
TechCrunch Industry News
Listen to articles handpicked by our editors, and stay updated on top technology news from TechCrunch.
Latest episodes

Mar 31, 2025 • 3min
TikTok ban is losing support among Americans, study says
Americans’ support for a TikTok ban is declining, according to a study from the Pew Research Center. This survey of over 5,000 U.S. adults found that just 34% of respondents supported banning the short form video app. When Pew ran a similar study in 2023, 50% of adults supported the TikTok ban. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Mar 28, 2025 • 3min
SpaceX reportedly has a secret backdoor for Chinese investment
Elon Musk's SpaceX is in the spotlight for reportedly allowing Chinese investors to buy stakes through offshore routes. This controversial approach raises critical national security concerns. The discussion dives into the potential risks of foreign investments in American defense firms and questions the transparency of such dealings. Listeners are left pondering what this means for U.S. interests and the future of aerospace.

Mar 28, 2025 • 8min
AI’s coming to the classroom: Brisk raises $15M after a quick start in school
Armand Jaffer, CEO and founder of Brisk, dives into the transformative impact of AI on education. With a rich background at the Chan Zuckerberg Initiative, he discusses how Brisk leverages AI to revolutionize teaching and learning. The episode highlights the challenges of detecting AI-generated student work and the consequences of false accusations. Jaffer also emphasizes the growing acceptance of edtech tools among educators and the need for innovative solutions in assessments.

Mar 27, 2025 • 4min
Earth AI’s algorithms found critical minerals in places everyone else ignored
Discover how AI is reshaping the search for critical minerals, enabling faster and wider exploration than ever before. The founder reveals groundbreaking findings in Australia, where traditional methods missed key deposits. Dive into the transformative impact of technology on the mining industry and explore the future of mineral discovery.

6 snips
Mar 27, 2025 • 12min
a16z and Benchmark-backed 11x has been claiming customers it doesn’t have
Hassan Sakaar, founder and CEO of 11x, shares insights into the tumultuous journey of his AI-powered sales automation startup. He discusses the company's explosive initial growth contrasted with alarming financial struggles and misleading customer claims. Sakaar addresses the toxic work environment and high employee turnover following the company's move from London to San Francisco. He candidly reflects on the impact of these challenges on the company’s legitimacy and the discontent among staff, painting a cautionary tale about startup culture.

5 snips
Mar 26, 2025 • 5min
Bill Gates-backed Commonwealth Fusion Systems hits key reactor construction milestone
A groundbreaking milestone in fusion energy has been reached with the installation of the Cryostat Base in a demonstration reactor. This major step aims to advance toward a functional tokamak. The conversation delves into the innovative technologies driving this project and the ambitious goal of a commercial-scale reactor by 2027. Exciting insights into the future of clean energy emerge as experts discuss the implications of this progress.

Mar 26, 2025 • 6min
How BYD plans to make EV charging as fast as filling a gas tank
What we found mostly supports the auto makers claims, with a few caveats. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

4 snips
Mar 25, 2025 • 7min
23andMe faces an uncertain future — so does your genetic data
23andMe is facing a rocky road ahead, with bankruptcy fears and a significant data breach shaking customer confidence. Privacy experts urge individuals to reconsider their genetic data's safety. The conversation sheds light on the broader implications of data security and the need for better federal regulations. As the future of personal genetic information hangs in the balance, the stakes are higher than ever for consumers.

Mar 25, 2025 • 6min
Russian zero-day seller is offering up to $4 million for Telegram exploits
Explore the rarefied world of zero-day exploits, where a Russian entity is offering up to $4 million for vulnerabilities in Telegram. The discussion highlights how the ongoing Russia-Ukraine conflict shapes the demand for such exploits. It also reveals the skyrocketing prices for vulnerabilities, with WhatsApp zero-days fetchingly priced at $8 million. The podcast dives into the business dynamics of exploiting popular applications, shining a light on the cyber underbelly.

6 snips
Mar 24, 2025 • 5min
Microsoft is exploring a way to credit contributors to AI training data
Microsoft is diving into research that estimates how specific training examples shape generative AI outputs. The initiative raises questions about ethical data use, including transparency and the possibility of compensating contributors. As copyright issues loom large, this project could redefine how we think about data dignity in AI training practices.