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People Are Using AI Chatbots to Guide Their Psychedelic Trips

As psychedelic companies and therapy apps experiment with AI, people are already taking huge doses of drugs and using chatbots to process their trips.

‘Improved’ Grok criticizes Democrats and Hollywood’s ‘Jewish executives’

On Friday morning, Elon Musk declared, “We have improved @Grok significantly. You should notice a difference when you ask Grok questions.”

At least 36 new tech unicorns were minted in 2025 so far

With AI igniting an investor frenzy, every month, more startups obtain unicorn status. Using data from Crunchbase and PitchBook, TechCrunch tracked down the VC-backed startups that became unicorns so ...

X blocks Reuters accounts in India

The main Reuters news account, as well as the Reuters World account, have apparently been inaccessible to X users in India since Saturday evening.

Researchers seek to influence peer review with hidden AI prompts

Academics may be leaning on a novel strategy to influence peer review of their research papers — adding hidden prompts designed to coax AI tools to deliver positive feedback.

How Brex is keeping up with AI by embracing the ‘messiness’

Brex quickly realized its normal software procurement process wouldn't work in the age of AI and found a new way to test and vet tools.

Drive Capital’s second act –  how the Columbus venture firm found success after a split

The venture capital world has always had a hot-and-cold relationship with the Midwest. Investors rush in during boom times, then retreat to the coasts when markets turn sour. For Columbus, Ohio-based ...

Ask not for whom the Louvre of Bluesky tolls, it tolls for thee

It’s a sad weekend over at Bluesky, where one of the best accounts has disappeared — though we can still hope for its resurrection.

Google faces EU antitrust complaint over AI Overviews

Ready-made stem cell therapies for pets could be coming

Earlier this week, San Diego startup Gallant announced $18 million in funding to bring the first FDA-approved ready-to-use stem cell therapy to veterinary medicine. If it passes regulatory muster, it ...

Robotic probe quickly measures key properties of new materials

Developed to analyze new semiconductors, the system could streamline the development of more powerful solar panels.

Microsoft is closing its local operations in Pakistan

Microsoft is closing its operations in Pakistan, marking the end of a 25-year presence in the South Asian nation. The Redmond-based company on Friday told TechCrunch that it is changing its operationa...

TechCrunch Mobility: The state of EV sales and Rivian secures the next $1B from VW

Welcome back to TechCrunch Mobility — your central hub for news and insights on the future of transportation.

EU says it will continue rolling out AI legislation on schedule

The European Union said it will stick to its timeline for rolling out its AI legislation, ignoring calls by tech companies to delay the bloc's AI rules.

Slate Auto drops ‘under $20,000’ pricing after Trump administration ends federal EV tax credit

Slate Auto has updated its website after Congress passed President Trump's tax cut bill, which will eliminate the federal EV tax credit.

Everyone in tech has an opinion about Soham Parekh

There is now a new badge of honor for startup founders: your proximity to one previously unknown Indian software engineer named Soham Parekh.

Cluely’s ARR doubled in a week to $7M, founder Roy Lee says. But rivals are coming.

Cluely's rapid ascend may be challenged by free copycat products.

Who is Soham Parekh, the serial moonlighter Silicon Valley startups can’t stop hiring?

Stories about Soham Parekh, a software engineer that simultaneously works at several startups, have gone viral in the last week. Who is he?

TechCrunch All Stage brings back early launch prices for a limited time

Ticket rates have officially rolled back with savings of up to $425, as TechCrunch All Stage becomes startup central July 15 in Boston.

Wonder Dynamics co-founder Nikola Todorovic joins the AI Stage at TechCrunch Disrupt 2025

Nikola Todorovic, co-founder of Wonder Dynamics, joins the AI Stage at TechCrunch Disrupt 2025 in San Francisco from October 27-29. Register to join.

Stripe’s first employee, the founder of fintech Increase, sort of bought a bank

Competitors to Darragh Buckley's Increase are so nervous about his ambitions to "own" a bank, someone has been trying to stop him.

Final GOP bill kneecaps renewables and hydrogen but lifts nuclear and geothermal

The final bill is largely what emerged from the Senate Finance Committee in mid-June.

Not everyone is thrilled with Threads’ DMs

The company is now facing user backlash over the addition, as users, primarily women, are arguing that there should be a way to opt out of DMs entirely, citing harassment concerns.

Ilya Sutskever will lead Safe Superintelligence following his CEO’s exit

OpenAI co-founder Ilya Sutskever says he stepping into the CEO role at Safe Superintelligence, the AI startup he launched in 2024.