The looming TikTok ban sparks tales of influencers migrating to new platforms like RedNote. Meanwhile, Colossal Biosciences stirs excitement by reviving woolly mammoths, balancing humor with ethical concerns. Innovative funding models challenge traditional venture capital, paving paths for mid-size firms. Finally, the emotional bonds humans are forming with AI raise questions about companionship versus manipulation, spotlighting the complexities of these digital relationships.
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Quick takeaways
TikTok users are migrating to alternative Chinese apps, highlighting their adaptability amidst regulatory challenges and the evolving social media landscape.
Maki's $28.6 million funding demonstrates a growing trend toward AI in recruitment, raising concerns about dehumanization and the future of job interviews.
Deep dives
The Shift in Social Media Dynamics
High-profile TikTok users have begun migrating to alternative Chinese apps like Red Note and LemonAid in anticipation of a potential ban on TikTok, highlighting a significant shift in social media dynamics. This migration underscores the resilience of content creators as they adapt to regulatory challenges, showing a humorous side with users expressing positive sentiments about their new platforms. Despite the fear of being disconnected from their primary audience, creators are using this transition to explore and promote their content on different platforms. This phenomenon raises questions about the effectiveness of bans and government regulations on digital platforms in controlling user behavior.
The Rise of AI in Recruitment
A startup, Maki, has raised $28.6 million in a Series A funding round to develop AI agents that conduct job interviews and assess candidates’ conversational skills. This innovative approach allows companies like H&M to streamline their hiring process, but it also sparks a discussion about the dehumanization of job interviews. Critics express concern that relying on AI for hiring diminishes the personal touch in recruitment and can lead to demoralizing experiences for candidates who may feel undervalued. The trend reflects broader societal changes toward automation in various industries, prompting debates about the future of human interaction in employment.
De-Extinction: The Woolly Mammoth Project
Colossal Biosciences aims to bring back the woolly mammoth through innovative gene-editing technologies, raising both excitement and ethical concerns. The company has secured $200 million in funding, attracting a diverse group of investors, including prominent figures from Hollywood and the TikTok influencer space. Despite the thrilling prospects of de-extinction for biodiversity, questions linger about the practical implications and ethical considerations of reintroducing extinct species into modern ecosystems. The venture illuminates the crossroads of cutting-edge science and moral responsibility, challenging society to weigh the benefits against potential risks.
Decentralization in Venture Capital
PowerSet offers a novel approach to venture capital by giving select founders a million dollars to invest with little restrictions, aiming to decentralize traditional funding structures. This model emerges as a response to trends where major funds dominate a significant portion of the VC landscape, posing barriers for smaller investors and startups. By focusing on mentorship and supporting emerging fund managers, PowerSet strives to reconnect venture capital to its roots of personalized investment and collaboration. This shift hints at potential changes in the VC ecosystem, igniting discussions about the sustainability of mega funds and the rising demand for more tailored investment strategies.
The clock is set to run out on TikTok over the weekend, following the Supreme Court’s ruling to uphold the ban. So, what’s next for the video-sharing app’s 170 million U.S. users?
On today’s episode of TechCrunch’s Equity podcast, hosts Kirsten Korosec, Margaux MacColl and Anthony Ha dive into the week’s biggest stories, including where all the ‘TikTok refugees’ are heading. Many are flocking to Chinese apps like RedNote and Lemon8, with some even turning to Duolingo to brush up on their Mandarin as they search for new digital homes.
Listen to the full episode to hear about:
How Maki and Synthesia are rethinking the recruitment process – and yes, it involves AI.
Equity is TechCrunch’s flagship podcast, produced by Theresa Loconsolo, and posts every Wednesday and Friday.
Subscribe to us onApple Podcasts, Overcast, Spotify and all the casts. You also can follow Equity on X and Threads, at @EquityPod. For the full episode transcript, for those who prefer reading over listening, check out our full archive of episodes here.
Credits:Equity is produced by Theresa Loconsolo with editing by Kell. We’d also like to thank TechCrunch’s audience development team. Thank you so much for listening, and we'll talk to you next time.