New 'Together Tech' Wave Challenges AI Dominance with In-Person Focus
While AI giants like Alphabet and Anthropic secure billions in capital, a growing group of founders is betting on hardware and experiences that reduce screen time.
Primary source: TechCrunch AI. Full source links and update notes are below.
Fast summary
Start here
- Mirror founder Brynn Putnam has raised capital for Board, a startup centered on in-person games and shared social experiences.
- Anthropic has filed for a confidential IPO following Alphabet's massive $80 billion AI investment round.
- The 'slow tech' movement is gaining traction through DIY projects like Cyberdecks that encourage physical interaction over digital consumption.
What happened
Venture capital is beginning to flow into 'together tech' startups designed to foster in-person social interaction, providing a thematic counter-weight to the current AI arms race. Notable examples include Brynn Putnam’s new venture, Board, which focuses on physical gaming and shared social experiences rather than digital-only engagement.
What's new in this update
Recent market activity shows a stark divide in investment strategies. While Alphabet recently secured an $80 billion AI raise and Anthropic filed for a confidential IPO, smaller founders are finding success with 'slow tech' initiatives. These include whimsical DIY computers known as Cyberdecks that prioritize tactile use and encourage users to engage with their physical environment.
Key details
The 'together tech' movement is being framed not just as a backlash against AI, but as a proactive shift toward technology that feels more 'human.' Analysis from industry observers suggests that as AI fundraising machines break records, there is a visible consumer gravitation toward hardware and software that intentionally limits screen time or requires physical presence.
Background and context
This shift occurs as AI fundraising records are being set at an unprecedented pace. The saturation of AI-driven tools has sparked a broader interest in 'AI-free' or 'no-AI' services, exemplified by the growth of privacy-focused search engines and the emergence of browsers that avoid generative features to reduce digital clutter.
What to watch next
Analysts are tracking whether the 'together tech' niche can scale effectively or if the vast majority of venture capital will continue to consolidate around major AI infrastructure players. The outcome of Anthropic’s confidential IPO filing will serve as a significant indicator of public market appetite for high-valuation AI firms compared to the emerging human-centric tech sector.
Why this matters
This trend signals a diversification in the venture capital landscape, where some investors are hedging against digital saturation by funding physical, human-centric experiences.
Reader context
This story belongs to Northstar Herald's Generative AI coverage, with related entities including Slow Tech, Together Tech, Board, Brynn Putnam. The report is based on TechCrunch AI source material.
Related coverage
Why it matters
This trend signals a diversification in the venture capital landscape, where some investors are hedging against digital saturation by funding physical, human-centric experiences.
Read next
Follow this story through the topic hub, more ai coverage, and the latest updates.
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Sources and methodology
- https://techcrunch.com/video/the-most-interesting-startups-right-now-want-to-get-you-off-your-phone/