Joyce Shen’s picks: musings and readings in AI/ML, July 21, 2025
5-minute weekly must-read on data science and artificial intelligence news, funding, and research, curated by Joyce J. Shen.
📌 Musings and Readings
Meet Khanmigo: the student tutor AI being tested in school districts | 60 Minutes (Link)
Can AI really code? Study maps the roadblocks to autonomous software engineering (Link)
Microsoft likely to sign EU AI code of practice, Meta rebuffs guidelines (Link)
Netflix uses AI effects for first time to cut costs (Link)
GeologicAI secures $44m in funding for AI-driven development in mining industry (Link)
OpenEvidence raises $210M, unveils AI agents built for advanced medical research (Link)
👏 More Deals
Blok, a CA-based company developing an AI-powered simulation platform that lets product teams test and optimize user experiences using synthetic agents, has raised $5m in seed financing.
Bastazo, a AR-based cybersecurity company that automates and prioritizes vulnerability remediation for secure, compliant, and uninterrupted operations, has raised $5.3m in seed financing.
Opper.ai, a Stockholm-based startup providing a developer platform that turns large language models into production-ready AI agents, has raised $3m in pre-seed financing.
Cogent Security, a CA-based company that automates and accelerates enterprise vulnerability management, has raised $11m in financing.
Trusty, a Toronto-based startup providing an AI-powered estate planning platform, has raised $1m in pre-seed financing.
Asepha, a Toronto-based health-tech startup that automates pharmacy workflows, has raised $4m in seed financing.
Motor Ai, a Berlin-based startup developing a neuroscience-inspired Level 4 AI “driver” platform designed for certification, transparency, and full compliance with EU safety standards, has raised $20m in financing.
Callidus AI, a CA–based startup offering a generative AI platform that automates legal workflows, has raised $10m in financing.
Franzy, a NC–based company providing an AI-powered franchise marketplace that helps users discover, evaluate, and invest in new or resale franchise opportunities through personalized matching, data-rich profiles, has raised $2.2m in seed financing.
Trupeer.ai, a CA–based startup offering an AI-powered platform that transforms simple screen recordings into multilingual product videos and auto-generated documentation, has raised $3m in seed financing.
Quandri, a Vancouver, Canada-based company that automates personal-lines insurance renewals for brokerages, has raised $12m in financing.
Billee Technologies, a TX-based company providing an AI-powered utility billing and analytics platform for multifamily properties, has raised $9m in seed financing.