Lion Herald Newsroom updates on Friday September 4th 2026

Google DeepMind has launched WeatherNext 3, its latest AI weather model, promising faster and more localized forecasts by using real-time satellite observations.

Unlike many AI forecasting systems that depend heavily on data from traditional weather models, WeatherNext 3 feeds hourly satellite observations directly into its AI system. Google says the approach allows it to produce a new global forecast every hour, with some temperature and moisture predictions reaching resolutions of up to five kilometers.

The company also claims the model can improve precipitation forecasts by up to 50% when predicting conditions at least a day ahead.

WeatherNext 3 will also support renewable energy forecasting by predicting wind speeds, cloud cover and solar radiation. It is now being introduced across Google Search, Gemini, Google Maps and other Google services.

IFA 2026 has opened in Berlin, bringing together more than 1,900 exhibitors as artificial intelligence, energy efficiency and connected homes take centre stage.

The five-day consumer technology show is expected to attract over 220,000 attendees from 140 countries. This year, manufacturers are shifting the conversation around AI from simple app-based controls towards technology that can make decisions and perform tasks for users.

Miele is showcasing an intelligent dishwasher that recognises different loads and adjusts washing cycles automatically, alongside AI-powered cooking and laundry technology. Siemens has introduced an oven capable of recognising more than 100 dishes, while AEG and Liebherr are presenting new technology aimed at making kitchens more automated and efficient.

Bosch, Samsung, LG, Hisense, Haier and Midea are also showcasing new products. IFA has also added a dedicated outdoor cooking and gardening area for the first time.

Thinking Machines, the AI startup founded by former OpenAI CTO Mira Murati, is reportedly in talks to raise $1 billion at a valuation of at least $40 billion.

Existing investor Accel is in discussions to lead the round, according to The Information and a source familiar with the talks. The proposed valuation is below the $50 billion the company reportedly sought late last year.

Thinking Machines has an annual revenue run rate exceeding $100 million, making the potential $40 billion valuation a substantial multiple of current revenue.

The startup launched Inkling, an open-weight AI model, in July and generates revenue through usage-based compute fees on its Tinker platform.

Thinking Machines previously raised $2 billion at a $12 billion valuation in one of the largest seed rounds on record. The company has since seen several prominent departures, including co-founders who returned to OpenAI.

AI infrastructure company Crusoe has raised $3 billion at a $30 billion valuation, tripling its valuation in less than a year, according to Bloomberg.

The round is being co-led by Atreides Management and Valor Equity Partners, with participation from Mubadala Capital, the asset management arm of Abu Dhabi’s sovereign wealth fund Mubadala.

The financing follows a reported $13 billion, five-year cloud agreement with quantitative trading firm Jane Street, under which Crusoe will provide GPUs and AI infrastructure.

Crusoe previously raised $1.38 billion at a $10 billion valuation in October 2025.

Founded in 2018 as a cryptocurrency mining operation powered by flared natural gas, Crusoe has evolved into a major data center and AI cloud provider, serving customers including Meta, Microsoft and OpenAI.

The company is also exploring a potential IPO and recently held discussions with investment banks including Goldman Sachs and Morgan Stanley.

Smart ring maker Oura has filed to go public, revealing rapid revenue growth as it looks to expand beyond traditional fitness tracking.

The company generated $1.2 billion in revenue during the nine months ended June 30, up from $697 million in the same period a year earlier, according to its SEC filing. Oura expects annual revenue to approach $2 billion this year.

Oura said it sold 3.6 million rings over the past year and has about 5 million paying members. Its 12-month membership retention rate stands at roughly 85%.

Founded in Finland in 2013, Oura could reportedly seek a valuation of around $16 billion and raise about $3 billion in its offering.

The filing comes as Oura pushes deeper into healthcare and AI, while facing a proposed class action lawsuit challenging the accuracy of its sleep-tracking technology. Oura has disputed the allegations.