AI news & updates
Obtain the latest AI news and updates from multiple well-known news outlets to stay informed about AI developments.
News on artificial intelligence
CEO of self-driving startup Motional is stepping down
Motional, the autonomous vehicle startup backed by Hyundai, is shaking up its leadership ranks. Karl Iagnemma, an early pioneer in the autonomous vehicle industry whose startup Nutonomy lies at the foundation of Motional, is stepping down as president and CEO. Iagnemma will move over to a senior strategy advisor role, while CTO Laura Major will […]
linkCopy linkshare_windowsShareFal.ai, which hosts media-generating AI models, raises $23M from a16z and others
Fal.ai, a dev-focused platform for AI-generated audio, video, and images, today revealed that it’s raised $23 million in funding from investors including Andreessen Horowitz (a16z), Black Forest Labs co-founder Robin Rombach, and Perplexity CEO Aravind Srinivas. It’s a two-round deal: $14 million of Fal’s total came from a Series A tranche led by Kindred Ventures; […]
linkCopy linkshare_windowsShareLinkedIn scraped user data for training before updating its terms of service
LinkedIn may have trained AI models on user data without updating its terms. LinkedIn users in the U.S. — but not the EU, EEA, or Switzerland, likely due to those regions’ data privacy rules — have an opt-out toggle in their settings screen disclosing that LinkedIn scrapes personal data to train “content creation AI models.” […]
linkCopy linkshare_windowsShareThis Week in AI: Why OpenAI’s o1 changes the AI regulation game
Hiya, folks, welcome to TechCrunch’s regular AI newsletter. If you want this in your inbox every Wednesday, sign up here. It’s been just a few days since OpenAI revealed its latest flagship generative model, o1, to the world. Marketed as a “reasoning” model, o1 essentially takes longer to “think” about questions before answering them, breaking down […]
linkCopy linkshare_windowsShareEdera is building a better Kubernetes and AI security solution from the ground up
Edera, a startup looking to simplify and improve how Kubernetes containers and AI workloads are secured by offering a new hypervisor, today announced that it has raised a $5 million seed funding round led by 645 Ventures and Eniac Ventures. Kubernetes is now 10 years old, but Edera founders Ariadne Conill (distinguished engineer), Emily Long […]
linkCopy linkshare_windowsShareAI-Generated Content Fails to Influence Recent European Elections, Study Reveals
Recent research indicates that AI-generated falsehoods and deepfakes had little impact on the outcomes of the UK, France, and European Parliament elections. While fears of AI misuse were prevalent, the study found that traditional disinformation tactics remained more effective.
linkCopy linkshare_windowsShareCongress Grapples with Over 120 AI Bills Amid Rapid Technological Advancements
Over 120 AI-related bills are currently under consideration in the US Congress, reflecting lawmakers' urgent need to address the rapid advancements in artificial intelligence. This legislative activity highlights the diverse concerns and regulatory visions surrounding AI's future.
linkCopy linkshare_windowsShareCongress Tackles AI Regulation: Over 120 Bills Proposed Amid Urgency for Safety and Education
Over 120 AI-related bills are currently under consideration in the US Congress, addressing issues from education to AI safety. The legislative push reflects a growing urgency to regulate AI technology amid rapid advancements, with some bills gaining bipartisan support.
linkCopy linkshare_windowsShareAlibaba accelerates AI push by releasing new open-source models, text-to-video
Chinese technology company Alibaba released on Thursday new open-source artificial intelligence models and text-to-video AI technology, intensifying its efforts to compete in the booming area of generative AI.
linkCopy linkshare_windowsShareUN advisory body makes seven recommendations for governing AI
An artificial-intelligence advisory body at the United Nations on Thursday released its final report proposing seven recommendations to address AI-related risks and gaps in governance.
linkCopy linkshare_windowsShareWaymo in talks with Hyundai Motor to produce self-driving taxis, media report says
Alphabet's Waymo is in talks with South Korea's Hyundai Motor to outsource manufacturing of its self-driving vehicles, South Korean newspaper, Electronic Times, reported.
