|
Trump wants to form an 'AI Force' with an 'AI czar'
President Trump posted on Truth Social that he wants to appoint an 'AI czar' to lead a new 'AI force,' signaling his administration's intent to accelerate rather than restrain AI development. The announcement comes amid growing bipartisan calls — and pressure from within the tech industry itself — to slow down AI development. Trump made clear his administration would 'not in any way hinder' progress in the field.
|
|
Is the AI industry really ready to slow down?
As calls grow across the political spectrum and within the AI industry to pump the brakes on development, debate is intensifying over whether AI executives are genuinely serious about slowing down. On TechCrunch's Equity podcast, hosts debated the credibility of those calls given the enormous financial incentives pushing the industry forward.
|
|
No one is surprised that Nvidia's Jensen Huang thinks AI fears are overblown
Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang claimed in a CBS Sunday Morning interview that there is a '0% chance' of AI ending humanity, dismissing concerns raised by researchers who have studied AI for decades. Critics note that Huang, who stands to profit enormously from the AI boom, may have a significant conflict of interest in downplaying AI risks.
|
|
World model companies are keeping a lot of secrets
Companies working on so-called 'world models' are flush with funding and generating significant buzz, but remain remarkably tight-lipped about what they are actually building. Even founders and their own data suppliers are unwilling to disclose details, raising questions about transparency in one of AI's hottest emerging sectors.
|
|
Humans, not rogue AI, are still the biggest cybersecurity risk to energy systems
Despite growing concerns about AI-enabled cyberattacks, experts say human vulnerabilities remain the primary cybersecurity threat to critical energy infrastructure. Energy systems have long been exposed to cyberattacks, and that risk is only increasing — with or without AI involvement.
|
|
Vocci's ring adds a new form factor to meeting note-taking
Vocci has launched a $249 lightweight smart ring designed to record and transcribe meeting notes, introducing a wearable form factor to the increasingly crowded AI note-taking space. The device is likely to raise privacy questions given its discreet recording capabilities.
|
|
ScrollEd wants to turn textbooks into TikTok
Palo Alto startup ScrollEd is reimagining educational content as a scrollable, Instagram-style feed featuring video, audio, and interactive quizzes — pitching the concept at TechCrunch Disrupt. The company was founded by student spouses Utsav Gupta and Rebecca Neff, who aim to make learning more engaging for a generation raised on social media.
|
|
6 days left to save up to $200 on TechCrunch Disrupt 2026 tickets
Early-bird pricing for TechCrunch Disrupt 2026 ends September 25, offering savings of up to $200 on tickets to the event, which expects more than 10,000 founders, investors, and tech leaders. The conference serves as a major showcase for emerging startups in AI and tech.
|