The Download: using AI to discover “zero day” vulnerabilities, and Apple’s ICE app removal

October 3, 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. Microsoft says AI can create “zero day” threats in biology A team at Microsoft says it used artificial intelligence to discover a “zero day” vulnerability in the biosecurity systems used to prevent the…

New deep tech fund Wave Function Ventures raises $15 million

October 3, 2025

Former SpaceX Falcon 9 engineer Jamie Gull, who started the fund, has already made nine investments.

A new search engine raises $1.1M to let obsessive fans dive down internet rabbit holes

October 3, 2025

Lore raises $1.1 million to build a personalized search engine for fandom culture.

Apple removes ICEBlock and similar tracking apps from the App Store

October 3, 2025

Apple has removed ICEBlock and other apps from its App Store that allow users to anonymously report sightings of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents, following pressure from the Trump administration.

After nine years of grinding, Replit finally found its market. Can it keep it?

October 3, 2025

While AI coding startups like Cursor raise brow-raising rounds on barely three years of existence, Replit’s path to a $3 billion valuation has been anything but swift.

Amazon to resume drone delivery following crash in Arizona

October 2, 2025

Investigations by the National Transportation Safety Board and Federal Aviation Administration are underway.

Netflix Just Posted a Fully Remote Job That Pays $700K. Here’s What It Requires.

October 2, 2025

Netflix is actively recruiting for a remote, high-paying job that involves working with generative AI.

An AI Company Just Made Its $200-a-Month Product Totally Free

October 2, 2025

Perplexity, valued at around $20 billion, launched its Comet browser in July.

Baby Boomers Still Rule Real Estate, Owning Twice as Much Property as Millennials, According to a New Report

October 2, 2025

Baby boomers hold 51.7% of the nation’s wealth, more than any other generation.

Department of Energy cancels $7.5B of clean energy projects in mostly blue states

October 2, 2025

The Trump administration canceled over 300 awards related to clean energy on October 1. The states most affected by the cuts voted for Democrat presidential candidate Kamala Harris.

The Download: aging clocks, and repairing the internet