Welcome to Week in Review! We’ve got a cornucopia of tech insights for you this week—so buckle up! From Travis Kalanick’s potential return to the self-driving vehicle scene to Apple users voicing their concerns about new promotions, there’s much to discuss.
A quick note: We’ll be on break next week for the July 4 holiday. Have a fantastic weekend!
Meta’s Ambitious AI Recruitment Drive
In a bold move to enhance its AI capabilities, Meta has secured the talents of Trapit Bansal, a prominent researcher from OpenAI. Bansal’s expertise in reasoning models is expected to supercharge Meta’s new AI superintelligence initiative. With names like Bansal joining, Zuckerberg’s ambitious **recruitment effort** is shaping up to be *the* place for AI talent, poaching experts from rival labs and maximizing the potential of their AI capabilities.
Travis Kalanick Reenters the Tech Arena
Travis Kalanick is reportedly eyeing a comeback in the autonomous vehicle sector. The former Uber CEO may be plotting a strategic acquisition of Pony AI’s U.S. operations, with support from Uber, as detailed in a New York Times article. This pivot back to self-driving technology marks a captivating chapter in Kalanick’s story, who has transitioned from steering Uber to investing in ghost kitchens.
Legal Landmarks for AI
In a significant legal development, a federal judge ruled that AI companies can train their algorithms on copyrighted material without explicit permission. This ruling, referenced here, is set to spark debate among creatives, as the court prepares to investigate allegations surrounding Anthropic’s use of pirated literature for developing AI “libraries.”
In Other Notable Tech News
Google’s Fashion Forward
Google is stepping into the fashion realm with an experimental app called Doppl. This innovative app allows users to virtually try on outfits based on a single photo. You can mix and match styles from thrift stores, social media, or your own collection, complete with short videos to preview how your new outfit moves in reality!
Powering the Future
JB Straubel’s Redwood Materials has flipped the switch on North America’s largest microgrid. This cutting-edge facility uses 805 retired EV batteries to power an AI data center, showcasing a brilliant example of sustainable tech that is both eco-friendly and economically viable. Details can be found here.
CoreWeave on the Rise
In an inspiring journey, CoreWeave’s CEO Michael Intrator has surged to a staggering net worth of $10 billion. Having transitioned from a cryptocurrency mining venture to launching an AI cloud powerhouse for OpenAI and Microsoft, his rise is impressive yet precarious, with $8.8 billion in debts looming overhead. For more information, check this article.
Additional Highlights
Apple’s Controversial Promotions
Apple users have voiced their discontent regarding unexpected promotions for the new “F1: The Movie” that popped up in their Wallet app. The advertisement has reignited criticisms about whether Apple is using key applications to market its own content without explicit user consent. For a deeper dive, see this article.
Tesla’s Robotaxi Controversy
Just a day after Tesla launched its robotaxis in Austin, Texas, federal regulators have raised safety questions. Reports of the autonomous vehicles speeding and swerving into oncoming traffic have stirred concerns regarding Tesla’s unsupervised Full Self-Driving technology. More coverage is available here.
Shifts in Google Advertising
Amid concerns that AI search features are eroding publisher traffic, Google has rolled out a new tool named Offerwall. This initiative aims to assist publishers in diversifying revenue streams through micropayments, surveys, and even ad-based content unlocking. For early test results, click here.
Thank you for tuning in to TechCrunch’s Week in Review! If you’d like to have this exciting roundup delivered straight to your inbox every Saturday, sign up here.
