Tesla starts testing robotaxis in Austin with no safety driver
https://techcrunch.com/2025/12/15/tesla-starts-testing-robotaxis-in-austin-with-no-safety-driver/
Source:https://techcrunch.com/2025/12/15/tesla-starts-testing-robotaxis-in-austin-with-no-safety-driver/
TechCrunch
Tesla starts testing robotaxis in Austin with no safety driver | TechCrunch
It's one of the last big steps before the company can truly claim it's operating a robotaxi service, and start to take on Waymo.
Netflix responds to concerns about WBD deal
https://techcrunch.com/2025/12/15/netflix-responds-to-concerns-about-wbd-deal/
Source:https://techcrunch.com/2025/12/15/netflix-responds-to-concerns-about-wbd-deal/
TechCrunch
Netflix responds to concerns about WBD deal | TechCrunch
Industry concerns over Netflix acquiring Warner Bros. has led executives to address fears regarding jobs and theatrical releases.
Zoom brings its AI assistant to the web with access to free users
https://techcrunch.com/2025/12/15/zoom-brings-its-ai-assistant-to-the-web-with-access-to-free-users/
Source:https://techcrunch.com/2025/12/15/zoom-brings-its-ai-assistant-to-the-web-with-access-to-free-users/
TechCrunch
Zoom brings its AI assistant to the web with access to free users | TechCrunch
Zoom is allowing free users to try its AI assistant in limited capacity.
Threads adds new communities, tests badges for highly engaged members
https://techcrunch.com/2025/12/15/threads-adds-new-communities-tests-badges-for-highly-engaged-members/
Source:https://techcrunch.com/2025/12/15/threads-adds-new-communities-tests-badges-for-highly-engaged-members/
TechCrunch
Threads adds new communities, tests badges for highly engaged members | TechCrunch
Threads, which has more than 150 million daily active users, adds more communities to its platform.
Google’s ‘dark web report’ feature will no longer be available starting in February
https://techcrunch.com/2025/12/15/googles-dark-web-report-feature-will-no-longer-be-available-starting-in-february/
Source:https://techcrunch.com/2025/12/15/googles-dark-web-report-feature-will-no-longer-be-available-starting-in-february/
TechCrunch
Google’s ‘dark web report’ feature will no longer be available starting in February | TechCrunch
Launched initially about a year and a half ago, this tool aimed to help users monitor their personal information on the dark web.
Merriam-Webster names ‘slop’ the word of the year
https://techcrunch.com/2025/12/15/merriam-webster-names-slop-the-word-of-the-year/
Source:https://techcrunch.com/2025/12/15/merriam-webster-names-slop-the-word-of-the-year/
TechCrunch
Merriam-Webster names 'slop' the word of the year | TechCrunch
AI-generated content has dominated the internet over the past year, and America's dictionary took note.
Lightspeed raises record $9B in fresh capital
https://techcrunch.com/2025/12/15/lightspeed-raises-record-9b-in-fresh-capital/
Source:https://techcrunch.com/2025/12/15/lightspeed-raises-record-9b-in-fresh-capital/
TechCrunch
Lightspeed raises record $9B in fresh capital | TechCrunch
The massive fund haul will allow the Silicon Valley firm to continue to invest in cash-hungry AI startups.
Creative Commons announces tentative support for AI ‘pay-to-crawl’ systems
https://techcrunch.com/2025/12/15/creative-commons-announces-tentative-support-for-ai-pay-to-crawl-systems/
Source:https://techcrunch.com/2025/12/15/creative-commons-announces-tentative-support-for-ai-pay-to-crawl-systems/
TechCrunch
Creative Commons announces tentative support for AI 'pay-to-crawl' systems | TechCrunch
The organization offered support for this idea of an AI marketplace, and suggested several guiding principles.
Ford’s next F-150 Lightning will have a gas generator as it pivots away from large EVs
https://techcrunch.com/2025/12/15/fords-next-f-150-lightning-will-have-a-gas-generator-as-it-pivots-away-from-large-evs/
Source:https://techcrunch.com/2025/12/15/fords-next-f-150-lightning-will-have-a-gas-generator-as-it-pivots-away-from-large-evs/
TechCrunch
Ford’s next F-150 Lightning will have a gas generator as it pivots away from large EVs | TechCrunch
The company is abandoning plans for a brand new all-electric pickup truck codenamed "T3" and ending production of the battery-only Lightning.
Ford is starting a battery storage business to power data centers and the grid
https://techcrunch.com/2025/12/15/ford-is-starting-a-battery-storage-business-to-power-data-centers-and-the-grid/
Source:https://techcrunch.com/2025/12/15/ford-is-starting-a-battery-storage-business-to-power-data-centers-and-the-grid/
TechCrunch
Ford is starting a battery storage business to power data centers and the grid | TechCrunch
Ford will invest about $2 billion into the new business over the next two years.
