A new startup founded by a former Google DeepMind scientist is exiting stealth with $50 million in funding. Latent Labs is building AI foundation models to “make biology programmable,” and it plans to partner with biotech and pharmaceutical companies to generate and optimize proteins. It’s impossible to understand what DeepMind and its ilk are doing…
Category: Global IT News
Global IT News, Global Security News
Ready to hire a fractional CDO? Here’s what you need to know
GUEST OPINION: The world of work, or more specifically, how we work, has changed dramatically over the past several years. Flexible working arrangements have become favoured and even expected by many professionals, galvanised by their ability to continue delivering high-level work with greater discretion over their approach.
AI, Apps, earnings, Global IT News, Global Security News, q4 2024, Reddit, Search, Social
Reddit hints at expanded AI-powered search
Reddit CEO Steve Huffman said that, over this year, Reddit plans to launch an upgraded search experience that’ll help users navigate the social network, but also answer “subjective, hard, [and] interesting questions.” The company plans to achieve this by integrating Reddit Answers, its feature that allows visitors to ask questions and receive curated summaries of…
a16z, Global IT News, Global Security News, Government, Government & Policy
VC industry reacts to Trump nominating a16z’s Brian Quintez for regulatory role
Brian Quintenz, who leads policy for Andreessen Horowitz’s crypto team, announced on Wednesday that he’s being tapped to head the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC), according to his X post. And many in the VC industry appear to be thrilled about it. The CFTC regulates the trading of commodity futures, options, and swaps, otherwise known…
AI, ChatGPT, Global IT News, Global Security News, Government & Policy, model spec, openai, Politics, sensitive topics
OpenAI pledges that its models won’t censor viewpoints
Possibly in response to political pressure, OpenAI is making clear that its AI models won’t shy away from sensitive topics while refraining from making assertions that might “shut out some viewpoints.” In an updated version of its Model Spec, a collection of high-level rules that indirectly govern OpenAI’s models, OpenAI says that its models “must…
Biotech & Health, elizabeth holmes, Global IT News, Global Security News, Theranos
Elizabeth Holmes says from prison she’s ‘committed’ to ‘making healthcare solutions available to everyone’
People magazine has landed the first interview with Elizabeth Holmes since she reported to prison in 2023, and the convicted Theranos founder says she is still working on “research and inventions” in the healthcare space. “I remain completely committed to my dream of making affordable healthcare solutions available to everyone,” she told the magazine. Holmes,…
Apple, Apps, Global IT News, Global Security News, Media & Entertainment, streaming service
Apple’s TV app, TV+ streaming service, and MLS Season Pass launches on Android
Apple on Wednesday announced that its Apple TV app, including its Apple TV+ streaming service and MLS Season Pass, is arriving on Android devices. While the company previously offered a version of its app for Google TV, the newly released app will support a broader range of Android-based devices, including phones, tablets, and even foldables.…
AI, ChatGPT, evergreens, generative ai, Global IT News, Global Security News, openai
ChatGPT: Everything you need to know about the AI-powered chatbot
ChatGPT, OpenAI’s text-generating AI chatbot, has taken the world by storm since its launch in November 2022. What started as a tool to supercharge productivity through writing essays and code with short text prompts has evolved into a behemoth with 300 million weekly active users. 2024 was a big year for OpenAI, from its partnership…
AI, Global IT News, Global Security News
OpenAI cancels its o3 AI model in favor of a ‘unified’ next-gen release
OpenAI has effectively canceled the release of o3, which was slated to be the company’s next major AI model release, in favor of what CEO Sam Altman is calling a “simplified” product offering. In a post on X on Wednesday, Altman said that, in the coming months, OpenAI will release a model called GPT-5 that…
AI, Apple, Global IT News, Global Security News, Hardware, home robot, robot, robotics
Apple is reportedly exploring humanoid robots
Apple is exploring both humanoid and non-humanoid robotics form factors, according to a new scoop from longtime Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo. The intel comes on the heels of a research paper from the iPhone-maker that explores human interactions with “non-anthropomorphic” robots – specifically a Pixar-style lamp. While Apple’s research paper highlights elements that could inform…
Apps, family link, Global IT News, Global Security News, Google, kids, parental control apps, parents
Google expands Family Link parental controls with screen time tools, approved contacts, and more
Google on Wednesday announced a series of updates for its parental control software Google Family Link and a plan to test new machine-learning techniques to estimate users’ ages so it could apply more age-appropriate experiences to kids’ devices. The company earlier said that it would soon use machine learning to determine the age of YouTube…
autonomous vehicles, Global IT News, Global Security News, May Mobility, ride-hail, Startups, Transportation
May Mobility launches its first driverless commercial ride-hail service
May Mobility is deploying autonomous vehicles differently than its peers. Rather than operate robotaxis for individual ride-hail, May has followed a “gentle onramp” approach to commercialization by offering on-demand shuttles and pooled rides within campuses and along uncomplicated routes. The startup announced Wednesday the launch of its first fully driverless commercial service in Peachtree Corners,…
acquisition, AI, Funding, FuriosaAI, Global IT News, Global Security News, Hardware, In Brief, Meta, report, rumor
Report: Meta in talks to acquire AI chip firm FuriosaAI
Meta is reportedly in talks to acquire a South Korean chip firm as the social media giant looks to bolster its AI hardware infrastructure. Meta may announce its intent to purchase FuriosaAI, a chip startup founded by former Samsung and AMD employees, as soon as this month, per Forbes. FuriosaAI develops chips that speed up…
AI, Apple, Elon Musk, Global IT News, Global Security News, openai, sam altman
This Week in AI: Musk bids for OpenAI
Hiya, folks, welcome to TechCrunch’s regular AI newsletter. If you want this in your inbox every Wednesday, sign up here. The billionaires are fighting again. On Monday, Elon Musk, the world’s richest man, offered to buy the nonprofit that effectively governs OpenAI for $97.4 billion. In response to Musk’s offer, OpenAI CEO Sam Altman earlier Monday authored a…
Global IT News, Global Security News
Telefónica, Vodafone Spain announce Fiberpass as brand for fibre JV
Spanish-based telecoms providers Telefónica and Vodafone Spain have unveiled their new joint venture brand Fiberpass, the trademark of their joint fibre optic service company FiberCo that both companies agreed to create in 2024.
