November 20, 2024

AI can now create a replica of your personality

Imagine sitting down with an AI model for a spoken two-hour interview. A friendly voice guides you through a conversation that ranges from your childhood, your formative memories, and your career to your thoughts on immigration policy. Not long after, a virtual replica of you is able to embody your values and preferences with stunning…

January 2023

Hear how Cambly found profits after failing to raise a Series A on TechCrunch Live

January 24, 2023

TechCrunch Live is back! I’m thrilled to bring this event series back for its third season. We’re booked for months, and I’m delighted to host the upcoming guests. Join us for our first episode with Benchmark and Cambly taking place on February 1, 2023 at 11:30am PT / 2:30pm ET.  TCL’s mission is still to […]

Hear how Cambly found profits after failing to raise a Series A on TechCrunch Live by Matt Burns originally published on TechCrunch

Senate questions Live Nation president amid Taylor Swift ticketing debacle

January 24, 2023

“May I suggest respectfully that Ticketmaster ought to look in the mirror and say, ‘I’m the problem, it’s me,’” Senator Richard Blumenthal (D-CT) said on the Senate floor Tuesday, referencing Taylor Swift’s latest hit “Anti-Hero.” In a hearing on consumer protection and competition in live entertainment, senators grilled Live Nation CFO and president Joe Berchtold […]

Senate questions Live Nation president amid Taylor Swift ticketing debacle by Amanda Silberling originally published on TechCrunch

Task force proposes new federal AI research outfit with $2.6B in funding

January 24, 2023

The final report from the government’s National AI Research Resource recommends a new, multi-billion-dollar research organization to improve the capabilities and accessibility of the field to U.S. scientists. The document presents “a roadmap and implementation plan for a national cyberinfrastructure aimed at overcoming the access divide, reaping the benefits of greater brainpower and more diverse […]

Task force proposes new federal AI research outfit with $2.6B in funding by Devin Coldewey originally published on TechCrunch

Consumer advocacy groups want Walmart’s Roblox game audited for ‘stealth marketing’ to kids

January 24, 2023

A number of consumer advocacy groups have a problem with Walmart’s entry into the metaverse. The online retailer last fall announced the launch of two new virtual worlds on Roblox, “Walmart Land” and “Universe of Play,” aimed at engaging the next generation of shoppers. The experiences allow Roblox users to play games featuring toys and […]

Consumer advocacy groups want Walmart’s Roblox game audited for ‘stealth marketing’ to kids by Sarah Perez originally published on TechCrunch

Alexa Fund’s Paul Bernard talks OpenAI, what’s catching his eye and remaining relevant as Amazon restructures

January 24, 2023

Amazon made headlines this month when the company began to work through its long-rumored 18,000 job cuts. Going, too, are a number of products and strategies as the company right-sizes for the current state of the economy, the market’s attitude to tech stocks and the current landscape as dictated by its competitors and would-be rivals. […]

Alexa Fund’s Paul Bernard talks OpenAI, what’s catching his eye and remaining relevant as Amazon restructures by Ingrid Lunden originally published on TechCrunch

Honda is setting up a dedicated EV division

January 24, 2023

Honda is establishing a division dedicated to the development of electric vehicles and other electrical products including storage and generation, the company said on Tuesday (via Reuters). The Japanese automaker somewhat lags the rest of the market when it comes to EVs to date. Last year, Honda announced expansive plans to electrify its lineup, including […]

Honda is setting up a dedicated EV division by Darrell Etherington originally published on TechCrunch

Opportunistic investors are giving up on aging pre-IPO companies, shows a new report

January 24, 2023

It’s a tough time to be a richly priced company that didn’t go public when the getting was good. Not only are there fewer later-stage players with the resources and appetite to support such companies — SoftBank and Tiger Global have pulled back dramatically, for example — but even secondary investors have lost interest. That’s […]

Opportunistic investors are giving up on aging pre-IPO companies, shows a new report by Connie Loizos originally published on TechCrunch

Instagram’s new dynamic profile photo flips between your picture and avatar

January 24, 2023

Instagram announced today that it’s introducing a new dynamic profile photo feature that lets users showcase both their profile photo and their avatar. Prior to this update, you had to choose between displaying a profile picture or your avatar on your profile. Now, you can flip between the two. “Now you can add your avatar […]

Instagram’s new dynamic profile photo flips between your picture and avatar by Aisha Malik originally published on TechCrunch