Google is using old news reports and AI to predict flash floods

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View this email online in your browser  March 12, 2026 TechCrunch Top 3 Google is using old news reports and AI to predict flash floods: A new way to solve data scarcity: Turning qualitative reports into quantitative data with an LLM. Read More When startups become a family business: This season on Build Mode, we're diving into what it takes to build a world-class founding team. This week we're exploring different kinds of co-founder dynamics and what it takes to build a startup with your family. Read More Chinese brain interface startup Gestala raises $21M just two months after launch: This is the largest early-stage funding in China's brain computer interface industry. Read More Disrupt 2026: Where deals and ideas ignite Oct 13–15 at San Francisco's Moscone West, 10,000 founders, investors, and operators gather for high-signal insights, curated connections, and real momentum. Sign up! A message from UK Office for Investment UK Quantum – Accelerating healthcare prevention The UK's National Health Service is already placing quantum at the centre of its preventative healthcare strategy. By 2030, the UK aspires to use quantum sensing to improve early diagnosis and treatment, from cancer screening to enhanced MRI scanning. Learn More Morning Must-Reads Disney+ is rolling out its TikTok-like 'Verts' short-form video feed: Following the success of TikTok and Instagram Reels, Verts is designed to boost daily engagement and reach mobile-first viewers, all while increasing discovery across Disney+'s catalog. Read More Netflix may have paid $600 million for Ben Affleck's AI startup: This deal could rank as among the streaming giant's largest acquisitions ever. Read More Honda scraps 3 EVs planned for the US, blaming tariffs and Chinese competition: The Japanese automaker said the change of plans will cost it up to $15.7 billion. Read More AI 'actor' Tilly Norwood put out the worst song I've ever heard: This song is an AI actor's rallying cry to other AI actors, urging them to keep going despite the naysayers who doubt their humanity. Literally no one can relate to this. Read More India neobank Fi winds down banking services on its platform: Fi, founded by former Google Pay executives, is discontinuing banking services over four years after launch. Read More A message from Stripe Complimentary pass to Sessions with code s26techcrunch100 Join Stripe at Sessions 2026—the internet economy conference—happening April 29–30 in San Francisco. Join fellow business leaders, founders, and developers to explore the latest in financial technology, global commerce, and strategies for growth. Register with code s26techcrunch100 for a complimentary pass. Register Now Last but Not Least Google Maps is getting an AI 'Ask Maps' feature and upgraded 'immersive' navigation: The tech giant says the "Immersive Navigation" launch is the biggest update to Maps in over a decade. Read More Check out some of our other newsletters: StrictlyVC TechCrunch Events TechCrunch Mobility Want to adjust your daily newsletter schedule? You can do it right here Got a tip? Get in touch securely. Want to advertise on TechCrunch? advertise@techcrunch.com Has this been forwarded to you? Click here to subscribe to this newsletter. Unsubscribe Member Center Privacy Policy Copyright © 2026 TechCrunch Media LLC 501 2nd Street, Suite 650, San Francisco, CA 94107