Apps, Global IT News, Global Security News, Media & Entertainment, Netflix, netflix bites
Las Vegas just got a Netflix restaurant
You can now dine out on dishes inspired by Netflix movies and shows at Las Vegas’s newest restaurant. Netflix Bites is open as of this week in the MGM Grand Hotel & Casio, where it will operate for a year. The restaurant offers breakfast, lunch, and dinner options like a Bridgerton-inspired tea service, Stranger Wings,…
acquisition, AI, Enterprise, Funding, Fundraising, Global IT News, Global Security News, Merger, SafeBase, Security, startup, Startups
Security compliance firm Drata acquires SafeBase for $250M
Drata, a security compliance automation platform that helps companies adhere to frameworks such as SOC 2 and GDPR, has acquired software security review startup SafeBase for $250 million. SafeBase co-founders Al Yang (CEO) and Adar Arnon (CTO) will retain their roles, and SafeBase will continue to offer a standalone product while bringing its core solutions to…
Fintech, Global IT News, Global Security News, Sheel Mohnot, Startups, Venture
VC Sheel Mohnot talks about Twitter fame, fintech, and the truth about AI startups
If you follow fintech on X, it’s very likely that you have come across the account of Sheel Mohnot, co-founder and general partner of Better Tomorrow Ventures. With over 150,000 followers, Mohnot has built an impressive presence on the social media site. Interestingly, many of his posts have nothing to do with venture capital. Mohnot…
Global IT News, Global Security News
Sky TV NZ switching from Optus to Korean satellite to stay on air
Sky Television New Zealand has decided to use a Korean satellite in place of a failing Optus satellite as a stop gap measure to keep its satellite TV service operational.
AI, Anthropic, France AI Action Summit, Global IT News, Global Security News
Anthropic CEO Dario Amodei warns of ‘race’ to understand AI as it becomes more powerful
Right after the end of the AI Action Summit in Paris, Anthropic’s co-founder and CEO Dario Amodei called the event a “missed opportunity.” He added that “greater focus and urgency is needed on several topics given the pace at which the technology is progressing” in the statement released on Tuesday. The AI company held a…
Global IT News, Global Security News
Under attack: Exposing upscale hacktivist DDoS tactics
GUEST REVEIW: In November 2024, DDoS attackers launched a campaign targeting Australian websites. It’s not out of the ordinary for Australian sites to be on the receiving end of DDoS attacks. However, this event was unusual, amounting to a surge of over 60 DDoS attacks on 39 different websites during the month.
Global IT News, Global Security News
LLMjacking Targets DeepSeek: What IT Teams Need to Know
Since its discovery in May 2024 by the Sysdig Threat Research Team (TRT), LLMjacking has emerged as a significant security concern, impacting organizations that rely on large language models (LLMs). The latest target is DeepSeek, a rapidly growing AI model that was exploited by cybercriminals within days of its release.
Global IT News, Global Security News
Snowflake Unveils Cortex Agents, Powered by Anthropic’s Claude 3.5 Sonnet
Snowflake has today announced it has expanded its AI capabilities with the public preview of Cortex Agents, streamlining agentic app data access across structured and unstructured data. Cortex Agents leverages Anthropic Claude as a key LLM powering agentic text-to-SQL for high-quality structured data retrieval.
