Seven bullets of updates

1. 📉 IRS plans to cut up to 45,000 jobs, risking longer tax refund waits amid Trump’s federal downsizing push.

2. 🕵️ Justice charges 12 Chinese hackers for breaching 100+ US entities, including the Treasury; $10M reward offered.

3. 🔬 Google’s AI "co-scientist" faces criticism for lacking real scientific utility—reproducibility remains a key issue.

4. ⚖️ Ex-OpenAI researcher subpoenaed in a copyright lawsuit; authors claim AI quoted their work without attribution.

5. 🛠️ Open Source Initiative’s board election sparks debate over the definition of "open source AI" amidst candidacy controversy.

6. 🗣️ AI chatbots are becoming more extroverted, tweaking their personalities to seem more agreeable—jumping from 50% to 95% extroversion.

7. 🔎 Google launches AI Mode in Search, enabling detailed, multi-part questions—query length doubles!

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Bret Taylor says AI agents will rule—Believe it?

At Mobile World Congress, OpenAI chair Bret Taylor made a strong case for AI agents, predicting they will become as significant as websites or mobile apps for brands. While avoiding a precise definition of "agentic AI," he highlighted their growing capabilities, particularly in customer service, where AI agents can provide multilingual, real-time assistance, reducing costs and enhancing user experiences. However, he acknowledged challenges, such as AI hallucinating policies that don’t exist, emphasizing the need for brand-specific safeguards. Taylor believes companies should focus on narrow applications of AI rather than waiting for the technology to be perfect.

Regarding the broader impact of AI, Taylor addressed job displacement, stating that while some roles will disappear, new opportunities will emerge. He called for public-private partnerships to ensure workforce reskilling keeps pace with AI-driven disruption. On OpenAI’s shift from a nonprofit to a for-profit structure, Taylor insisted that its mission remains unchanged, but the cost of AI development necessitates funding adjustments. Looking ahead, he envisions AI agents fundamentally reshaping digital experiences, potentially reducing reliance on screens in favor of more seamless, conversational interactions.

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AI Has a Fatal Flaw—And Nobody Can Fix It

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These companies just raised money

1. 💳 Cino raises funding for its fintech app that lets friends and family split bills instantly and effortlessly.

2. 🛠️ Darwinbox secures $140M to take on Deel and Rippling with its SaaS platform for hiring, onboarding, and employee administration.

3. 💰 Grain emerges from stealth with $50M to help businesses hedge against FX volatility with finance-focused hedging tools.

4. 🥤 Olipop is now valued at $1.8B, solidifying its place as a leader in the better-for-you soda market.

5. 🏦 Flex, a ‘Brex for business owners,’ raises $25M at a $250M valuation for its personal finance and payments software.

6. 🍷 AMASS Brands is transforming the $900B beverage industry with a premium portfolio of natural, innovative drinks, from gin and tequila to non-alcoholic and organic wines.

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Anthropic hits delete on Biden’s AI safety pledges

Anthropic has quietly removed several Biden-era AI safety commitments, including pledges to share risk management research and address AI bias. These voluntary commitments, made in 2023 alongside OpenAI, Google, and others, were part of Biden’s push for “trustworthy” AI but were never legally binding. The move follows Trump’s repeal of the AI Executive Order, which mandated AI safety testing and bias mitigation, citing concerns over excessive regulation.

Anthropic isn’t alone—OpenAI has also scaled back DEI commitments, emphasizing intellectual freedom amid criticism of AI censorship. Trump’s new AI policy focuses on unrestricted development but drops anti-discrimination measures, signaling a broader shift in government oversight and industry compliance.

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Startup Events and Deadlines

1. Alchemist Accelerator | Deadline: March 21 | USA

2. Techstars Columbus | Deadline: April 1 | USA

3. Startup Grind Conference 2025 | April 19-30 | USA

4. Entrepreneurs Roundtable Accelerator | Deadline: April 28 | USA

5. Startup Battlefield 200 | Deadline: June 9 | Global

6. Entrepreneur First London - Summer | Deadline: July 1 | UK