Why Silicon Valley is really talking about fleeing California (it’s not the 5%)
A proposed wealth tax in California is sparking a significant debate and prompting some of the state’s wealthiest residents to consider relocating. The ballot initiative, spearheaded by a healthcare union,…
Moxie Marlinspike has a privacy-conscious alternative to ChatGPT
Concerns over data privacy are mounting as artificial intelligence becomes more integrated into daily life. A new project, privacy-focused AI service Confer, launched in December by Signal co-founder Moxie Marlinspike,…
How YC-backed Bucket Robotics survived its first CES
Las Vegas recently hosted the annual Consumer Electronics Show (CES), a sprawling event showcasing the latest technological innovations. Among the thousands of exhibitors was Bucket Robotics, a San Francisco-based startup…
Threads edges out X in daily mobile users, new data shows
Meta’s Threads is experiencing a surge in popularity, now surpassing X (formerly Twitter) in daily active users on mobile devices, according to a recent report from market intelligence firm Similarweb.…
TechCrunch Mobility: ‘Physical AI’ enters the hype machine
The transportation landscape is undergoing a rapid transformation, with a noticeable shift in focus towards autonomous vehicles and “physical AI” as evidenced by the 2026 Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in…
Sequoia to invest in Anthropic, breaking VC taboo on backing rivals: FT
Venture capital firm Sequoia Capital is reportedly investing in Anthropic, the artificial intelligence startup developing the Claude chatbot, despite already holding stakes in competing AI companies OpenAI and xAI. This…
The FTC’s data-sharing order against GM is finally settled
The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has finalized an order against General Motors, restricting how the automaker can share consumer data with third parties. The order, stemming from concerns over the…
Mira Murati’s startup, Thinking Machines Lab, is losing two of its co-founders to OpenAI
A significant shakeup is occurring within the competitive artificial intelligence landscape as Thinking Machines Lab, the startup founded by former OpenAI CTO Mira Murati, experiences the departure of two co-founders…
Microsoft taps India’s Varaha for durable carbon removal offtake
Microsoft has entered a significant agreement with Indian startup Varaha to purchase over 100,000 tons of carbon dioxide removal credits through 2029. This deal expands Microsoft’s portfolio of projects aimed…
Indian SpaceX rival EtherealX hits 5x valuation as it readies engine tests
Bengaluru-based Ethereal Exploration Guild, operating as EtherealX, has significantly increased its valuation to $80.5 million following a successful $20.5 million Series A funding round. The Indian space tech startup is…