linkCopy linkshare_windowsShareNo merger scrutiny of Microsoft's hiring of Inflection staff, EU says
Microsoft's hiring of artificial intelligence startup Inflection's staff including its co-founders will not be scrutinised under European Union merger rules, EU antitrust regulators said on Wednesday.
linkCopy linkshare_windowsShareLinkedIn's Controversial Move: Users Automatically Opted into AI Data Training
LinkedIn has silently opted users into training generative AI models using their data, introducing a new privacy setting and opt-out option. Users can revoke permission through account settings, but prior data usage remains unaffected. The platform claims to use privacy-enhancing technologies to protect personal information.
linkCopy linkshare_windowsShareDrip Capital Achieves 70% Productivity Boost by Overcoming AI Challenges
Drip Capital has successfully tackled AI challenges, such as hallucinations, and enhanced productivity by 70% through improved document processing and AI-driven risk assessment strategies.
linkCopy linkshare_windowsShareJensen Huang and Marc Benioff Emphasize Rapid Growth in Agentic AI
Jensen Huang and Marc Benioff highlight the rapid advancements in agentic AI, describing the progress as 'spectacular and surprising' and indicating that the technology is entering a transformative phase.
linkCopy linkshare_windowsShareTencent's EzAudio AI: A Leap in Text-to-Sound Technology Sparks Ethical Debate
Tencent's EzAudio AI is transforming text into high-quality audio, igniting discussions on the implications of deepfake technology and the evolving landscape of voice synthesis.
linkCopy linkshare_windowsShareDataStax CEO Forecasts Major AI Transformation by 2025
DataStax CEO Chet Kapoor predicts that the year 2025 will mark a significant transformation in artificial intelligence, viewing current challenges as typical in the evolution of technology.
linkCopy linkshare_windowsShareHume's EVI 2: A New Era for Emotionally Inflected Voice AI
Hume's EVI 2 introduces emotionally inflected voice AI, providing developers with a powerful tool to enhance voice features alongside human call centers, marking a significant advancement in voice AI technology.
linkCopy linkshare_windowsShareAI's Rise: Are Humans at Risk of Losing Their Intellectual Dominance?
The article discusses the potential challenge AI poses to humanity's status as the most intelligent and creative species, suggesting that we may soon face a significant shift in our evolutionary position.
linkCopy linkshare_windowsShareRep.ai Secures $7.5M to Innovate Sales with AI-Powered Digital Twins
Rep.ai has successfully raised $7.5 million to develop AI-driven 'digital twin' sales representatives, which will provide continuous video and audio interaction for website visitors, aiming to surpass traditional chatbots and human sales methods.
linkCopy linkshare_windowsShareSiFive Launches Innovative RISC-V Chips for Enhanced AI Performance
SiFive has unveiled a new series of RISC-V chips specifically designed to handle high-performance AI workloads, marking a significant advancement in AI chip technology.
linkCopy linkshare_windowsShareRunway and Lionsgate Join Forces to Innovate AI in Film Production
Runway has partnered with Lionsgate to develop a custom AI model utilizing the studio's extensive library of over 20,000 film and TV titles, including popular franchises like The Hunger Games.
linkCopy linkshare_windowsShareNeuralink's Blindsight Implant Gains FDA Breakthrough Designation for Vision Restoration
w
Neuralink's Blindsight implant has received FDA designation as a 'breakthrough device,' aiming to restore sight for blind individuals. The technology promises to enable vision even for those without optic nerves, with potential advancements in visual resolution and capabilities.
linkCopy linkshare_windowsShareYouTube Unveils AI Innovations to Enhance Creator Experience and Compete with Rivals
w
YouTube's latest livestream reveals exciting AI features, including the Veo video generator for Shorts, auto-dubbing for multilingual accessibility, and a revamped Community tab to enhance creator interaction, all aimed at competing with platforms like TikTok and Netflix.
