Digimasters Shorts - Saudi Arabia’s MBS Launches AI Firm Amid US Tech Talks, Perplexity Nears 14B Valuation in AI Boom, LegoGPT Revolutionizes Construction

Welcome to Digimasters Shorts, your quick hit of the latest and most exciting developments in the digital world. Hosted by Adam Nagus and Carly Wilson, we bring you concise updates on groundbreaking AI innovations, major tech company moves, and significant policy shifts shaping the future of technology. From startup funding rounds like Perplexity AI's billion-dollar valuation and Apple's latest iOS updates, to Saudi Arabia’s bold push into AI infrastructure and pioneering projects like LegoGPT, we cover the stories that matter. Plus, get insights into recent policy controversies and leadership changes, like the sudden firing of the U.S. Copyright Office director. Tune in for sharp, insightful summaries designed to keep you informed and ahead of the curve.

Transcript

Adam N2: 0:05

Welcome to Digimasters Shorts, we are your hosts Adam Nagus

Carly W: 0:09

and Carly Wilson delivering the latest scoop from the digital realm. Perplexity AI is nearing a$500 million funding round that would value the startup at$14 billion, according to the Wall Street Journal. The Nvidia-backed company develops AI search tools that provide users with summarized information, similar to Open A.I's Chat G.P.T and Google's Gemini. Interest in AI chatbots has surged recently, fueling investor enthusiasm around startups offering faster and more detailed query responses. Earlier reports indicated Perplexity was seeking between$500 million and$1 billion at an$18 billion valuation. In addition, Apple plans to integrate AI search providers like Perplexity into its Safari browser. This move could significantly increase the startup's visibility among millions of users. Perplexity's AI solutions represent a growing trend in enhancing search experiences through artificial intelligence. The startup is positioned to benefit from heightened demand for advanced AI tools. Investor confidence remains strong despite slight adjustments in valuation expectations. The integration with Apple's Safari signals broader adoption of AI-powered search technology in mainstream platforms.

Adam N2: 1:22

Apple has released iOS 18.5, a minor update ahead of WWDC 2025, focusing on subtle improvements rather than major new features. Among the enhancements is the addition of a new Pride Harmony wallpaper that dynamically changes and is part of Apple’s 2025 Pride Collection celebrating LGBTQ+ Pride Month. Parents will appreciate a new Screen Time notification when children enter the correct password to bypass restrictions. The Apple TV app now allows easier content purchases by using an iPhone to authenticate on third-party devices or smart TVs. iOS 18.5 also fixes a black screen bug in the Apple Vision Pro app introduced with iOS 18.4. A significant update for iPhone 13 users is the addition of carrier-provided satellite support, allowing text messaging via satellite in areas without cellular coverage. This technology, initially available for iPhone 14 and later, relies on satellite networks partnered with carriers like T-Mobile and Verizon. Satellite connectivity shows an“SAT” icon in the status bar when active, but availability depends on carrier support. Additionally, the Mail app gains usability tweaks, including always-visible“All Mail” category and the option to hide contact photos, addressing user feedback. These updates enhance user experience without drastically changing the iPhone interface. Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman has launched an artificial intelligence company named Humain to advance the kingdom’s AI sector. The company aims to develop AI infrastructure across the country, including building new data centers. This initiative coincides with a high-profile U.S.-Saudi investment forum where tech leaders Elon Musk, Sam Altman, and Mark Zuckerberg are expected to discuss AI developments. President Trump is also scheduled to visit Saudi Arabia this week as part of a regional tour. Humain is backed by the Public Investment Fund, Saudi Arabia’s sovereign wealth fund with assets near$940 billion. The fund supports the Crown Prince's vision to diversify the nation's economy beyond oil. Leading American tech companies like Google and Salesforce have also engaged with the Public Investment Fund on AI ventures. These partnerships highlight Saudi Arabia’s commitment to becoming a significant player in global technology. The country is leveraging its financial capabilities to build an AI ecosystem from the ground up. As AI innovation gathers momentum globally, Saudi Arabia is positioning itself as a notable contender in the field.

Carly W: 3:54

Researchers at Carnegie Mellon University have introduced LegoG.P.T, an AI model that creates Lego structures from text prompts. This innovative system was trained on a large dataset of over 47,000 Lego builds with corresponding captions. Unlike typical language models, LegoG.P.T predicts the next Lego brick instead of the next word. The AI generates step-by-step blueprints aimed at ensuring structural stability. According to the team, LegoG.P.T's designs were physically stable 98 percent of the time. The model integrates physics laws and assembly constraints into its construction process. Most designs generated are practical items like couches, chairs, and tables. This marks an advancement in autonomous Lego building by focusing on realistic and buildable creations. The research and code have been made publicly available for further exploration. LegoG.P.T represents a unique blend of creativity, technology, and engineering principles in AI. The Trump administration has abruptly fired Shira Perlmutter, the Register of Copyrights and Director of the U.S. Copyright Office. This move follows the recent dismissal of Carla Hayden, the first woman and African American Librarian of Congress. Perlmutter was informed via email that her position was terminated effective immediately. Her office had just released a detailed report on the use of copyrighted materials by artificial intelligence companies. The report examined whether AI systems could train on copyrighted works and then compete in the same market. Perlmutter emphasized the importance of human creativity as central to copyright protection. She stated that material created solely by machines should not receive the same protections. The Washington firing has drawn sharp criticism from Democrats, including Rep. Joe Morelle, who called it an unprecedented power grab. Perlmutter, a lawyer with extensive experience in intellectual property, previously worked at the Patent and Trademark Office and the Copyright Office. As of now, she has not responded to requests for comment.

Don: 5:54

Thank you for listening to today's AI and Tech News podcast summary... Please do leave us a comment and for additional feedback, please email us at podcast@digimasters.co.uk You can now follow us on Instagram and Threads by searching for@DigimastersShorts or Search for Digimasters on Linkedin. Be sure to tune in tomorrow and don't forget to follow or subscribe!