Author: TechBrunch

Generative AI models aren't actually human-like: they have no intelligence or personality — they're simply statistical systems that predict the next word in a sentence — but like an intern at an autocratic workplace, they will unapologetically follow instructions, including initial “system prompts” that teach the model its basic behavior and what it should and shouldn't do. All generative AI vendors, from OpenAI to Anthropic, use system prompts to control the overall tone and emotion of a model’s responses, to prevent (or at least try to prevent) the model from misbehaving. For example, a prompt might tell a model to…

The arrest of Telegram's founder and CEO, Pavel Durov, in France is starting to affect the app's popularity and rankings. On Saturday, its founder was arrested for allegedly allowing illegal activity to flourish on the social app by failing to properly moderate messages, particularly in areas related to drug trafficking, money laundering and the distribution of child sexual abuse material (CSAM).Despite concerns about the app's content, Telegram is now seeing an increase in downloads, ranking second in the US App Store's social networking charts and seeing a 4% increase in iOS downloads worldwide so far. Telegram's ranking increase did not…

Limited partners selling their investment interests in venture capital funds to other LPs in the secondary market is not new. But traditionally, these transactions have been conducted offline through opaque broker networks, charged high fees and can be difficult for some LPs to participate in. Palico is looking to change that. Paris-based Palico quietly received authorization from the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) in July to become the first company able to facilitate end-to-end LP secondary trading online as an electronic trading system (ETS). This authorization could have a major impact on the LP-driven secondary market, as LPs need sources…

Niantic is releasing a new version of its Scaniverse app to help users capture objects around them in greater detail. Scaniverse 4 allows users to capture places and objects in 3D using Gaussian partitioning technology. This technology captures more data points about objects, allowing for faster rendering and more accurate, richer representations. The company acquired Scaniverse in 2021, and this is one of the app's major updates. Previously, Scaniverse allowed users to scan places and objects and save them to their device or share them with friends. These new ways to scan allow users to place these splats (object scans…

Shared electric scooter startup Beam Mobility has installed hundreds of additional “Phantom” scooters in urban areas across Australia and New Zealand to avoid paying vehicle registration fees to local governments, according to a two-part report in The Australian. Cities are imposing limits on the number of scooters operators can deploy to avoid cluttering roads and sidewalks with vehicles that can pose a danger to pedestrians. The Australian's scoop includes Slack messages and other documents detailing how Beam provided false data to independent monitoring app Ride Report to underestimate the number of scooters in cities including Brisbane, Canberra, Adelaide, Auckland and…

The fintech sector, which saw significant growth during and immediately after the pandemic, found itself in a rather tough spot in 2024. But while the rapid pace of fundraising has slowed, many fintech companies continue to grow and expand their teams. To get a better understanding of how many fintech companies fit this category, I put out a call asking which fintech companies were hiring. In just over an hour, I received over a dozen responses. Just a few days later, I had heard from dozens more. Even as someone who writes regularly about this space, I was surprised by…

As investors in their 20s enter the venture industry, they bring a fresh vibe and spot new trends that could become the next billion-dollar tech companies. We are already seeing younger investors carving out new niches. Alex Chan (26) is an investor at Chai Ventures. Her firm has backed companies such as consumer health platform Unfabled and emotional health specialist Mental Happy. Chan says she is interested in how the ecosystem has redefined women's health over the past few years. Women's health has become a hot sector with more capital flowing in. According to Pitchbook, the global market for “femtech,”…

Music streaming service Tidal has introduced a new feature that allows artists to track royalties and control the music they write and create on the platform. Music copyright royalties are very complicated. In the US, all collaborators on a particular track, including composers and performers, must register with a Performing Rights Organization (PRO) and obtain an Interparty Information (IPI) number that identifies them as rights holders for the track. PROs in various territories then track where the track is being used and ensure royalties are paid to the artist. The biggest challenge for artists here is keeping track of royalties…

Maximize your brand's presence by hosting a side event in San Francisco during Disrupt Week from October 26th to November 1st. Connect with 10,000+ attendees at Disrupt 2024, as well as your network and the vibrant Bay Area tech community. With the flexibility to host an event that reflects your brand, the options are endless: industry meetups, office hours, workshops, fun runs, cocktail parties, happy hours and more. Submit your free application by the September 6th deadline. Why host a side event? Increased exposure: Promote your side event through multiple channels to ensure it reaches a wide audience, building meaningful…

Are you a Series A or B startup ready to make waves in the tech industry? The ScaleUp Startups exhibitor program at TechCrunch Disrupt 2024 can be your springboard to success. The program offers unparalleled exposure and connects you with top industry leaders, investors, and potential partners. Don't miss out, there's less than a week left until the deadline of August 30th. Start your application here. Why enroll in the ScaleUp startup program? Expand your reach: Showcase your innovative startup on the vibrant Disrupt Expo Floor with over 10,000 tech leaders, investors, and media. This is your chance to showcase…