Weekly DaaS Roundup for July 17

DaaS Never Sleeps

July 17, 2025

NEWS, READS AND MORE

Google Adds AI Summaries to Discover Feed The Verge
Google is rolling out AI-generated summaries in its Discover feed on Android and iOS. The feature offers short article snippets with clear source links, letting users get quick overviews without clicking through. This move appears to respond to AI-powered browsers like Perplexity AI and OpenAI’s upcoming browser, which provide real-time summaries and conversational search.

iMerit Focuses on Better Data to Shape the Future of AI TechCrunch
iMerit believes high-quality data is more valuable than simply adding more of it. The company uses skilled annotators and AI tools together to create precise, reliable training data. By improving edge cases and reducing bias, iMerit helps teams build stronger, safer AI systems.

AWS Unveils Bedrock AgentCore at NY Summit Amazon 
A suite of seven services enabling secure, large‑scale deployment and operation of AI agents. Plus, they’re investing an additional $100 M into their Generative AI Innovation Center. This is a massive leap toward agent‑centric, cloud‑native data services.

Nvidia's AI Chip Sales to China Resume Business Insider
Nvidia has received approval to resume sales of its H20 artificial-intelligence chips to China, signaling a potential easing in the U.S.-China technology rivalry and broader trade tensions. This move reflects shifting views within the U.S. administration on the impact of export controls on American tech firms.

WORLD OF DAAS SPOTLIGHT

Zeke Strategy provides consulting and advisory services to technology and advertising companies. They focus on data commercialization and product/go-to-market strategy.

🎧 THE LATEST WOD PODCAST 🎧

Prukalpa Sankar is the co-founder and CEO of Atlan, a DataOps platform used by teams at NASDAQ, Elastic, and the UN to manage data collaboration at scale. Atlan has raised over $200 million and grown revenue 7x in the last two years.

In this episode of World of DaaS, Prukalpa and Auren discuss:

  • AI native company transformations

  • Context as the foundation for enterprise AI

  • Building remote-first cultures globally

  • The future of business applications and metadata

WELCOME WORLD OF DAAS MEMBERS

We’re excited to welcome our newest Founding Members to the World of DaaS community: Kyle Antoian, John Cordier, Bruce Falck, Mike Lukianoff, Dr. Joel Myers, and Harrison Tang.

If you are a DaaS leader and want to be part of this growing community, apply to join World of DaaS and get access to private events, curated connections, and more.

M&A AND FUNDING

Cognition Acquires Windsurf to Expand AI Coding Capabilities

Cognition has acquired AI coding platform Windsurf to expand its developer tools and autonomous coding capabilities. The deal brings Windsurf’s IP and team under Cognition, following Google’s recent licensing of Windsurf’s tech, and aims to accelerate growth in generative AI for software development.

Meta Acquires PlayAI to Enhance Voice-Driven AI Capabilities

Meta has acquired PlayAI, a voice-focused AI startup, to strengthen its AI ecosystem with advanced voice generation tech. PlayAI’s team will join Meta’s AI division to enhance human-like voice experiences across WhatsApp, Instagram, and Quest, supporting Meta’s broader push into multimodal AI.

Virtru Raises $50M Series D to Accelerate Data Security and Governance

Virtru, a leading data security company, has secured $50 million in a Series D funding round led by ICONIQ Capital, valuing the firm at $500 million. The investment will fuel Virtru’s expansion of its AI-driven data governance and protection capabilities, focusing on securing unstructured data across enterprise environments.

RANDOM ART OF THE WEEK

prompt: Ascension to Memory Sanctuary

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