Instinct brings its AI agent to group chats, even for friends without an account

October 5, 2026

Instinct is launching group chats that let friends use its AI agent together for tasks like planning trips, organizing carpools, and coordinating events. The company says personal accounts remain separate, with permission required before personal agents share information or take action.

They Make More Than $300,000 a Year — And Still Say They’re Living Paycheck to Paycheck

October 5, 2026

A Goldman Sachs survey suggests even high-income Americans are struggling to build savings.

TikTok rolls out an AI shopping assistant and one-click checkout

October 5, 2026

TikTok describes its new Shopping Assistant as a conversational AI agent designed to help users discover and purchase products.

Everyone Wants to Build AI Apps — I’m Betting on What Powers Them. Here’s Why.

October 5, 2026

Here’s why I’m betting on the picks and shovels of AI, not the apps.

At 19, founder raises $11 million for Ghost, maker of a $3,499 computer for personal AI

October 5, 2026

Ghost announced Monday its official emergence from stealth and an $11 billion seed round led by Andreessen Horowitz.

Hot Girl Hotline is like ‘Dear Abby’ for the AI era

October 5, 2026

Founded by two sisters, Hot Girl Hotline uses AI to give young women personalized dating and relationship advice, with an emphasis on safety and avoiding emotional dependency.

5 startups that caught VCs’ attention at the latest PearX demo day

October 5, 2026

TechCrunch attended Pear’s latest demo day and discovered which startups generated the most buzz, from spatial models to chips for local AI.

The 6 Traits I Look for in Every Employee

October 5, 2026

Jobs change. Great people evolve with them. Here’s how to find the people who become invaluable.

How AI Agents Are Helping Companies Scale Their Marketing

October 5, 2026

Here’s how AI agents can help companies scale marketing by combining skills, tools and context into an agentic marketing operating model.

HackerRank’s AI interviewer offers a glimpse into what job interviews could become

October 5, 2026

HackerRank’s AI interviewer has already conducted more than 500,000 interviews, with Snowflake, Snorkel, and Capgemini among its early testers.

The Download: failed social media bans, and extending pets’ lives