linkCopy linkshare_windowsShareLionsgate Partners with AI Startup Runway, Sparking Controversy in Hollywood
w
Lionsgate has partnered with AI startup Runway, granting access to its content library in exchange for a custom AI model to enhance production. This deal raises concerns about the impact on creatives' pay and the ethical implications of AI in Hollywood.
linkCopy linkshare_windowsShareApple Intelligence Set for 2025 Language Expansion Amid EU and China Restrictions
w
Apple has announced the gradual rollout of Apple Intelligence, expanding language support to include German, Italian, Korean, Portuguese, and Vietnamese by 2025. Initial features will launch in English with iOS 18.1, but access will be limited in the EU and China.
linkCopy linkshare_windowsShare
Governor Newsom on California AI bill SB 1047: ‘I can’t solve for everything’
California Governor Gavin Newsom said there are 38 bills on his desk that would create laws around artificial intelligence on Tuesday, but one looms larger than all of them: SB 1047, California’s bill that tries to prevent AI systems from causing catastrophes. For the first time, California’s Governor shared how he’s thinking about the controversial […]
linkCopy linkshare_windowsShareCalifornia’s 5 new AI laws crack down on election deepfakes and actor clones
On Tuesday, California Governor Gavin Newsom signed some of America’s toughest laws yet regulating the artificial intelligence sector. Three of these laws crack down on AI deepfakes that could influence elections, while two others prohibit Hollywood studios from creating an AI clone of an actor’s body or voice without their consent. “Home to the majority […]
linkCopy linkshare_windowsShareBlackRock and Microsoft are reportedly planning a $30B AI-focused megafund
Investment powerhouse BlackRock is set to launch a massive AI-focused fund, exceeding $30 billion, in collaboration with Microsoft and the Abu Dhabi-backed investment outfit MGX, the FT reported today. According to the outlet, the fund — among Wall Street’s largest — will focus on creating data centers and funding energy infrastructure to support AI. Chip […]
linkCopy linkshare_windowsShareMistral launches a free tier for developers to test its AI models
Mistral AI launched a new free tier to let developers fine-tune and build test apps with the startup’s AI models, the company announced in a blog post Tuesday. The startup also slashed prices for developers to access its AI models through API endpoints and added image processing to its free consumer AI chatbot, le Chat. […]
linkCopy linkshare_windowsShareAWS shuts down DeepComposer, its MIDI keyboard for AI music
AWS’ weird AI-powered keyboard experiment, DeepComposer, is no more. In a blog post today, the company announced it’s shutting down the 5-year-old DeepComposer, a physical MIDI piano and AWS service that let users compose songs with the help of generative AI. “After careful consideration, we have made the decision to end support for AWS DeepComposer,” […]
linkCopy linkshare_windowsShareSnap’s new AI feature lets you create Snapchat Lenses by simply describing them
Snap, Snapchat’s parent company, is expanding its suite of AI tools for creators. At this year’s Snap Partner Summit in Santa Monica, California, Snap announced a new feature, Easy Lens, that translates plain-English descriptions into Lenses, Snap’s brand of augmented reality (AR) objects, 3D effects, characters, and transformations for photos and videos. Available in Snap’s […]
linkCopy linkshare_windowsShareSnapchat’s My AI chatbot is getting new Google Lens-like features
At its annual Snap Partner Summit on Tuesday, the Snapchat maker announced a series of new AI features coming to its app. Most notably, the app’s My AI chatbot is being updated to work more like Google Lens, as it can now respond to more complex Snaps. You can now snap a picture of a […]
linkCopy linkshare_windowsShareOpenAI's o1 Model Revolutionizes AI's Role in STEM Research
OpenAI's new model, o1, focuses on multistep reasoning, enhancing capabilities in advanced mathematics and STEM fields. This marks a significant shift in AI's role as a supportive tool for researchers, moving beyond traditional language tasks.
linkCopy linkshare_windowsShareOpenAI's o1 Model Revolutionizes AI Reasoning for STEM Applications
OpenAI's new model, o1, significantly enhances reasoning capabilities, outperforming its predecessor GPT-4o in complex tasks like mathematics and coding. This advancement marks a pivotal shift in AI's potential to assist in STEM fields, raising expectations for future AI applications.
