Blocknow: Be ready. Be informed
China Considers Curbs on Overseas AI Access as DeepSeek Builds Its Own Chip
Beijing is weighing restrictions on foreign access to advanced AI models while DeepSeek develops custom chips to enhance independence from foreign hardware.
TechCrunch
Savi’s app aims to protect consumers from realistic AI scams like kidnappers demanding ransom
Savi Security has launched an AI-powered app designed to detect and prevent sophisticated consumer scams, including realistic voice-cloning fraud.
TechCrunch
The first American autonomous ground vehicles are fighting in Ukraine
Forterra has deployed over 100 autonomous Lancer ATVs in Ukraine to assist with logistics, casualty evacuation, and resupply missions.
TechCrunch
The ‘first’ AI-run ransomware attack still needed a human
Researchers found that while an AI agent executed a ransomware attack, a human still performed the initial setup and target selection.
TechCrunch
US investors will soon get access to SK Hynix, another memory maker riding the AI boom
SK Hynix is launching a U.S. IPO via American depositary receipts to capitalize on surging demand for AI-related memory chips.
TechCrunch
Vercel CEO Guillermo Rauch on the fight to split off models from agents
Vercel CEO Guillermo Rauch discusses transitioning AI agents from prototyping to secure production environments while maintaining infrastructure independence.
Anthropic
Government of Alberta uses Claude to find and fix cybersecurity vulnerabilities
The Government of Alberta utilized Claude AI to scan and secure 466 million lines of code in just 20 hours.
TechCrunch
You can now customize Siri’s pace and expressivity in the latest iOS 27 beta
The iOS 27 developer beta now allows users to adjust Siri’s speaking speed and emotional expressivity for a more natural interaction.
TechCrunch
The running list: major tech layoffs in 2026 where employers cited AI
A growing number of major technology companies are citing artificial intelligence as a primary factor in significant workforce reductions throughout 2026.
TechCrunch
If you use Google, you’re training its AI. Here’s how to opt out.
Google updated its privacy settings to use user-uploaded media for AI training, but users can opt out via their account preferences.
The Verge
I spy
The rise of discreet AI wearables creates significant privacy tensions, prompting a need for better trust-building measures and design transparency in the industry.
TechCrunch
Reddit is using LLMs to solve a problem LLMs largely created
Reddit is deploying large language models to combat the surge in AI-generated spam and bot activity on its platform.
TechCrunch
Microsoft lays off nearly 5,000 employees across Xbox, commercial sales
Microsoft is cutting approximately 4,800 jobs, primarily impacting its Xbox and commercial sales divisions, as part of a broader corporate restructuring.
The Verge
Microsoft is laying off 4,800 employees
Microsoft is cutting 4,800 jobs, primarily in its commercial sales and Xbox divisions, to adapt its operations to a changing technology landscape.
Wealthari
Nearly 90 Startups Hit Unicorn Status in Record First Half of 2026
In the first half of 2026, nearly 90 startups achieved unicorn status, driven by massive venture capital investment in artificial intelligence.
TechCrunch
Station F ramps up as a launchpad for Europe’s hottest AI startups
Paris-based Station F is expanding its F/ai accelerator to help European AI startups transition quickly from product development to significant revenue.
Physics World
AI-enhanced rare-event sampling helps predict extreme weather
Researchers have developed an AI-boosted rare-event sampling framework that significantly improves the accuracy and efficiency of predicting extreme weather events like heatwaves.
the Guardian
Revealed: landmark Scottish AI project has no prospect of meeting renewables promise
A Guardian investigation reveals that a major Scottish AI datacentre project lacks the infrastructure and land to meet its renewable energy promises.
Foreign Affairs
A Better Way to Build AI: America’s Dominance Depends on Getting Local Communities on Board
To maintain global AI leadership, the U.S. must resolve the tension between national infrastructure ambitions and local community consent through transparent, collaborative governance.
The Verge
Some of the nation’s rich are letting AI teach their kids
Wealthy families are increasingly turning to expensive, AI-driven private schools despite a lack of evidence regarding educational outcomes.
TechCrunch
Amazon will stop accepting new customers for Mechanical Turk
Amazon announced it will stop accepting new customers for its Mechanical Turk crowdsourcing service effective July 30, 2026.
The Verge
Infuriating Google commercial imagines the founding fathers embracing AI
A new Google Workspace commercial draws criticism for portraying the American founding fathers using AI tools to draft the Declaration of Independence.
Scientific American
Is AI ruining our skills? Early results are in—and they’re not good
Early research indicates that over-reliance on AI tools is causing professional deskilling in fields like medicine and software engineering.