Nvidia bulks up open source offerings with an acquisition and new open AI models
https://techcrunch.com/2025/12/15/nvidia-bulks-up-open-source-offerings-with-an-acquisition-and-new-open-ai-models/
Source:https://techcrunch.com/2025/12/15/nvidia-bulks-up-open-source-offerings-with-an-acquisition-and-new-open-ai-models/
TechCrunch
Nvidia bulks up open source offerings with an acquisition and new open AI models | TechCrunch
Nvidia acquired SchedMD, the lead developer of Slurm, and launched the Nemotron 3 family of open source AI models.
I hate that I love Riverside’s AI-driven “Rewind” for podcasters
https://techcrunch.com/2025/12/15/i-hate-that-i-love-riversides-ai-driven-rewind-for-podcasters/
Source:https://techcrunch.com/2025/12/15/i-hate-that-i-love-riversides-ai-driven-rewind-for-podcasters/
TechCrunch
I hate that I love Riverside's AI-driven 'Rewind' for podcasters | TechCrunch
Riverside's year-end review is amusing, but it represents a creative culture that's increasingly entwined with AI.
OpenAI-backed biotech firm Chai Discovery raises $130M Series B at $1.3B valuation
https://techcrunch.com/2025/12/15/openai-backed-biotech-firm-chai-discovery-raises-130m-series-b-at-1-3b-valuation/
Source:https://techcrunch.com/2025/12/15/openai-backed-biotech-firm-chai-discovery-raises-130m-series-b-at-1-3b-valuation/
TechCrunch
OpenAI-backed biotech firm Chai Discovery raises $130M Series B at $1.3B valuation | TechCrunch
Chai is building foundation models for drug discovery, specifically to predict interactions between molecules so they could be reprogramed for cures.
VCs discuss why most consumer AI startups still lack staying power
https://techcrunch.com/2025/12/15/vcs-discuss-why-most-consumer-ai-startups-still-lack-staying-power/
Source:https://techcrunch.com/2025/12/15/vcs-discuss-why-most-consumer-ai-startups-still-lack-staying-power/
TechCrunch
VCs discuss why most consumer AI startups still lack staying power | TechCrunch
The next consumer tech revolution may require an introduction of a new personal device.
VCs discuss why most consumer AI startups still lack staying power
https://techcrunch.com/2025/12/15/vcs-discuss-why-most-consumer-ai-startups-still-lack-staying-power/
Source:https://techcrunch.com/2025/12/15/vcs-discuss-why-most-consumer-ai-startups-still-lack-staying-power/
TechCrunch
VCs discuss why most consumer AI startups still lack staying power | TechCrunch
The next consumer tech revolution may require an introduction of a new personal device.
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Everbloom built an AI to turn chicken feathers into cashmere
https://techcrunch.com/2025/12/16/everbloom-built-an-ai-to-turn-chicken-feathers-into-cashmere/
Source:https://techcrunch.com/2025/12/16/everbloom-built-an-ai-to-turn-chicken-feathers-into-cashmere/
TechCrunch
Exclusive: Everbloom built an AI to turn chicken feathers into cashmere | TechCrunch
Everbloom has also developed a chemical process to transform waste fibers and feathers into upcycled materials that resemble everything from polyester to cashmere.
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Nuclear startup Last Energy raises $100M for its steel-encased micro reactor
https://techcrunch.com/2025/12/16/nuclear-startup-last-energy-raises-100m-for-its-steel-encased-micro-reactor/
Source:https://techcrunch.com/2025/12/16/nuclear-startup-last-energy-raises-100m-for-its-steel-encased-micro-reactor/
TechCrunch
Nuclear startup Last Energy raises $100M for its steel-encased micro reactor | TechCrunch
Last Energy will use the funds to build its 5 megawatt pilot reactor in Texas, which it hopes to turn on next year.
Adobe Firefly now supports prompt-based video editing, adds more third-party models
https://techcrunch.com/2025/12/16/adobe-firefly-now-supports-prompt-based-video-editing-adds-more-third-party-models/
Source:https://techcrunch.com/2025/12/16/adobe-firefly-now-supports-prompt-based-video-editing-adds-more-third-party-models/
TechCrunch
Adobe Firefly now supports prompt-based video editing, adds more third-party models | TechCrunch
Adobe is updating its AI video-generation app, Firefly, with a new video editor that supports precise prompt-based edits, as well as adding new third-party models for image and video generation, including Black Forest Labs' FLUX.2 and Topaz Astra.
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India’s Digantara raises $50M for space-based missile defence tech
https://techcrunch.com/2025/12/16/indias-digantara-raises-50m-for-space-based-missile-defence-tech/
Source:https://techcrunch.com/2025/12/16/indias-digantara-raises-50m-for-space-based-missile-defence-tech/
TechCrunch
India's Digantara raises $50M for space-based missile defense tech | TechCrunch
With this funding, Digantara has raised $64.5 million in total as it moves beyond space situational awareness into missile tracking, citing growing demand from governments for space-based defense capabilities.