**Perplexity Secures $200M in Latest Funding Round, Valuation Soars to $20 Billion** San Francisco-based AI search engine Perplexity has reportedly closed a significant funding round, raising $200 million. This latest investment propels the company’s valuation to an impressive $20 billion, according to sources familiar with the matter. The substantial capital infusion underscores growing investor confidence […]

**EU Misses Out on AirPods Live Translation Feature at Launch** Apple’s much-anticipated live translation feature for AirPods will not be immediately available to users within the European Union, the company has confirmed. While the innovative real-time translation capability is set to roll out to other markets, EU customers will face a delay. The decision is

## Box CEO Aaron Levie on AI’s ‘Era of Context’ Box CEO Aaron Levie champions a new frontier for Artificial Intelligence, describing it as the “era of context.” This perspective shifts the focus from AI merely generating content or processing data to its capacity for understanding the *meaning* and *relevance* within information. Levie posits that

**Paving the Future: AI Hardware Driving Humanoids and AVs at TechCrunch Disrupt 2025** The future of artificial intelligence isn’t just about smarter algorithms; it’s about the silicon that powers them. As AI moves from the cloud into the physical world – animating humanoid robots and steering autonomous vehicles – the demand for purpose-built, efficient hardware

**FTC Investigates AI Chatbot Companions** The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has initiated an inquiry into leading AI chatbot companion developers, including Meta, OpenAI, and other prominent players in the burgeoning market. The move signals growing regulatory scrutiny over the design and deployment of artificial intelligence that creates simulated relationships with users. The probe will reportedly

**OpenAI Secures Microsoft’s Blessing for For-Profit Transition** OpenAI has successfully obtained Microsoft’s approval to proceed with a key transition involving its for-profit arm. This significant development, backed by one of its primary investors, indicates a strategic restructuring aimed at optimizing its operational framework. The move underscores OpenAI’s ongoing efforts to balance its mission of advancing

**California Nears Landmark AI Companion Chatbot Regulation** A pioneering California bill aimed at regulating AI companion chatbots is on the cusp of becoming law, setting a potential precedent for how states address the burgeoning field of artificial intelligence. The legislation, which has advanced through the state’s political process, seeks to establish crucial safeguards for users

## The Robotics Renaissance: Beyond the AI Hype We are indeed witnessing the dawn of a golden age for robotics startups, an era far more expansive than merely the current surge in AI capabilities. While artificial intelligence undoubtedly serves as a powerful accelerant, a perfect storm of converging factors is truly fueling this explosion of

**Seize Your Spotlight: Host a Side Event at TechCrunch Disrupt 2025** TechCrunch Disrupt 2025 is fast approaching, and with it, a prime opportunity for brands to amplify their reach and influence. As the final day to secure your presence nears, companies are urged to capitalize on the unique chance to host a dedicated Side Event.

**Micro1 Secures Funding at $500M Valuation, Posing Challenge to Scale AI** Micro1, an emerging player in the artificial intelligence sector and a direct competitor to industry leader Scale AI, has successfully closed a new funding round, achieving a valuation of $500 million. This significant investment underscores growing confidence in Micro1’s platform and its potential to