AI Week in Review: Apple Looks to OpenAI and Anthropic, Amazon Deploys 1 Millionth Robot, Surge AI Preps $1B Capital Raise, Plus Senate Nixes AI Regulation Moratorium and Researches Expose AI Vision Weakness

This week in AI, major companies and startups unveiled new tools, raised capital, and advanced deployment efforts across sectors. Apple explored third-party AI integrations, Amazon hit 1 million deployed robots, and Microsoft introduced a medical diagnostic system surpassing doctor performance. Meanwhile, NC State revealed a new AI vulnerability tool, and the Senate preserved state rights to regulate AI by rejecting a proposed federal moratorium.

In the private sector, Surge AI prepared a $1 billion raise, Genesis AI launched with $105 million to build general-purpose robotics, and Imagene AI secured new funding for precision medicine. Global events like AI for Good and RAISE Summit are set to spotlight public-private collaboration on AI’s future.

Industry & Enterprise

Apple Explores Deep AI Integration with OpenAI and Anthropic for Future Siri Upgrade

Apple is in talks with OpenAI and Anthropic to integrate their language models into a new version of Siri, while continuing to develop its own proprietary AI system. Bloomberg reports that delays in Apple’s internal “LLM Siri” project have prompted the company to test third-party models on its cloud infrastructure as it looks to stay competitive in generative AI.. (AI Insider)

Amazon Deploys its 1 Millionth Robot

Amazon Robotics has deployed over 1 million robots and launched DeepFleet, a generative AI model designed to manage robotic traffic across 300+ global facilities. The system improves delivery speed and energy efficiency, reflecting Amazon’s broader AI push, including retraining workers and expanding technical roles since 2019. (AI Insider)

Microsoft Unveils AI System That Outperforms Doctors in Complex Diagnoses

Microsoft has developed an AI system that outperforms human doctors in complex diagnostic tasks, solving over 80% of cases from the New England Journal of Medicine compared to 20% by unaided physicians. Built with OpenAI’s o3 model and led by Microsoft AI CEO Mustafa Suleyman, the system uses a diagnostic orchestrator to simulate expert clinical reasoning and may eventually offer scalable support for global healthcare systems. (AI Insider)

Meta Addresses AI Talent Recruitment Approach Following High Salary Reports

Meta is recruiting aggressively for its AI superintelligence lab but denies reports of blanket $100 million signing bonuses, saying large compensation packages are tied to seniority, stock, and performance. Recent hires include OpenAI’s Lucas Beyer and his team, while another researcher reportedly declined an $18 million offer to join a rival lab. Meta also acquired a 49% stake in Scale AI as part of its broader AI investment strategy.. (AI Insider)

Research & Innovation

NC State Researchers Expose AI Vision Weaknesses With RisingAttacK Tool

Researchers at North Carolina State University have developed RisingAttacK, a technique that subtly alters key visual features in images to mislead AI vision systems while appearing unchanged to humans. Funded by the National Science Foundation and the Army Research Office, the method successfully deceived leading models and has been publicly released to aid AI security research. (AI Insider)

Policy & Governance

Senate Overwhelmingly Rejects Federal AI Moratorium, Preserves State Authority to Regulate

The U.S. Senate voted 99–1 to remove a provision from the Big, Beautiful Bill that would have barred states from regulating AI for ten years, following bipartisan opposition over consumer protection concerns. The measure, introduced by Sen. Ted Cruz and supported by major tech figures, was dropped after negotiations collapsed and resistance mounted. The House passed the Senate version of the bill in July, sending it to President Trump’s desk for final approval. (AI Insider)

Pentagon Elevates AI as Cornerstone of FY2026 Defense Tech Strategy

The Pentagon’s FY2026 research and development budget includes over $2.2 billion for artificial intelligence, signaling a move from experimentation to operational deployment across domains like drones, submarines, and electronic warfare. Quantum and space technologies also receive continued support, enabling secure communications and sensing across classified and joint-service systems. (AI Insider)

Startups & Capital

Surge AI Prepares $1B Capital Raise as Demand for Premium AI Training Data Surges

Surge AI is planning to raise up to $1 billion in its first funding round at a valuation above $15 billion, aiming to support growth and employee liquidity. The company generated over $1 billion in revenue last year, outpacing rival Scale AI, and supplies reinforcement learning data to major clients like Google, OpenAI, and Anthropic. (AI Insider)

Genesis AI Emerges From Stealth with $105 Million to Build Universal Robotics Foundation Model

Genesis AI launched with $105 million in funding to develop a robotics foundation model designed to automate a broad range of physical tasks. Backed by Eclipse, Khosla Ventures, and other major investors, the company combines simulation and real-world data to target the multitrillion-dollar global labor market. (AI Insider)

Imagene AI Hits $45M in Total Funding After Completing $23M Series B Led by Larry Ellison

Imagene AI has raised $23 million in a Series B round led by Larry Ellison, bringing total funding to $45 million to support its development of multi-modal foundation models for precision medicine. Its platform combines imaging, omics, and clinical data to enable real-time trial design, biomarker discovery, and personalized care.(AI Insider)

Upcoming Events

AI for Good Global Summit 2025

July 8–11, Geneva, Switzerland and online, the AI for Good Global Summit 2025, hosted by the UN’s tech agency ITU will showcase how artificial intelligence can improve healthcare, education, and disaster response while advancing global resilience. The event will highlight over 100 demos and expert talks, with a strong focus on AI governance, standards, and cross-sector innovation.. (ITU)

RAISE Summit 2025

July 8–9, Le Carrousel du Louvre, Paris, France, the 2025 RAISE Summit will be held at the Carrousel du Louvre and is expected to gather over 5,000 attendees, 2,000 companies, 275 speakers, 150 sponsors, and 300 media outlets. The event will include an AI hackathon, a startup competition, and business-focused programming aimed at industry professionals and partners. (RAISE)

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