linkCopy linkshare_windowsShareCalifornia governor signs legislation to protect entertainers from AI
California Governor Gavin Newsom signed two bills into law on Tuesday that aim to help actors and performers protect their digital replicas in audio and visual productions from artificial intelligence, the governor's office said.
linkCopy linkshare_windowsShareMicrosoft, BlackRock to launch $30 billion fund for AI infrastructure
BlackRock and Microsoft plan to launch a more than $30 billion fund to invest in artificial intelligence infrastructure to build data centers and energy projects, the companies said on Tuesday.
linkCopy linkshare_windowsShareCalifornia Enacts Laws to Safeguard Performers Against AI Likeness Exploitation
California Governor Gavin Newsom has signed two bills to protect performers from AI-generated digital replicas. The laws require consent from performers or their estates before using likenesses, addressing concerns over unauthorized use and potential exploitation in the entertainment industry.
linkCopy linkshare_windowsShareMagnit Unveils AI Assistant Maggi to Revolutionize Talent Acquisition
Magnit has launched an AI assistant named Maggi, powered by OpenAI's GPT-4, aimed at streamlining the talent acquisition process for workforce providers, according to Vidhya Srinivasan.
linkCopy linkshare_windowsShareElectronic Arts Leverages AI to Revolutionize Game Development Efficiency
Electronic Arts is exploring various applications of artificial intelligence to enhance the efficiency of game development, aiming to streamline processes and improve overall productivity.
linkCopy linkshare_windowsSharePipedrive Unveils AI-Driven Pulse to Enhance Sales CRM Efficiency
Pipedrive has launched Pulse, an AI-powered feature in its sales CRM aimed at optimizing the identification and management of high-value deals nearing closure, enhancing sales efficiency.
linkCopy linkshare_windowsShareClickUp Unveils AI Chat Tool to Transform Workplace Communication
ClickUp has launched an AI-powered chat tool that aims to redefine workplace communication, positioning itself as a comprehensive solution rather than just another messaging app, according to CEO Zeb Evans.
linkCopy linkshare_windowsShareGo Programming Language's Revival Driven by Security and AI Innovations
Go programming language is experiencing a revival due to its enhanced security features and its growing relevance in AI development, making it a top choice for learners in 2024.
linkCopy linkshare_windowsShareMartian Model Router: A Game-Changer for Enterprise AI Efficiency
The Martian model router is set to enhance enterprise AI efficiency by dynamically determining the best model for each query, addressing a critical challenge in AI workflows.
linkCopy linkshare_windowsShareCalifornia's New Law Safeguards Actors' Rights in the Age of AI
w
California has enacted a groundbreaking law requiring consent from actors before using their digital likenesses in AI applications. Signed by Governor Newsom, this legislation aims to protect performers' rights and includes provisions for deceased actors' estates.
linkCopy linkshare_windowsShareSnapchat Unveils AI Enhancements and Simplified Redesign for Users
w
Snap is enhancing Snapchat with new AI features, including 'My Selfie' for creative image generation and a 'grandparents lens' for aging effects. The app is also undergoing a redesign to simplify navigation and integrate content more intuitively.
linkCopy linkshare_windowsShareGoogle Introduces Digital Watermarking to Identify AI-Generated Images
w
Google is enhancing transparency regarding AI-generated content by implementing a digital watermarking standard through the Coalition for Content Provenance and Authenticity. This will allow users to identify whether images were created or modified using generative AI tools in Google Search and other products.
linkCopy linkshare_windowsShare
Slack is turning into an AI agent hub. Should it?
