TechCrunch

A fictionalized Sam Bankman-Fried is coming to your TV screen on November 19.

Ben Affleck is going viral for his deep knowledge of AI, from neural networks and transformers to open weights. The actor, who sold his AI filmmaking startup to Netflix earlier this year, is proving he's more than just a Hollywood star.

The company behind the popular LMArena leaderboard has raised $200 million led by Lightspeed and Khosla, and is now measuring AI models on alignment issues such as lying.

Google is turning Gemini into an AI agent that can plan, execute tasks, and work across business apps and systems. The agent can delegate work to subagents, use multiple AI models, and even gets its own workplace identity, complete with an email address.

Anthropic's updated usage policy explicitly prohibits users from repeatedly abusing Claude in extreme cases, though ordinary frustration and criticism are still allowed. The new rules also address election interference, deceptive campaigns, weapons software, and surveillance.

Richard Bronson, a former Stratton Oakmont partner who served time in federal prison for securities violations, has launched Commissary Club, a startup that uses AI to help people leaving prison find jobs, housing, community, and even dates.

Goodfire just launched what it says is a cheaper way to keep AI agents in check: instead of paying a second AI to read everything an agent does, its monitors peek inside the model while it works and only call in backup when something looks fishy.

The other firms being suspended from the program include Capgemini, Cognizant, HCL, Infosys, Tata, and Wipro.

Is Ambani the real boss of India? Elon Musk asked as he questioned why Starlink has yet to launch its satellite internet service in the country.

New Yorks lawsuit against the company is one of more than two dozen cases brought by states accusing the social media giant of designing its platform to encourage addictive use among children.

The hackers alerted the fashion giant's customers through a push notification that said they had fully compromised the company's cloud storage.

Ambrosia Energy CEO Ben Longmier and Bloom Energy SVP Bill Thayer join the Smart Systems Stage at TechCrunch Disrupt. Register now to save up to $100. Grab a second of the same pass to save 50%.

The company launched technology.spotify.com, a new site that will make its internal tech available to outsiders.

This is the first time the Alphabet-owned company has turned to debt financing.

The global tech ecosystem gathers at TechCrunch Disrupt 2026 at San Franciscos Moscone West on October 13-15. Get your pass now to save up to $100. Get a second of the same ticket type to save 50%.

Googles new AI Edge Foresight app takes on Granola with an offline meeting note-taker that can transcribe conversations, generate notes, and answer questions using on-device AI.

TechCrunch Founder Summit is gearing up to return to Boston on November 4! Were doing a last call for exceptional volunteers to join us in bringing this event to life. If youve ever wondered about the inner workings of tech events, nows your chance to get involved. Volunteer spots are limited, so dont miss out! []

The lineup includes three models: Amazon Alexa Tablet 12 Pro, Amazon Alexa Tablet 11, and Amazon Alexa Tablet 8.

The two companies said on Thursday that they would begin testing Pony.ai's Gen-7 robotaxis in London in the coming weeks.

Vesta, an AI-native software startup that helps lenders originate mortgages, announced a $30 million round led by Conversion Capital.

Mecka AI collects and analyzes human motion data to train humanoid robots and other kinds of robots. The startup pays people to record everyday tasks.

Endeavor Catalyst just raised $320 million to keep backing founders outside Silicon Valley. Half the profits go back to the nonprofit that finds them.

The developer of Hermes Agent raised a $90 million Series B.

ChatGPTs teen safeguards are meant to protect vulnerable users, but new testing found the chatbot continues encouraging engagement during crises and potentially encourages unhealthy relationships with the AI itself.

X is turning its NFL-focused Gametime feature into a year-round sports destination, starting with MLB and with other professional leagues to follow.

OpenAI is launching a new user interface that will bring interactive visuals to ChatGPT.

As it turns out, the cure for stuffy, chemical-infused office air might be a tower of leafy greenery.

CIA officer David Rush, who worked on highly sensitive intelligence programs, reached a plea deal with U.S. prosecutors after he was caught siphoning money and gold with a fake government contract.

Meta launches new AI tools after discovering ads on its platforms that may look normal but direct users to harmful content elsewhere online.

The financing includes an $8M seed round co-led by Sequoia Capital and First Round Capital, and a $30 million Series A led by Hummingbird Ventures.

Parallel Systems raised $100 million to scale production of its autonomous electric rail vehicle, which can shuttle thousands of pounds of freight up to 500 miles.

The Detroit startup has widened its scope beyond mobility to help drone and robotics companies find U.S.-based manufacturers, shippers, and more.

The father of the iPod says the first generation of AI gadgets failed to solve real problems and the next wave will need to earn consumers trust.

Google Labs is working on a new AI-powered game-creation platform called Playground for users to build browser-based games using simple text prompts.

From Nvidia and Chime to Obvious Ventures and Anthropic, explore the entire roundtable agenda at TechCrunch Disrupt 2026. Register now to save up to $100 on your pass and get a second pass at 50% off.

In 6 days, 10,000+ people from across the global startup and tech ecosystem will come together at San Franciscos Moscone West for TechCrunch Disrupt 2026. If youre planning to be one of them, dont wait to register your ticket before prices increase at the door. Save up to $100 on your pass, plus 50% on a second of the same type.

A new personal AI assistant has arrived. Meet Tab, which announced Tuesday that it had officially emerged from stealth.

Spotify will make 350,000 titles available in over 120 languages for this expansion

I stumbled upon a page of assumptions that Amazon has made about me based on my purchases and Im literally speechless, one shopper wrote on Threads.

Apple appears poised to push into the smart home market with a slate of new devices and a key partner.

Instead of helping marketers manage and optimize ad spend, the company is focusing on building the tools that generate the creative assets and campaigns.

Nvidia-backed Lambda is raising up to $4 billion at a $14.5 billion pre-money valuation ahead of a planned 2027 IPO, led by Coatue and Blackstone.

Personal AI agents promise to shop, book flights, and make reservations for you. But deliberate blocks and anti-bot defenses are getting in the way, leaving consumers caught in the middle. A new standard aims to help.

The AI lab's personal assistant is an operating system from the future designed to compete with Muse, Dots and Instinct.

Mirror Particle will launch at TechCrunch Disrupt's Startup Battlefield 200 with a world model built from scratch to predict human behavior, arguing that LLM role-play falls short for market research and brand strategy.

The storied Silicon Valley firm makes its first pure defense investment.

There isnt a single manual to read or prompt to give an LLM that can equip you with the skills and knowledge to build a company. But on November 4, TechCrunch Founder Summit gives founders the next-best thing: A packed day at Boston's SoWa Power Station, where investors and operators share how they've navigated crucial decisions.

It's the latest in a string of deals meant to grow Uber Eats into a food delivery behemoth.

Get all of your scaling and tech questions answered at TechCrunch Disrupt 2026. Here's the full breakout session agenda, happening October 13-15 in San Francisco. Register now to join and save up to $100, and get a second pass at 50% off.

The deal brings together two major streaming platforms, Paramount+ and HBO Max, along with networks including CBS, CNN, MTV, TBS, Comedy Central, and Food Network.