Core Viewpoint - Duolingo has shifted its stance on artificial intelligence, moving from a position that suggested AI would replace human workers to one that emphasizes AI as a tool to enhance efficiency while maintaining or improving work quality [1][2]. Group 1: Duolingo's Position Change - Duolingo's CEO, Luis von Ahn, clarified that he does not believe AI is replacing employees and stated that the company is still hiring at the same pace [1]. - The company is developing training programs and forming advisory committees to help teams learn and adapt to AI responsibly [1]. - This clarification comes after Duolingo announced plans to gradually stop using contractors for tasks that AI can perform, indicating a significant shift in their approach [1]. Group 2: Industry Trends - Duolingo's self-correction reflects a broader trend among startups, with fintech company Klarna also adjusting its AI strategy after admitting that its chatbot quality was lacking and deciding to resume hiring [3]. - Shopify faced similar criticism for suggesting that AI-driven productivity could replace new employees, highlighting a growing skepticism about the role of AI in the workforce [4]. Group 3: AI's Impact on Productivity - The shift in Duolingo's stance underscores that the concept of "AI-first" is more appealing to investors and management than to the general public [5]. - Research indicates that many AI projects fail to deliver expected returns, with a survey showing that three-quarters of AI initiatives did not meet investment expectations [5]. - A study involving 25,000 AI industry professionals found that AI has not significantly improved productivity or affected income and working hours [5].

Core Viewpoint - The article discusses the ongoing challenges in the IPO market, particularly for venture capital exits, and highlights the unexpected rise of micro-cap stocks in the Nasdaq amidst a generally pessimistic market environment [4][6]. Group 1: IPO Market Challenges - Pitchbook's report indicates that the venture capital exit difficulties will persist until at least the first half of 2026, with a lack of suitable IPO windows [4]. - Companies like Klarna and Stubhub have postponed their IPO plans, reflecting the ongoing exit challenges faced by investors [4]. - Affirm, a competitor to Klarna, has seen its stock price drop over 40%, while Stubhub's competitor Vivid Seat's stock has fallen over 70% since its IPO in 2021 [5]. Group 2: Rise of Micro-Cap Stocks - Despite the overall market downturn, micro-cap stocks have experienced a boom, contributing significantly to Nasdaq's IPO activity [6][9]. - Micro-cap stocks are defined as those raising less than $50 million, with Nasdaq completing 75 IPOs by early May, half of which were micro-cap stocks [9]. - The average fundraising size for these micro-cap stocks was $9 million, with over 50 companies from mainland China and Hong Kong participating [9]. Group 3: Notable Performers - Diginex, a blockchain company from Hong Kong, saw its stock price rise over 1300% since its January listing, while EPWK, a crowdsourcing platform, experienced a peak increase of 470% [10]. - Companies like Diginex and EPWK have attracted significant attention, leading to increased investor interest in micro-cap stocks as a means to achieve high returns [13]. Group 4: Market Dynamics and Regulations - The Nasdaq is tightening regulations for companies with stock prices below $1, which could increase the survival difficulty for many micro-cap stocks [16][17]. - New rules require non-profitable companies to raise at least $15 million for IPOs, while profitable companies have a lower threshold of $5 million [17]. - The tightening of regulations indicates a shift towards favoring more established companies, which may further challenge smaller firms in the market [17]. Group 5: Investor Behavior and Sentiment - The rise of micro-cap stocks is partly driven by a wealth effect, as investors seek opportunities to replicate the success of high-performing stocks like Diginex [13]. - The involvement of notable figures, such as members of the Trump family in micro-cap trading, highlights the growing interest and speculative nature of this market segment [13][14]. - The article suggests that the current micro-cap frenzy may not yield long-term winners, as the underlying motivations are often tied to risk aversion and market uncertainty [18].

