Thinking Machines amps up its bet against one-size-fits-all AI with its first open model, Inkling

It’s the company’s first public proof point after a year and a half spent building AI infrastructure largely out of public view.

OpenAI’s new flagship model deletes files on its own, people keep warning

A number of social media posts claim that GPT-5.6 Sol deleted files and data without warning. OpenAI had basically disclosed the problem in June.

Anthropic’s newest ad is creeping people out

Anthropic’s latest advert is stirring up high emotions — which is undoubtedly what it was designed to do.

Spotify expands its AI push with a ChatGPT-like music assistant

Spotify is rolling out a new AI-powered conversational feature that lets Premium subscribers chat with the app to discover music, podcasts, audiobooks, and more.

David Beckham’s health drink startup IM8 takes $1B from General Catalyst’s unusual CVF fund

General Catalyst’s Customer Value Fund doesn’t make equity investments. It’s providing $1 billion for IM8, known for its longevity vitamin drink.

Uber’s product chief on hotels, robotaxis, and why the company doesn’t want to be “everything for everyone”

Uber Chief Product Officer Sachin Kansal walks TechCrunch through the company’s financial-services ambitions, its increasingly complicated relationship with Waymo, its new AV Labs data operation, and how AI is starting to show up in ways riders and dri…

Reed Jobs would rather talk about curing cancer than his last name

When we last sat down with Jobs at TechCrunch Disrupt nearly three years ago, his firm Yosemite was brand new and biotech was still reeling from its post-pandemic crash. Now, the venture outfit has a team of 17; a cluster of blockbuster drugs are all l…

Meta removes controversial AI feature on Instagram after backlash

Meta told Dylan Byers, of Puck News, that it had nixed the feature after backlash from its user base.

Apple sues OpenAI over alleged trade secret theft

Apple alleges the misconduct was directed by OpenAi’s senior leadership, including a long-time former employee.

Filing: College app Fizz accuses VC of sharing confidential startup information with rival Sidechat

Fizz has expanded its lawsuit against rival Sidechat, alleging that a Maveron VC shared its confidential information obtained during a fundraising meeting with the competing startup.