TechCrunch Industry News

A new social commerce app allows shoppers to become creators, sharing reviews and earning money based on engagement. The platform has launched a creator fund with grants of up to $100,000, aimed at boosting content creation. This initiative seeks to solidify the app's standing in the competitive social commerce landscape, especially against TikTok Shop. It's an exciting move for content creators looking to monetize their influence.

Plex is evolving beyond personal media to become a hub for discovering and sharing content. The platform has introduced new social features, such as user profiles and reviews, aiming to enhance community interaction. Updates also include a redesigned interface that improves the overall user experience, especially for Plex Pass subscribers. This shift makes Plex not just a streaming service, but a vibrant social space for movie and TV enthusiasts.

The U.K.’s Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) is launching so-called “strategic market status” (SMS) investigations into the mobile ecosystems of Apple and Google. The investigations constitute part of the new Digital Markets, Competition and Consumers Act (DMCCA) which passed last year and came into effect in January. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

A London startup has secured $55 million to tackle the challenges of the clinical trial industry. Backed by Peter Thiel, they're leveraging artificial intelligence to revolutionize drug discovery and development. This innovative approach emphasizes automation and efficiency, aiming to reshape the biotech landscape. The focus on improving clinical trials highlights a critical shift in how healthcare can evolve with cutting-edge technology.

Discover Truecaller's exciting update as it introduces live caller ID for iPhone users with iOS 18. The discussion highlights the challenges faced in different markets, especially India. Technical insights into encrypted data management reveal how these advancements enhance the user experience. Tune in to learn about the intersection of technology and user privacy in the world of caller identification!

A French startup has just bagged €9 million to boost its instant financing solutions for small businesses in need. This funding round underscores their innovative approach to financial challenges faced by SMEs. Dive into how they leverage data technology for better risk assessment, making it a game-changer in the industry. Explore the potential impact on small businesses craving working capital and their exciting aspirations for the future.

A startup’s AI-powered necklace, designed as a digital companion, faces delays in shipment, pushing back delivery to Q3. The co-founder discusses the hurdles encountered, including a halt to their chatbot experience. The conversation dives into the potential effects of AI companions on mental health and relationships, raising intriguing questions about their place in our lives and the legal challenges that loom in this burgeoning industry.

The discussion reveals a striking finding: top language models like GPT-4 only score about 46% on historical tests. It delves into the limitations of AI in grasping the nuances of history, introducing the HIST-LLM benchmark as a new measure. Despite these shortcomings, there's an optimistic view on the potential for AI’s future contributions to historical research.

Radha Plum, the Pentagon's Chief Digital and AI Officer, shares her insights on the military's evolving relationship with AI. She discusses the delicate balance tech developers must maintain when collaborating with the military, focusing on enhancing efficiency without compromising ethical standards. The conversation touches on the moral implications of using generative AI in military strategies and the challenges surrounding autonomous decision-making in combat, all while striving to keep human safety at the forefront.

Tomas Akmanis, Co-founder of Nexos.ai and Nord Security, shares insights on his journey in the tech industry. He discusses the launch of Nexos.ai, a startup aimed at helping enterprises move AI projects from pilot to production. The conversation highlights the importance of visibility, security, and adaptability in deploying large language models. Akmanis also emphasizes the challenges companies face in AI deployment, such as data privacy and cost management, and introduces innovative solutions to bridge these gaps.