AI researchers 'embodied' an LLM into a robot – and it started channeling Robin Williams: AI researchers at Andon Labs embedded various LLMs in a vacuum robot to test how ready they were to be embodied. And hilarity ensued. Read More
If you're not an AI startup, good luck raising money from VCs: New PitchBook data illustrates how dramatically AI is dominating startup investment, with 2025 on-track to become the first year when AI accounts for more than half of all VC money invested. Read More
Elon Musk wants you to know that Sam Altman got a refund for his Tesla Roadster: Elon Musk and Sam Altman are still taking swipes at each other on Musk's social media platform X. Read More
Afternoon Must-Reads
Coinbase CEO Brian Armstrong trolls the prediction markets: While Armstrong may have helped some Kalshi and Polymarket users make a little money, he was also illustrating how easily these markets can be manipulated. Read More
Rising energy prices put AI and data centers in the crosshairs: A majority of consumers say they're worried about data centers driving up electricity costs. Is the industry prepared for a possible backlash? Read More
What is Bending Spoons? Everything to know about AOL's acquirer: Bending Spoons remains largely unknown, even as its portfolio of products has served more than a billion people. Read More
Bluesky hits 40 million users, introduces 'dislikes' beta: As users "dislike" posts, the system will learn what sort of content they want to see less of. This will help to inform more than just how content is ranked in feeds, but also reply rankings. Read More
Meta bought 1 GW of solar this week: The social media company inked three deals in the U.S. to power its data centers and offset its carbon footprint. Read More
Tattd gave four TechCrunch writers tattoos at Startup Battlefield: Tattd, a marketplace for tattoo-seekers and artists, set up a mini tattoo parlor in the Expo Hall at TechCrunch Disrupt 2025. Read More
Scenes from TechCrunch Disrupt 2025: Thanks to everyone who made this year's San Francisco event what it was -- and to the 10,000 of you who filled the halls, made the connections, and left with more than you came with. Couldn't make it? These images tell part of the story. Read More
Cluely's Roy Lee on the rage-bait strategy for startup marketing: Cluely's Roy Lee has a message for startup founders: You should be thinking harder about how to go viral. Read More
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AI mania tanks CoreWeave's Core Scientific acquisition — it buys Python notebook Marimo: CoreWeave's failed buy of Core Scientific is another sign of an AI bubble. But it's still shopping. Read More
YouTube announces 'voluntary exit program' for US staff: YouTube CEO Neal Mohan told employees about the program via an internal memo on Wednesday. Read More
Hackers threaten to leak data after breaching University of Pennsylvania to send mass emails: As the hackers plainly stated in their message ("Please stop giving us money"), this breach appears motivated to suppress alumni donations. Read More
Flipkart's Super.money teams up with Kotak811 to make India's free UPI payments pay: The partnership aims to issue about 2 million fixed-deposit-backed credit cards in the next 12 months. Read More
This Week's Must-Reads
Meta bought 1 GW of solar this week: The social media company inked three deals in the U.S. to power its data centers and offset its carbon footprint. Read More
Former L3Harris Trenchant boss pleads guilty to selling zero-day exploits to Russian broker: Prosecutors confirmed Peter Williams, the former Trenchant boss, sold eight exploits to a Russian buyer. TechCrunch exclusively reported that the Trenchant division was investigating a leak of its hacking tools, after another employee was accused of involvement. Read More
VC Vinod Khosla says the US government could take 10% stake in all public companies to soften the blow of AGI: Vinod Khosla has a bold vision for how society could be reconfigured to share the abundance created by AI technology. Read More
Roelof Botha explains why Sequoia supports Shaun Maguire after COO quit: Sequoia's managing partner Roelof Botha defended his colleague's controversial comments that sparked an online backlash, arguing that the VC firm needs "spiky" people. Read More
Bluesky hits 40 million users, introduces 'dislikes' beta: As users "dislike" posts, the system will learn what sort of content they want to see less of. This will help to inform more than just how content is ranked in feeds, but also reply rankings. Read More
Join Qualcomm's expert panel to see how Snapdragon's on-device AI helps enterprises cut costs, speed up workflows, and deliver smarter results in real time. Learn how on-device vs. cloud AI impacts your bottom line Hear real enterprise success stories and ROI case studies Explore Snapdragon's partner ecosystem driving next-gen innovation Don't miss practical insights on how to put AI to work—right on your device. Sign up now to get event updates and access the livestream.
Government hackers breached telecom giant Ribbon for months before getting caught: Ribbon, which provides software and technology to phone and internet giants, said nation-state hackers were in its systems since at least December 2024. Read More
