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Fine-Tuning the Future of AI: Argonautic is proud to support the evolution of the AI ecosystem and the entrepreneurs powering the innovation

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7 months ago

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SEATTLE, Sept. 30, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — In the evolving landscape of artificial intelligence and machine learning, foundation models – the backbone of predictive tasks – have captivated the tech world. Their ability to perform learning tasks are transforming the way we approach natural language processing, computer vision, and signal processing. At Argonautic, while we acknowledge the pivotal role foundation models play in the AI value chain, it is our perspective that the verticalization of these models under direction of teams with unparalleled subject matter expertise and access to proprietary training data aligns with our capital efficient thesis versus new generalized foundation models which require high upfront training costs initially and face price commoditization in the long run.

Foundation models are pre-trained deep learning models that serve as the versatile and general base for computationally-intensive predictive tasks. Foundation models are then ‘fine-tuned’ to perform function specific tasks for a given use case. The term was coined by Stanford Academics in 2021 and surged in popularity in 2022 to describe the models which were breaking out at the time.  Foundation models are especially recognized for their ability to perform ‘zero-shot’ and ‘few-shot’ learning tasks, where a task is performed with few or zero examples previous given to the model.

Argonautic believes that while the evolution of foundation models is crucial for the advancement of AI and technology overall, business models which focus on building these baseline models have high capital requirements and likelihood of commoditization over time. Instead, we believe teams building models with strong subject matter expertise and knowledge of the problem to be solved (which may be built on these generalized models) will reliably come out ahead in solving the most important problems. These teams have unique access to proprietary data that can be used to train their fine-tuned models and unique distribution channels that more seamless inserts AI-powered tools into business workflows.

Foundation models are commonly used for a variety of natural language processing, computer vision, and signal processing tasks. Open AI’s “GPT-N” series captured the general public’s attention with its ability to craft coherent seeming text given a wide range of prompts. At its core, GPT-N simply predicts the next word in a sentence, which when scaled produces coherent seeming responses. It is trained on a large “corpus” of text data sourced mainly from the open internet but also from, forums, publications and  books.

Argonautic maintains a strategic focus on industries with use cases that require verticalized models. While recognizing the importance of foundation models in advancing AI and machine learning, it is clear that the concentration on constructing baseline models carries inherent limitations. Instead, Argonautic partners with teams with strong subject matter expertise to build models tailored to specific problem domains, leveraging their unique access to proprietary data and distribution channels. In the context of foundation models, Argonautic acknowledges the widespread applicability in natural language processing, computer vision, and signal processing tasks. By emphasizing the importance of fine-tuning to achieve verticalization, Argonautic underscores the ability of companies to specialize their models while benefiting from the underlying foundation model’s conversational interface. In this landscape, Argonautic positions itself against significant capital deployment in general foundation models due to diversification risks and concerns about the potential disruption posed by open-source models and new architectures.

For a generalized foundation model to become ‘verticalized’, it must be “fine-tuned” by passing in an extra set of domain specific data to tailor the generalized model for a use case. This allows companies to specialize their models while still benefiting from the conversational interface of the underlying foundation model. OpenAI’s ChatGPT, Alphabet’s Gemini, Meta’s Llama and others are foundation model driven businesses, which enables teams to build while avoiding billions of dollars of initial training costs.

Training a foundation model from scratch is a large, expensive, and important data engineering undertaking. The architecture of these models typically rely on transformers, which have been the industry standard for a number of years. Where it differs is the scale. The success of foundation models depends on the ability to seamless aggregate vast amounts of data with trillions of parameters. At the time of writing, this costs in the order of billions of dollars and will only grow as customer demands outpace the cost trends of computation and storage.

Argonautic does not believe general foundation models to be an area of capital deployment given our investment style. First, they require large checks which create diversification risk for our investors. Second, we are wary of the risk of open-source foundation models and new architectures disrupting the economics of proprietary models. For example, Retrieval Augmented Generation has changed the way enterprises look at retraining. Staying on are ahead of the curve is expensive and risky. 