The head of Slack, Denise Dresser, tells TechCrunch she is shifting the business chat platform into a “work operating system,” specifically by making Slack a hub for AI applications from Salesforce, Adobe, and Anthropic. The company’s CEO sees Slack as more than a place to chat with your coworkers, but do users want that? And […]
linkCopy linkshare_windowsShareIntel moves to spin out foundry business, inks AI chip deal with AWS
Intel has announced a key customer win and changes to its foundry business as the beleaguered chipmaker looks to execute a turnaround. Intel is taking steps to transition its chip foundry division, Intel Foundry, to an independent subsidiary, Intel CEO Patrick Gelsinger said in a blog post. Intel Foundry’s leadership isn’t changing, and the subsidiary […]
linkCopy linkshare_windowsShareSam Altman departs OpenAI’s safety committee
OpenAI CEO Sam Altman is leaving the internal commission OpenAI created in May to oversee “critical” safety decisions related to the company’s projects and operations. In a blog post today, OpenAI said the committee, the Safety and Security Committee, will become an “independent” board oversight group chaired by Carnegie Mellon professor Zico Kolter, and including […]
linkCopy linkshare_windowsShareMicrosoft Copilot: Everything you need to know about Microsoft’s AI
In this post, we explain the many Microsoft Copilots available and what they do, and highlight the key differences between each.
linkCopy linkshare_windowsShareSalesforce Ventures ups its AI fund to $1B, doubling it again
Salesforce Ventures just doubled its AI fund with another $500 million, and is helping San Francisco grow its attraction as the city for AI startups.
linkCopy linkshare_windowsShareRunway announces an API for its video-generating AI models
Runway, one of several AI startups developing video-generating tech, today announced an API to allow devs and organizations to build the company’s generative AI models into third-party platforms, apps, and services. Currently in limited access (there’s a waitlist), the Runway API only offers a single model to choose from — Gen-3 Alpha Turbo, a faster […]
linkCopy linkshare_windowsShareiOS 18 is out: Here’s what’s new
Apple’s newest software update, iOS 18, is rolling out today to all iPhone users. While AI technology was heavily hyped as a key part of this upgrade, Apple Intelligence features aren’t part of this release. Instead, Apple says it will release Apple Intelligence features with iOS 18.1 starting with the U.S. before gradually rolling them […]
linkCopy linkshare_windowsShareOracle’s Larry Ellison says that AI will someday track your every move
Speaking at an Oracle financial analysts meeting, Oracle founder Larry Ellison said he expects AI to one day power massive law enforcement surveillance networks. “We’re going to have supervision,” he said. “Every police officer is going to be supervised at all times, and if there’s a problem, AI will report that problem and report it […]
linkCopy linkshare_windowsShareGoogle's AI Satellites to Revolutionize Wildfire Detection and Response
Google is set to launch a constellation of AI-powered satellites designed to detect wildfires globally. The FireSat project aims to provide real-time, high-resolution images to assist firefighting efforts, potentially transforming wildfire management and response strategies.
linkCopy linkshare_windowsShareAI Safety Hotline Proposed Amidst Growing Risks and Innovations in Agriculture
The latest edition of The Download discusses the need for an AI safety hotline to address risks posed by advanced AI models. Additionally, it highlights how African farmers are leveraging satellite data to enhance crop yields and mitigate losses.
linkCopy linkshare_windowsShareAI Safety Hotline Proposed to Address Regulatory Challenges in Rapid AI Development
The call for an AI safety hotline emerges as tech companies rapidly advance AI models, raising regulatory concerns. Experts suggest this hotline could provide a confidential space for employees to discuss safety issues before escalating them, enhancing AI safety governance.
linkCopy linkshare_windowsShareOpenAI's safety committee to oversee security practices as an independent body
Microsoft-backed OpenAI said on Monday its safety committee will oversee security and safety processes for the company's artificial intelligence model development and deployment, as an independent body.
linkCopy linkshare_windowsShareVR and AR headsets demand set to surge on AI, lower costs, IDC says
Global shipments for augmented and virtual reality (AR/VR) headsets are expected to grow 41.4% in 2025, powered by more affordable devices and addition of artificial intelligence features, research firm IDC said on Monday.
linkCopy linkshare_windowsShareAI experts ready 'Humanity's Last Exam' to stump powerful tech
A team of technology experts issued a global call on Monday seeking the toughest questions to pose to artificial intelligence systems, which increasingly have handled popular benchmark tests like child's play.
