Harmonic, an AI startup co-founded by Vlad Tenev, CEO of Robinhood, has successfully raised $120 million in its latest funding round, bringing its valuation to $1.45 billion. This Series C round was led by Ribbit Capital and included contributions from Sequoia, Kleiner Perkins, and Emerson Collective, the investment firm of Laurene Powell Jobs. Harmonic focuses on enhancing AI’s reasoning capabilities to minimize "hallucinations," which are erroneous outputs from AI systems. By requiring its AI to produce reasoning in code rather than natural language, the company aims to improve reliability in sectors where mistakes can have serious repercussions, such as finance and aerospace. Harmonic has introduced its Aristotle model via a free API, allowing developers to integrate its capabilities into their applications. Mathematicians and researchers are already utilizing this tool to verify complex proofs and expedite discoveries. CEO Tudor Achim mentioned that the company is looking into commercial opportunities, particularly in software development, where safety and reliability are critical. There is a growing interest from industries like automotive and aerospace, indicating potential demand for Harmonic's technology as it evolves from a research-focused tool to a commercial product.