Apple, Donald Trump, Global IT News, Global Security News, Government & Policy, jonathan morrison, nhtsa, Transportation
Trump picks Apple exec to lead transportation safety agency
President Donald Trump has chosen Jonathan Morrison, an Apple executive, to head the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, per a Senate filing. The nomination will be reviewed and voted on by the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation before being sent for a full Senate vote. If he’s sworn in, Morrison will oversee an…
Global IT News, Global Security News
Hitachi Vantara and BMC Transform Mainframe Innovation
New alliance combines Hitachi Vantara’s data infrastructure with BMC’s software expertise to help enterprises reduce costs, optimise operations and secure mainframe data
Global IT News, Global Security News
Check Point and Wiz Enter Strategic Partnership to Deliver End-to-End Cloud Security
The partnership integrates some of the best-in-class cloud network and CNAPP security through seamless technology integration and a strategic business alliance, setting a new standard for enterprise protection.
business, channel, Global IT News, Global Security News, News and Trends, services, US Channel News
2023 Russian Hackers Back in News as HPE Discloses Data Exposure Risk
Bizarre and rather dramatically-named hacker organizations are at it again. A Russian hacker group, dubbed Midnight Blizzard (or Cozy Bear), breached HPE and stole the personal data of several employees at the company. Initial breach in 2023 recently flagged for potential information risk HPE actually discovered the breach on December 12, 2023, when they discovered…
AI, Enterprise, Funding, Fundraising, Global IT News, Global Security News, Intel Capital, Salesforce, startup, Startups, sugar, Threshold Ventures
Suger helps companies list and scale up on cloud marketplaces
When cloud providers like Microsoft Azure and AWS launched cloud software marketplaces a decade ago, it opened up a new sales channel for software-as-a-service (SaaS) companies to get in front of potential enterprise customers. These marketplaces effectively enabled SaaS companies to bypass the traditional, lengthy sales cycles. But rarely is the seller-side experience a walk…
Global IT News, Global Security News
Safeguarding the Future of Online Shopping
GUEST OPINION: As e-commerce continues its meteoric rise, it is also becoming a prime target for increasingly sophisticated cybercriminals.
cisco, Enterprise, Exclusive, Fundraising, Global IT News, Global Security News, Google, id management, identity, identity access management, Microsoft, Security, sgnl, TC
SGNL snags $30M for a new take on ID security based on zero-standing privileges
Security experts often describe identity as the “new perimeter” in the world of security: in the world of cloud services where network assets and apps can range far and wide, the biggest vulnerabilities are often leaked and spoofed log-in credentials. A startup called SGNL has built a new approach that it believes is better at…
AI, Enterprise, Exclusive, Funding, Fundraising, Global IT News, Global Security News, legal tech, legaltech, SpotDraft, startup, Startups
SpotDraft taps AI to help streamline contract management
More and more legal professionals are embracing AI, surveys show. Per a recent poll from legaltech company Clio, 79% of firms used some form of AI for casework last year, up from just 19% in 2023. Despite some skepticism of the tech, in-house counsel has shown an interest, as well, with one survey suggesting that…
Adobe, AI, firefly, Global IT News, Global Security News, premiere pro
Adobe launches subscriptions for Firefly AI
Firefly’s Standard plan costs $9.99 per month, the Pro plan will run users $29.99 a month, and there’s a more extensive Premium tier in the works. © 2024 TechCrunch. All rights reserved. For personal use only.
AI, Enterprise, Global IT News, Global Security News, Keychain, manufacturing
AI-driven manufacturing database Keychain raises $5M for European push
Brands are constantly trying to streamline how they source packaging materials and ingredient suppliers for their products in order to quickly meet consumer demand. However, even today this process can involve some laborious wandering around trade shows. Keychain is an AI-powered platform that aims to quickly connect the consumer packaged goods (CPG) industry with manufacturing…
Global IT News, Global Security News
MongoDB expands Australian investment to ‘accelerate legacy modernisation and AI adoption’
Document database provider MongoDB has expanded its investment in Australia with a new office in Sydney in a move it says it will enable growth across its engineering, support, and go-to-market functions.
Commerce, fast food, food, food delivery, Global IT News, Global Security News, lanch, Social
Lanch bags $27M for a social media-skewed take on fast food
E-commerce startups built around food continue to gobble up funding as investors look for sticky consumer concepts that can scale without breaking the bank. On Wednesday, Germany’s Lanch — which taps social media and influencers to develop popular food brands alongside retail networks for distributing them — closed funding of €26 million ($27 million) to…
business, channel, Global IT News, Global Security News, Managed Services, services
Other World Computing and ARCHIWARE Partner on Collaborative Workflows
Other World Computing (OWC) is partnering with ARCHIWARE, a data management software provider, to deliver seamless shared storage, cloning, backup, and archiving for collaborative workflows. Collaboration addresses asset management needs for creatives OWC, an organization that delivers storage, docks, and memory card solutions to empower professionals in video and audio production, photography, and business with…
Global IT News, Global Security News
Nozomi Networks welcomes Schneider Electric to its MSSP Elite Partner Program to deliver Advanced Managed Security Services worldwide
New Full-Scale, Industrial-Focused Security Management Service Designed to Safeguard the Most Complex Operational Environment COMPANY NEWS: Nozomi Networks, the leader in OT and IoT security, announced today that Schneider Electric, the leader in the digital transformation of energy management and automation, has joined its MSSP Elite Partner Program to deliver best-of-breed Managed Security Services (MSS)…
Climate, Forestry, Fundraising, Global IT News, Global Security News, reforestation
Chestnut Carbon gets $160M to turn old farms into forests
The company buys marginal and degraded farmland, plants them with native trees, and harvests the resulting carbon credits. © 2024 TechCrunch. All rights reserved. For personal use only.
