Technology

The Download: a 30-year old baby, and OpenAI’s push into colleges

July 30, 2025
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. Exclusive: A record-breaking baby has been born from an embryo that’s over 30 years old A baby boy has just won the new record for the “oldest baby.” Thaddeus Daniel Pierce, who arrived…

OpenAI is launching a version of ChatGPT for college students

July 29, 2025
OpenAI is launching Study Mode, a version of ChatGPT for college students that it promises will act less like a lookup tool and more like a friendly, always-available tutor. It’s part of a wider push by the company to get AI more embedded into classrooms when the new academic year starts in September. A demonstration…

Microsoft in talks to maintain access to OpenAI’s tech beyond AGI milestone 

July 29, 2025
Microsoft is reportedly in advanced talks with OpenAI for a new agreement that would give it ongoing access to the startup’s technology even if OpenAI achieves what it defines as AGI, or advanced general intelligence. If the deal goes through, it would clear a key hurdle in OpenAI’s transition toward becoming a fully commercial enterprise.

What you may have missed about Trump’s AI Action Plan

July 29, 2025
A number of the executive orders and announcements coming from the White House since Donald Trump returned to office have painted an ambitious vision for America’s AI future—crushing competition with China, abolishing “woke” AI models that suppress conservative speech, jump-starting power-hungry AI data centers. But the details have been sparse.  The White House’s AI Action…

Meet the minds shaping AI: TechCrunch Disrupt 2025 AI Stage revealed

July 28, 2025
At TechCrunch Disrupt 2025, the AI Stage comes alive with the voices shaping the future of technology, creativity, and security. Top VCs reveal what it takes to win funding in a rapidly evolving landscape, as they place bets on the next wave of AI founders. Hear groundbreaking insights from leaders at visionary startups like Apptronik, […]

Chinese universities want students to use more AI, not less

July 28, 2025
Just two years ago, Lorraine He, now a 24-year-old law student,  was told to avoid using AI for her assignments. At the time, to get around a national block on ChatGPT, students had to buy a mirror-site version from a secondhand marketplace. Its use was common, but it was at best tolerated and more often…