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Some startups pride themselves on having prestigious financial backers — but just as important is having prestigious customers. It’s one of the main points of pride for Serval, an enterprise AI company that announced a $47 million Series A round on Tuesday. The round was led by Redpoint Ventures, with participation from heavy-hitting venture firms like First Round, General Catalyst, and Box Group. But even more impressive than the funders is the company’s list of clients, which include major AI players like Perplexity, Mercor, and Together AI. In broad strokes, Serval is using agentic AI models to automate IT service…
The National Hockey League said Wednesday it’s reached a multi-year licensing agreement with prediction markets Kalshi and Polymarket. More sports leagues may be coming soon.Tarek Mansour, Kalsh’si co-founder and CEO, told CNBC’s “Squawk Box” the deal marked a “seminal moment” for prediction markets and the company.”A league like the NHL partnering with us is a strong sign that prediction markets are here to stay,” Mansour said.As part of the NHL deal, Kalshi and Polymarket will gain access to the league’s proprietary data and rights to use NHL marks and logos. In return, Mansour said, the hockey league will get a…
Last updated: 9:00 PM ET, Tue October 21, 2025 WHY IT RATES: KHM Travel Group acquired Levarté Travel, enhancing innovation and support for travel advisors. Levarté founder Lori Speers joins as VP of Business Development, contributing her expertise. The acquisition marks KHM’s growth, focusing on advisor empowerment and industry leadership. —Janeen Christoff, TravelPulse Managing EditorKHM Travel Group, a leading host agency, announced today that they have acquired Levarté Travel, a boutique host agency supporting over 500 independent travel advisors. The acquisition strengthens KHM Travel Group’s ability to drive innovation within the industry while continuing Levarté’s legacy of uplifting travel advisors. Levarté founder…
Meta on Tuesday introduced new scam detection features for its messaging apps, WhatsApp and Messenger, as part of its broader initiative to crack down on online scams that target older people. The company said it will begin to show warnings in WhatsApp when users try to share their screen during calls, and it will flag possible scam messages in Messenger, which can be sent to AI for review. The tech giant said it’s detected and disrupted about 8 million accounts engaging in scam operations during the first half of 2025, including those associated with scam centers in areas like Myanmar,…
A former top official in Connecticut Gov. Ned Lamont’s budget office was convicted Wednesday of extorting private contractors for thousands of dollars in bribes as he oversaw large sums of state money for school construction projects.Konstantinos “Kosta” Diamantis, 69, also a former Democratic state representative and a lawyer, was convicted by a federal jury in Bridgeport of more than 20 charges, including extortion, bribery, conspiracy and false statements. Sentencing is set for Jan. 14.“It was a clean sweep, I was just hoping it would go the other way,” Diamantis told reporters after leaving the courtroom.His lawyer, Norman Pattis, said they…
Mary Barra speaks onstage during WSJ’s Future of Everything 2025 at The Glasshouse on May 28, 2025 in New York City.Dia Dipasupil | Getty ImagesNEW YORK — General Motors is targeting a suite of new software initiatives for its vehicles over the next three years, including an in-vehicle artificial intelligence assistant from Google and a driver-assistance system that can largely control the vehicle without human interaction or monitoring.GM said the conversational Google Gemini AI will begin launching in its vehicles next year, followed by the new driver-assistance system, which will allow drivers to be hands-free and take their eyes off…
YouTube revealed on Tuesday that its likeness-detection technology has officially rolled out to eligible creators in the YouTube Partner Program, following a pilot phase. The technology allows creators to request the removal of AI-generated content that uses their likeness. This is the first wave of the rollout, a YouTube spokesperson informed TechCrunch, adding that eligible creators received emails this morning. YouTube’s detection technology identifies and manages AI-generated content featuring the likeness of creators, such as their face and voice. The technology is designed to prevent people from having their likeness misused, whether for endorsing products and services they have not…
TTC Tour Brands renewed its partnership with the LGBTQ+ Travel Association (IGLTA), which further fortifies its commitment to inclusivity and its “Tours for Any and Everyone” initiative.The partnership renewal took place during IGLTA’s Global Convention, which kicked off in Palm Springs, Calif., on Oct. 21. “Our attendance at the IGLTA Global Convention reflects our commitment to nurturing our relationship with the LGBTQ+ community and creating unforgettable, accessible experiences for everyone,” said Melissa DaSilva, deputy CEO of TTC Tour Brands, whose companies include Trafalgar, Insight Vacations, Brendan Vacations and Costsaver.“Renewing our partnership with IGLTA at the Silver Partner level ensures advisors…
OpenAI announced Tuesday the launch of its AI-powered browser, ChatGPT Atlas, a major step in the company’s quest to unseat Google as the main way people find information online. The company says Atlas will first roll out on macOS, with support for Windows, iOS, and Android coming soon. OpenAI says the product will be available to all free users at launch. Browsers have quickly become the AI industry’s next battleground. While Google Chrome has long dominated the space, there’s a sense that AI chatbots and agents are fundamentally changing how people get work done online. A handful of startups have…
Warner Bros. Discovery has rejected three Paramount Skydance takeover offers as it fields broad buyout interest, CNBC’s David Faber reported Wednesday, citing sources.Paramount’s last offer was for just under $24 per share and was comprised of 80% cash, according to Faber, who previously reported a bid could come in at between $22 and $24 per share.Reuters on Tuesday reported WBD had rejected a bid for nearly $24 per share.WBD said on Tuesday it had received “unsolicited interest” from multiple parties and that it would expand its strategic review process to review all bids. At the same time, the company is…