Peak XV says internal disagreement led to partner exits as it doubles down on AI
Peak XV is transitioning board roles and opening a U.S. office while continuing to view India as its largest market.
Moltbook was peak AI theater
For a few days this week the hottest new hangout on the internet was a vibe-coded Reddit clone called Moltbook, which billed itself as a social network for bots. As the website’s tagline puts it: “Where AI agents share, discuss, and upvote. Humans welcome to observe.” We observed! Launched on January 28 by Matt Schlicht,…
The Download: squeezing more metal out of aging mines, and AI’s truth crisis
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. Microbes could extract the metal needed for cleantech In a pine forest on Michigan’s Upper Peninsula, the only active nickel mine in the US is nearing the end of its life. At a…
India’s Supreme Court to WhatsApp: ‘You cannot play with the right to privacy’
India’s top court is investigating WhatsApp’s data-sharing model, monopoly power, and user consent.
Vema predicts cheap hydrogen could change where data centers are built
Vema Hydrogen drills wells to stimulate hydrogen production deep underground, which could result in some of the cheapest hydrogen available.
Avalanche thinks the fusion power industry should think smaller
Avalanche has raised $29 million in fresh funding to pursue its unique approach to fusion power, which can currently fit on a table.
Microbes could extract the metal needed for cleantech
In a pine forest on Michigan’s Upper Peninsula, the only active nickel mine in the US is nearing the end of its life. At a time when carmakers want the metal for electric-vehicle batteries, nickel concentration at Eagle Mine is falling and could soon drop too low to warrant digging. But earlier this year, the…
Fintech CEO and Forbes 30 Under 30 alum has been charged for alleged fraud
The startup CEO says she plans to publicly address the charges this week.
Waymo raises $16B to scale robotaxi fleet internationally
The round, led by Dragoneer Investment Group, DST Global, and Sequoia Capital, now values the autonomous vehicle company at $126 billion.
Elon Musk’s SpaceX officially acquires Elon Musk’s xAI, with plan to build data centers in space
The merger creates the world’s most valuable private company, and paves the way for Musk to try and prove out the usefulness of space-based data centers.
China is leading the fight against hidden car door handles
The Chinese government issued a new rule that goes into effect January 1, 2027.