Author: TechBrunch

Music, podcasts, audiobooks… emergency alerts? Spotify's latest test sees the streaming app venturing into new territory, testing an emergency alert system in its home country of Sweden. According to code references found within the Spotify app, the company is looking at a system that could help deliver public announcements about “accidents, major events, significant service disruptions, and more.” The company confirmed to TechCrunch that it is testing such a system, but did not explain why it's interested in offering this kind of service to users. Swedish law does not require apps to do so, and Spotify said that at this…

Meta isn't the only company grappling with the rise of AI-generated content and its impact on its platform. YouTube also quietly implemented a policy change in June to allow users to request the removal of AI-generated content that mimics their face or voice or other synthetic content. The change allows users to request the removal of this type of AI content through YouTube's privacy request process. This is an expansion of the company's previously announced approach to its responsible AI agenda, which was first introduced in November. Rather than requesting removal for misleading content like deepfakes, YouTube would prefer that…

Remittance and fintech company Wise said on Friday that some of its customers' personal data may have been stolen in a recent data breach at Evolve Bank & Trust. The news highlights that it is still unknown how the Evolve data breach will impact third-party companies and their customers and users, likely including as yet unknown companies and startups. In a statement on its official website, Wise said that it worked with Evolve “to provide USD account details” from 2020 to 2023. It also said that given Evolve's recent breach, “it is possible that some of the personal information of…

Afloat, a gift delivery app that lets you shop locally and have gifts delivered to loved ones the same day, is now available across the U.S. The startup announced Monday that it's expanding the service nationwide, after it was previously only available in select cities, including Atlanta, Dallas, Charleston, Fort Worth, Kansas City, Nashville and Wichita. The startup was founded by Sarah Allen Preston after experiencing the stress of newborn heart surgery and receiving thoughtful gifts from loved ones, and wanted to make it possible for anyone to give gifts instantly to support loved ones in need, even if they…

Great news for tech enthusiasts and innovators! TechCrunch Disrupt 2024 is just around the corner, providing you with a fantastic opportunity to increase your brand awareness. How? By hosting your own side event at the most anticipated tech event of the year. Why host a side event? Imagine leading your own event and engaging with over 10,000 of the tech industry's brightest minds. Hosting a side event at TechCrunch Disrupt 2024 will bring unparalleled exposure to your brand. It's your chance to connect with a vast network of attendees, influencers, and potential collaborators. Promote your brand, share your expertise, and…

After Meta began labeling photos as “created with AI” in May, photographers complained that the social networking company was labeling actual photos that used basic editing tools. Due to user feedback and general confusion about what level of AI is used in the photos, the company is changing the tag to “AI Information” across all Meta apps. Mehta said previous versions of the tag weren't clear enough for users to indicate that a tagged image wasn't necessarily created by AI, but that AI-powered tools might have been used in the editing process. “Like others across the industry, we found that…

Investing app Robinhood is adding more AI capabilities for investors with the acquisition of AI-powered research platform Pluto Capital, Inc., announced on Monday. The acquisition of Pluto will give Robinhood additional tools to identify trends and investment opportunities more quickly, guide users' investment strategies and provide real-time portfolio optimization, according to the company. Pluto founder Jacob Sansbury will join Robinhood upon the completion of the deal, terms of which were not disclosed. At Robinhood, Sansbury will be tasked with accelerating the trading app's adoption of AI technology, including using Pluto's data analytics capabilities to process and interpret market data using…

SmartHR, a cloud-based human resources and workforce management software startup, announced Monday that it has raised $140 million in a funding round led by KKR and Teachers Ventures Growth, the investment arm of the Ontario Teachers' Pension Plan, with participation from existing investors. The Series E round, which comes three years after the company raised $142.5 million in Series D funding that gave it a valuation of $1.6 billion, is the latest indication that investors remain eager to back technology that helps companies more efficiently manage their largest cost base: human resources. The company declined to comment on its current…

The first self-checkout system was installed in a Kroger grocery store outside Atlanta in 1986. It took decades, but the technology has finally spread across the U.S. And with grocery stores moving toward automation, robotic bagging may not be far off. This week, MIT's CSAIL division is showcasing RoboGrocery, which combines computer vision and soft robotic grippers to bag a variety of items. To test the system, researchers placed 10 objects that were unknown to the robot on a grocery conveyor belt. Products range from delicate items such as grapes, bread, kale, muffins and crackers to more rigid items such…

Whether it's drafting emails, creating concept art, or conning vulnerable people into thinking you're a friend or relative in need, AI is versatile. But we all want to avoid getting scammed, so let's take a moment to talk about what you should be careful of. Over the past few years, not only has the quality of generated media, from text to audio to images to video, improved dramatically, but it has also become cheaper and easier to create. The same kinds of tools that help concept artists dream up fantasy monsters and spaceships, or help non-native speakers improve their business…