Latest news with #Spielman
Business Insider
5 days ago
- Business
- Business Insider
The Googlers behind NotebookLM are launching their own AI audio startup. Here's a sneak peek.
Some of the key people behind Google's viral AI podcasting app NotebookLM have launched a new startup, and it just unveiled its first product. NotebookLM went viral last year for letting users create AI-generated podcasts about any topic they liked. Some even called it Google's ChatGPT moment. NotebookLM team lead Raiza Martin, designer Jason Spielman, and engineer Stephen Hughes learned from building the app that a surprising number of people actually learn best through audio—not necessarily through text like ChatGPT. They also learned that building a product outside a tech giant like Google is much faster. So, in December 2024, they left Google to launch their own startup, Huxe, which has been operating in stealth mode ever since. On Thursday, it launched a consumer AI app that connects to users' email, calendar, and other personal feeds and generates a daily audio briefing tailored just for them. "People just really seem to digest information more clearly when it's in that audio form," Spielman told Business Insider. Huxe declined to disclose its investors and what it's raised so far. San Francisco venture firm Conviction is one investor, according to an X post from its partner Pranav Reddy. Huxe creates personalized audio Huxe aims to create a personalized feed of AI audio content so users spend less time locked onto their screens and focus more on experiencing the world around them, Martin told Business Insider. Here's what a daily audio briefing from Huxe could go like, Martin says: Good morning! Here are your latest emails. This person has followed up five times — here's what they want. Also, here's what's going on with your meetings today and some headlines you'll care about. Huxe also has a feature called Instant Deep Dive, where users can ask any question, like "What just happened with Nvidia earnings?" or "Summarize OpenAI's latest releases," and get an informative audio response. Users can also interrupt Huxe or ask it questions in real time. Huxe publicly launched the product Thursday, though it is initially only available to a select group of users. It's still early and the product could change, Huxe's cofounders said. Building outside Google was much faster Martin said she was shocked at how quickly they were able to build the first version of Huxe. It only took about a month, she says, mostly because she could just make a decision without needing any approvals from other people. "I think it was just very different building outside of Google," Martin said. "It was great, especially for testing a concept." Spielman has been clear that the idea of Google being slow is a "misconception," he said in a podcast with Sequoia Capital. Still, Google's bureaucracy has gained some infamy in Silicon Valley, and a former Googler has even created a presentation comparing this bureaucracy to " slime mold." Building out of fear isn't the answer Huxe began as an app that lets businesses chat with their data by connecting to tools like Salesforce. While Huxe has since pivoted to focus on consumers, the founders kept a key idea from the original version of Huxe: integrating with your existing apps so the AI can talk across your tools. Still, Huxe faces the risk that a tech giant ends up launching something quite similar and stealing its thunder. Google said at I/O last month that it wants Gemini to be a super-helpful assistant that connects to Gmail and other apps. OpenAI also lets business users connect with Google Drive and use a "record mode" to take notes on meetings. NotebookLM hasn't left the scene, either, and still generates podcasts on specific topics. Google announced Tuesday that it now supports sharing NotebookLM notes publicly. In the end, Martin said you can't build while looking over your shoulder, especially when AI changes so rapidly. "It's hard to be creative and focused when you're in a state of fear," she said. "The newest products that are going to be our everyday products in the future are still to be discovered."
Yahoo
25-04-2025
- Yahoo
Mother Trapped Underneath Car for Hours After Teen Crashes Through Her Home
A mother is recovering after being trapped for hours beneath a car that crashed into her Pennsylvania home. Nicole Spielman was at home taking a nap around 3:45 p.m. on Saturday, April 19, when she woke up to a car on top of her, according to a crash report from state police viewed by PEOPLE and CBS affiliate WHP. The 16-year-old driver, who was not identified in the crash report, was traveling east on State Route 30 when he hit a utility pole, slid down an embankment and crashed into the north side of Spielman's home, according to police. In addition to causing significant damage to the house, the mother spent two hours pinned beneath the car on her stomach as first responders sought to free her. Related: Ohio Driver Causes 3-Car Crash with 'Heavy Damage' and Multiple Injuries After Allegedly Dropping His Doughnut "I was screaming for help," Spielman told WHP. "I'm not really sure if anybody could hear me in the beginning." After her rescue, which involved mechanical equipment, Spielman was flown to a trauma center at York Hospital, according to police. The car had to be extracted and towed from the home due to "disabling" damage to the front of the vehicle. Related: 2 Teens Among 4 Killed After Car Hits Charter Bus in Triple Car Crash on Washington Highway The driver, who was wearing a seatbelt, sustained minor injuries but refused to be taken to the hospital, according to the crash report. The teen was cited for not driving within the roadway. Never miss a story — sign up for to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human-interest stories. Spielman's older sister, Tina Keyser, started a GoFundMe to help cover rebuilding costs for the family, which includes Spielman's 7-year-old child. "The family is now without a home and needing to stay in a hotel," she wrote, noting that a number of their possessions have also been lost. Keyser did not immediately respond to PEOPLE's request for comment. Read the original article on People
Yahoo
11-04-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Mukwonago's Luke Spielman: Wisconsin Middle School Principal of Year
The Brief Luke Spielman, principal of Park View Middle School in the Mukwonago Area School District, has been named the 2025 Middle School Principal of the Year. Spielman is recognized for his focus on continuous improvement, collaboration, empowerment, relationship building, and trust, leading to improved student outcomes. The Principal of the Year award is supported by the Herb Kohl Educational Foundation. MUKWONAGO, Wis. - The Association of Wisconsin School Administrators (AWSA) announced on Friday, April 11 that Luke Spielman has been named the 2025 Middle School Principal of the Year. What we know A news release says Spielman serves as principal of Park View Middle School in the Mukwonago Area School District (MASD). There, he has focused on fostering a culture of continuous improvement, collaboration, and empowerment, while prioritizing relationship building and trust. He has led strategic efforts to restructure the school schedule, extend instructional time, and create protected collaboration periods for teachers, which have directly improved student outcomes. FREE DOWNLOAD: Get breaking news alerts in the FOX LOCAL Mobile app for iOS or Android Under Spielman's leadership, Park View has implemented inclusive, data-driven practices that close achievement gaps and promote college and career readiness. Proficiency among students with disabilities has improved significantly in both math and English Language Arts. Park View's DPI Growth Priority Score also rose from the 11th to the 75th percentile in just two years. Dig deeper Supported by the Herb Kohl Educational Foundation, the Principal of the Year award recognizes school leaders who have helped drive student learning, foster instructional collaboration, and create safe and positive school environments. Recipients are selected based on their dedication to professional excellence, leadership skills, and service to their communities. What you can do Each year, teachers, parents, staff, and administrators are asked to nominate principals for the award. The recipients are selected by a committee made up of representatives of parents and classroom, school, and district leaders. To learn more about the award, visit The Source The information in this post was provided by the Association of Wisconsin School Administrators.