Group 1 - The core viewpoint is that the application of AI in enterprises is still in its early stages, with a significant gap between consumer and enterprise adoption rates. In 2024, the penetration rate of generative AI among U.S. residents is projected to reach 39.6%, while the adoption rate among U.S. enterprises is only 5.4% [2][4] - The number of A-share listed companies mentioning AI in their financial reports has rapidly increased from 172 in 2020 to over 1200 in 2023, yet this still represents less than 20% of all A-share companies [2][4] - The EU's AI enterprise adoption rate varies between 3.1% and 27.6%, with an overall average of 13.5% as of 2024, indicating that AI enterprise applications are still in the nascent stage across different regions [2][4] Group 2 - AI application in enterprises shows significant industry differences, primarily influenced by information density. Industries with higher information density, such as computing, telecommunications, and media, are more likely to adopt AI [4][6] - In 2023, over 250 A-share listed companies in the computing sector mentioned AI, accounting for more than 70% of mentions, while industries like food and beverage, agriculture, and coal have very low or no mentions [4][6] - The highest AI adoption rate in the U.S. is found in the information sector at 18.1%, while agriculture has the lowest at 1.4% [6][8] Group 3 - High-density information fields such as programming, advertising, and customer service are leading in AI application. For instance, programming is significantly influenced by AI, with companies like Google and Microsoft reporting that a substantial percentage of their new code is AI-generated [9][11] - In advertising, AI has improved click-through rates significantly, with some ads achieving a 3.0% click rate compared to the historical average of 0.1% for banner ads [11][13] - Customer service applications of AI have shown efficiency improvements, such as Klarna's AI assistant handling 230 million conversations in one month, equating to the workload of 700 full-time agents [11][13] Group 4 - Traditional industries face challenges in digital transformation, including poor data infrastructure, low accuracy of AI models, and organizational resistance. These issues hinder the integration of AI into broader business processes [14][15] - The average hallucination rate of large language models is 6.7%, with some models reaching as high as 29.9%, which poses a challenge for industries requiring high accuracy [15][16] - The disparity between software and hardware investment in China, where IaaS dominates, contrasts with global trends, leading to inefficiencies in AI project implementations [16][17] Group 5 - AI is considered a general-purpose technology (GPT) that requires time to impact productivity significantly. Historical examples show that the benefits of GPTs often manifest only after a considerable delay [18][20] - The productivity paradox, where significant technological advancements do not immediately translate into productivity gains, is evident in the current AI landscape, as U.S. labor productivity growth remains low [20][22] - The expectation is that AI will follow a similar trajectory as past GPTs, with a potential future turning point for productivity improvements yet to be identified [20][22]

一、AI的企业应用仍处于初期阶段 人工智能的2C应用进展很快，2024年美国居民生成式AI的渗透率已达39.6% （来源：圣路易斯联储） 。然 而，当前的模型厂商还热衷于评分打榜、技术炫耀，企业应用尚处于早期阶段。迫切需要找到丰富落地 场景，加快推进AI和各行各业的深度融合。 国联证券对A股上市公司财报中提及AI的情况进行了梳理，近年提及数量迅速增加，从2020年的172家 上升至2023年的超过1200家，然而在所有A股上市公司的占比仍然不高，2023年还不到20%。根据国家 经济研究局 （NBER） 数据，截止2024年2月，美国AI企业采用率仅有5.4%。根据欧盟统计局数据，2024 年欧盟各国AI企业普及率在3.1%-27.6%之间，总体为13.5%。如下图所示。各国对问题的定义和调研方 法有所不同，以上数据不能简单横向比较，但都反映出AI的企业应用还处于初期阶段。 图 2024年欧盟的AI企业普及率 来源：根据欧盟统计局数据整理，2025 闫德利 腾讯研究院资深专家 二、信息密度越高，AI应用越易越深 AI的企业应用具有明显的行业差异，它与信息密度有关。大体是信息密度越高，AI应用越容易越深入； 信 ...