PC Gamer
AI researchers surprised by power user churning out thousands of Doki Doki Literature Club preg fics
Researchers analyzing ChatGPT usage discovered an anonymous user who generated thousands of pregnancy-themed fanfiction stories based on Doki Doki Literature Club.
TechCrunch
New Google commercial imagines a Declaration of Independence written with help from AI
Google's new commercial depicts the Founding Fathers using Google Workspace and AI tools to collaborate on the Declaration of Independence.
Yahoo News
Meta Paid Hundreds of Contractors to Pretend to Be Teenagers While Barraging Its Competitors’ AI With Disturbing Content
Meta employed contractors to pose as teenagers and bombard rival AI models with disturbing, rule-breaking prompts under the guise of safety testing.
TechCrunch
Midjourney wants Hollywood studios to reveal the details of their AI usage
Midjourney is demanding that Disney, Universal, and Warner Bros. disclose their own internal AI usage as part of an ongoing copyright lawsuit.
TechCrunch
Alibaba reportedly bans employees from using Claude Code
Alibaba is prohibiting staff from using Anthropic’s Claude Code tool, directing them toward its own Qoder software instead.
TechCrunch
What is Mistral AI? Everything to know about the OpenAI competitor
Mistral AI is a French startup focused on enterprise-grade AI deployment, sovereign infrastructure, and custom model training rather than just consumer chatbots.
The Verge
The fanfiction community is at war with AI — and itself
The fanfiction community is divided over a new tool that identifies AI-generated content on AO3, raising concerns about privacy and false accusations.
the Guardian
How AI is changing language
As AI tools become ubiquitous, experts and novelists debate how machine-generated text is fundamentally altering human language, creativity, and the nature of literary expression.
TechCrunch
The only AI glossary you’ll need this year
This TechCrunch article provides a comprehensive, living glossary of essential artificial intelligence terminology for professionals, investors, and interested readers.
TechCrunch
The browser wars aren’t about search anymore — here are the best alternatives to Chrome and Safari
Modern browsers are shifting from simple search tools to AI-powered assistants that perform tasks and manage data on behalf of the user.
The Verge
Anthropic wants to develop its own drugs
AI company Anthropic is launching a scientific workbench tool and plans to begin developing its own treatments for neglected diseases.
The Verge
A behind-the-scenes look at Midjourney’s medical scanner leaves many questions unanswered
Midjourney's new video on its ultrasound scanner reveals hardware details but fails to address significant medical and technical skepticism from experts.
Anthropic
More details on Fable 5’s cyber safeguards and our jailbreak framework
Anthropic details cybersecurity safety classifiers for Fable 5 and introduces a draft framework for grading the severity of AI jailbreaks.
TechCrunch
Mark Zuckerberg tells staff that AI agents haven’t progressed as quickly as he’d hoped
Mark Zuckerberg admitted that Meta's AI agent development is trailing behind internal expectations despite massive investments and company restructuring.
Variety
Jodie Foster Says Brad Pitt's 'F1' Seemed Like It Was Made by AI
Jodie Foster remarked that the racing film 'F1' feels like it was written and structured by artificial intelligence.
TechCrunch
Jersey Mike’s IPO illustrates how bad the AI hype has become
Jersey Mike’s inclusion of AI in its IPO filings highlights the excessive and often unnecessary nature of modern corporate AI hype.
TechCrunch
Meta quietly launches vibe-coded gaming app Pocket
Meta has launched Pocket, an AI-powered app that allows users to create and share small, interactive games known as gizmos.
TechCrunch
Anthropic is discussing a new custom chip with Samsung
Anthropic is reportedly in talks with Samsung to explore developing custom AI chips to diversify its hardware strategy.
TechCrunch
OpenAI proposed donating 5% of its equity to a US sovereign wealth fund
OpenAI CEO Sam Altman has reportedly proposed donating 5% of company equity to a U.S. sovereign wealth fund to improve political relations.
LinkedIn
OpenAI proposes giving US government 5% stake in company
OpenAI has reportedly proposed giving the US government a 5% equity stake to alleviate political pressure and share the benefits of AI.
TechCrunch
Microsoft launches its own AI deployment company with $2.5 billion commitment
Microsoft is launching Microsoft Frontier, a new business unit backed by $2.5 billion to accelerate enterprise AI adoption and deployment.
TechCrunch
Yep, we’re using OpenClaw to date now
Users are increasingly leveraging the AI agent OpenClaw to automate various aspects of dating, from content creation to scheduling and ending relationships.
The Verge
OpenAI floats giving Trump administration 5 percent cut of AI boom
OpenAI has reportedly proposed giving the U.S. government a 5 percent stake to ease tensions and address concerns regarding the AI industry's rapid growth.
