August 21, 2025

TechCrunch Top 3

Hackers who exposed North Korean government hacker explain why they did it: The two self-described hacktivists said they had access to the North Korean spy's computer for around four months before deciding what they had found should be made public. Read More

Microsoft AI chief says it's 'dangerous' to study AI consciousness: As AI chatbots surge in popularity, Mustafa Suleyman argues that it's dangerous to consider how these systems could be conscious. Read More

iPhone 17, the 'thinnest iPhone ever,' and everything else we're expecting out of Apple's hardware event: From a new slim iPhone Air model to redesigned AirPods, here's what to expect from this year's Apple event. Read More

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Afternoon Must-Reads

Nvidia is latest investor to back AV startup Nuro in $203M funding round: Nuro has attracted more investors, and capital, to push its Series E round to $203 million. Read More

YouTube Music celebrates 10 years with new features that help it compete with Spotify: YouTube Music is rolling out taste match playlists, comments, badges and more. Read More

StrictlyVC at TechCrunch Disrupt 2025: Inside the LP Track: In an era of extended exit timelines, slowed distributions, and increasingly selective LPs, the conversations behind closed doors matter more than ever. Read More

Google's AI Mode expands globally, adds new agentic features: As part of the expansion, Google is bringing AI Mode to 180 new countries in English. Read More

Report: Meta is hitting pause on AI hiring after its poaching spree: The freeze went into effect last week, and it's not clear how long it will last, The Journal's sources say. Meta is still likely working through its reorg, which split its AI unit, Meta Superintelligence Labs, into four new groups: TBD Labs, run by former Scale AI founder Alexandr Wang, and three groups focused on research, product integration, and infrastructure, respectively. Read More

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