Core Viewpoint - The rapid adoption of AI technologies, particularly chatbots like ChatGPT, has not significantly impacted employment hours or wages, despite initial expectations of productivity gains [2][3][4]. Group 1: AI Adoption and Employment Impact - A study by economists Anders Humlum and Emilie Vestergaard found that AI chatbots have negligible effects on income or recorded work hours across various professions [2]. - The research analyzed data from 25,000 employees in 7,000 workplaces, focusing on jobs perceived to be vulnerable to AI disruption, such as accountants and IT support specialists [2][3]. - Users of AI in the workplace saved an average of 3% of their time, but this did not translate into significant wage increases, with only 3%-7% of productivity gains reflected in salary growth [2][3]. Group 2: Limitations of AI's Economic Impact - Despite the rapid deployment of AI technologies, the overall economic impact remains limited, as highlighted by the mixed results of AI projects in companies [3][7]. - A survey of 2,000 CEOs revealed that only 25% of AI projects achieved expected returns on investment, indicating a disconnect between investment and actual productivity gains [7]. - The phenomenon of "fear of missing out" (FOMO) drives many CEOs to invest in AI without fully understanding its potential value [7]. Group 3: Factors Influencing AI Effectiveness - The effectiveness of AI in enhancing productivity is influenced by employer support and employees' time management skills [5][6]. - Employees often allocate over 80% of the time saved by using AI to other tasks rather than leisure, which may dilute the perceived benefits of AI [5]. - The complexity of real-world workplaces complicates the integration of AI, as many employees use these tools without clear guidance or encouragement from management [6]. Group 4: Future Outlook on AI and Productivity - The potential for AI to enhance productivity is acknowledged, but significant improvements may require organizational changes and investment in employee training [8][9]. - Historical context suggests that transformative changes, such as those seen during the Industrial Revolution, take time to materialize fully [9]. - Estimates indicate that AI could contribute to a GDP increase of 1.1% to 1.6% over the next decade, which, while substantial, falls short of more optimistic projections [7][9].

Group 1 - eToro's stock surged nearly 29% on its first day of trading on Nasdaq, with a market valuation exceeding $5.4 billion, following an IPO price above the expected range [1][3] - CoreWeave reported a remarkable 420% revenue growth in its first earnings report, significantly exceeding expectations, and its stock price has increased approximately 60% since its IPO in March [1][3] - The IPO market is showing signs of recovery, with optimism among bankers and venture capitalists, despite previous delays from major tech companies like Klarna and StubHub due to tariff policies [3][5] Group 2 - Klarna and StubHub have not provided recent updates, but eToro's successful IPO may encourage other companies to proceed with their listings, including fintech company Chime and digital health company Omada Health [4] - Rachel Gerring from Ernst & Young expressed confidence in the market's recovery, attributing it to a temporary pause in strict trade policies and reduced tariffs on Chinese goods [5] - The upcoming week is crucial for the digital health sector, with Hinge Health updating its IPO filing, expecting a price range of $28 to $32, which would value the company at around $2.4 billion [6] Group 3 - Cerebras, a chip manufacturer, has received necessary approvals to proceed with its IPO after delays due to regulatory reviews, indicating a potential market entry this year [7] - Galaxy Digital transitioned from the Toronto Stock Exchange to Nasdaq, aiming to attract a broader investor base amid cautious regulatory attitudes towards cryptocurrencies [7] - The overall sentiment suggests that the IPO market may be one of the last sectors to recover fully, with a need for more large, growth-oriented companies to enter the market [7]

