July 4, 2025

The Download: India’s AI independence, and predicting future epidemics

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. Inside India’s scramble for AI independence Despite its status as a global tech hub, India lags far behind the likes of the US and China when it comes to homegrown AI. That gap…

Technology

For Bluesky to thrive, it needs sex workers and Black Twitter

May 2, 2023

In the months since Elon Musk took over, and subsequently tanked, Twitter, people have been desperate to find an alternative platform. Bluesky, a decentralized social network backed by Twitter co-founder Jack Dorsey, is the latest frontrunner.  Bluesky has already gained attention with its irreverent posting culture, but to keep users, it needs to maintain a […]

For Bluesky to thrive, it needs sex workers and Black Twitter by Morgan Sung originally published on TechCrunch

Ford slashes prices on its all-electric Mustang Mach-E as it reopens orders

May 2, 2023

Ford cut the price of its all-electric Mustang Mach-E by as much as $4,000 while adding range and other features — the latest move in an EV price war sparked by Tesla. Ford said Tuesday it is reopening its order book and preparing to ramp production of the vehicle in the second half of 2023, […]

Ford slashes prices on its all-electric Mustang Mach-E as it reopens orders by Kirsten Korosec originally published on TechCrunch

This could be AI’s light bulb moment

May 2, 2023

In the 19th century, electricity was the primary technology that was driving innovation, but it wasn’t until it was practically applied with inventions like the light bulb and the telephone that it stimulated the public’s imagination. With the release of ChatGPT last year, it triggered what some industry experts believe is a light bulb moment […]

This could be AI’s light bulb moment by Ron Miller originally published on TechCrunch

Snap announces tests of sponsored links in My AI, new ad products for Spotlight and Stories

May 2, 2023

After Snap’s stock took a hit from its weak first-quarter earnings, the company today made its pitch to advertisers at IAB’s NewFronts where it introduced new ad products and opportunities. Here, Snap’s new President of Americas Rob Wilk, previously Microsoft’s Head of Advertising, and Chief Creative Officer Colleen DeCourcy, spoke about a test that allowed […]

Snap announces tests of sponsored links in My AI, new ad products for Spotlight and Stories by Sarah Perez originally published on TechCrunch

Finix becomes a payments processor, heating up its competition with Stripe

May 2, 2023

Payments infrastructure startup Finix has slowly been taking swipes at Stripe, first becoming a facilitator, and now becoming a processor. Finix said today it now is directly connected to all major U.S. card networks — American Express, Discover, Mastercard and Visa. Now that Finix no longer relies on a third-party processor, it says it’s able to […]

Finix becomes a payments processor, heating up its competition with Stripe by Mary Ann Azevedo originally published on TechCrunch

How to ask OpenAI for your personal data to be deleted or not used to train its AIs

May 2, 2023

Users of ChatGPT in Europe can now use web forms or other means provided by OpenAI to request deletion of their personal data in order to stop the chatbot processing (and producing) information about them. They can also request an opt-out of having their data used to train its AIs. Why might someone not want […]

How to ask OpenAI for your personal data to be deleted or not used to train its AIs by Natasha Lomas originally published on TechCrunch

Apple and Google team up on industry spec to make Bluetooth tracking devices, like AirTag, safer

May 2, 2023

After numerous cases of Bluetooth trackers like Apple’s AirTag being used for stalking or other criminal apps, Apple and Google today released a joint announcement saying they will work together to lead an industry-wide initiative to draft a specification that would alert users in the case of unwanted tracking from Bluetooth devices. The companies said […]

Apple and Google team up on industry spec to make Bluetooth tracking devices, like AirTag, safer by Sarah Perez originally published on TechCrunch