63rd Edition Download

Hey there, and welcome to The Download.

If you're new here, I'm Aidan Cramer, CEO of AIApply, the platform helping thousands of people navigate job hunting and career growth with AI as their edge. I’m also the guy behind this newsletter.

Whether this is your first issue or your fiftieth, I just want to say thanks for being here. We just had a big influx of new readers, and I figured this was the perfect time to reintroduce myself, explain what The Download is all about, and tell you what to expect next.

Why I Started The Download

Like a lot of people in tech, I used to obsess over every new AI release, research paper, and funding announcement. But over time, I noticed something weird: The more I followed the space, the harder it became to keep up.

Every week brought another 10 launches, 5 flame wars, and a flood of noise on social. There were not enough people saying what actually mattered, and even fewer helping others make sense of it all.

So I started The Download, a twice-a-week email that cuts through the chaos and gives you the signal.

No jargon. No filler. Just the most important AI stories, what they mean, and how they actually affect your work, your tools, your future, and your career.

We have a wide mix of readers: early-stage founders, solo builders, tech employees, curious creatives, and even a few execs. Some of you are new to AI. Others are shipping products with it daily.

If that’s you, you’re in the right place.

What You’ll Get

Every Tuesday and Friday, I send out a new issue of The Download. Each one features:

• 3 must-know AI stories from the week

• A sharp, opinionated breakdown of what happened and why it matters

• A personal intro and a little blurb from me, sometimes funny, sometimes deep, but always real

• No spam, no fluff, and no copying from other newsletters

Some issues also come with tools, job tips, experiments, and offers exclusive to Download readers.

And to everyone who’s been reading since the early days: I see you. Thank you.

I’m really glad everyone’s here.

—Aidan

This Week in AI:

No jargon, no filler—just the biggest AI developments worth knowing right now. Perfect for quick industry insights, so you can skip the buzzwords and get straight to the good stuff. Let’s dive into this week’s AI shake-ups, just as promised:

This week, OpenAI unveiled a plan to bring its models to federal agencies. Midjourney dropped its first-ever video model, and 24 AI startups have already raised $ 100 M+ this year alone. We’re watching the market mature in real time, and the stakes are only getting bigger.

Let’s dive in.

In This Issue:

• OpenAI Wants to Work With the Government: New partnerships, secure deployments, and more. (link)

• Midjourney Launches V1 Video Model: The still king of visuals goes full motion. (link)

• The $100M Club: These 24 startups are shaping the AI future. (link)

🏛️ OpenAI Launches “OpenAI for Government”

TL;DR:

OpenAI has officially announced a new initiative called OpenAI for Government, aimed at helping U.S. federal agencies deploy its models in secure, compliant environments. In partnership with Microsoft Azure’s Government Cloud, this effort promises to bring tools like GPT-4o to public sector workflows.

Our Take:

This is a massive credibility move. Whether it’s document summarization at scale or secure data analysis, OpenAI planting its flag in D.C. means we’re heading toward AI-assisted governance. If you work in policy, infrastructure, or civic tech, this signals one thing: the next wave of procurement will have “AI-native” requirements baked in. And if you’re building gov-focused SaaS? This is your green light to move.

🎥 Midjourney’s V1 Video Model Is Here

TL;DR:

Midjourney just released a preview of its V1 video model, expanding from high-end image generation into cinematic-quality short clips. Early results show rich motion, lighting, and stylization. Think “dreamlike realism” with Midjourney’s signature flair.

Our Take:

This is Midjourney’s strongest flex since v5. While OpenAI and Runway battle for realism, Midjourney is owning the artistic lane. It’s not just about making video—it’s about making beautiful video. Expect this to fuel a wave of indie creators, animators, and marketers tapping into AI-native aesthetics. Bonus: it could push the creative bar higher across the board.

💸 The $100M Club: 24 Startups Raise Big in 2025

TL;DR:

So far in 2025, 24 AI startups have raised $100 million or more in funding, according to new data. The list includes enterprise infra players, agentic workflow tools, and even niche vertical models. Most are U.S.-based, and the pace isn’t slowing down.

Our Take:

Call it a boom, or a bubble, but either way, it’s heating up. Founders, take note: the market is rewarding platforms and primitives, not just cute wrappers. And for operators, this list is a cheat sheet for where the best engineering, PM, and growth roles are hiding. Pro tip: Track these companies' hiring pages now. Many will double headcount before year’s end.