Monday, December 14, 2015Elon Musk Backs Billion Dollar Artificial Intelligence EffortElon Musk, the billionaire technology mogul behind SpaceX, has put some money behind--surprisingly--an effort to help developer artificial intelligence research. Musk--who has voiced his concerns over artificial intelligence taking over the world and threatening humankind--is one of the backers of a new, nonprofit research company called OpenAI. OpenAI says its goal is to advance digital intelligence in a way that "is most likely to benefit humanity as a whole, unconstrained by a need to generat (More info...)
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codeSpark:Teaching Kids Software Coding Without Words
Why teach your kids how to code, and what's the benefit of learning computer programming concepts--even before you've learned to read? It turns out, there are lots of benefits to learning the logical thinking behind software coding, according to Grant Hosford, the founder of Pasadena-based codeSpark (www.codespark.org). codeSpark develops the kids' game The Foos, which teaches kids the principles behind software programming, all without words, even for those who can't read or don't speak Engli (More info...)
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AltheaDx Raises $30M In Series CSan Diego-based personalized medicine technology developer AltheaDx has raised $30M in a Series C funding, according to the company. The funxing was led by WuXi Healthcare Ventures, and also included WuXi PharmaTech, Ally Bridge Group and ALMA Life Sciences. AltheaDx is developing testing technology which helps patients with cardiovascular disease, neuropsychiatric disorders and pain. The company said the funds go towards product enhancements international opportunities, and other efforts.
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Connexity Buys HitwiseLos Angeles-based digital marketer Connexity has acquired consumer data collection company Hitwise, from parent company Experian, the company said this morning. Connexity also said its private equity owner, Symphony Technology Group, is acquiring Experian's Simmons division, the publisher of the consumer research database, the National Consumer Study (NCS). The two combined deals were worth $47M plus up to $5M in earnout. Both Simmons and Hitwise were previously part of Experian Consumer Insight (More info...)
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Rubicon Project Gets Win In Middle EastLos Angeles-based online advertising marketplace operator Rubicon Project has scored a win in the Middle East, with Dubai-based Digital Media Services (DMS). Rubicon said that DMS is the digital arm of the Middle East's largest media representation house, Choueiri Group. Financial impact of the deal was not announced. DMS provides access to over 120 million users, according to Rubicon Project. Rubicon said it will offer up its programmatic marketplace and technology to deliver mobile, display a (More info...)
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Morfis Semiconductor Uncloaks New RF StartupIrvine-based Morfis Semiconductor announced the launch of the company's first products, unveiling what had been a stealth semiconductors startup until now. Morfis Semiconductor said its first products, which has been working on for two years, is a family of fully integrated CMOS, single-chip, single-die, flip-chip cellular RF front-ends. The startup said its chips are aimed at use across the entire 2G, 3G, and 4G LTE frequency bands, with production expected in Q2 of 2016.
posted on Monday, December 14, 2015(Full story)