IN THE SPOTLIGHT
The state of travel (web3’s version)

Summer 2024 is in full swing.

There aren't many industries left untouched by crypto.

Travel is one of them.

Projected to reach $972.5 billion by the end of this decade, does web3 really need to fix this industry?

We found this relatively young blockchain network is making waves. It has been onboarding validators, adding new features, and even held a public token sale in January, supported by Lufthansa.

We're talking about the Camino Network, started by travel industry veterans, building the infrastructural foundation for the web3 version of this heavily centralized industry.

Read more about how blockchain can disrupt and improve the travel industry for all of us.

Is ChatGPT your new vacation planner?

AI tools like ChatGPT can handle emails, coding, and help plan vacations or find restaurants and flights. But not many Americans use AI for travel planning yet—Gen Z prefers getting travel inspiration from social media videos instead.

How is AI impacting the retail industry?

We are witnessing firsthand how AI is reshaping, or at least assisting, many industries. But how is the retail industry, projected to hit $32 trillion in sales by 2026, leveraging AI?

It's not just the customer service sector. McKinsey predicts that AI will enhance productivity, software engineering, and overall customer operations within retail.

Read more on this topic in Jasper's article here.

SUBSTRATES
What else is happening?

• Peter Thiel's Founders Fund co-led an $85M seed round in Sentient, an open-source AI platform on Polygon. This expands Ethereum into AI, addressing concentration in AI development and promoting equitable distribution of its benefits.

• RootData reports a decline in crypto venture capital investments in June, with 92 publicly disclosed investments. This represents a 40% decrease compared to May, which had 153 fundraising rounds. The total amount raised in June was $697 million, a 30% drop from May's $990 million.

• Robinhood bought Pluto, an AI investment research platform, for an undisclosed amount to improve its services with advanced data analysis, personalized investment advice, and real-time portfolio optimization using AI.

• Unstoppable Domains launched a marketplace for trading tokenized .com domains and other Web3 domains such as .crypto, .bitcoin, and .eth.

• Amazon acquired Adept to license its AI models, datasets, and technologies, enhancing its generative AI and automation capabilities.

• Sony plans to relaunch Whalefin, the cryptocurrency exchange in Japan, following its acquisition of Amber Japan, which has now been rebranded as S.BLOX Co., Ltd. effective July 1.

• Consensys acquires the cryptocurrency security firm Wallet Guard to enhance MetaMask’s security. This includes improving scam and drainer detection through transaction validation and client-side heuristics.

FROM THE REPOSITORY
5 tools to add to your maker’s arsenal

• FormGPT to create surveys and forms for free

• Moni to discover super early web3 projects and insights

• Lindy to build custom AI assistants with zero code

• Open is the home for onchain ticketing

• FinChat to conduct investment research with AI

*Shipping amazing products or services in AI or web3? Reach out and get featured for free to your community of over 1k readers.

SCOOPS OF THE WEEK

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