Ex-OpenAI researcher dissects one of ChatGPT’s delusional spirals
A former OpenAI researcher looked into how ChatGPT can mislead delusional users about their reality and its own capabilities
The Download: Big Tech’s carbon removals plans, and the next wave of nuclear reactors
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. Big Tech’s big bet on a controversial carbon removal tactic Microsoft, JP MorganChase, and a tech company consortium that includes Alphabet, Meta, Shopify, and Stripe have all recently struck multimillion-dollar deals to pay…
Perplexity’s Comet AI browser now free; Max users get new ‘background assistant’
AI search startup Perplexity is making its new Comet browser available to everyone in the world for free as it works to position the product against big browsers and search engines. For certain paid subscribers, the startup has also launched a new ‘background assistant’ to handle multiple tasks via Comet.
Amazon now lets Prime members add items to upcoming orders with one tap
Amazon’s new “Add to Delivery” button makes it easier for Prime members to buy more and tack on items to existing orders.
Rivian’s best-case guess for 2025 sales is a 16% drop from last year
The company will likely sell fewer EVs this year than in both 2024 and 2023, making next year’s launch of the R2 SUV even more important.
How to Navigate Online Cold Calling and Start Real Conversations
Cold outreach is still one of the most effective ways to build relationships, but success today comes down to personalization, brevity and leading with value rather than spam.
Phoebe Gates and Sophia Kianni share the playbook for scaling consumer AI and winning Gen Z at TechCrunch Disrupt 2025
Phia co-founders Phoebe Gates and Sophia Kianni are redefining how Gen Z shops with AI. At TechCrunch Disrupt 2025, they’ll share how they’re scaling one of the year’s hottest startups into a lasting consumer brand. Register to join.
A new a16z report looks at which AI companies startups are actually paying for
a16z releases its first AI spending report that shows which AI-native application layer companies startups are actually spending money on .
Hackers are sending extortion emails to executives after claiming Oracle apps’ data breach
Google says hackers associated with the Clop ransomware gang are emailing executives at multiple organizations claiming to have stolen their personal information from a suite of Oracle E-Business apps.
OpenAI is the world’s most valuable private company after private stock sale
OpenAI employees sold $6.6B in shares, leading company’s valuation to jump to $500B.
Apple shelves Vision Pro overhaul to focus on AI glasses
Bloomberg reports that the tech giant is developing at least two types of smart glasses.