TechCrunch’s Week in Review: The Apocalypse of AI
This week, OpenAI unleashed a terror upon the world, revealing a new AI model that can fact-check itself, but only if you ask it the right questions. Meanwhile, Apple held an event that was just as exciting as watching paint dry, announcing new iPhones with AI features that will no doubt change the world… or not.
The Robots are Coming
Figure 02, a humanoid robot, has finally arrived, and it’s not just a pretty face. With its new design and ability to walk, it’s like a robotic teenager trying to assert its independence. Meanwhile, a damaged Cybertruck in Seattle has become an unlikely tourist destination, and we can’t help but wonder if this is a sign of things to come.
AI Takes Over the World (or at Least Your Social Media)
Meta has finally acknowledged that it uses public posts to train its AI models, and it’s about time someone held them accountable. Meanwhile, Uber and Waymo are teaming up to bring robotaxis to the masses, because who needs human drivers, anyway?
The Billion-Dollar Question
Is OpenAI worth $150 billion? That’s the question on everyone’s mind, but the answer is clear: yes, if you ask OpenAI’s investors. The company is reportedly in talks to raise $6.5 billion at a $150 billion pre-money valuation, and we can’t help but wonder what they’ll do with all that money.
The End of Humanity
Robots can now learn how to tie shoelaces, because that’s what the apocalypse looks like. In other news, Google DeepMind has taught a robot to autonomously tie its shoes and fix fellow robots, because who needs human help, anyway?
Analysis
Apple’s "It’s Glowtime" event was a disappointment, featuring AI talk that was old news and no meaningful changes to its Intelligence features. Maybe it’s time for Apple to admit that AI is a failure of imagination… or technology. And speaking of phone-related scams, maybe we should just stop picking up the phone altogether. After all, the best way to keep yourself safe is to just let an unknown call go to voicemail.
Stay safe, and stay informed.