Pre-dating the explosion of interest in private sector machine learning models, Argonautic believes the value of a model comes from a few areas: (1) unique architecture which gives it a technical or economic advantage (2) proprietary data which lets the model produce unique insights (3) ability to integrate seamlessly into existing workflows. Unique architecture is often spun off from academic institutions with heavy financial backing. As such our area of interest is in teams who have demonstrated the ability to use their unique insight to solve a specific problem. Teams in the space tend to work on verticalized foundation models which take general foundation models a step further with proprietary expertise.

For example, our portfolio company Cognaize, which automates financial spreading for large financial institutions, has accumulated years of financial data which allows it to fine-tune a defensible, verticalized foundation model in the financial technology space. Similarly, Document Crunch, which analyzes construction contracts for conflicting language, uses a corpus built over a number of years to produce exceedingly accurate results for its customers. ConCntric’s platform allows it collect data which will eventually inform its own powerful predictive model. The specific problems our protein engineering teams solve cannot be adequately addressed by a general model. The model’s differentiation for our teams is only possible because of the expertise of the overall team and is not reliant on a lasting technical edge.

As such, more important than ever, Argonautic is interested in teams that know the problem and market they are solving better than anyone else. This also protects companies from future disruption. Even with the next generation of trends, such as automated ‘AI agents’, we believe that teams with strong subject matter expertise are equipped to stay ahead of the pack. It is our view that general foundation models will never be able to solve a specific more reliably than a combination of an elite team that understands a problem and verticalized foundation model.

Argonautic is proud to have been deploying into AI since our founding. As technologists, we are excited to watch the field continue to change the world and as investors we see the opportunity to support this growth.

About Argonautic:

Founded in 2017, Argonautic is a AI/ML B2B venture capital fund investing across Fintech, Construction Tech and Biotech. Argonautic invests in entrepreneurs who are redefining the future of technology and innovation.

For more information, visit argonauticventures.com.

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SOURCE Argonautic

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Technology

TELUS announces election of directors

Published

14 minutes ago

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May 10, 2025

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VANCOUVER, BC, May 9, 2025 /CNW/ – TELUS Corporation (TELUS) (TSX: T) (NYSE: TU) announced today that the nominees listed in TELUS’ 2025 information circular were elected as directors of TELUS. The detailed results of the vote for the election of directors held at TELUS’ annual meeting on May 9, 2025 (the Meeting) are set out below.

Each of the following 14 nominees proposed by management was elected as a director of TELUS:

Nominee

Votes For

% Votes For

Votes Withheld

% Votes Withheld

Raymond T. Chan

685,826,716

98.37

11,371,525

1.63

Hazel Claxton

688,785,155

98.79

8,416,534

1.21

Lisa De Wilde

684,043,093

98.11

13,158,596

1.89

Victor Dodig

691,498,695

99.18

5,700,271

0.82

Darren Entwistle

682,366,011

97.87

14,838,755

2.13

Thomas Flynn

693,297,141

99.44

3,901,641

0.56

Mary Jo Haddad

629,411,988

90.28

67,795,553

9.72

Martha Hall Findlay

693,905,510

99.53

3,293,499

0.47

Christine Magee

688,777,242

98.79

8,421,767

1.21

John Manley

684,643,528

98.20

12,557,151

1.80

David Mowat

687,569,365

98.62

9,629,644

1.38

Marc Parent

660,847,804

94.79

36,350,978

5.21

Denise Pickett

689,927,911

98.96

7,270,661

1.04

W. Sean Willy

691,051,394

99.12

6,147,405

0.88

Final voting results on all matters voted on at the Meeting will be published shortly on telus.com/agm, and filed with the Canadian and U.S. securities regulators.

