Director Luca Guadagnino's film 'Artificial' premiered at the New York Film Festival. The movie is a satirical biopic focused on OpenAI CEO Sam Altman. It explores themes of power and ambition, closely following the real events of Altman's rise and brief ouster from the AI lab. The narrative uses the metaphor of building a bridge to represent the creation of powerful AI systems.
Zach Yadegari, the 19-year-old co-founder of Cal AI, has launched a new AI startup. His company focuses on developing personal AI agents. The venture has secured $10 million in a recent funding round. It will compete with existing firms like Instinct, Muse, and Bee.
TechCrunch Disrupt 2026 will be held at Moscone West in San Francisco from October 13-15. The event is expected to attract participants from the global technology sector. Organizers are currently offering a discount of up to $100 for passes purchased in advance. A promotion allowing a 50% discount on a second ticket of the same type is also available.
TechCrunch has detailed the side event schedule for its Founder Summit 2026. These ancillary events will be held in Boston. They are scheduled to run from November 3 through November 6. The events are designed to complement the main conference activities.
Amazon has introduced new Kids Tablets alongside its latest Alexa Tablet lineup. These Android-based devices allow parents to manage and restrict their children's access to apps and content from the Google Play store. The tablets are available in two sizes with lightweight aluminum designs and are bundled with colorful cases featuring popular characters. The cases come in two protective styles targeted at different age groups, from pre-kindergarten to children over six.
Google has released a new AI application called Edge Foresight. The app is a competitor to the local-first note-taking service Granola. Its key feature is transcribing conversations and generating meeting notes entirely offline using on-device AI. The app can also answer questions based on transcribed content. This positions it as a privacy-focused tool for business meetings.
A new 25-minute video of Grand Theft Auto VI gameplay has been leaked online by a known leaker. The footage reportedly shows one of the game's main characters, Jason, navigating Vice City without clothing for the majority of the video. The leaker, known as Cyberleek, had previously disappeared after cashing out on a cryptocurrency. The video suggests that players will have the option to play through the game with characters fully unclothed. This is the latest in a series of unofficial reveals for the highly anticipated title.
Chinese extended reality company Manus has secured over $500 million in its first funding round since separating from Meta. The investment was led by Boyu Capital and IDG Capital. Existing shareholders, including Tencent and HSG, also participated in the round. The capital injection is intended to support Manus's independent operations and growth in the XR sector.
The TechCrunch Founder Summit will be held in Boston on November 4, 2026. The event organizers have issued a final call for volunteers. Opportunities are available for individuals interested in the operations of a tech conference. The number of volunteer positions is limited.
Amazon has introduced a new line of Alexa-powered tablets. The three models are the Alexa Tablet 12 Pro, 11, and 8. They feature access to the Google Play Store. The launch includes a subscription service called Alexa+.
Amazon has released a new high-end tablet called the Alexa Tablet 12 Pro. Priced at $499, it represents a significant shift from the company's budget Fire tablet lineup. The device offers full access to the Google Play Store, unlike Amazon's previous restricted Android versions. It is powered by a MediaTek Dimensity 8400 processor and comes with 8GB or 12GB of RAM.
Amazon has introduced a new series of tablets under the Alexa brand, departing from its long-standing Fire name. These devices are designed to integrate the Alexa Plus service deeply into the user experience while functioning as high-quality tablets. Critically, the tablets run a full version of the Android operating system with access to the Google Play Store. This launch represents Amazon's strategic move to position Alexa at the core of users' digital activities.
Spotify has renewed its licensing agreement with podcaster Joe Rogan for multiple years. The new deal, valued at approximately $250 million, was reported by The Wall Street Journal. Under the terms, new episodes of The Joe Rogan Experience will be released weekly on Spotify and other major platforms. This continues a partnership that began with an exclusive deal in 2020 and was expanded to wider distribution in 2024.
Uber and the Chinese autonomous vehicle firm Pony.ai announced a partnership on Thursday. The companies plan to begin testing robotaxis in London in the coming weeks. The trials will involve Pony.ai's latest Generation-7 autonomous vehicles. The move represents a significant expansion of self-driving technology trials in the UK capital.
Microsoft's Xbox has created a new division called XP to oversee experiences beyond video games. This division will centralize existing work on film and TV adaptations, consumer products, and live events. Xbox Chief Strategy Officer Matthew Ball outlined four core investment areas, including Xbox Pictures for linear storytelling. The move aims to expand Xbox's intellectual property into new entertainment formats and consumer markets.
Vesta, an AI software startup, has secured $30 million in a new funding round. The company specializes in providing technology to assist mortgage lenders with the loan origination process. The investment was led by the venture capital firm Conversion Capital. The funds are intended to support the development and deployment of Vesta's automated agent systems for the lending industry.
CBS has launched a new procedural drama titled 'Cupertino.' The show stars actors Ella Stiller, Mike Colter, and Rachel Keller. It fictionalizes recent tech industry events, including topics like AI ethics and prominent tech figures. The series aims to explore a sense of helplessness felt amid rapid technological change.
Nvidia has introduced a new comprehensive safety solution designed for physical AI systems. The platform is currently being adopted by various robotics companies. Its primary goal is to enhance the safety of advanced autonomous systems, including robotaxis and humanoid robots. This move represents a significant strategic investment by Nvidia into the next generation of robotics.
Former US Senator Blanche Lincoln authored legislation that gave regulators the power to ban event contracts, including those related to sports. She now works as a lobbyist for Kalshi, a prominent prediction market platform. This represents a significant shift from her previous regulatory stance. Her current role involves advocating for the very industry her past legislation sought to restrict.
The online fashion retailer Asos has issued a warning to its customers about a significant data breach. The company confirmed that cyber criminals have obtained customer information including names, addresses, phone numbers, emails, and customer numbers. This warning came after hackers contacted the BBC regarding the incident. Asos is now informing affected customers of the full extent of the security incident.
