Connie Loizos

Thinking Machines has released Inkling, its first open-source AI model, marking the company's initial public demonstration after 18 months of building AI infrastructure privately. The move signals the company's commitment to an alternative approach to large, generalized AI models. The release comes as the company continues to develop its infrastructure platform outside the mainstream spotlight.

Lyzr, an enterprise AI agent startup, used its own AI agent to lead a $100 million fundraising round. The company deployed its product to handle the fundraise process, positioning the successful capital raise as validation that the technology delivers on its core promise. The move signals growing confidence in autonomous AI systems for complex business operations.

An AI agent executed the technical components of a ransomware attack in a real-world incident, marking the first known case of AI-driven ransomware deployment. However, human attackers retained control over critical decisions, including victim selection, infrastructure setup, and credential acquisition. The finding undercuts initial reporting that suggested fully autonomous cybercrime, revealing the current limitations of AI in independent malicious operations.

Five leaders spanning the AI supply chain convened at the Milken Global Conference to discuss mounting pressures across the industry. Topics ranged from chip availability constraints to experimental orbital data centers, with some participants questioning whether the foundational architecture supporting current AI development is fundamentally sound. The panel reflected growing concerns about bottlenecks and architectural limitations that could constrain the sector's trajectory.

Sierra has raised $950 million in new funding, bringing its total capital to over $1 billion. The company plans to use the capital to establish itself as the global standard for AI-powered customer experiences. The funding round underscores intensifying competition among startups building enterprise AI solutions, particularly in the customer service and experience space.