July 8, 2025

How scientists are trying to use AI to unlock the human mind 

Today’s AI landscape is defined by the ways in which neural networks are unlike human brains. A toddler learns how to communicate effectively with only a thousand calories a day and regular conversation; meanwhile, tech companies are reopening nuclear power plants, polluting marginalized communities, and pirating terabytes of books in order to train and run…

Lensa AI, the viral app making ‘magic avatars,’ raises red flags for artists

December 6, 2022

If your Instagram is awash in algorithmically generated portraits of your friends, you aren’t alone. After adding a new avatar generation tool based on Stable Diffusion, the photo editing app Lensa AI went viral over the last few days, with users sharing their uncanny AI-crafted avatars (and the horrible misfires) in stories and posts. Lensa’s […]

Lensa AI, the viral app making ‘magic avatars,’ raises red flags for artists by Taylor Hatmaker originally published on TechCrunch

Tier-owned Spin exits 10 US markets amid low demand, unfavorable city regulations

December 6, 2022

Micromobility operator Spin is leaving 10 U.S. markets due to a combination of low demand, over-regulation, under-regulation and poor cost structures, according to a company-wide email sent Friday by Philip Reinckens, Spin’s CEO, that was shared with TechCrunch. Reinckens said the market exits would help Spin cut costs and focus on growing markets that provide […]

Tier-owned Spin exits 10 US markets amid low demand, unfavorable city regulations by Rebecca Bellan originally published on TechCrunch

SpaceX goes full defense contractor with national security-focused Starshield

December 5, 2022

SpaceX’s launch services have already become an invaluable resource for the U.S. government, but the company is now jumping into the deep end of the pool it had heretofore only splashed around in. Starshield, a new vertical within SpaceX, will provide “government entities” (think three-letter agencies) with secure communications and bespoke satellite designs. The new […]

SpaceX goes full defense contractor with national security-focused Starshield by Devin Coldewey originally published on TechCrunch

Gift Guide: More than 20 STEM gift ideas to inspire kids to code

December 5, 2022

All aboard the learn-to-code train! As another holiday season looms and kids everywhere start clamouring for shiny stuff, we’ve got you covered with a bumper edition of our annual STEM gift guide. This year’s guide is packed with more than 20 ideas to engage toddlers, excite tweens and inspire teens to get under the hood […]

Gift Guide: More than 20 STEM gift ideas to inspire kids to code by Natasha Lomas originally published on TechCrunch

Third-party Twitter app makers turn their attention to Mastodon

December 5, 2022

Open source Twitter alternative Mastodon has gained a bit of attention in the wake of Elon Musk’s Twitter acquisition. Now, it’s gaining interest from third-party Twitter app developers, as well. The makers of popular Twitter clients, including Aviary and Tweetbot, have recently set their sights on building similar clients for the growing Mastodon user base. […]

Third-party Twitter app makers turn their attention to Mastodon by Sarah Perez originally published on TechCrunch