Global IT News, Global Security News
Discovery Consulting appoints Mark O’Donnell to key executive position, launches new Qualtrics practice
SAP solutions provider Discovery Consulting has appointed Mark O’Donnell to a key exeutive position “to drive an expansion into new technologies solutions connected to the SAP ecosystem, including a substantial investment into a Qualtrics employee experience practice”.
Enterprise, Global IT News, Global Security News, no-code, Softr, Startups
No-code app builder Softr expands beyond Airtable databases
If you’re working for a small company and want to build a client portal or an internal tool, it can be difficult to find the budget and resources to allocate a developer to that small project. That’s why more than 600,000 people, including project managers, HR employees and marketing people, have been trying Softr’s no-code…
Cloud, Enterprise, Exclusive, Global IT News, Global Security News, India, Lucidity, WestBridge Capital
Lucidity snags $21M to help enterprises optimize their cloud storage
Lucidity, an Indian startup allowing enterprises to automate expansion and shrinking of their cloud storage, has raised $21 million in a Series A round. © 2024 TechCrunch. All rights reserved. For personal use only.
china, Elon Musk, Global IT News, Global Security News, Tesla, Transportation
A woman in China sued Tesla after complaining of faulty brakes — now she’s paying Tesla $23K
As per an investigation by the Associated Press (AP), Tesla has won a defamation lawsuit against one individual called Zhang Yazhou, who in February 2021 was a passenger in a Tesla Model 3 car that allegedly crashed due to faulty brakes, resulting in a four-day hospital stay for both her parents. Following the accident, Zhang…
Apps, Global IT News, Global Security News, google whisk, image generation, imagen 3
Google Whisk, an image remixing tool, is now available in 100+ countries
Notably, the image tools are not available in countries and regions like India, Indonesia, the EU, and the U.K. © 2024 TechCrunch. All rights reserved. For personal use only.
Elon Musk, Global IT News, Global Security News, Government, Government & Policy, lawsuits, privacy
Federal workers sue Elon Musk and DOGE to cut off data access
Federal workers are suing DOGE and its creator, Elon Musk to cut off the new agency’s access to their personal data. © 2024 TechCrunch. All rights reserved. For personal use only.
Founders Fund, Fundraising, Global IT News, Global Security News, growth funding, Venture
Founders Fund is about to close another $3B fund
Founders Fund is on track to conclude fundraising of its third growth fund at the end of March, according to people close to the firm. The Peter Thiel-founded outfit is raising $3 billion, a source told TechCrunch and Axios also reported. The fund, which is intended primarily for additional investments in its successful late-stage portfolio…
Global IT News, Global Security News
True inks MoU with GalaxySpace to develop LEO satellite technology in Thailand
Thailand telecoms conglomerate True Corporation has launched itself into the space arena through a newly announced partnership with GalaxySpace, a Chinese company in the LEO satellite broadband field.
Apple, Apps, Global IT News, Global Security News, Government & Policy, gulf of america, Gulf of Mexico, Trump
Apple Maps plans to show ‘Gulf of America,’ following Google
Apple Maps will soon rename the Gulf of Mexico to the Gulf of America, following similar changes made by Google this week, in order to comply with U.S. President Donald Trump’s executive order that officially changed the name. U.S.-based Apple users may see the “Gulf of America” as soon as Tuesday, according to Bloomberg, and…
AI, ChatGPT, Climate, energy consumption, energy usage, environment, environmental impact, epoch, epoch ai, Global IT News, Global Security News, openai, Research, study
ChatGPT may not be as power-hungry as once assumed
ChatGPT, OpenAI’s chatbot platform, may not be as power-hungry as once assumed. But its appetite largely depends on how ChatGPT is being used, and the AI models that are answering the queries, according to a new study. A recent analysis by Epoch AI, a nonprofit AI research institute, attempted to calculate how much energy a…
Global IT News, Global Security News
France’s Free offers premium AI assistant in mobile plans
French mobile provider Free and Paris-based artificial intelligence developer Mistral AI have collaborated to offer users a free taste of having their own premium AI assistant.
