While Amazon blocks AI agents, Walmart rolls out the welcome mat
https://techcrunch.com/2026/10/21/while-amazon-blocks-ai-agents-walmart-rolls-out-the-welcome-mat/
Source:https://techcrunch.com/2026/10/21/while-amazon-blocks-ai-agents-walmart-rolls-out-the-welcome-mat/
TechCrunch
While Amazon blocks AI agents, Walmart rolls out the welcome mat | TechCrunch
As Amazon blocks AI agents from shopping on its site, Walmart is taking the opposite approach, introducing new technology that lets AI agents make purchases on customers' behalf, with controls over spending and transaction approvals.
Meta ordered to pay $25 billion in case related to Cambridge Analytica scandal
https://techcrunch.com/2026/10/21/meta-ordered-to-pay-25-billion-in-case-related-to-cambridge-analytica-scandal/
Source:https://techcrunch.com/2026/10/21/meta-ordered-to-pay-25-billion-in-case-related-to-cambridge-analytica-scandal/
TechCrunch
Meta ordered to pay $25B in case related to Cambridge Analytica scandal | TechCrunch
The payout is related to a recent trial involving the social media giant that revolved around its data privacy practices.
Automattic begins layoffs following board upheaval and executive departures
https://techcrunch.com/2026/10/21/automattic-begins-layoffs-following-board-upheaval-and-executive-departures/
Source:https://techcrunch.com/2026/10/21/automattic-begins-layoffs-following-board-upheaval-and-executive-departures/
TechCrunch
Automattic begins layoffs following board upheaval and executive departures | TechCrunch
Sources say more cuts could follow as the company looks to improve its finances.
Recursive launches Flint, a laptop coding model it says was largely built by AI
https://techcrunch.com/2026/10/21/recursive-launches-flint-a-laptop-coding-model-it-says-was-largely-built-by-ai/
Source:https://techcrunch.com/2026/10/21/recursive-launches-flint-a-laptop-coding-model-it-says-was-largely-built-by-ai/
TechCrunch
Recursive launches Flint, a laptop coding model it says was largely built by AI | TechCrunch
Startup Recursive has released Flint, a free, laptop-sized coding model built largely by its own AI research system, as an early test of AI that improves itself.
Tesla stars Optimus robot production in California as profit falls 43%
https://techcrunch.com/2026/10/21/tesla-stars-optimus-robot-production-in-california-as-profit-falls-43/
Source:https://techcrunch.com/2026/10/21/tesla-stars-optimus-robot-production-in-california-as-profit-falls-43/
TechCrunch
Tesla starts Optimus robot production in California as profit falls 43% | TechCrunch
Tesla's revenue was flat and its expenses skyrocketed as it pressed the accelerator on its Optimus robots, AI, and autonomous driving.
Year-old AI lab Flapping Airplanes raises $1B at a $6B valuation
https://techcrunch.com/2026/10/21/year-old-ai-lab-flapping-airplanes-raises-1b-at-a-6b-valuation/
Source:https://techcrunch.com/2026/10/21/year-old-ai-lab-flapping-airplanes-raises-1b-at-a-6b-valuation/
TechCrunch
Year-old AI lab Flapping Airplanes raises $1B at a $6B valuation | TechCrunch
Just 9 months after raising a $180 million seed round, Flapping Airplanes has landed a $1 billion Series A for its mission to build AI models "without ingesting half the internet."
Airbnb limits chores for guests, sparking backlash from hosts
https://techcrunch.com/2026/10/21/airbnb-limits-chores-for-guests-sparking-backlash-from-hosts/
Source:https://techcrunch.com/2026/10/21/airbnb-limits-chores-for-guests-sparking-backlash-from-hosts/
TechCrunch
Airbnb limits chores for guests, sparking backlash from hosts | TechCrunch
Hosts are threatening to leave the platform after Airbnb says that they can no longer require guests to strip beds or do other time-consuming cleaning chores.
