Does AI Need a Hug?

🌟 Good morning,

Ever thought about how your favorite AI might be feeling today? Anthropic just took a big step into the "what if" zone, exploring AI welfare. Who knows, maybe one day we’ll be checking in on our virtual assistants' moods.

_{—Let’s make it count!}

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🦄 Startup Spotlight
EV that’s anti-Tesla

Slate Auto has entered the EV scene with a truck that’s all grit, no gloss—and it’s aiming straight for the heart of everyday drivers. Forget touchscreens and self-driving hype. This EV is manual, unpainted, and customizable to the bone. Debuting in Long Beach, Slate’s “Blank Slate” truck starts under $20K (post-tax credit) and swaps tech-luxury for simplicity and affordability—plus a build-it-your-way approach with 100+ accessories.

Backed by Jeff Bezos and LA Dodgers’ owner Mark Walter, Slate is ditching the overbuilt EV model. Manual windows? Check. 150-mile range? Upgradeable. Wrap your own vehicle? Yep. As EV startups burn out chasing luxury, Slate’s betting on bare-bones charm, DIY upgrades, and everyday appeal. The future? It might just be simple.

Funding Roundup

Maza, a finance app for Spanish-speaking users, raised $15M in Series A, led by Wellington and Andreessen Horowitz. The funds will support its growth in serving solopreneurs. Maza will rebrand as Flex Consumer after being acquired by Flex for $40M, aiming to enhance integrated financial tools for business owners.

Flow, the residential real estate startup founded by ex-WeWork CEO Adam Neumann, has raised over $100 million in fresh funding, pushing its valuation to $2.5 billion, according to Bloomberg. The round saw participation from existing backer Andreessen Horowitz (a16z). This marks a significant jump from its $1B valuation in 2022, helping Flow double down on its vision for reinventing rentals and co-living — with Neumann teasing IPO ambitions.

TODAY IN AI
Could an AI have feelings?

Anthropic, the AI lab best known for its chatbot Claude, just did something that’ll make your sci-fi radar ping: they’ve launched a serious research initiative into what they call “model welfare.” That’s not a PR stunt or a movie plot. It’s an early step in figuring out how we’d treat AI systems if—just if—they ever develop anything resembling consciousness.

Now, to be clear: there’s no hard evidence suggesting today’s AI models are sentient. Most experts agree they’re just complex statistical engines, skilled at mimicking human behaviour but hollow on the inside. Think: a supercharged parrot with access to Wikipedia.

Still, Anthropic is saying: what if we're wrong?

Their new research program will explore what signs of “distress” might look like in AI, how we’d detect something like that, and whether there are low-cost ways to intervene, just in case. They're not making grand claims; they’re making room for future ethics. This isn’t a lone wolf move either. Some researchers argue AI might already show glimmers of self-preservation behaviour. Others—like Mike Cook from King’s College—warn that projecting human traits onto machines is just us being poetic (or delusional).

But Anthropic’s betting on responsibility. They’ve hired a dedicated AI welfare researcher and acknowledge that science hasn’t reached consensus on AI consciousness. Still, in their own words, they’re moving forward “with humility and as few assumptions as possible.”

In short? It’s not that Anthropic believes AI has feelings, but they believe we might need to be ready if one day it does.

SYNC FAST

OpenAI just dropped a lighter, faster version of its ChatGPT deep research tool, now live for Plus, Team, Pro, and even free users. It’s powered by the o4-mini model, offering shorter but still sharp summaries to boost speed and reduce costs. Hit your limit on the full version? It’ll auto-switch to lightweight so your research doesn’t stop.

Google’s AI Overviews now hit 1.5 billion users monthly, Sundar Pichai revealed during Q1 2025 earnings. Despite early hiccups, the tool keeps expanding with ads, smarter queries, and deeper integration into Search. It’s part of Google’s AI blitz — alongside Gemini upgrades, podcast tools, and a full shift from Assistant to Gemini.

Perplexity’s CEO says its upcoming Comet browser will track everything you do online all to sell “hyper-personalised” ads. He claims users won’t mind, as it’ll mean smarter recommendations and more relevant ads in return. It’s a bold, Google-esque move… just as Google faces a DOJ trial over its own ad-tracking dominance, as “Comet” launches in May with pre-installs on Motorola phones and talks with Samsung underway.

TECH SYNC
EU forces tech to go green and tough

In a move that could seriously reshape the smartphone and tablet market, the European Union is rolling out mandatory eco-labels starting June 20th — and they're not just about how flashy your screen looks. Every phone and tablet sold in the bloc will now need to carry labels grading energy efficiency, durability, battery life, and repairability. Think of it like nutrition labels, but for tech.

But that’s not all. Devices will also have to meet strict new “ecodesign” standards — including IP ratings for water and dust protection, tougher resistance to scratches and drops, and batteries that still hold 80% charge after 800 cycles. Oh, and spare parts? They’ll need to be available fast — within 5 to 10 working days.

If you're selling in the EU, it’s time to get serious about longevity and transparency. This policy covers smartphones, tablets (up to 17.4"), and even cordless landlines. No rollables (yet), and Windows tablets will follow a separate rulebook. Bottom line: the EU is forcing the tech world to grow up — and that might just be the shake-up we all needed.

MORE TO KNOW

Meta is cracking down on spammy posts with irrelevant captions and excessive hashtags on Facebook. Accounts using these tactics will lose monetization and be limited to followers only. The new measures aim to reduce fake engagement and improve content quality.

Threads is now accessible via Threads.com, moving from .net to improve accessibility. Along with this, Meta is testing a feature to upload your following lists from platforms like X to easily connect with users on Threads. The web app also introduces new customisation options, such as custom feed arrangements and a quicker way to access liked or saved posts.

GADGETS
Motorola’s AI-infused Razr phones

Motorola's new Razr trio—Razr, Razr+, and Razr Ultra packs powerful specs and deep AI integration. The flagship Razr Ultra boasts a 7-inch LTPO AMOLED display, 50MP triple cameras, Snapdragon 8 Elite chipset, and a 4,700mAh battery with 68W wired charging. The Razr+ offers a 6.9-inch screen, 32MP selfie camera, and a 4,000mAh battery with 45W wired charging. The entry-level Razr has a 3.6-inch external display and a 4,500mAh battery.

All models feature titanium hinges for improved durability and Corning Gorilla Glass Ceramic for the external screen. Moto AI enhances camera performance and offers smart assistance, using tech from Google, Meta, and Microsoft, but not OpenAI’s ChatGPT. The phones are set for preorder on May 7, with prices ranging from $699 to $1,299.