Amazon, Apps, Commerce, E-Commerce, Global IT News, Global Security News, Shopping
Amazon tests sending customers directly to brands’ websites when it doesn’t stock their products
Remember that Christmas movie “Miracle on 34th Street,” where Macy’s in-store Santa, Kris Kringle, sends a frazzled shopper to a competitor’s store to find the Christmas present her son wanted because Macy’s was out of stock? Now, Amazon is doing the same thing online. The retailer announced on Tuesday the test of a new Amazon…
Apps, evergreens, Facebook, Global IT News, Global Security News, Instagram, Mark Zuckerberg, Meta, Social, Threads
How to delete Facebook, Instagram, and Threads
In the wake of Meta’s decision to remove its third-party fact-checking system and loosen content moderation policies, Google searches on how to delete Facebook, Instagram, and Threads have been on the rise. People who are angry with the decision accuse Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg of cozying up to the Trump administration at the expense of…
AI, Apps, Developer, gemini, Global IT News, Global Security News, Google, Google I/O
Google’s I/O developer conference set for May 20-21
Google Tuesday confirmed that its annual developer conference is set for May 20-21, 2025. The event will be held at the usual spot, Mountain View’s Shoreline Amphitheater, a few minutes — depending on traffic — from Google HQ. The two-day event is a mix of both public- and developer-facing content. CEO Sundar Pichai will kick…
Commerce, Global IT News, Global Security News
Shopify took down Kanye’s swastika T-shirt shop, but another antisemitic storefront still operates
Shopify took down Kanye West’s online store after the musician sold T-shirts with the swastika symbol. West, who also goes by Ye, advertised his online store in a Super Bowl commercial on Sunday, directing viewers to his website, where the only item listed was the swastika T-shirt. Though Shopify removed a policy banning sellers from…
DEI, Global IT News, Global Security News, Google, Social
Google says it removed cultural events from its calender last year
Google has removed events such as Black History Month and Pride Month from being listed on the calendar by default. Other events that were removed from the default calendar include Jewish Heritage, Indigenous People Month, Holocaust Remembrance Day, and Hispanic Heritage Month. Google spokesperson Madison Cushman Veld confirmed the changes to TechCrunch, saying that in…
Global IT News, Global Security News, Government & Policy, military, Startups, TC, VR
Anduril takes control of Microsoft’s $22B VR military headset program
The Army has granted upstart weapons maker Anduril control of one of its highest-profile and long-troubled projects known as the Integrated Visual Augmentation System, founder Palmer Luckey announced in a blog post Tuesday. IVAS was initially awarded to Microsoft in 2018 to develop augmented reality headsets for soldiers based on a ruggedized version of Hololens.…
Automattic, fediverse, Global IT News, Global Security News, open social web, Social, social media, social networking, tumblr, wordpress
Tumblr to join the fediverse after WordPress migration completes
Since 2022, blogging site Tumblr has been teasing its plans to integrate with the fediverse — the open social web powered by the protocol ActivityPub also used by Mastodon, Threads, Flipboard, and others. Now, the Automattic-owned blogging platform is sharing more information about when and how that integration could actually happen. As it turns out,…
AI, ChatGPT, Elon Musk, Global IT News, Global Security News, openai, sam altman, Startups
How Musk’s $97.4B bid could gum up OpenAI’s for-profit conversion
On Monday, Elon Musk, the world’s richest man, offered to buy the nonprofit that effectively governs OpenAI for $97.4 billion. The unsolicited buyout would be financed by Musk’s AI company, xAI, and a consortium of outside investors, per a letter sent to California and Delaware’s attorneys general. OpenAI CEO Sam Altman quickly dismissed Musk’s bid,…
Global IT News, Global Security News
Structuring founding teams to win in security: a data-driven look
Ideal backgrounds for cybersecurity startup founders I often discuss the rise of security engineering and why we need to bring software engineering principles, systems, and processes to cybersecurity. In these discussions, I have also mentioned that security engineers have the potential to become great founders. Indeed, we need more security practitioners who understand security at…
Global IT News, Global Security News
The hidden triggers of buying: what vending machine data reveals about your impulsive vs. intentional purchases
GUEST OPINION: Walk past any vending machine, and you’ll see a story unfolding in real time—a person stopping, scanning their options, and making a split-second decision to buy (or not to buy). It seems like a simple process, but behind every purchase is a complex web of psychology, environment, and subconscious triggers.
Crypto, Fintech, Global IT News, Global Security News
Klarna and Deel eye IPOs, and Stripe embraces crypto
Welcome to TechCrunch Fintech! This week we’re looking at how fintech heavyweights such as Klarna and Stripe are incorporating crypto into their strategies, which companies are planning for IPOs, one fintech’s Super Bowl ad, Stripe’s new lead of startups and venture capital, and more! To get a roundup of TechCrunch’s biggest and most important fintech…
Apple, Gadgets, Global IT News, Global Security News, Hardware, heart rate, powerbeats, powerbeats pro 2
Apple brings heart rate monitoring to Powerbeats Pro 2
Apple Tuesday announced the long-awaited debut of Powerbeats Pro 2. The new headphones arrive nearly six years after the original Powerbeats hit the market. The new model maintains the familiar ear hook for workouts, while delivering upgraded sound, better battery life, and a wireless charging case. The earbuds also mark a major next step in…
AI, Elon Musk, Global IT News, Global Security News, In Brief, openai, sam altman
OpenAI CEO Sam Altman calls Musk’s bid an attempt to ‘slow us down’
In an interview at the AI Action Summit in Paris on Tuesday, OpenAI CEO Sam Altman dismissed Elon Musk’s unsolicited $97.4 billion bid for OpenAI’s nonprofit as “an attempt to slow [OpenAI] down.” “[Musk] obviously is a competitor,” Altman said. “He’s raised a lot of money for [his AI company] xAI, and they’re trying to…
Fintech, Fundraising, Global IT News, Global Security News, Startups, stripe
Stripe mulls employee shareholder sale at $85B-plus valuation
Stripe is in talks for another shareholder sale that could value the company at “at least” $85 billion, according to multiple reports and a source familiar with the matter. The Information first reported the news that the payments infrastructure giant is working to sell employee-owned stocks. The move would help workers gain some liquidity as…
Bluesky, Global IT News, Global Security News, Pinksky, Social, social networking, TC
Built on Bluesky, Pinksky brings its Instagram-like app to Android
Bluesky users on Android now have access to a new app that works more like Instagram than X. On Tuesday, an app called Pinksky launched an Android version of its photo-centric social networking experience built on top of Bluesky. The app is now one of many attempting to court former Instagram users by offering a…
Global IT News, Global Security News
Kyndryl: Organisations to prioritise behavioural change to unlock AI’s full potential
GUEST OPINION: With Australia back to work after the summer break, the focus for Australian organisations this year will be to drive the behavioural and organisational changes needed to maximise their investments in AI and drive long-term value, predicts Kyndryl.
