AI Startup Humans& Raises $480 Million at $4.5 Billion Valuation in Seed Round

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Artificial intelligence startup Humans& has raised $480 million in a seed funding round, valuing the company at about $4.48 billion, highlighting strong investor appetite for next-generation AI labs founded by experienced researchers.

The round was led by SV Angel and co-founder Georges Harik, with participation from Nvidia, Jeff Bezos, and Alphabet’s venture arm GV. Nvidia has become a prominent backer of AI startups as demand for its chips continues to surge.

Humans& was founded by former researchers from OpenAI, Alphabet, and xAI, and is developing human-centric AI tools designed to improve communication and collaboration. The company expects to launch its first product early this year.

Chief executive Eric Zelikman said the technology is designed to coordinate with people and other AI systems to help users work more effectively together. The founding team also includes alumni from Anthropic, Google DeepMind, and Meta, underscoring the depth of expertise behind the new venture.

Britain Needs AI Stress Tests for Financial Services, Lawmakers Say

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British lawmakers are urging regulators to introduce artificial intelligence-specific stress tests for the financial sector, warning that current oversight is not sufficient to protect consumers or ensure market stability as AI adoption accelerates.

In a report on AI in financial services, the Treasury Committee said the Financial Conduct Authority and the Bank of England should move beyond a “wait and see” approach. The committee recommended running AI-focused stress tests to help firms prepare for potential market shocks triggered by automated systems.

Committee chair Meg Hillier said she was not confident the financial system could withstand a major AI-related incident, calling the situation worrying as increasingly autonomous systems influence decisions. Around three-quarters of UK financial firms now use AI in core functions such as insurance claims processing and credit assessments.

While acknowledging benefits, the report warned of significant risks, including opaque credit decisions, exclusion of vulnerable consumers through algorithmic targeting, fraud, and the spread of unregulated financial advice via AI chatbots. Lawmakers also highlighted potential threats to financial stability, including reliance on a small number of U.S. technology providers and the risk that AI-driven trading could amplify herding behaviour in markets.

The committee urged the FCA to issue guidance by the end of 2026 on how consumer protection rules apply to AI and what level of understanding senior managers must have of the systems they oversee. The FCA said it would review the report, while the Bank of England said it would consider the recommendations. Separately, Britain’s finance ministry appointed senior figures from Starling Bank and Lloyds Banking Group to help guide AI adoption in financial services.

Meta Turning a Blind Eye to Illegal Gambling Ads, UK Regulator Says

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Britain’s Gambling Commission has accused Meta Platforms of failing to act against illegal online gambling advertisements appearing on its platforms, alleging the company continues to profit from unlawful activity.

Speaking at the ICE Barcelona trade show, Gambling Commission executive director Tim Miller said illegal casino ads are widely visible on Meta-owned platforms such as Facebook and Instagram. He argued that many of these ads promote gambling websites that are not registered with the UK’s GamStop self-exclusion scheme, which allows users to block themselves from online gambling services.

Miller rejected Meta’s claim that it only becomes aware of such ads after being notified, calling that assertion “simply false.” He said Meta’s own searchable advertising library clearly shows advertisers declaring their sites are “Not on GamStop,” adding that if regulators can identify them, Meta can as well.

“It could leave you with the impression they are quite happy to turn a blind eye and continue taking money from criminals and scammers,” Miller said, accusing the company of choosing not to look.

In response, Meta said it enforces strict advertising policies on gambling and gaming and removes ads that violate its rules once identified. A spokesperson said the company is working closely with the Gambling Commission to remove flagged ads and improve proactive detection tools, urging continued cooperation to protect users and legitimate advertisers.

The dispute highlights growing regulatory scrutiny of how major social media platforms monitor and control advertising linked to illegal activities.