Meta wants to pay for its broad AI buildout with a newly created class of stock
https://techcrunch.com/2026/10/21/meta-wants-to-pay-for-its-broad-ai-buildout-with-a-newly-created-class-of-stock/
Source:https://techcrunch.com/2026/10/21/meta-wants-to-pay-for-its-broad-ai-buildout-with-a-newly-created-class-of-stock/
TechCrunch
Meta wants to pay for its broad AI buildout with a newly created class of stock | TechCrunch
The social media giant is planning a new stock strategy to help power its broad investments in AI models and services.
Tesla says it will start selling Cybercabs by end of year
https://techcrunch.com/2026/10/21/tesla-says-it-will-start-selling-cybercabs-by-end-of-year/
Source:https://techcrunch.com/2026/10/21/tesla-says-it-will-start-selling-cybercabs-by-end-of-year/
TechCrunch
Tesla says it will start selling Cybercabs by end of year | TechCrunch
There is at least one obstacle that could throw off Tesla's Cybercab fleet plans. The NHTSA announced last month that it had opened an investigation into the Cybercab, just hours after the vehicles began operating on public streets in Austin.
DeepSeek reportedly raises $15B days after US restrictions
https://techcrunch.com/2026/10/22/deepseek-reportedly-raises-15b-days-after-us-restrictions/
Source:https://techcrunch.com/2026/10/22/deepseek-reportedly-raises-15b-days-after-us-restrictions/
TechCrunch
DeepSeek reportedly raises $15B days after US restrictions | TechCrunch
DeepSeek has reportedly raised $15 billion in one of China's largest funding rounds, just days after the U.S. ordered federal agencies to remove its technology over national security concerns.
Nirva raises $33M for a pendant that only listens to you
https://techcrunch.com/2026/10/22/nirva-raises-33m-for-a-pendant-that-only-listens-to-you/
Source:https://techcrunch.com/2026/10/22/nirva-raises-33m-for-a-pendant-that-only-listens-to-you/
TechCrunch
Nirva raises $33M for a pendant that only listens to you | TechCrunch
Nirva will ship its $249 ambient AI pendant by the end of the year.
Tesla is prepping a Cybercab onslaught
https://techcrunch.com/2026/10/22/tesla-is-prepping-a-cybercab-onslaught/
Source:https://techcrunch.com/2026/10/22/tesla-is-prepping-a-cybercab-onslaught/
TechCrunch
Tesla is prepping a Cybercab onslaught | TechCrunch
The company is looking to roll out the gold two-seater robotaxis to other U.S. cities this year, even as it goes mum on the number of paid rides.
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Tesla is prepping a Cybercab onslaught
https://techcrunch.com/2026/10/22/tesla-is-prepping-a-cybercab-onslaught/
Source:https://techcrunch.com/2026/10/22/tesla-is-prepping-a-cybercab-onslaught/
TechCrunch
Tesla is prepping a Cybercab onslaught | TechCrunch
The company is looking to roll out the gold two-seater robotaxis to other U.S. cities this year, even as it goes mum on the number of paid rides.
TechCrunch Disrupt 2026 Startup Battlefield 200: Celebrating outstanding achievements
https://techcrunch.com/2026/10/22/techcrunch-disrupt-2026-startup-battlefield-200-celebrating-outstanding-achievements/
Source:https://techcrunch.com/2026/10/22/techcrunch-disrupt-2026-startup-battlefield-200-celebrating-outstanding-achievements/
TechCrunch
TechCrunch Disrupt 2026 Startup Battlefield 200: Celebrating outstanding achievements | TechCrunch
Among the Startup Battlefield 200 were many industry-defining companies exhibiting and pitching on the Showcase Stage. Here are the standouts.
