward emotion-oriented design and connected ecosystems.

OpenAI CFO Sarah Friar outlined how the company views intelligence scaling as a function of advances across four interconnected layers: chips, compute infrastructure, AI models, and end-user products. The statement suggests OpenAI sees compounding improvements across the full technology stack as the path to delivering more capable AI at lower cost and greater scale. The framing reflects how the company positions itself within the broader AI infrastructure and capability race.

Apple announced new Mac Studio models featuring the M5 Max chip and a new M5 Ultra chip, marking the first time both chips share the same generation after Apple split the line between M4 Max and M3 Ultra last year. The new systems maintain the same compact chassis introduced in 2022, including rear USB-A ports, but house Apple's most powerful processors to date. The M5 Max Mac Studio comes with 36GB of unified memory.

OpenAI has released initial results for Jalapeño, a custom inference chip designed to accelerate AI model deployment. The chip demonstrates faster processing speeds and improved power efficiency compared to existing solutions, with higher throughput and lower latency capabilities. The results represent OpenAI's push into custom silicon for inference workloads.