August 20, 2025
Tech News
Databricks is on the cusp of achieving a staggering valuation of over $100 billion, thanks to strong investor interest in its artificial intelligence solutions. The company is nearing a Series K funding round of over $1 billion, showcasing its rapid growth in the AI sector.
Meanwhile, Eight Sleep has successfully raised $100 million to further enhance its suite of AI-powered sleep technology products. This new funding brings its total to roughly $260 million, reflecting the company’s ambition to transform sleep into a proactive health process with its AI-driven solutions.
OpenAI has debuted its affordable ChatGPT GO subscription plan in India at ₹399 per month. This new offering provides increased messaging and image generation features, making the popular AI tool more accessible to Indian users, amid a competitive landscape for AI solutions in the region.
In Malaysia, the MyJPJ and MyBayar PDRM apps will soon require users to log in using MyDigital ID exclusively. This transition will simplify the login process, enhancing security while aligning with the nation’s push toward a comprehensive digital identity system for accessing government services.
Amidst these developments, Databricks revealed its plans for investing in AI agents, which are systems designed to autonomously perform various tasks. This technological evolution is indicative of a broader trend where IT departments shift towards coding their own applications rather than solely relying on off-the-shelf software.
As innovations roll out, Eight Sleep is expanding its health-monitoring features, unveiling new initiatives such as the AI-driven Sleep Agent system, aimed at providing personalized sleep optimization. The startup plans to continue its international expansion, particularly focusing on markets like China.
Tech Explained
AI agents – These are software systems that use artificial intelligence to autonomously perform tasks and achieve specific goals, often learning from the environment or user input to enhance their effectiveness over time.
Valuation – In finance, valuation refers to the process of determining the current worth of an asset or company based on its revenue, earnings, and market conditions. Valuations are crucial for investors deciding how much to invest in a business.
Unified Payments Interface (UPI) – UPI is a real-time payment system developed in India that facilitates instant money transfers between bank accounts through mobile devices, enhancing convenience in digital payments for users.
Monetization – This term refers to the process of generating revenue from a product, service, or technology, often through subscription models, advertising, or selling data. It is essential for startups like OpenAI and Eight Sleep to sustain growth.
Biometric authentication – A security process that relies on unique biological characteristics, such as fingerprints or facial recognition, to verify a user’s identity. This form of authentication is increasingly being integrated into digital platforms for enhanced security.
