Hi there,

Every year, we pick out 100 AI startups that we think have the most transformative potential for our AI 100 list. 

Here are some of the AI 100 startups we featured that are already working on Covid-19 initiatives:

• DarwinAI released an open-source neural network model called COVID-Net in conjunction with the University of Waterloo to help researchers diagnose Covid-19 from x-rays or CT scans

• Biotech firm Atomwise is using AI to identify compounds that can combat rapidly mutating coronaviruses
• Canada-based biotech co Cyclica is partnering with the China-based Institute of Materia Medica to leverage AI to identify Covid-19 drug candidates
• Digital health startup Eko offers an AI-powered stethoscope and cardiac screening platform that can screen for signs of Covid-19 infection

This is unsurprising, given that healthcare is the top industry for AI deal activity at large. Check out our full AI 100 list here.

Changing it up
 

Covid-19 is sending the retail industry into upheaval.

We look at how the pandemic is accelerating digital transformation for retailers as priorities are reexamined.

Facial recognition for M&A

We’ve been building facial analysis software at CB Insights that evaluates founders' faces and how tired they look or how quickly they’ve aged over time.

We’ve found that very tired/quickly aging founders generally will sell their companies for less. 

Corp dev teams love knowing this.

If you’d be interested in building amazing software, our engineering time is hiring.

A true oracle
 

“Be fearful when others are greedy and greedy only when others are fearful,” Warren Buffett wrote in 2004. 

We analyze more of the most important insights from the last 4 decades of Berkshire Hathaway’s shareholder letters here.

Treat yo self

March was a long month.

Kick off April with some of our top wellness-related research. Take a look here.

Not all superheroes wear capes
 

Virtual kitchens are well-equipped to capitalize on the growing market opportunity as people remain sheltered at home.

Clients can take a look at how delivery-only restaurants are gaining traction here.

New York Times. Erin Griffith (@eringriffith) covers Covid-19’s impact on the startup world and references CB Insights research.

Financial Times. Mercedes Ruehl (@mjruehl) covers corporate venture capital trends in Asia and cites CB Insights’ 2019 Global CVC report.

The Sunday Times. Peter Evans (@peterevans10) and Liam Kelly (@iamliamkelly) report on VC deals that are falling apart and mention CB Insights research.

P.S. Our business development, customer success, design, research, and product teams are hiring as well. See all of our open positions here.

Through the looking glass. Those wary of spending too much time on screens have largely changed their tune during self-isolation.

New York Times

Walk before you can run. Facebook has made a Messenger function for kids too young to have an account on the social network.

MIT Technology Review

Outliers galore. Financial trading algorithms, web traffic monitors, and other AI systems are struggling to work with the data the pandemic is throwing at them.
Fortune

Hotline bling. Move over, text — the phone call has become an unsung hero of social distancing.

Wall Street Journal

Lost in the supermarket. Panic buying has pushed some grocery-aisle commodities — like OJ and eggs — to unexpected highs.

Quartz