Cybersecurity, Global IT News, Global Security News, Hackers, hacking, Israel, Italy, paragon, privacy, Security, Spyware, surveillance, WhatsApp
Another person targeted by Paragon spyware comes forward
Four people have so far come forward as victims of the Paragon spyware campaign targeting WhatsApp users, including one journalist and three activists. © 2024 TechCrunch. All rights reserved. For personal use only.
Climate, Exclusive, Forestry, Fundraising, Global IT News, Global Security News, mast reforestation, Pulse Fund, reforestation, reforesting, Social Capital Holdings
Mast Reforestation hatched a plan to restore wildfire-ravaged forests. Investors took notice.
Mast enables reforestation without landowners needing to wait decades to harvest timber or claim carbon credits. © 2024 TechCrunch. All rights reserved. For personal use only.
AI, Global IT News, Global Security News, Media & Entertainment, Social, social media
BuzzFeed is taking on Instagram, TikTok, X with a new social platform designed to spread ‘joy’
BuzzFeed, the media site known for its celebrity news and quizzes, announced on Tuesday that it’s developing its own social media platform, in a move to counter the current negativity on the internet. Semafor first reported BuzzFeed’s plan for the platform this past week. Details on the new platform are not yet public. However, the…
avs, Global IT News, Global Security News, Transportation
BYD to offer Tesla-like driver assist, even on its cheapest models
Chinese electric vehicle maker BYD unveiled “God’s Eye,” an advanced driver assistance system that will be install on its entire model lineup, including its $9,600 Seagull hatchback. BYD founder Wang Chuanfu said at a live streamed event Monday that “we’re entering an era where autonomous driving is for everyone,” according to The Financial Times. God’s…
AI, AI agents, Artificial Intelligence, Enterprise, Exclusive, Global IT News, Global Security News, norwest venture partners, storm ventures, Talkdesk, TC
Pinkfish helps enterprises build AI agents through natural language processing
As the chief product officer for AI customer service startup TalkDesk, Charayna “CK” Kannan said that enterprises often say they want to automate different workflows but that it’s really hard to implement AI. Enterprises are dealing with clunky, legacy software, that often doesn’t have APIs, creating a daunting task their IT departments weren’t prioritizing. “Every…
AI, Artificial Intelligence (AI), Creators, Global IT News, Global Security News, Google, Media & Entertainment, YouTube
YouTube AI updates include auto dubbing expansion, age ID tech, and more
In his annual letter, YouTube CEO Neal Mohan dubbed AI as one of the company’s four “big bets” for 2025, pointing to the company’s investments in AI tools for creators, like those that help them come up with video ideas, thumbnails, or those that help translate their content into other languages. The latter feature will…
business, channel, Global IT News, Global Security News, Managed Services, services
Cisco Launching New AI Infrastructure and Data Center Solutions
Technology giant Cisco recently announced new solutions for service providers, allowing them to deliver AI connectivity. These new innovations will enable service providers to handle increased data volume and variety and monetize the services supporting AI traffic. Additionally, Cisco says these innovations showcase the evolution of Cisco Silicon One, with new devices enabling Cisco customers…
AI, Biotech & Health, Enterprise, Fundraising, Global IT News, Global Security News, Google, Quantum, quantum computing, QuEra
Google leads $230M convertible note for Boston quantum computing startup QuEra
Quantum computing, long relegated to the realm of theoretical, feels like it is back on the agenda as a potentially viable alternative to the expensive race for more powerful compute. On the heels of some notable advancements in quantum chips and error correction (two of the key areas that have kept quantum computers from becoming…
CISA, Cybersecurity, Global IT News, Global Security News, Security, us government
CISA election security officials placed on leave: report
The U.S. Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) has reportedly placed several members of its election security team on administrative leave. The Associated Press, citing a person familiar with the situation, reports that 17 CISA employees have been placed on leave pending review. The employees had worked with election officials to counter a range of…
business, channel, Global IT News, Global Security News, Managed Services, services
Parallels Launching New Partner Program & Citrix Migration Support
Virtualization and end-user computing vendor Parallels is introducing a new partner program to assist existing and new partners with more resources, greater profitability, and enhanced support. Dubbed the “Elevate Now” Partner Program, it will focus on delivering increased value and growth opportunities aimed at enabling MSPs, value-added resellers (VARs), and system integrators (SIs). The key…
AI, Anthropic, France AI Action Summit, Global IT News, Global Security News, Government & Policy, paris
