TechCrunch Industry News

Revised rules in California would allow self-driving trucks to test on public highways. The rules also close a loophole allowing police to issue tickets for driverless vehicles. Also, Amazon is the USPS' biggest customer, and the e-commerce giant's potential break from the postal agency comes as the two sides are negotiating a new deal. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Can any company, big or small, really topple Nvidia's AI chip dominance? Maybe not entirely but Amazon is already making big bucks trying. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

A new attempt to prohibit states from regulating AI has been thwarted, facing solid opposition from both sides of the aisle. The tech industry continues to clash over whether to place power in the hands of big tech or state authorities. Meanwhile, Autolane is making waves with a fresh $7.4 million in funding, aiming to establish an 'air traffic control' system for autonomous vehicles. Their collaboration with Simon Property Group will facilitate safe AV pickups and drop-offs at shopping malls, showcasing innovative solutions in urban mobility.

A major data breach at Mixpanel has raised significant concerns. A terse announcement before Thanksgiving left many questions unanswered. Insights emerge about the types of user data compromised, including names and locations. OpenAI confirms their customer data was among the stolen information. The analytics industry's data collection practices come under scrutiny, highlighting risks of pseudonymization and tracking. Mixpanel's session replays may capture sensitive information, adding to the uncertainty of this incident's ramifications.

Amazon has unveiled a powerful AI training chip, Trainium 3, boasting impressive speed and energy efficiency. It's positioned to cut costs for early adopters like Anthropic and is set to support NVIDIA's GPU architecture in its upcoming iteration. Meanwhile, India is expanding its cybersecurity initiative to verify and record all smartphones, sparking privacy debates as the government tackles device theft and fraud. Critics are voicing concerns over potential data governance issues linked to this broad tracking initiative.

Construction workers are cashing in as data-center jobs offer 25-30% pay increases. Tech giants like Amazon and Google are racing to build new facilities, but a skilled-worker shortage of 439,000 looms large. Meanwhile, data center energy demand is set to soar, projected to triple by 2035. Amid rising electricity prices, larger facilities are moving to rural areas while AI's stake in data center computing grows. With a global investment surge, the future of energy and construction is buzzing with opportunity and challenges.

Amazon's AI chatbot, Rufus, significantly boosted Black Friday sales, doubling the purchase rate compared to sessions without it. Retail traffic surged due to AI, impacting shopping behavior. While spending was high, it came alongside rising prices and lower overall order volumes. Surveys reveal that many holiday shoppers plan to use AI this season. Meanwhile, James Cameron speaks out against generative AI, arguing that it undermines authentic performances, highlighting the tension between innovation and artistry in film.

Explore the troubling implications of AI bias, as researchers unveil how language models subtly perpetuate sexism. Testimonies reveal unsettling experiences, like a model doubting a woman's academic credentials based on her avatar. Delve into the psychology of AI responses, where social agreeability can mask underlying biases. Discover how demographic inference can drive harmful stereotypes and steer individuals towards gendered career paths. Experts discuss the urgent need for better data and diverse feedback to mitigate these issues.

Uber and WeRide have launched a driverless robotaxi service in Abu Dhabi, eliminating the need for human safety operators. The podcast dives into how riders can access these robo-taxis through Uber's app and partnerships. In a shocking twist, a vulnerability in Tyler Technologies’ juror system exposed sensitive personal data of jurors, including names and addresses. The discussion highlights the implications of this data breach and Tyler’s response to the incident.

Character.ai introduces interactive Stories for kids, replacing chat features with guided fiction to address mental health concerns. The hosts discuss mixed reactions from teens about the age restrictions. Meanwhile, OpenAI and Perplexity are launching AI shopping assistants that promise personalized experiences. Startups emphasize the need for specialized models over broad AI for niche markets, especially in fashion, where tailored recommendations are crucial. The conversation explores the challenges and opportunities for startups in the evolving AI landscape.