Monday, November 4, 2024

Welcome to TechCrunch AM! This morning, we've got a deep dive into OpenAI's ChatGPT Search; why rich companies are trying to hinder AI regulation; a startup that wants to foster affordable at-home care; and X changing what it means to be blocked. We've also got notes on a valuation cut for Ola; Threads' growing user base; a new face at OpenAI; big money for a robotic brain startup; and the problem of social media during election season. Let's dive in! — Rebecca

TechCrunch Top 3

Image Credits: CareYaya

1. CareYaya is a startup born out of common sense: It's a platform that matches people who need affordable in-home care with healthcare students who need to gain experience in the field. Simple and genius. Read More

2. Search me outside, howboutdat: ChatGPT Search had people so excited to see what it could do, the hype-driven folks went so far as to label it the "Google killer." But OpenAI's search engine isn't anywhere close to that goal yet, TechCrunch's Maxwell Zeff found, when he took it out for a test drive. Read More

3. Changing the definition of "blocked": X is rolling out its controversial update to the block feature that lets people you blocked continue to see your public posts. Read More

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Morning must-reads

Image Credits: RichVintage / Getty Images

🤝 The enemy of my enemy: I'll just let TC's Devin Coledewey say it — Microsoft and a16z have taken a break from counting their money to jointly plead that the government cease and desist from even pondering regulations that might affect their financial interests (or as they like to call it, "innovation"). Read More

🚗 Ola takes another hit: Vanguard has revised its valuation of the Indian ride-hailing startup to about $2 billion as of the end of August. That's down from a $7.3 billion valuation in 2021, though that was the year when money was free and valuations were overblown. Read More

🧵 Threads is on the up: Meta's social network Threads now has 275 million monthly active users. It's gaining steam, but it still has some work to do to become a better platform that can compete with X and other platforms. Read More

🤫 Shhhhh: Gabor Cselle, former CEO and co-founder of Twitter competitor Pebble, has joined OpenAI to work on a secret project. Cselle is a serial entrepreneur who has mostly played in the online media space. Wonder what he'll be working on at OpenAI? Read More

⚠️ We need to slow down: Sophia Velastegui, an AI veteran, says AI is moving too damn fast. She also encouraged more women to get involved in AI, because "when we join the conversation, we can help shape the industry and change that power imbalance." Hear, hear. Read More

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Around the web

🇺🇲 Political ads gone wrong: An Elon Musk-funded super PAC is now straight up impersonating Democrats with its ad campaign that targets registered Republicans, reports 404 Media. The campaign, called Progress 2028, includes ads like "Imagine a world where the American Dream has no borders," that claim to be sponsored by VP and presidential candidate Kamala Harris. Read More

🤖 We all, Robot: Physical Intelligence has raised $400 million to build "a single generalist brain that can control any robot," according to Karol Hausman, the company's co-founder and CEO. The round was led by Jeff Bezos, Thrive Capital and Lux Capital, according to The New York Times. OpenAI, Redpoint and Bond also invested. Read More

🤛 Anti-social media: The election is tomorrow, and a majority of Americans say social media platforms – which seem to have reversed course entirely on combating political disinformation – will bear responsibility for any upcoming political violence, per Tech Policy Press. Read More

Before you go

Image Credits: Getty Images

🫡 Do your civic duty: Need a ride to the polls this week? We've got a round-up of all the transportation companies offering free or discounted rides — everyone from Lime to Uber to Hertz. And, of course, your local public transit agency. Read More