The Independent
29-03-2025
- Politics
- The Independent
Giving ex-Ofsted chief Amanda Spielman seat in Lords is an insult, says dead teacher's sister
The sister of a headteacher who took her own life after a school inspection has branded reports that Ofsted's then-chief inspector could receive a seat in the House of Lords 'an insult'. Amanda Spielman oversaw Ofsted when Ruth Perry died in 2023 after a report downgraded her Caversham Primary School in Reading, Berkshire, from its highest rating to its lowest over safeguarding concerns. An inquest into the headteacher's death found the inspection had contributed to her death. An independent review into how Ofsted handled Mrs Perry's death found in 2024 it was 'defensive and complacent'. Ms Spielman, who served as the chief inspector of the schools watchdog between 2017 and 2023, is reported to have been nominated for a peerage by Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch. Professor Julia Waters, Mrs Perry's sister, said Ms Spielman's 'legacy is indelibly associated with my sister's terrible, preventable death and with defending the inhumane system that led to her death'. Prof Waters added: 'Through her response to Ruth's death and the subsequent inquest and inquiries while head of Ofsted, Amanda Spielman showed herself to be lacking in many of the qualities that you would hope would be needed in Parliament. 'She showed poor leadership and judgement, a lack of empathy and understanding of the issues, and a tendency to deflect any criticism onto others. 'A record like that should not be rewarded with a place in the House of Lords. Spielman's nomination for a peerage is a disgrace and an insult to my sister's memory.' Earlier this month, Ms Spielman publicly criticised Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson, and the Children's Wellbeing and Schools Bill. The former Ofsted chief said the Bill was likely to make education in England worse, and accused Ms Phillipson of being 'influenced' by the schools unions. Ms Spielman was rebuked by a Government source, who claimed she should 'spend less time criticising the reforms this Government is bringing, and more time reflecting on her failure at Ofsted'. A Conservative party spokesman would not comment on reports of Ms Spielman's nomination for a peerage. They said: 'It would be unfair to comment on whether specific individuals have or have not been nominated or vetted for any honour or dignity. 'We do not comment on speculation or purported leaks.' – For mental health support, contact the Samaritans
Yahoo
29-03-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Ofsted boss at time of Ruth Perry's death to get peerage
Amanda Spielman, who was Ofsted chief inspector when head teacher Ruth Perry took her own life after an inspection, is set to become a peer in the House of Lords. She is understood to have been nominated for the honour, yet to be announced, by Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch - who has not commented. A Conservative source described her as a "brilliant thinker with a wealth of knowledge" who would be a "huge asset to parliament". Ms Spielman served as head of the schools watchdog from 2017 to 2023, with an independent review launched during her last year finding Ofsted's response to Mrs Perry's death had been "defensive and complacent". Mrs Perry took her own life in January 2023 after learning her school, Caversham Primary School in Berkshire, was set to be downgraded from "outstanding" to "inadequate". Her inquest in December of the same year ruled the school's inspection had contributed towards her death. Ms Spielman received criticism after suggesting in November 2023 that Mrs Perry's "very sad case" had been "used as a pivot" to "discredit" the schools watchdog. In a statement, Mrs Perry's sister, Prof Julia Waters, said Ms Spielman's nomination for a peerage was a "disgrace", and that her record "should not be rewarded" with a place in the House of Lords. "Through her response to Ruth's death and the subsequent inquest and inquiries while head of Ofsted, Amanda Spielman showed herself to be lacking in many of the qualities that you would hope would be needed in Parliament," she said. Earlier this month, Ms Spielman criticised the government's Children's Wellbeing and Schools Bill , claiming "effective reforms are being reversed" - in reference to potential changes to rules around how academies pay their staff and the material they can teach. Speaking about Ms Spielman's peerage nomination, a Conservative source said: "Kemi [Badenoch] wants serious people who know how things work so they can make a real contribution to the House of Lords. "You don't get to the very top of your field without attracting critics, but Amanda is a brilliant thinker with a wealth of knowledge and will be a huge asset to Parliament." A spokesman for Kemi Badenoch declined to comment.
