Weekly DaaS Roundup October 2

DaaS Never Sleeps

October 02, 2025 • Estimated Reading Time: 7 minutes

Welcome to the latest edition of the World of DaaS Roundup. This week, developments in AI focused on unifying data, expanding creative applications, and improving operational efficiency.

 📰 NEWS AND READS

OpenAI Launches Sora: AI Video App Using Copyrighted Content Reuters

  • OpenAI has introduced Sora, an AI video-generating app that allows users to create and share videos derived from copyrighted material, unless rights holders opt out. The app includes features like a "Cameo" function for inserting AI-generated avatars.

How to Actually Look for a Job (Without Wasting Everyone’s Time) Auren Hoffman

  • Auren Hoffman outlines effective strategies for finding a job beyond traditional applications. He emphasizes connecting with the right companies and building genuine relationships.

How Top Data Leaders Are Unifying Data to Drive AI World of DaaS

  • Leaders from across data and AI shared insights on the challenges and opportunities in building a unified foundation for AI. The discussion highlighted where the biggest breakthroughs and roadblocks are emerging.

Meta to Use AI Chat Data for Targeted Ads TechCrunch

  • Meta announced that starting December 16, it will use data from AI chats, voice recordings, and images to target ads on Facebook and Instagram. The change applies globally except in South Korea, the UK, and the EU.

🎧 THE LATEST WORLD OF DAAS PODCAST

GovTech, Data Access, and AI Transformation

Zac Bookman is the co-founder and CEO of OpenGov, which provides cloud software and AI solutions to over 2,000 government agencies across the United States. In February 2024, OpenGov was acquired by Cox Enterprises for $1.8 billion.

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

  • Making public data truly accessible

  • Growth vs sustainability in GovTech

  • How COVID transformed government digitization

  • AI's potential in local government operations

“Energy is the job of a leader—how much you can give to your people, your customers, and the market, every single day.” -Zac Bookman

🔥 IN CASE YOU MISSED IT…

M&A Funding Roundup

  • Periodic Labs- A startup founded by former OpenAI VP Liam Fedus and DeepMind's Ekin Cubuk, has secured a $300 million seed round from investors including Andreessen Horowitz, Nvidia, Accel, Jeff Bezos, and Eric Schmidt.

  • Vercel- The AI coding platform raised a $300M Series F round at a $9.3B valuation to expand AI cloud services, enhance security, and develop mobile app capabilities via voice and camera inputs.

  • Modular- The AI infrastructure platform raised a $250M Series C at a $1.6B valuation to advance tools for AI inference and training workloads.

  • Alex- The AI recruitment startup has secured a $17 million Series A funding round led by Peak XV Partners, with participation from Y Combinator and Uncorrelated Ventures.

  • DataJoint- The data management and AI startup has secured a $4.9 million seed round to enhance data workflows in academic and life sciences research.

🦄 WORLD OF DAAS MEMBER SPOTLIGHT

Weather Trends International

For over 20 years, Weather Trends International has developed and perfected revolutionary YEAR-AHEAD predictive weather analytics (Agentic AI forecasting technology) that produces the most accurate YEAR-AHEAD long-range weather forecasts for every mile on Earth (32 million grid points). 100% automated forecasts that DO NOT CHANGE once issued making it so valuable for billion-dollar decisions across any industry.

Together we can revolutionize YEAR-AHEAD predictive outcomes for ANYTHING, ANYTIME, EVERYWHERE.

 💼 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.

🤖🎨 MACHINE-MADE MASTERPIECE

prompt: Unity Keeps Us Open

Till next time,

The World of DaaS Team

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