Meta updates chatbot rules to avoid inappropriate topics with teen users
After a bombshell report on Meta allowing its AI chatbots to have sensual chats with minors, the company is updating its policies. After a bombshell report on Meta allowing its AI chatbots to have sensual chats with minors, the company is updating its policies.
Mastodon says it doesn’t ‘have the means’ to comply with age verification laws
Decentralized social network Mastodon says it cannot comply with age verification laws, like in Mississippi and elsewhere, and says it’s up to individual server owners to decide. Decentralized social network Mastodon says it cannot comply with age verification laws, like in Mississippi and elsewhere, and says it’s up to individual server owners to decide.
Mississippi’s age assurance law puts decentralized social networks to the test
Bluesky says it would block access to its service in the state of Mississippi, rather than comply with the new age verification law. Bluesky says it would block access to its service in the state of Mississippi, rather than comply with the new age verification law.
US manufacturing investment stumbles as clean tech cancellations pile up
Companies cancelled $5 billion worth of clean tech manufacturing projects in the U.S. in Q2, mirroring a pullback in the broader manufacturing sector. Companies cancelled $5 billion worth of clean tech manufacturing projects in the U.S. in Q2, mirroring a pullback in the broader manufacturing sector.
Threads tests a way to share long-form text on the platform
With this new feature, users can attach a block of text to a post instead of creating a thread of several different posts when looking to share more in-depth thoughts and ideas. With this new feature, users can attach a block of text to a post instead of creating a thread of several different posts when […]
MathGPT.ai, the ‘cheat-proof’ tutor and teaching assistant, expands to over 50 institutions
MathGPT.ai, a tutor and teaching assistant that helps students learn, expands to over 50 institutions MathGPT.ai, a tutor and teaching assistant that helps students learn, expands to over 50 institutions
No-code website builder Framer reaches $2B valuation
Framer, a no-code website builder that claims over half a million monthly active users, has reached a $2 billion valuation after raising a $100 million Series D funding round led by existing investors Meritech and Atomico. Framer, a no-code website builder that claims over half a million monthly active users, has reached a $2 billion valuation […]
Weston Ruter: The Site Speed Frontier with Performance Lab and Beyond
At WordCamp US 2025 this year, I’m presenting a talk called “The Site Speed Frontier with Performance Lab and Beyond” with the following description: The Core Performance team has been incubating enhancements for WordPress through the Performance Lab plugin. These have been available for a few years now; some have been merged into core (e.g. […]
Here are the 33 US AI startups that have raised $100M or more in 2025
Last year was monumental for the AI industry in the U.S. and beyond. How will 2025 compare? Last year was monumental for the AI industry in the U.S. and beyond. How will 2025 compare?
Pixel 10 Pro review: familiar hardware, filled with Google’s AI
Pixel devices have always been a reflection of how Google sees Android, as well as a platform to showcase its own apps and technology advances. In the current era, this vision encompasses Google’s consumer AI suite. Google wants Pixel owners to live and breathe Google AI in all aspects of their lives through the new […]
The 2025 Startup Battlefield 200 is here — see who made the cut
We’re thrilled to unveil the 2025 Startup Battlefield 200 — TechCrunch’s annual, handpicked list of the 200 most promising early-stage startups from around the world. We’re thrilled to unveil the 2025 Startup Battlefield 200 — TechCrunch’s annual, handpicked list of the 200 most promising early-stage startups from around the world.
Malaysia’s SkyeChip unveils the country’s first edge AI processor
The Southeast Asian country reaches an AI milestone as it looks to become a more competitive player in the global AI race. The Southeast Asian country reaches an AI milestone as it looks to become a more competitive player in the global AI race.
Anthropic settles AI book-training lawsuit with authors
Anthropic has settled a class action lawsuit with a group of fiction and non-fiction authors, as announced in a filing on Tuesday with the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals. Anthropic had won a partial victory in a lower court ruling, and was in the process of appealing that ruling. No details of the settlement were […]
Why the U.S. government is not the savior Intel needs
Intel doesn’t need cash. Instead, the struggling semiconductor giant needs to figure out how to drum up interest for its foundry business. Intel doesn’t need cash. Instead, the struggling semiconductor giant needs to figure out how to drum up interest for its foundry business.
Libby’s library app adds an AI discovery feature, and not everyone is thrilled
Libby launches “Inspire Me,” a genAI feature that helps its users find books to borrow from local libraries. Libby launches “Inspire Me,” a genAI feature that helps its users find books to borrow from local libraries.
Meta to spend tens of millions on pro-AI super PAC
Meta’s new PAC signals an intent to influence statewide elections, including the next governor’s race in 2026. Meta’s new PAC signals an intent to influence statewide elections, including the next governor’s race in 2026.
DOGE uploaded live copy of Social Security database to ‘vulnerable’ cloud server, says whistleblower
The Social Security Administration’s chief data officer has publicly blown the whistle, alleging DOGE put hundreds of millions of Social Security records at risk of compromise. The Social Security Administration’s chief data officer has publicly blown the whistle, alleging DOGE put hundreds of millions of Social Security records at risk of compromise.
Silicon Valley is pouring millions into pro-AI PACs to sway midterms
The new pro-AI super-PAC network dubbed Leading the Future aims to use campaign donations and digital ads to advocate for favorable AI regulation and oppose candidates that the group thinks will stifle the industry. The new pro-AI super-PAC network dubbed Leading the Future aims to use campaign donations and digital ads to advocate for favorable AI […]
Robomart unveils new delivery robot with $3 flat fee to challenge DoorDash, Uber Eats
Robomart’s RM5 autonomous delivery robot can carry up to 50 pounds and deliver multiple customer orders at once. Robomart’s RM5 autonomous delivery robot can carry up to 50 pounds and deliver multiple customer orders at once.
Volunteer opportunities still open for TechCrunch Disrupt 2025
Whether you want to launch your own startup, build your event chops, or get inspired by real traction stories, volunteering at TechCrunch Disrupt 2025 is your backstage pass to see how a world-class tech conference comes to life. Apply before September 30. Whether you want to launch your own startup, build your event chops, or get […]