linkCopy linkshare_windowsShareApple shares slip as shorter iPhone 16 shipping times signal soft demand
Shares of Apple fell nearly 3% on Monday after some analysts said delivery times for the new iPhone 16 Pro models indicated weaker-than-expected demand, possibly due to the delayed rollout of key artificial intelligence features.
linkCopy linkshare_windowsShareApple's iOS 18 and macOS Sequoia: A Leap Towards Generative AI Integration
Apple's latest updates, including iOS 18 and macOS Sequoia, set the stage for generative AI features. Upcoming enhancements will allow users to interact with Siri through typing, receive AI-summarized notifications, and explore new writing tools, with more advanced capabilities planned for the future.
linkCopy linkshare_windowsShareOpenAI Forms Independent Safety Board to Enhance AI Model Oversight
OpenAI has established an independent safety board to oversee model launches, allowing it to delay releases over safety concerns. This move follows a review of its safety processes and aims to enhance collaboration and transparency in AI security.
linkCopy linkshare_windowsShareLuma AI Launches Dream Machine API, Elevating AI Video Creation Competition
Luma AI has launched the Dream Machine API, enhancing AI video creation capabilities and enabling new third-party applications, intensifying competition in the AI video space following Runway's recent developments.
linkCopy linkshare_windowsShareSambaNova's Llama 3.1 Demo Takes Aim at OpenAI's O1 Model
SambaNova has launched a high-speed demo powered by Llama 3.1 on HuggingFace, directly challenging OpenAI's O1 model. This innovation aims to enhance enterprise AI with scalable, open-source solutions.
linkCopy linkshare_windowsShareRunway Unveils API for Enterprises to Harness Advanced Video AI Technology
Runway has launched an API that enables enterprises to integrate its Gen-3 Alpha Turbo video AI model into their applications, enhancing product development with advanced video capabilities.
linkCopy linkshare_windowsShareMarc Benioff Credits Steve Jobs for Inspiring Salesforce's Revolutionary AI Strategy
Salesforce CEO Marc Benioff discusses how a pivotal conversation with Steve Jobs shaped the development of Agentforce, an innovative AI strategy aimed at transforming enterprise software.
linkCopy linkshare_windowsShareCerebras Unveils Innovative GPU to Revolutionize AI Inference
Cerebras has unveiled a new GPU designed to overcome the limitations of traditional GPUs in AI inference, positioning itself competitively against Nvidia and Groq's technologies.
linkCopy linkshare_windowsShareSlack Enhances Collaboration with New AI Agent Integrations
Slack has introduced a new feature allowing users to integrate AI agents from various platforms, including Salesforce, Workday, Adobe, and Asana, enhancing collaboration with AI-generated notes in Huddles.
linkCopy linkshare_windowsShareFrodoBots and YGG Launch Earth Rover Challenge to Gamify AI and Robotics
FrodoBots and Yield Guild Games have collaborated to create the Earth Rover Challenge, an innovative event aimed at gamifying AI and robotics research, enhancing engagement in these fields.
linkCopy linkshare_windowsShareOpenAI Restructures Safety Oversight with New Committee, Excluding Sam Altman
w
OpenAI has restructured its safety practices by forming a new independent Safety and Security Committee, now chaired by Zico Kolter. This committee will oversee safety evaluations and has the authority to delay model releases, marking a significant shift in governance.
linkCopy linkshare_windowsShareMicrosoft 365 Copilot Introduces Collaborative AI Features to Boost Workplace Efficiency
w
Microsoft enhances its 365 Copilot with BizChat Pages, allowing users to collaborate on AI-generated content. This upgrade aims to improve workplace efficiency by making AI interactions more accessible and persistent, while also introducing new features across the MS 365 suite.
linkCopy linkshare_windowsShareSalesforce Enhances Slack with AI-Powered Transcription and Workflow Automation
w
Salesforce has introduced new AI features in Slack, including real-time transcription of huddles and automated note-taking. These enhancements aim to streamline workflows by capturing key takeaways and action items, while also improving search capabilities and task automation.
linkCopy linkshare_windowsShare