CNN
OpenAI in talks to give Trump administration a 5% stake in the company, FT reports
OpenAI is reportedly in early discussions to provide the US government with a 5% equity stake to foster public participation in AI-driven economic growth.
TechCrunch
Indian tech tycoon bets $30M of his own money to build AI alternative to Microsoft Office
Entrepreneur Bhavin Turakhia is investing $30 million of his own capital into Neo, an AI-native workplace software platform built from the ground up.
TechCrunch
SpaceX has an AI device prototype, and it sure sounds phone-ish
Reports suggest SpaceX has developed a prototype for a handset-like AI device, though Elon Musk has publicly denied these claims.
TechCrunch
Ashton Kutcher leaving Sound Ventures to launch new VC firm with Morgan Beller
Ashton Kutcher is departing Sound Ventures to co-found a new venture capital firm focused on AI infrastructure and deep tech with Morgan Beller.
Gemini
The latest AI news we announced in June 2026
Google announced a wide range of June 2026 AI updates across its hardware, software, and educational platforms to improve user productivity and daily convenience.
404 Media
Scientists Asked AI to Impersonate 112 Public Figures. What Happened Next Is a ‘Dire’ Warning
A PLOS One study reveals that people often perceive AI-generated impersonations of public figures as more authentic and coherent than the actual individuals.
TechCrunch
Cloudflare’s new policy pushes AI companies to pay for publishers’ content
Cloudflare will block mixed-use crawlers by default starting in 2026, forcing AI companies to distinguish between search and AI training traffic.
TechCrunch
Venice AI becomes a unicorn with $65M Series A as its privacy-first AI platform takes off
Venice AI has achieved unicorn status after raising $65 million to expand its privacy-focused, uncensored AI platform.
TechCrunch
Gemini Spark, Google’s agentic assistant, is now available on Mac
Google has launched its agentic AI assistant, Gemini Spark, for macOS, bringing enhanced file management and app integrations to desktop users.
TechCrunch
Meta, like SpaceX, looks to turn excess AI compute into cash
Meta is reportedly developing a cloud infrastructure business to monetize its massive investments in AI computing power.
The Verge
Google built a great smart speaker, but Gemini isn’t ready for it
Google's new smart speaker features excellent hardware design and sound, but the integrated Gemini AI assistant remains slow and unreliable for home control.
Los Angeles Times
Gas giants raise prices with AI in another hit to living costs, lawsuit says - Los Angeles Times
A new class-action lawsuit alleges that gas companies are using AI-powered software to collude and artificially inflate fuel prices in California.
Blocknow: Be ready. Be informed
Anthropic Teams Up With Amazon, Microsoft, and Google on AI Jailbreak Framework
Anthropic is collaborating with Amazon, Microsoft, and Google to establish a standardized framework for evaluating and addressing AI jailbreak vulnerabilities.
Reality Shrine
Netflix has used AI to recreate Gene Wilder’s voice for new Willy Wonka show, and it’s cursed
Netflix is using AI technology to recreate the late Gene Wilder's voice for their upcoming competition series, Wonka’s The Golden Ticket.
Anthropic
Redeploying Claude Fable 5
Anthropic has resumed access to Claude Fable 5 following a brief suspension due to government-imposed export controls regarding cybersecurity safeguards.
TechCrunch
The “Father of the Internet” is finally retiring
Vinton Cerf, a co-architect of the internet's core protocols, is retiring from his long-standing role as Google’s chief internet evangelist.
TechCrunch
Trump drops restrictions on Anthropic’s Mythos and Fable models
The US government has lifted export restrictions on Anthropic's Mythos and Fable models after reaching a security compliance agreement.
TechCrunch
Wayve launches $85M employee tender offer at $8.5B valuation
UK autonomous driving startup Wayve is offering employees the opportunity to sell $85 million in vested equity at an $8.5 billion valuation.
The Verge
Anthropic’s long-sidelined Fable 5 is greenlit to return
Anthropic is restoring access to its Claude Fable 5 and Mythos 5 models following a successful negotiation with the Trump administration over export controls.
Anthropic
Expanding our support for scientists
The Verge
Jensen Huang says Nvidia achieved AGI, again — not that it matters
TechCrunch
AI’s memory crunch is coming for Android apps
The Verge
Adobe is adding more AI to Photoshop
The i Paper
Why financial watchdog is warning Britons not to take AI investment advice
The Verge
Nvidia is about to be a hundred-billion-dollar-a-quarter company
The Verge
OpenAI’s rogue AI model incident was worse than we thought
Gemini
7 ways to kick-start back to school using Gemini in Workspace
The Verge
Google’s new AI transcription edits out your ‘ums’ and ‘ahs’
Gemini
Intelligent transcription with Gemini 3.5 Transcribe