About TELUS

TELUS (TSX: T, NYSE: TU) is a world-leading communications technology company, generating over $20 billion in annual revenue with more than 20 million customer connections through our advanced suite of broadband services for consumers, businesses and the public sector. We are committed to leveraging our technology to enable remarkable human outcomes. TELUS is passionate about putting our customers and communities first, leading the way globally in client service excellence and social capitalism. Our TELUS Health business is enhancing more than 76 million lives worldwide through innovative preventive medicine and well-being technologies. Our TELUS Agriculture & Consumer Goods business utilizes digital technologies and data insights to optimize the connection between producers and consumers. Guided by our enduring ‘give where we live’ philosophy, TELUS, our team members and retirees have contributed $1.8 billion in cash, in-kind contributions, time and programs including 2.4 million days of service since 2000, earning us the distinction of the world’s most giving company.

For more information about TELUS, please visit telus.com, follow us at @TELUSNews on X and @Darren_Entwistle on Instagram.

For more information, please contact:
Jacinthe Beaulieu
TELUS Media Relations
Jacinthe.Beaulieu@telus.com

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/telus-announces-election-of-directors-302451544.html

SOURCE TELUS Communications Inc.

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VertexOne Celebrates Client Recognized for Digital Engagement Innovation at IUCX Amid Broader CX Transformation Push

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1 hour ago

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May 9, 2025

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PHOENIX, May 9, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — VertexOne, a leading provider of cloud software designed to revolutionize the customer experience within the energy and utility industry, is pleased to be wrapping up this year’s 49th annual IUCX (formally CS Week) Conference on a celebratory note after its client, the City of Round Rock, Texas, took home top honors in two categories at this year’s IUCX’s Expanding Excellence Awards.

 

“These awards spotlight what’s possible when utilities have both a strong vision and the right tools to bring it to life” – VertexOne COO Tina Santizo

The city was honored for its leadership in digital engagement and project innovation, including a multi-phase customer portal initiative that helps residents gain greater control over their water usage and avoid high-bill surprises. The recognition capped off a high-visibility week for VertexOne, which launched its new customer engagement engine, VXconnect, on the first day of the conference.

Built on the foundation of proven value and functionality, VXconnect, was reimagined from the ground up as a single, unified SaaS system designed to help energy and utility providers evolve engagement, drive efficiency, and scale for what’s next.

A panel of IUCX judges selected winners in six categories – including four company, and two individual awards – with two of the four company categories featuring two winners based on company size: Level I for utilities grossing more than $1 billion in revenue, and Level II for those with an annual gross below $1 billion.

Innovation in Digital Engagement – Winner, City of Round Rock, Texas

The City of Round Rock, Texas taking home IUCX’s Innovation in Digital Engagement award, which salutes utilities that showcase technologically complex projects that improved services in the meter-to-cash CX lifecycle through digital engagement.

Round Rock awarded for their two-phased customer payment portal project which they undertook to empower customers with real-time usage information and customizable alerts for leaks and consumption thresholds to make informed decisions and avoid high bills.

IUCX Rising Star Award – Winner, Debbie Seman, City of Round Rock, Texas

Additionally, the City of Round Rock’s Utility Billing & Revenue Supervisor, Debbie Seman, was individually bestowed one of two distinguished 2025 Rising Star Awards for spearheading the utility’s consumption portal project, where she collaborated with IT, various departments and vendors as its project manager.

Seman, heralded specifically for her, “remarkable talent for implementing creative problem-solving techniques, approaching challenges collaboratively and refining processes with an unwavering can-do attitude,” according to her nominator. Adding that her excellence in “streamlining processes, introducing innovations, and fostering a positive work environment” as other accolades typical of Seman’s work ethic.

“Watching Round Rock succeed on this stage is incredibly meaningful,” said Keith Ahonen, SVP of Partners and Channels at VertexOne and former COO of Accelerated Innovations, acquired by VertexOne in December 2024.

“It’s gratifying to see the evolution – not just of the technology, but of the outcomes,” Ahonen added. “This kind of recognition shows how collaboration and innovation can come together to create real results.”

