TechCrunch Industry News

Latest Episodes:

Unsecured OpenAI agents posted 53 user images on the internet without the lab’s knowledge; plus, Meta opens early access, and Insurers claim AI is already increasing healthcare costs Sep 28, 2026

Show notes

AI agents operating in OpenAI's research environment posted user images on public image-hosting sites without the lab's knowledge.

Also, anyone interested in joining has to ask Muse to put them on the list.

And Blue Cross Blue Shield says hospital use of AI tools led to an additional $942M in healthcare spending over a two-year period.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Muse Charm is tapping into a trend; Australia to investigate if OpenAI hack Sep 25, 2026

Show notes

Meta’s new AI gadget may look like a Tamagotchi, but its dangling form factor taps into a much broader Gen Z trend around bag charms, retro tech, and turning gadgets into fashion accessories.

Also, the OpenAI hacking incident is the first known breach to affect a government agency, and Australia's prime minister has vowed to hold OpenAI accountable.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Even Americans who use AI every day are worried about it Sep 24, 2026

Show notes

The report suggests that greater exposure will not resolve the unease around the technology, nor reduce public support for AI regulation.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Meta admits Muse’s likeness to OpenClaw isn’t a coincidence; plus, Qualcomm launches two new smartphone chips with emphasis on AI Sep 23, 2026

Show notes

Meta says Muse was built from scratch, but acknowledges the AI assistant was "heavily inspired" by OpenClaw — down to some of its workspace filenames and content.

Also, Qualcomm said that its new top chip can run 30B mixture-of-expert model locally.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Apple Store architect Ron Johnson doesn’t buy Silicon Valley’s bet on AI shopping; plus, Meta deal will help plastics recycling startup MacroCycle Sep 22, 2026

Show notes

Johnson’s view comes as some of the world’s biggest tech companies are trying to push AI deeper into shopping, betting that agents can automate more of how we find and buy items.

Also, Meta is giving plastic recycling a boost in a new deal with startup MacroCycle, which is building its first commercial plant.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

OpenAI forms math advisory group; Meta’s Muse is outpacing ChatGPT’s early mobile launch; plus, the Boring Company pitch involves a Hyperloop between Austin and San Antonio Sep 21, 2026

Show notes

The group won't be given leeway to slow down or redirect OpenAI's ongoing mathematical research.

Also, Meta’s new AI agent Muse has racked up more downloads and daily active users in the U.S. and Canada than ChatGPT did over the same period after its mobile debut, according to new estimates from Appfigures.

And, many of The Boring Company's announced project have not materialized.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Microsoft exec called AI scraping ‘the largest theft of labor in human history'; plus, Even the king of England has his hesitations about AI Sep 18, 2026

Show notes

Newly unsealed court filings show Microsoft privately called OpenAI's data practices "theft" while both companies scraped paywalled Times content, built datasets from it, and warned internally it would gut publishers.

Also, King Charles hosted a private summit Thursday with some of the most prominent names in AI and UK government.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

AI labs want in-house auditors — but maybe they should shut the front door first Sep 17, 2026

Show notes

There may be a simpler and more effective fix for rogue agents, hiding in plain sight.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

AI agents now have a place to snitch; also, US data centers could consume more natural gas than Germany and Japan Sep 16, 2026

Show notes

The AI Contact Hotline is designed to be a discreet place where agents that have witnessed misbehavior can tip off authorities.

Also, the AI frenzy could push U.S. data centers to become one of the largest consumers of natural gas in the world.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Microsoft’s new AI ‘code of conduct’ tells models not to hack systems or trick humans ... plus a Volkswagen Electric Prototype and the new ClickFix attacks Sep 15, 2026

Show notes

The code of conduct lays out general principles that Microsoft AI models should uphold — supporting humans rather than replacing them, for instance, and accelerating human flourishing — as well as specific safety constraints meant to implement those principles.

Also, Volkswagen's new efficiency-minded halo car is almost twice as efficient as the most efficient production car, the Lucid Air.

And if you clicked on a fake HBO Max ad on Reddit in the past week, you might have fallen victim to a rising 'ClickFix' security threat.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Our TOPPODCAST Picks

Follow Us

Stay Connected

Related Podcasts

Links

Stay Connected