Weekly DaaS Roundup November 13

DaaS all day

November 13, 2025 • Estimated Reading Time: 6 minutes

Welcome to the latest edition of the World of DaaS Roundup. This week, we break down how algorithms amplify emotion online, why AI still can’t distinguish belief from fact, and what CIOs are getting wrong about data readiness. We also cover Meta’s latest AI shake-up and a busy week of M&A and funding activity across the data ecosystem

 📰 NEWS AND READS

Love Beats Hate? Unpacking the Emotional Algorithms of Our Digital Age Auren Hoffman

  • Auren explores how online platforms and AI-driven recommendation engines amplify emotion, not just content, and asks whether love, empathy, or hate will win the algorithmic race.

When Facts Meet Belief: Why AI Still Struggles to Know What We Know Stanford

  • A new study from Stanford reveals that even the most advanced language models fail to separate fact from belief—a subtle but critical shortcoming that could shape how AI systems are used in healthcare, law, and governance.

Before You Build AI, Fix Your Data CIO

  • Enterprise leaders are rethinking how data readiness defines AI success. The message: get your data house in order before expecting machine intelligence to deliver results.

Meta’s AI Brain Leaves the Nest: What’s Next? NY Post

  • Meta’s top AI scientist, Yann LeCun, is reportedly leaving to launch his own startup, raising fresh questions about the talent exodus from Big Tech and the next wave of independent AI labs driving frontier research.

🎧 THE LATEST WORLD OF DAAS PODCAST

one of the fastest growing AI companies in the world

Eric Simons is the CEO and co-founder of StackBlitz, the company behind Bolt.new, which reached $40 million ARR in five months after launching in October 2024. Bolt.new is an AI-powered platform that allows anyone to build, edit, and deploy full-stack web applications directly in the browser.

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

  • The explosive growth from $0 to $40M ARR

  • Pioneering usage-based pricing for AI tools

  • Competing with Replit, Lovable, and Vercel

  • Building WebContainers technology for seven yearsob o

“We spent 90 days building the product. We had no idea it was going to explode like it did… we were completely unprepared for the giant surge of demand.”

-Eric Simons

🔥 IN CASE YOU MISSED IT…

M&A Funding Roundup

  • BigBear.ai – Acquiring Ask Sage for ~$250 million, expanding its footprint in secure, mission-critical AI platforms for defense and regulated sectors.

  • AirOps – Raised $40 million Series B at a $225 million valuation, to redefine marketing and brand optimization in the age of AI-powered search.

  • WisdomAI – Raised $50 million Series A, led by Kleiner Perkins and NVIDIA, to advance AI-driven analytics that query messy enterprise data with natural language.

  • FE fundinfo – Acquired Contengo, a wealth-data and analytics firm enhancing FE fundinfo’s Nexus platform for financial-services clients.

 🚀 MEMBER SPOTLIGHT: PAREN

Paren Enriches Data at Scale, With 150 Million Sessions Processed in 2025
Paren is redefining EV charging intelligence with its new Real-Time API, delivering live availability, pricing, and reliability data across 65,000+ fast-charging ports in North America. By processing over 150 million sessions this year, Paren is setting the standard for accurate, real-time insights powering automakers, fleets, and energy innovators.

 💼 WORLD OF DAAS JOB BOARD

Showcasing open roles at companies led by members of our community. A few standout opportunities this week:

Looking to showcase an open role? The World of DaaS job board highlights opportunities from members across our community. Apply to join and get access to exclusive perks including job board postings, curated introductions, private events, and more.

🔍 REGISTER FOR 2026 WORLD OF DAAS SUMMIT

We’re headed back to D.C. next May for our flagship event, bringing together 160+ DaaS leaders for a day of candid conversations, curated roundtables, and private networking experiences. Join the leaders shaping the future of data.

Apply to become a World of DaaS Founding Member and secure your summit ticket for just $500 (prices going up soon).

🤖🎨 MACHINE-MADE MASTERPIECE

prompt: cold front in Florida this week

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