DeepSeek’s updated R1 AI model is more censored, test finds

May 29, 2025
Chinese AI startup DeepSeek’s newest AI model, an updated version of the company’s R1 reasoning model, achieves impressive scores on benchmarks for coding, math, and general knowledge, nearly surpassing OpenAI’s flagship o3. But the upgraded R1, also known as “R1-0528,” might also be less willing to answer contentious questions, in particular questions about topics the […]

Meta AI now has 1B monthly active users

May 29, 2025
Meta AI now has one billion monthly active users across its apps, CEO Mark Zuckerberg said at the company’s annual shareholder meeting on Wednesday, as first reported by CNBC. The new milestone doubles the 500 million monthly active users Meta AI had back in September 2024. The “focus for this year is deepening the experience […]

7 days until doors open at TechCrunch Sessions: AI

May 29, 2025
We’re on the final stretch! TechCrunch Sessions: AI kicks off in just 7 days. Main stage and breakout sessions feature AI leaders from Google Cloud, Anthropic, OpenAI, Twelve Labs, and more. It’s your moment to connect, learn, and network at high velocity. Now’s the time to move—lock in your ticket and save $300, plus score […]

Apple to change the way it names operating systems, report says

May 29, 2025
Apple will reportedly change the way it names its operating systems, per a Bloomberg report.  Operating systems will now be named by year, meaning the update after the current iOS 18 will be iOS 26 rather than, say, iOS 19. The change paves the way for a less confusing, more consistent branding among Apple products. […]

The New York Times and Amazon ink AI licensing deal

May 29, 2025
Nearly two years after suing OpenAI and Microsoft for copyright infringement, The New York Times has agreed to license its editorial content to Amazon to train the tech giant’s AI platforms. 

Zeal Capital Partners announces close of $82M Fund II

May 29, 2025
Zeal Capital Partners announced on Wednesday the close of its second fund, raising $82 million. Limited partners in the fund include Citi Impact Fund, M&T Bank, Wells Fargo, and Spelman College. It hopes to invest in at least 25 early-stage companies, writing check sizes between $1 million and $2.3 million, with 50% of the fund […]

The Download: the next anti-drone weapon, and powering AI’s growth

May 29, 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. This giant microwave may change the future of war Imagine: China deploys hundreds of thousands of autonomous drones in the air, on the sea, and under the water—all armed with explosive warheads or…