Uber puts all 30,000 employees on ChatGPT Work
https://techcrunch.com/2026/10/22/uber-puts-all-30000-employees-on-chatgpt-work/
Source:https://techcrunch.com/2026/10/22/uber-puts-all-30000-employees-on-chatgpt-work/
TechCrunch
Uber puts all 30,000 employees on ChatGPT Work | TechCrunch
The ride-share giant previously deployed a much smaller pilot for ChatGPT Work but is now taking the enterprise agent company-wide.
Uber puts all 30,000 employees on ChatGPT Work
https://techcrunch.com/2026/10/22/uber-puts-all-30000-employees-on-chatgpt-work/
Source:https://techcrunch.com/2026/10/22/uber-puts-all-30000-employees-on-chatgpt-work/
TechCrunch
Uber puts all 30,000 employees on ChatGPT Work | TechCrunch
The ride-share giant previously deployed a much smaller pilot for ChatGPT Work but is now taking the enterprise agent company-wide.
TechCrunch Disrupt 2026 Startup Battlefield 200: Celebrating outstanding achievements
https://techcrunch.com/2026/10/22/techcrunch-disrupt-2026-startup-battlefield-200-celebrating-outstanding-achievements/
Source:https://techcrunch.com/2026/10/22/techcrunch-disrupt-2026-startup-battlefield-200-celebrating-outstanding-achievements/
TechCrunch
TechCrunch Disrupt 2026 Startup Battlefield 200: Celebrating outstanding achievements | TechCrunch
Among the Startup Battlefield 200 were many industry-defining companies exhibiting and pitching on the Showcase Stage. Here are the standouts.
Chinese hackers spied on thousands of companies after breaching IT giant ConnectWise
https://techcrunch.com/2026/10/22/chinese-hackers-spied-on-thousands-of-companies-after-breaching-it-giant-connectwise/
Source:https://techcrunch.com/2026/10/22/chinese-hackers-spied-on-thousands-of-companies-after-breaching-it-giant-connectwise/
TechCrunch
Chinese hackers spied on thousands of companies after breaching IT giant ConnectWise | TechCrunch
Microsoft points the blame for ConnectWise's breach at a China-aligned hacker, which relied on AI agents to rapidly hack into thousands of its customers.
Elon Musk made a $1 billion investment in Skydance, report says
https://techcrunch.com/2026/10/22/elon-musk-made-a-1-billion-investment-in-skydance-report-says/
Source:https://techcrunch.com/2026/10/22/elon-musk-made-a-1-billion-investment-in-skydance-report-says/
TechCrunch
Elon Musk made a $1B investment in Skydance, report says | TechCrunch
The investment will provide a much-needed financial boost as the company seeks to cut costs and lift its stock price.
Former OpenAI science lead launches Warp Science to automate wet labs with robots
https://techcrunch.com/2026/10/22/former-openai-science-lead-launches-warp-science-to-automate-wet-labs-with-robots/
Source:https://techcrunch.com/2026/10/22/former-openai-science-lead-launches-warp-science-to-automate-wet-labs-with-robots/
TechCrunch
Former OpenAI science lead launches Warp Science to automate wet labs with robots | TechCrunch
Wearing cameras and sensor gloves, the startup’s human chemists will train robots to perform various lab tasks.
Microsoft’s Mustafa Suleyman says its AI outperforms doctors on hard cases as he chases ‘medical superintelligence’
https://techcrunch.com/2026/10/22/microsofts-mustafa-suleyman-says-its-ai-outperforms-doctors-on-hard-cases-as-he-chases-medical-superintelligence/
Source:https://techcrunch.com/2026/10/22/microsofts-mustafa-suleyman-says-its-ai-outperforms-doctors-on-hard-cases-as-he-chases-medical-superintelligence/
TechCrunch
Microsoft’s Mustafa Suleyman says its AI outperforms doctors on hard cases as he chases ‘medical superintelligence’ | TechCrunch
Microsoft’s new AI diagnostic system beat generalist doctors on hard cases, according to a study in Science. But most of the improvement seems to come from the AI models underneath, not from Microsoft’s system itself.