Bank of America Corp. has begun using artificial intelligence to predict the likelihood of companies defaulting on loans. "Today we present our inaugural work on applying the latest machine learning tools to analyzing the credit risk," Bank of America credit strategists Oleg Melentyev and Eric Yu and head of predictive analytics Toby Wade said in a research note Friday. They have started using natural language processing to digest earnings-calls transcripts in order to estimate companies' probability of default over the next 12 months. In expanding their default model with the help of AI, the credit strategists seek to detect language used by chief executive officers and chief financial officers that signals a company's high likelihood of default. Phrases that link to defaulting include cost cutting, asset sales, and cash burn, they said.

For years, the lidar business has had a lot of hype but not a lot of hard numbers. Dozens of lidar startups have touted their impressive technology, but until recently it wasn't clear who, if anyone, was actually gaining traction with customers. This story originally appeared on Ars Technica, a trusted source for technology news, tech policy analysis, reviews, and more. Ars is owned by WIRED's parent company, Condé Nast. This summer, three leading lidar makers have done major fundraising rounds that included releasing public data on their financial performance.

For years, the lidar business has had a lot of hype but not a lot of hard numbers. Dozens of lidar startups have touted their impressive technology, but until recently it wasn't clear who, if anyone, was actually gaining traction with customers. This summer, three leading lidar makers have done major fundraising rounds that included releasing public data on their financial performance. The latest lidar maker to release financial data is Ouster, which announced a $42 million fundraising round in a Tuesday blog post. That blog post also revealed a striking statistic: the company says it now has 800 customers.

Glia Customers Can Use Boost.ai's Boost.ai, a global leader in artificial intelligence for Fortune 1000 companies, has announced a partnership with Glia, a leading provider of Digital Customer Service, to integrate Boost.ai's The integration means Glia customers can build AI-powered self-learning virtual agents using Boost.ai's "Self-learning AI from Boost.ai makes it possible for Glia's customers to create specially developed and finely tuned virtual agents that are even more valuable when coordinated by the Glia platform throughout the course of a customer engagement," said Henry Iversen, co-founder and CCO at Boost.ai. "This might involve filling out a loan application or opening a new bank account, where seamless transition between channels including social, SMS, webchat, and voice is assistive to both customers and agents alike."

Goldenbridge Acquisition, a blank check company targeting the artificial intelligence industry, filed on Tuesday with the SEC to raise up to $50 million in an initial public offering. The Hong Kong-based company plans to raise $50 million by offering 5 million units at $10. Each unit consists of one share of common stock; one warrant for one-half of a share, exercisable at $11.50; and one right to receive one-tenth of a share upon completion of the initial business combination. At the proposed deal size, Goldenbridge Acquisition would command a market value of $65 million. The company is led by CEO and Chairman Yongsheng Liu, former CEO of Royal China Holdings, and COO Ray Chen, former CEO of Fortissimo Film International.

Whether or not you "know" IBM, you know IBM: the global technology conglomerate has been the face of electronic innovation for over 100 years. Often called "Big Blue," this company now officially makes the grade for the S&P 500 Aristocrats, as it has just raised its dividend for the 25th consecutive year (though whether or not it will join the index is yet to be seen). These increased dividends come on the back of a rather harsh year. In fact, IBM is one of a handful of major tech names that have not excelled exponentially in the face of work-from-home practices. Once IBM crashed in March, it never fully recovered to pre-pandemic highs – it hasn't moved substantially since June.

StoryFile offers a somewhat unique service that seems poised to look like something out of Black Mirror. The company – a relative newcomer – helps people to record themselves telling their stories, then presents those stories in an interactive, voice-activated interface. Users can ask the digital storytellers questions, which are interpreted by the StoryFile app and answered with snippets from their recorded stories. Now, StoryFile is announcing that it has acquired a new portfolio of patents covering the use of AI in creating "artificially intelligent interactive memories." StoryFile began with a greenscreen studio and select guests, including Nobel laureates, astronauts, Holocaust survivors, and many others.

We Fools may not all hold the same opinions, but we all believe that considering a diverse range of insights makes us better investors. Follow Anders on Twitter, LinkedIn, and Google . Artificial intelligence (AI) is a hot topic these days. Many companies rely on machine learning and deep data analysis to take their business operations to the next level. Other companies want to supply the needed tools to make a reality out of those AI-powered dreams. The COVID-19 lockdowns have accelerated growth in the industry because AI tools can be helpful in work-from-home and shelter-in-place situations. The AI market is a game-changing opportunity for the next decade and beyond. You've not missed out on this explosive investment idea, even if this is the first time you're looking at AI stocks.

Acquisition broadens Fastly's security offering and accelerates Compute@Edge adoption; Expected to be accretive to growth and gross margin Fastly, Inc., provider of an edge cloud platform, announced that it has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire Signal Sciences ("Signal Sciences"), for approximately $775 million in cash and stock. The acquisition will expand Fastly's robust security portfolio at a time when security at the edge has never been more critical. Signal Sciences' strong, developer-first web application and API protection solutions will bolster Fastly's existing security offerings to bring customers a unified edge security solution. Signal Sciences' technology combined with Fastly's current solutions will form Fastly's upcoming new security offering, Secure@Edge. Secure@Edge will be a modern, unified web application and API protection solution that will power and protect companies looking to further or begin their digital transformation.

ACTO, a startup using AI-powered mobile experiences to educate stakeholders in life sciences, today closed an $11.5 million funding round. The round dovetails with the launch of the company's capabilities for supporting doctors, nurses, and other health providers with conversational AI that surfaces information about drugs and medical devices. "Pharma and medtech companies are answering the call of duty during the pandemic," ACTO CEO Parth Khanna told VentureBeat via email. "Now more than ever, we need to bring medical innovations to market quickly and efficiently. With the new funding, ACTO is well-positioned to help life sciences pioneers thrive in the'new normal' and accelerate digital transformation to virtually engage all key stakeholders, from reps to providers to patients."