Notion $11B Value, New OpenAI Image Model, Databricks $134B Valuation, & More.
This Week in AI Newsletter: 12/16/2025
Notion kicked off an employee share sale valuing the company at $11 billion after surpassing $600 million in annual recurring revenue, with roughly half coming from AI products. The move shows IPO momentum as Notion positions itself as an AI-first productivity platform aiming to compete with Microsoft and Google. More here.
OpenAI posted this (photo below) on X, hinting that they are going to release a new image model very soon… More here.
DoorDash launched Zesty, a new AI food discovery app that helps you find great local restaurants by asking natural-language questions and getting curated recommendations pulled from across the internet. It’s rolling out first in the SF Bay Area and New York. More here.
ChatGPT now allows you to “Branch in new chat” on IOS and Android after initial release in September to web users. This feature is great when you want to save the original chat but also want to go another direction. More here.
Databricks just raised $4B in a Series L at a $134B valuation, up 34% from $100B just three months ago. The company says AI is driving the momentum, highlighting new products like Lakebase (Postgres-based) and Agent Bricks, plus enterprise model deals with Anthropic and OpenAI. More here.
The WSJ reports that more companies are hiring “storytellers” to create content and shape how the public sees them. The trend is growing because traditional media is shrinking and brands want messages that feel more human and trustworthy in an age of AI content. More here.
Google is rolling out Gemini Agent that can handle real-world errands like renting a car by comparing prices, pulling relevant details from your inbox, and completing the booking. It is rolling out to Google AI Ultra subscribers in the U.S. on desktop and mobile. More here.
OpenAI-backed biotech startup Chai Discovery raised $130M in a Series B at a $1.3B valuation. The company is using AI models to speed up drug discovery, including designing custom antibodies from scratch. More here.
Disney’s three-year licensing partnership with OpenAI includes only one year of exclusivity. After the exclusive year ends, Disney can make similar licensing deals with other AI companies, while using this arrangement to test how generative AI fits with its IP strategy. Bob Iger told CNBC that once there was a disruption of their business models then they “should get on board.” More here.
Monetization in ChatGPT is starting to roll out, and “Instant Checkout” is now in limited beta for select marketplace partners. That means some users can complete purchases directly inside the chat instead of being sent out to a separate checkout page. More here.