Anthropic CEO Dario Amodei calls the AI Action Summit a ‘missed opportunity’
In a statement on Tuesday, Dario Amodei, the CEO of AI startup Anthropic, called the AI Action Summit in Paris this week a “missed opportunity,” and urged the AI industry — and government — to “move faster and with greater clarity.” “We were pleased to attend the AI Action Summit in Paris, and we appreciate…
AI, AI agents, Artificial Intelligence, Enterprise, Global IT News, Global Security News, TC, Workday
Workday launches a platform for enterprises to manage all of their AI agents in one place
HR giant Workday is launching a new way for enterprises to keep track of all of their AI agents in one place. It’s also launching a few more AI agents of its own, for good measure. Silicon Valley-based Workday announced on Tuesday the release of Workday Digital Workforce Management, which is meant to help customers…
AI, Exclusive, Funding, Fundraising, Global IT News, Global Security News, startup, Startups, voyantis
Voyantis aims to help companies figure out their customers’ worth
How much is a customer worth to a company? That’s the eternal question. To arrive at an answer, customer and sales teams are often forced to use spreadsheets and other manual data analysis methods. The problem is, these methods tend to be slow and error-prone, leading to gaps in reporting processes. The challenge spurred two…
funding round, Global IT News, Global Security News, Mattoboard, seed funding, Startups
3D mood board and marketplace Mattoboard picks up $2M to launch AI visual search
Mattoboard, the makers of web-based software designed to simplify the creative process for interior designers and architects, is getting into AI. On Tuesday, the startup announced its $2 million seed funding round, which will support the launch of a new feature called Design Stream, an AI-driven visual search and discovery tool. The company’s software, a…
Global IT News, Global Security News
Commvault Launches CIS-Hardened Images for Simple, Secure Cloud Deployments
Commvault Cloud enables easy, secure, CIS-hardened deployment across all major cloud hyperscaler marketplaces
Enterprise, Exclusive, Fintech, Fundraising, Global IT News, Global Security News, insurance, Insuretech, TC, Workday
Insurance co’s stand to lose billions from disasters like the LA fires; Comulate raises $20M to build tech to help them work more smoothly
Unimaginable disasters like the fires in Los Angeles with their hundreds of billions of dollars in destruction put a huge focus on the role the insurance industry plays in the process of rebuilding. Those events will also lead to major financial losses at the insurance companies themselves. And longer term, all of this will put…
Cybersecurity, Global IT News, Global Security News, phobos, Ransomware, Security
Authorities arrest four suspected 8base ransomware operators in global takedown
The Russian nationals are accused of launching more than 1,000 ransomware attacks worldwide to steal $16 million © 2024 TechCrunch. All rights reserved. For personal use only.
eVTOL, Fundraising, Global IT News, Global Security News, Startups, Transportation
Archer Aviation doubles down on defense aircraft with fresh $300M
Escalating geopolitical tensions and a new administration with a hawkish defense agenda has led many startups to embrace dual-use strategies to secure revenue through military applications. And it’s a trend that is already heating up in aerospace. Just look at Archer Aviation, a California-based startup building eVTOLs (electric vertical takeoff and landing vehicles). Until very…
Enterprise, Global IT News, Global Security News, Moderne, TC
Moderne raises $30M to solve technical debt across complex codebases
When companies take shortcuts to build their software stack, prioritizing speed and quick-fixes over quality and long-term scalability, they can end up with what’s known as “technical debt.” Essentially, if a codebase is not constructed properly, as it grows, it will become more complex, cost more to maintain, and it’ll become ever harder to add…
Global IT News, Global Security News
How Australia can step up its Data Centre Game
GUEST OPINION: Australia’s data centre market is booming and projected to nearly double to AU$40 billion over the next four years. This will be primarily driven by the advancement of AI and our ongoing need for efficient data storage and processing requirements.
AI, France AI Action Summit, Global IT News, Global Security News, Government & Policy
As US and UK refuse to sign the Paris AI Action Summit statement, other countries commit to developing ‘open, inclusive, ethical’ AI
The Artificial Intelligence Action Summit in Paris was supposed to culminate with a joint declaration on artificial intelligence signed by dozens of world leaders. While the statement isn’t as ambitious as the Bletchley and Seoul declarations, both the U.S. and the U.K. have refused to sign it. It proves once again that it is difficult…
Global IT News, Global Security News
OpenText ‘expands investment’ in Asia Pacific
Software provider OpenText has announced expanded investment in the Asia Pacific and its upcoming flagship summits in Sydney and Tokyo.
