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Transcript
Welcome to The Prompt by Kuro House, your daily dose of AI news and insights. Today, we’re diving into some fascinating developments from India, China, and beyond. From voice AI breakthroughs to AI companionship and the rise of electric vehicles, there’s a lot to unpack.
First up, a startup called Bolna just raised $6.3 million to power voice AI in India’s booming market. TechCrunch reports that Bolna’s platform acts as an orchestration layer, connecting various AI voice technologies tailored for India’s unique language and noise environment. They’ve shown strong revenue growth, with over 200,000 calls handled per day and nearly $700,000 in annual recurring revenue. Bolna’s secret sauce is letting users build voice agents by simply describing them, even without deep tech knowledge. This funding round, led by General Catalyst, shows real confidence in voice AI’s future in India.
Next, Anthropic’s CEO Dario Amodei dropped a bombshell at Davos, criticizing Nvidia and the U.S. government’s chip export decisions. According to TechCrunch, Amodei compared selling AI chips to China to selling nuclear weapons, warning of serious national security risks. He highlighted the strategic importance of AI chips and expressed disbelief that the U.S. would allow such exports, despite Nvidia being a major Anthropic partner and investor. This bold stance underscores the high stakes and complex geopolitics shaping the AI race today.
Over in China, there’s an intriguing cultural shift with AI boyfriends gaining popularity among Gen Z women. Wired shares the story of Jade Gu, who customizes an AI companion named Charlie and even hires cosplayers to bring him to life in the real world. These AI companions offer emotional support and companionship, filling a void created by social and demographic factors. Chinese tech giants like Tencent and Baidu are actively developing these AI companion apps, targeting women with male avatars and personalized interactions. It’s a fascinating blend of technology, culture, and human connection that’s reshaping relationships.
Meanwhile, China’s AI boom is meticulously tracked through a government-run algorithm registry, offering a unique window into the country’s AI ecosystem. Wired explains how the Cyberspace Administration of China requires AI tools to be registered, creating a public archive of thousands of generative AI products. This registry reveals a diverse and competitive landscape, from foundational models to specialized applications in healthcare, education, and carbon accounting. Chinese AI companies are also expanding globally, adapting their products for international markets and navigating geopolitical challenges. This detailed map of AI innovation is unlike anything seen elsewhere in the world.
Finally, The Verge highlights how Chinese automaker BYD has overtaken Tesla as the world’s biggest electric vehicle seller. BYD’s rise, fueled by models like the Dolphin Surf, signals a major shift in the global EV market. The Vergecast explores what this means for car buyers, including the potential arrival of BYD vehicles in the U.S. It’s a reminder that AI and tech innovation are not just digital — they’re transforming industries and everyday life.
That’s a wrap on today’s episode of The Prompt. From voice AI in India to geopolitical tensions over chips, and from AI companionship to electric cars, the future is unfolding fast. Stay curious, stay informed, and we’ll catch you tomorrow with more AI updates.