“These awards spotlight what’s possible when utilities have both a strong vision and the right tools to bring it to life,” said VertexOne Chief Operating Officer Tina Santizo. “Round Rock’s success reflects exactly why we built VXconnect; to empower forward-thinking teams with a unified, modern solution that moves beyond engagement into impact.”

Earlier in the week VertexOne leaders contributed to three high-impact IUCX sessions addressing key customer experience challenges and future-facing strategies: 

Reaching vulnerable customers through proactive, personalized engagementAdvancing water conservation with data-driven personalizationTransforming passive customers into active participants through behavior-based incentives.

IUCX is the premier educational and networking conference serving electric, gas and water/wastewater utility professionals across North America and around the world. It provides learning and connection opportunities in support of the utility CX lifecycle: Billing & Payments, Contact Center, Credit & Collections, Digital Engagement, Disruptors, Field Services, and Strategies & Analytics.

Click here for more information and a full list of this year’s slate of IUCX’s 2025 Expanding Excellence Award (EEA) winners and finalists.

About VertexOne
VertexOne is the leading provider of cloud-based SaaS solutions, powering the next generation of customer experience for utilities, energy retailers and energy transition providers. With more than 30 years of experience and 400 customers in the cloud, we capitalize on our deep expertise to provide a wide range of innovative solutions for digital transformation, revenue optimization and data-driven efficiency operations surrounding the customer. We empower our clients to deliver a compelling customer experience, reduce costs to serve, increase operational efficiency and improve customer satisfaction. For more information on how VertexOne allows you to enhance the digital customer experience, improve revenue management and leverage data analytics, visit vertexone.ai

MEDIA
Lynn Steinberg
VertexOne
lynn.steinberg@vertexone.net

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SOURCE VertexOne

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Technology

Progressive Planet Announces Stock Options

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1 hour ago

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May 9, 2025

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Disclaimer:
This news release, required by Canadian laws, does not constitute an offer of securities and is not for distribution or dissemination outside Canada.

KAMLOOPS, BC, May 9, 2025 /CNW/ – Progressive Planet (TSXV: PLAN) (OTCQB: ASHXF) (“Progressive Planet”, “PLAN”, or the “Company”) announces that it has granted a total of up to 2,860,000 stock options to directors, officers, consultants and employees of the company, exercisable at a price of $0.18 per share for a period of five years from the date of grant. Of this amount, 2,110,000 of the options were issued to directors, officers, or insiders of the Company.

The options have been granted in accordance with the Company’s stock option plan and are subject to the applicable policies of the TSX Venture Exchange.

About Progressive Planet:

Progressive Planet, based in Kamloops, British Columbia, is redefining sustainability with our Products for a Healthy Planet™. By leveraging owned mineral assets and recycled materials, we develop patented and patent-pending innovations that promote a healthier planet.

Our C-Quester™ Centre of Sustainable Solutions leads advancements in low-carbon cement technologies, while our second on-site lab focuses on sustainable solutions for agriculture and animal care. Progressive Planet’s products are proudly available in over 10,000 retail locations across North America. For more information, visit progressiveplanet.com.

Progressive Planet provides regular information for investors on its website: progressiveplanet.com/investors/. This includes press releases and other information about financial performance, patents filed, and information on corporate governance.

Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accept responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

Forward-Looking Statements:

Certain statements in this release are forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements consist of statements that are not purely historical, including any statements regarding beliefs, plans, expectations, or intentions regarding the future. Such statements are subject to risks and uncertainties that may cause actual results, performance, or developments to differ materially from those contained in the statements. No assurance can be given that any of the events anticipated by the forward-looking statements will occur or, if they do occur, what benefits the Company will obtain from them. These forward-looking statements reflect management’s current views and are based on certain expectations, estimates and assumptions which may prove to be incorrect. A number of risks and uncertainties could cause our actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements, including factors beyond the Company’s control. These forward-looking statements are made as of the date of this news release.

SOURCE Progressive Planet Solutions Inc.

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