The simulation and validation software company's meteoric rise reflects broader AV market dynamics. Equity funding to the autonomous driving space tripled last year, driven by massive rounds to Waymo ($5.6B) and Wayve ($1.1B).
Major automakers like GM and Hyundai poured $1.4B into their self-driving units last year but are hitting safety roadblocks and commercialization delays — creating prime opportunities for specialized software providers.
Applied Intuition's multi-sector approach across automotive, trucking, defense, and industrial applications positions it well for the industry's shift from experimentation to commercial deployment.
The company now counts 18 of the top 20 automotive OEMs as customers, and it has strategic partnerships with firms like Audi, Volkswagen’s TRATON, Isuzu Motors, and OpenAI.
For more CB Insights analysis on the AV landscape, see how autonomous vehicles are staging a comeback and why generative AI is accelerating the path to full self-driving.
Not: Amazon job security
Amazon CEO Andy Jassy just said the quiet part out loud.
Jassy told employees this week to expect AI to eliminate jobs across the company, as the company sees "efficiency gains" in the coming years that will reduce its “total corporate workforce.”
Amazon joins a growing list of companies — including Shopify and Duolingo — going "AI-first,” with human workers now having to earn their place alongside increasingly autonomous agents. According to CB Insights estimates, the enterprise AI agents & copilots market is expected to grow 155% this year to reach $13B.
For companies like Amazon, this represents a shift in competitive strategy. AI doesn't just cut costs — it enables scale with leaner operations, creating structural advantages that smaller competitors can't match.
See how AI will make big tech even bigger in our latest report.