OpenAI's upheaval, marked by Sam Altman's firing and Microsoft's intervention, reflects a broader debate on AI's future and responsible development. Internal conflicts over AI safety and governance highlight the high stakes in controlling powerful AI tools in the global tech landscape.

Berlin-based AI venture studio Merantix is raising €100m to expand into external startup co-investments. With a track record of incubating AI startups, the new fund will focus on early-stage and Series A European companies, balancing high AI valuations with thorough evaluations for sustainable investments.

Avaloq's research shows 69% of UK investors accept AI in investment advice, with 73% using AI for portfolio data and 71% for product recommendations. While 56% prefer a blend of AI and human input, the trend is growing, as seen in broader acceptance across European and Asian markets.

Indian travel tech firm RateGain raises $72 million for AI-powered tech stack expansion, aiming to enhance services for travel and hospitality clients. The fund, supported by institutional investors and insurers, will drive RateGain's market consolidation and the development of AI-led products for revenue maximization in the travel industry.

AI startup investments skyrocket, with significant funds flowing into OpenAI, Anthropic, Cohere, and others. UpMarket democratizes access to these high-potential private companies for individual investors, offering curated opportunities despite the high risk and illiquidity. With AI's market projected to reach over $594 billion by 2032, investor interest in pre-IPO AI companies remains high.

Menlo Ventures raises $1.35 billion for AI-focused funds, targeting early-stage and growing tech companies. With a strong investment record in companies like Uber and Chime, Menlo's focus on AI infrastructure and applications reflects its commitment to innovation, maintaining a disciplined, early-stage investment approach amidst challenging market conditions.

Baidu outperforms Q3 revenue estimates with 34.45 billion yuan, driven by rising advertising income amid China's economic recovery. Focusing on AI, especially in generative AI and foundational models, Baidu's AI investments and its advanced Ernie 4.0 model align with its growth strategy. Despite U.S. tech export curbs, Baidu's online marketing revenue rose 5%, with a 23% increase in adjusted net income.

ChatGPT offers mixed results in aiding investment decisions: it's valuable for general research and coding but limited by outdated data and potential inaccuracies. Investors should cautiously use ChatGPT as a supplementary tool, considering its current limitations and the evolving nature of generative AI technologies for financial analysis.

Investors globally prioritize sustainability and AI in decision-making, though skepticism is growing, particularly in the U.S. PwC's survey shows a decline in ESG integration in corporate strategy, yet 85% plan to increase ESG investments. Investors also urge faster AI adoption for value creation and risk management, balancing innovation opportunities with concerns about data security and AI governance.

Qevlar AI, a Paris-based cybersecurity startup, raised €4.5M in seed funding, led by EQT Ventures and several angels. It aims to boost SOC productivity using generative AI, streamlining threat detection and response with autonomous, stack-agnostic agents that analyze data for rapid strategy shifts.