A profile of AI contractor marketplace Mercor, which is valued at $10B and whose three 22-year-old founders are Thiel Fellows, each holding a roughly 22% stake (Richard Nieva/Forbes)

The Old Course at St Andrews is set to undergo significant enhancements ahead of the 2027 Open Championship. This renovation is not just about aesthetics; it aims to improve the overall experience for players and spectators alike. With its rich history and status as one of the most iconic golf courses in the world, these changes are expected to attract even more visitors and elevate the course's prestige. It's an exciting time for golf enthusiasts as they look forward to seeing how these updates will enhance this legendary venue.

This week showcased the ongoing strength of the AI sector with significant funding rounds, including a remarkable $350 million Series C for the AI hiring startup Mercor. This highlights the growing investor confidence in AI technologies, alongside notable investments in legal tech and e-commerce platforms. Such financial backing not only fuels innovation but also indicates a robust market for tech solutions that enhance efficiency and security.

Lettuce Financial, a fintech platform catering to one-person businesses, has successfully raised $28 million in funding led by Zeev. This significant investment not only highlights the growing demand for tailored financial services for solopreneurs but also positions Lettuce Financial to expand its offerings, including a recent acquisition of a benefits startup. This move is crucial as it addresses the unique challenges faced by solo entrepreneurs, making it easier for them to manage their finances and compliance.

Eric Zelikman, a former researcher at xAI, is making waves by seeking to raise $1 billion at a $5 billion valuation for his new venture, Humans&, which focuses on developing AI that collaborates more effectively with humans. This initiative is significant as it aims to bridge the gap between artificial intelligence and human interaction, potentially transforming how we work alongside technology. The success of this funding could pave the way for advancements in AI that prioritize human collaboration, making it a noteworthy development in the tech landscape.

UK-based AI video start-up Synthesia has successfully raised $200 million, bringing its valuation to an impressive $4 billion. This funding round, led by Google Ventures, highlights the growing interest and investment in AI technologies, particularly in video generation. Such significant backing not only boosts Synthesia's potential for innovation but also signals a strong belief in the future of AI-driven content creation.

Synthesia, a company specializing in AI-generated videos featuring avatars, has successfully raised $200 million in funding led by GV, boosting its valuation to $4 billion. This significant increase from a previous valuation of $2.1 billion in January highlights the growing demand for innovative video solutions in the corporate sector. As businesses increasingly turn to AI for content creation, Synthesia's advancements position it as a leader in this transformative space, making this funding round a noteworthy development in the tech industry.

Legal AI startup Harvey has successfully raised $150 million in a funding round led by a16z, boosting its valuation to $8 billion, a significant increase from $5 billion just a few months ago. This funding brings Harvey's total capital raised to over $1 billion, highlighting the growing confidence in AI technologies within the legal sector. This development is crucial as it underscores the potential for AI to transform legal practices, making them more efficient and accessible.

Elanat is making strides in web development with the upcoming release of WebForms Core version 2, which aims to enhance the developer experience by allowing users to submit only changed data. This innovative feature is set to simplify the development process, making it more efficient and user-friendly. As the tech landscape evolves, such advancements are crucial for developers looking to streamline their workflows and improve productivity.

CinemaSins has taken a humorous look at the film 'Longlegs,' highlighting the quirks of Nicolas Cage's performance and the film's unique features, like its notably long legs. This playful critique not only entertains but also builds anticipation for Osgood Perkins' upcoming project, 'Keeper.' By engaging with their audience through various platforms like Patreon and Discord, CinemaSins continues to foster a community around film discussions, making this analysis relevant and enjoyable for fans.

CinemaSins has just released a fun and engaging video titled 'Everything Wrong With Sinners In 15 Minutes Or Less,' which humorously critiques one of the year's standout genre films. This video is perfect for Halloween, showcasing the group's signature style of nitpicking even the best movies. Along with the video, they provide links to their various platforms, including YouTube channels and a Patreon for fans who want to support their work. This release not only entertains but also highlights the community around film critique, making it a must-watch for movie lovers.

Mr Sunday Movies is launching an exciting four-week exploration of the first four Predator films, starting with the iconic 1987 movie featuring Arnold Schwarzenegger. They celebrate the film as a quintessential 80s action sci-fi masterpiece, highlighting its exceptional direction, strong cast chemistry, and memorable elements like creature design and thrilling action sequences. This deep dive not only revisits a beloved classic but also invites fans to engage further with exclusive content available at bigsandwich.co.

Mr Sunday Movies takes a fresh look at 'Predator 2 - Caravan of Garbage,' highlighting how Danny Glover steps into the lead role in a crime-ridden Los Angeles. This sequel shakes up the original formula by introducing a more lethal Predator amidst the urban chaos, making it a thrilling ride for fans. It's significant because it showcases how sequels can reinvent themselves while still delivering the action and excitement that audiences crave.

In a recent exploration, Alessio Pelliccione delves into the mechanics of modern development servers and their rebuild processes. By creating a minimal engine, he aims to demystify how tools like esbuild and Vite efficiently determine what needs to be rebuilt. This insight is crucial for developers looking to optimize their workflows and understand the underlying technology that powers their build tools.