Biotech & Health, Fundraising, Global IT News, Global Security News, Harrison.ai, medical imaging, medtech
Australian health tech startup Harrison.ai scores $112M Series C
Medical imaging is crucial for the timely identification of serious diseases like cancer. However, manual interpretation of scans is a time-intensive process. Healthcare professionals increasingly use AI-powered tools for diagnostic purposes, as such technologies can be very effective in detecting and categorizing diseases. A Sydney, Australia-headquartered startup, Harrison.ai, has built AI-enabled medical diagnostic software and…
Global IT News, Global Security News
Anthropic’s upgraded Claude 3.5 Sonnet AI model now available in AWS Sydney Region
The upgraded Claude 3.5 Sonnet, the latest and most intelligent model in the Claude model family from artificial intelligence (AI) safety and research company Anthropic, is now generally available on Amazon Bedrock in the AWS Asia Pacific (Sydney) Region. To learn more about this announcement, please join us at our upcoming Data & AI Day Roadshow…
AI, France AI Action Summit, Global IT News, Global Security News, Government & Policy, j.d. vance
In Paris, JD Vance skewers EU AI rules, lauds US tech supremacy
At the AI Action Summit in Paris this week, the U.S. declined to sign the statement summarizing the resolutions. But it did make an appearance: Vice President J.D. Vance gave a speech to the audience of dignitaries, tech leaders and regulators. Amid a conference heavy on equitable AI development — specifically, beyond the outsized influence…
Global IT News, Global Security News, Google, India, Media & Entertainment, toonsutra, webtoons
Google backs Toonsutra to grow its webtoons platform in India
It’s no news that India is a huge market for entertainment businesses, but what often doesn’t get mentioned is that its people love to see content in their own languages. According to a recent survey by non-profit Internet and Mobile Association of India, more than 870 million Indians sought out videos, music and other content…
Global IT News, Global Security News
AWS strengthens partnership with Australian Government, helping to drive innovation and economic growth
We are excited to announce a new and enhanced Whole-of-Government agreement with the Australian Government’s Digital Transformation Agency (DTA) and Amazon Web Services (AWS)
Global IT News, Global Security News
Claroty Wins Best in KLAS Award for Healthcare IoT Security Five Years in a Row
COMPANY NEWS: In rare five-year winning streak, Claroty xDome recognised by KLAS Research as highest-rated IoT security solution by healthcare customers
Global IT News, Global Security News
Do the CONTEC CMS8000 Patient Monitors Contain a Chinese Backdoor? The Reality is More Complicated
On Jan. 30, The Cybersecurity Infrastructure & Security Agency (CISA) released an alert, complemented by a notification from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) suggesting that the Contec CMS8000 patient monitor and OEM white-label variants contain a backdoor communicating to a Chinese IP address.
AI, Artificial Intelligence, Exclusive, foundational models, France AI Action Summit, Fundraising, GenAI, generative ai, Global IT News, Global Security News, openai, Venture
AI investments surged 62% to $110 billion in 2024 while startup funding overall declined 12%, says Dealroom
Venture capitalists are gobbling up term sheets for startups peddling artificial intelligence, even as they remain picky when it comes to funding the wider spectrum of technology. According to new figures from analytics firm Dealroom, AI startups raised $110 billion in funding last year, up 62% on the year before. At the same time, privately-backed…
Africa, Fintech, Global IT News, Global Security News, hybrid
Ghanaian fintech Affinity bags $8M to scale digital banking in a mobile money-driven market
Africa’s top digital banking platforms typically dominate high-growth, populous markets like Nigeria, South Africa, and Egypt. But Affinity Africa, an upstart from Ghana, wants to join the conversation. The startup has raised $8 million in seed funding to expand its financial products further across the country, where mobile money is the dominant financial tool. While…
Apps, Global IT News, Global Security News, India, Instagram, teen safety
Instagram is introducing teen accounts with new safety features in India
Instagram said Tuesday that the platform is introducing its teen accounts feature, which has extra protective measures for safety for users in India, one of its biggest markets with over 350 million users. The company introduced Teen Accounts last year in The U.S., U.K, Canada, and Australia. Meta migrated accounts of Instagram users who are…
Global IT News, Global Security News, India, Peak XV Partners, Venture
Two senior partners are leaving Peak XV amid strategy shift
Two senior partners are leaving Peak XV, the largest India-focused venture capital firm, four sources familiar with the matter told TechCrunch. Shailesh Lakhani, a 17-year veteran of the firm, and Abheek Anand, who co-led Southeast Asian investments, are departing, said the sources, who asked not to be identified discussing private matters. The exits follow Peak…
Apps, Global IT News, Global Security News, Google Maps, Government & Policy, Gulf of Mexico
Google changed the Gulf of Mexico to the Gulf of America on Maps
Google Maps officially updated the name of the Gulf of Mexico to the Gulf of America on Monday. Among many other executive orders, President Donald Trump decreed on the day of his inauguration that the Gulf of Mexico would be renamed the Gulf of America. This executive order also reverses an Obama-era move to rename…
Apps, Global IT News, Global Security News, Google Maps, Government & Policy, Gulf of Mexico
Google changed the Gulf of Mexico to the Gulf of America on Maps
Google Maps officially updated the name of the Gulf of Mexico to the Gulf of America on Monday. Among many other executive orders, President Donald Trump decreed on the day of his inauguration that the Gulf of Mexico would be renamed the Gulf of America. This executive order also reverses an Obama-era move to rename…