20250701 – AI Evolution: From Data Labeling to Strategic Cloud Partnerships

Explore groundbreaking insights from the latest AI trends, as experts dive into pivotal shifts from data labeling’s foundational role to the innovative thrust in open source experimentation. Discover Oracle’s strategic mastery in the AI compute market and envisage private equity’s transformation amidst AI advances. Engaging in these narratives reveals the rapid evolution and emerging opportunities shaping AI’s future.

1. AI’s Unsung Hero: Data Labeling and Expert Evals

In the podcast episode “AI’s Unsung Hero: Data Labeling and Expert Evals,” Labelbox CEO Manu Sharma and a16z partner Matt Bornstein discuss the critical role of data labeling and expert evaluations in the evolution of AI, highlighting the shift from building AI models to renting AI intelligence. They explore how Labelbox adapted to changes in AI, moving from pre-training to post-training models that assess their own responses, and how the company built a global network of experts to fine-tune AI systems. The conversation also touches on the importance of data and talent in the race for artificial general intelligence (AGI), exemplified by Meta’s acquisition of Scale AI.

Read more: https://a16z.com/podcast/ais-unsung-hero-data-labeling-and-expert-evals/

2. Advancing Open Source AI Through Benchmarks and Bold Experimentation

Andreessen Horowitz announced the third batch of Open Source AI Grant recipients, supporting projects that explore the capabilities and boundaries of frontier language models. The grants aim to fund hackers, researchers, and small teams working on AI development outside major labs, focusing on real-world problem-solving and innovative experimentation. Recipients include projects like SWE-Bench, ARC Prize, and others that push the limits of AI, revealing unexpected capabilities and raising important questions about AI’s interaction with the real world.

Read more: https://a16z.com/advancing-open-source-ai-through-benchmarks-and-bold-experimentation/

3. How Oracle Is Winning the AI Compute Market

Oracle’s Cloud Infrastructure business is experiencing significant growth, driven by its strategic partnerships and bold investments in datacenter capacity, such as the massive Abilene, Texas site. The company’s relationship with ByteDance has notably contributed to the rise of Johor, Malaysia as a major AI hub, highlighting Oracle’s global expansion efforts. Despite its success, Oracle faces challenges related to financial returns and competition, but its cost advantages in networking and strategic positioning as a “hybrid” datacenter provider offer promising opportunities for continued growth.

Read more: https://semianalysis.com/2025/06/30/how-oracle-is-winning-the-ai-compute-market/

4. 20VC: Inside KKR’s Monster $8BN European Fund | The $500M Turkey Gamble That Went Wrong | Do Andreessen & General Catalyst Scare KKR? | Will AI Kill the PE Model? | Can The PE Model Survive without IPOs and Where is the Liquidity with Philip Freise

In this episode of 20VC, Harry Stebbings interviews Philipp Freise, co-head of European Private Equity at KKR, discussing his experiences in venture capital, including lessons from investment failures and KKR’s strategies during the COVID-19 pandemic. Philipp provides insights on portfolio construction, capital allocation, and the impact of broader economic themes like aging demographics and the rise of China, while also exploring the future of private equity with AI’s potential influence. The conversation highlights challenges and opportunities in the European market, emphasizing the need for a capital market union and the potential for individual investors in alternative investments.

Read more: https://thetwentyminutevc.libsyn.com/20vc-inside-kkrs-monster-8bn-european-fund-the-500m-turkey-gamble-that-went-wrong-do-andreessen-general-catalyst-scare-kkr-will-ai-kill-the-pe-model-can-the-pe-model-survive-without-ipos-and-where-is-the-liquidity-with-philip-freise

That’s all for today’s Curated AI-Native Blogs and Podcasts. Join us at AI Native Foundation Membership Dashboard for the latest insights on AI Native, or follow our linkedin account at AI Native Foundation and our twitter account at AINativeF.