July 7, 2025

The Download: China’s winning at advanced manufacturing, and a potential TikTok sale

This is today’s edition of The Download, our weekday newsletter that provides a daily dose of what’s going on in the world of technology. The latest threat from the rise of Chinese manufacturing In 2013, a trio of academics showed convincing evidence that increased trade with China beginning in the early 2000s and the resulting flood of…

Technology

China’s AI firms might further lose chip access in new US ban

June 28, 2023

The U.S. is weighing additional restrictions on AI chip export to China amid rising concerns over the use of advanced semiconductors for military modernization. The Wall Street Journal reported Tuesday that the U.S. Department of Commerce could prohibit shipments of chips from manufacturers including Nvidia to customers in China as soon as early next month. […]

China’s AI firms might further lose chip access in new US ban by Rita Liao originally published on TechCrunch

Bluu Seafood reels in $17.5M to bring cultivated fish products to market

June 28, 2023

Bluu Seafood, a German company creating cultivated (i.e. “lab-grown”) fish products, today announced it has raised €16 million ($17.5 million) in a Series A round of funding. Founded out of Berlin in 2020 originally as Bluu Biosciences, Bluu Seafood starts with a “one-time” fish biopsy — which, it says, doesn’t require killing any fish — […]

Bluu Seafood reels in $17.5M to bring cultivated fish products to market by Paul Sawers originally published on TechCrunch

Zoox begins testing robotaxis on public roads in Las Vegas

June 27, 2023

Amazon subsidiary Zoox has begun testing its purpose-built, electric, autonomous robotaxis on public streets in Las Vegas, the company announced Tuesday. Zoox says this marks the first time that an autonomous vehicle built without pedals or a steering wheel has operated on public roads in Nevada. Zoox is starting small with a one-mile loop around […]

Zoox begins testing robotaxis on public roads in Las Vegas by Rebecca Bellan originally published on TechCrunch

Curiosity unbounded

June 27, 2023
“It only takes a few hours on this campus to learn that what propels MIT is an irresistible force: the sheer motive power of curiosity, on every subject, at every scale, across disciplines and without limits. Curiosity unbounded.  “It’s the passion to understand how things work, and why, and how they can work better. “In this…

When MIT met Sally

June 27, 2023
On May 1, the MIT community gathered in Killian Court beneath what Sally Kornbluth dubbed “the world’s largest umbrella” to officially welcome her as the Institute’s 18th president. But the predicted rain held off, and crabapple blossoms fluttered down from the trees as she was brought into the MIT fold with all the formality and…

‘Only human creators’ can win a Grammy, but AI isn’t totally forbidden

June 27, 2023

We are only scratching the surface of how artificial intelligence might be used in art, and musicians are already experimenting with the technology. But if their AI-assisted composition is to be eligible for a Grammy, they’ll need to make sure that their contribution is “meaningful,” the rules now state. An update to the famous awards’ […]

‘Only human creators’ can win a Grammy, but AI isn’t totally forbidden by Devin Coldewey originally published on TechCrunch

Mercedes brings F1 technology to the AMG S 63 E Performance

June 27, 2023

“Win on Sunday, sell on Monday.” That was the popular marketing adage when motorsports and car sales were intricately intertwined. While a podium finish these days doesn’t necessarily translate into a bump in sales — with many consumers being more focused on fuel economy, looks and comfort — there is still a glimmer of truth […]

Mercedes brings F1 technology to the AMG S 63 E Performance by Emme Hall originally published on TechCrunch

An encryption exodus looms over UK’s Online Safety Bill

June 27, 2023

The backlash against the encryption-busting Online Safety Bill continues to grow, suggesting the United Kingdom could soon face a looming exodus of secure messaging apps. First drafted in May 2021, the Online Safety Bill would allow the U.K. government to compel backdoor access to any end-to-end encryption system. While the government claims the complex legislation […]

An encryption exodus looms over UK’s Online Safety Bill by Carly Page originally published on TechCrunch

Airmo combines space and climate tech with emissions monitoring satellites

June 27, 2023

German startup Airmo is taking aim at climate change, with plans to launch a twelve-satellite constellation to monitor greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions across the planet. To fuel its ambitions, the company announced today that it closed €5.2 million ($5.7 million) in pre-seed funding, which includes €1.5 million from venture investors and a €3.7 million contract […]

Airmo combines space and climate tech with emissions monitoring satellites by Aria Alamalhodaei originally published on TechCrunch