Technology

Meet the team developing an open source ChatGPT alternative

March 14, 2023

At the risk of stating the obvious, AI-powered chatbots are hot right now. The tools, which can write essays, emails and more given a few text-based instructions, have captured the attention of tech hobbyists and enterprises alike. OpenAI’s ChatGPT, arguably the progenitor, has an estimated more than 100 million users. Via an API, brands including […]

Meet the team developing an open source ChatGPT alternative by Kyle Wiggers originally published on TechCrunch

The runway for futuristic electric planes is still a long one

March 14, 2023
The future of flight will come in stages, for one electric aircraft startup at least. Today, Beta Technologies, pushed back the debut of its futuristic electric aircraft that can take off and land like a helicopter. Instead, it announced plans to certify a more conventional version of its electric plane by 2025. Beta is one…

Copy that: RightHub wants to be the command center for intellectual property management

March 14, 2023

An entrepreneur might have the best idea since sliced bread, but if they’re unable to protect it with the relevant patents, trademarks, or copyrights, then there’s a good chance they won’t see the fruits that their labor otherwise might deserve. However, the intellectual property (IP) management process is fraught with friction, from the initial idea-evaluation […]

Copy that: RightHub wants to be the command center for intellectual property management by Paul Sawers originally published on TechCrunch

How AI could write our laws

March 14, 2023
Nearly 90% of the multibillion-dollar federal lobbying apparatus in the United States serves corporate interests. In some cases, the objective of that money is obvious. Google pours millions into lobbying on bills related to antitrust regulation. Big energy companies expect action whenever there is a move to end drilling leases for federal lands, in exchange…

MENA VC Flat6Labs’ new fund to back startups in East, West Africa

March 14, 2023

Flat6Labs is amongst the most active VCs in Africa, having invested in over a hundred startups to date, across the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region. And now, after 11 years, the Egypt-based seed-stage accelerator is setting out on a foray into East and West Africa through a $95 million Africa Seed Fund investment […]

MENA VC Flat6Labs’ new fund to back startups in East, West Africa by Annie Njanja originally published on TechCrunch

TuSimple co-founder resigns, accused of poaching staff for new venture

March 14, 2023

TuSimple’s co-founder, Xiaodi Hou, resigned from the company’s board of directors last week amid an internal investigation which sought to verify claims that Hou approached TuSimple employees about leaving the company to join his new venture, per an SEC filing. Sources familiar with the matter told TechCrunch a “whistleblower” informed upper management about Hou’s solicitations […]

TuSimple co-founder resigns, accused of poaching staff for new venture by Rebecca Bellan originally published on TechCrunch

Indonesia’s Broom builds out automated asset-backed lending for used car dealers

March 14, 2023

The Indonesian used car market is on a course for growth fueled by a number of trends: the increasing digitization in used car sales; a larger variety of finance options; and the COVID-19 pandemic, which pushed the idea of private car ownership.  Broom, an Indonesia-based auto-financing startup that wants to help used car dealers work more […]

Indonesia’s Broom builds out automated asset-backed lending for used car dealers by Kate Park originally published on TechCrunch

Microsoft lays off an ethical AI team as it doubles down on OpenAI

March 14, 2023

Microsoft laid off an entire team dedicated to guiding AI innovation that leads to ethical, responsible and sustainable outcomes. The cutting of the ethics and society team, as reported by Platformer, is part of a recent spate of layoffs that affected 10,000 employees across the company. The elimination of the team comes as Microsoft invests […]

Microsoft lays off an ethical AI team as it doubles down on OpenAI by Rebecca Bellan originally published on TechCrunch