Welcome to the first-ever Freshies! In this special mid-year awards episode of Fresh From the Labs, Shilpa, Kevin, and Jared celebrate (and debate) the most impactful developments in AI so far this year.

The team hands out awards across several exciting categories, including "Best New Model," the year's biggest "Buzzword," and their go-to "Favorite AI Tool." They reflect on the most surprising storylines of the year, including a major player's unexpected and impressive resurgence in the AI race.

But it's not all celebration – the conversation also gets candid as they debate the biggest "Winners and Losers," examining which companies are leading the pack and which might be fumbling the ball. The episode culminates in bold predictions for the next six months, covering the future of voice technology, potential industry-shaking acquisitions, and what big moves to expect from the major AI labs.

Join us for a fun and insightful look back at the whirlwind first half of the year in AI and a peek at what the future holds.