The AI industry keeps breaking growth records: in 2025, AI startups raised about $150 billion in investment — more than 40% of all global venture capital. Here are five projects standing out for their unconventional approach.
World Labs
Builds "world models" — AI that processes sensory data and forms a physically grounded understanding of the real world. In 2025 it released its first such model, Marble, capable of generating interactive 3D environments.
Hippocratic AI
Develops voice AI agents for patients in healthcare. A core constraint: the agents don't diagnose or prescribe treatment. It already partners with more than 50 health systems, payers, and pharma companies across six countries.
Whitespace
An AI operating system for distributors: it connects to a company's internal systems and inbox, builds a living model of the business, and deploys self-improving agents for inventory planning, customer support, and order processing.
Anysphere (Cursor)
One of the leaders in agentic development — AI tools for writing and refactoring code, built directly into developers' workflows.
Mistral AI
A European rival to the major labs, betting on open and efficient language models — an alternative to American giants like OpenAI and Anthropic.
The broader trend for 2026: the industry is shifting from general-purpose chatbots toward vertical solutions and autonomous agents working within specific industries — from healthcare to logistics.