Summary of Marqeta (MQ) FY Conference Call - May 20, 2025 Company Overview - **Company**: Marqeta (MQ) - **Industry**: Embedded Finance and Payment Processing Key Points Embedded Finance - Embedded finance is shifting from reliance on fintech startups to businesses integrating financial services into their platforms, enhancing customer engagement and loyalty [2][4][6] - Companies are moving towards in-house financial services, as seen with examples like Ramp and FiniPay, which offer integrated expense management solutions [4][5] Revenue Growth and Customer Base - Marqeta's largest customer, Block, has seen a decline in revenue contribution, now at 45%, down from 49% a year ago, indicating diversification in revenue sources [10][11] - Non-Block revenues are growing faster, with financial services and BNPL (Buy Now Pay Later) segments showing significant growth [12][13] Market Opportunities - Marqeta identifies three main growth opportunities: expanding existing customer programs, capitalizing on the success of first-wave fintech companies like DoorDash and Uber, and acquiring new programs due to its modern platform capabilities [15][16] - The company is also focusing on the European market, which has seen a 300% increase in TPV (Total Payment Volume) and is now managing programs at scale [12][56] Credit and Lending Services - Marqeta is expanding into consumer credit, with plans to launch multiple credit programs, recognizing the importance of lending in the financial services landscape [29][32] - The company is cautious about entering the lending space due to fraud risks, emphasizing the need for careful partner selection [32][33] Competitive Landscape - Marqeta positions itself uniquely in the market, balancing scale and reliability with modern capabilities, making it a strong competitor against both legacy players and smaller fintechs [39][40] - The competitive environment is evolving, with many early-stage partners facing limitations, leading to increased migration to Marqeta for better scalability and capabilities [24][26] European Market Dynamics - The European market is characterized by a fast-growing fintech ecosystem, with Marqeta now able to manage programs at scale and provide BIN sponsorship, enhancing its competitive position [59][62] - The regulatory environment in Europe is more stringent, leading to innovative business models that focus on driving core business rather than standalone profitability from card programs [72] Future Outlook - Marqeta is preparing for a future where embedded finance becomes more prevalent, with expectations of significant growth in program management capabilities and customer engagement strategies [6][62] - The company is investing in enterprise sales capabilities to target larger clients, which are expected to have existing user bases and marketing engines, facilitating faster growth [51][52] Regulatory Environment - The current regulatory landscape has led to a decrease in unconventional business ideas, resulting in a focus on standard use cases with slight competitive advantages [66][67] Additional Insights - Marqeta's strategy includes moving upmarket to work with established companies that have the potential for scale, reducing reliance on high-risk startups [48][52] - The company is leveraging its unique position to offer integrated solutions that combine debit and credit services, catering to a broader range of customer needs [35][36]

AI驱动效率革命：Klarna人均创收飙升至100万美元，客服成本大幅削减。 瑞典支付巨头Klarna周一宣布，由于大力推行AI战略，公司效率显著提升，人均收入有望达到100万美 元，较一年前的57.5万美元大幅增长。这一成果归功于该公司去年开始实施的全面AI战略，在OpenAI 技术支持下开发的内部AI系统正逐步渗透公司各个业务环节。 该公司声称，得益于AI的努力，大多数职能部门的效率都得到了提升，但最大的财务影响是客户服务 成本的大幅降低。 这一人员调整既包括主动裁员，也包括在招聘冻结后的自然流失。 根据Klarna今年3月提交的IPO招股文件，公司全职员工人数从2022年底的5527名降至去年12月的3422 名。这一大幅削减反映了公司对AI技术的信心，尤其是在客户服务领域。 去年，Klarna曾宣布计划用AI聊天机器人取代近700名全职客户服务承包商，显著节约了运营成本。 尽管业绩向好，Klarna的美国IPO计划却遇到了阻碍。今年3月，这家瑞典公司曾提交了备受期待的美国 IPO申请文件，但因特朗普关税声明引发的股市波动，该计划于上个月被迫暂停。 目前，尽管第一季度业绩表现强劲，Klarna仍未就恢复 ...

Group 1 - Proactive provides fast, accessible, informative, and actionable business and finance news content to a global investment audience [2][3] - The company focuses on medium and small-cap markets while also covering blue-chip companies, commodities, and broader investment stories [3] - Proactive's news team operates from key finance and investing hubs, including London, New York, Toronto, Vancouver, Sydney, and Perth [2][3] Group 2 - Proactive employs technology to enhance workflows and has a forward-looking approach to technology adoption [4] - The company utilizes automation and software tools, including generative AI, while ensuring all content is edited and authored by humans [5]

EMERGING TECH RESEARCH Enterprise Fintech VC Trends VC activity across the enterprise fintech ecosystem Q1 2025 REPORT PREVIEW The full report is available through the PitchBook Platform. Data Nick Zambrano Data Analyst pbinstitutionalresearch@pitchbook.com Publishing Report designed by Megan Woodard and Drew Sanders Published on May 9, 2025 Contents | Enterprise fintech landscape | 3 | | --- | --- | | Enterprise fintech VC ecosystem market map | 4 | | VC activity | 5 | | Enterprise fintech VC deal summary ...