Startups & Technology

195 items in section

Security flaw left FIFA World Cup broadcast controls exposed

A simple registration loophole granted a security researcher full control over FIFA’s internal broadcasting systems during the World Cup. By posing as a player agent, the hacker exploited a backend API vulnerability that bypassed authorization checks, potentially allowing a single individual to hijack live television feeds globally.

Rivian Trims Workforce Following R2 SUV Launch

Just seven days after the first R2 SUVs reached customers, Rivian has initiated another round of layoffs, trimming its staff by less than 2%. The move marks the fourth workforce reduction for the electric vehicle manufacturer this year as the company scrambles to streamline operations and curb mounting financial losses.

Mobileye Shifts Strategy with 2027 U.S. Robotaxi Launch

A fleet of 100 autonomous vehicles will hit U.S. streets by 2027 as Mobileye moves from pure technology supplier to robotaxi operator. The Intel-backed firm plans to scale this pilot to 17,000 units within five years, signaling a strategic pivot that puts the company in competition with its own clients.

Mobileye Shifts Strategy with Plans for 2027 Robotaxi Fleet

After years of supplying driver-assistance chips to major automakers, Intel subsidiary Mobileye is moving to become a fleet operator. The Israeli firm announced plans to launch an autonomous taxi service in an undisclosed U.S. city by 2027, starting with an initial deployment of 100 vehicles.

Snap enters the high-stakes AR market with $2,195 Specs

At a spatial AI convention in Long Beach, Snap finally pulled the curtain back on its long-awaited consumer smart glasses. The device carries a steep $2,195 price tag, positioning it as a premium tool for developers and enthusiasts rather than a mass-market accessory for the average social media user.

Why Consumers Are Turning Against AI-Branded Marketing

Sixty percent of U.S. consumers now view brand messaging explicitly labeled as AI-driven as a major turnoff, according to a survey from WordPress VIP. As companies pivot to optimize content for AI search engines, they face a growing public skepticism regarding the authenticity and reliability of automated information.

SpaceX Hits the Public Markets in Record-Breaking Debut

SpaceX has completed the largest initial public offering in history, raising $85.7 billion and catapulting Elon Musk to the status of the world’s first trillionaire. The company’s entry onto the Nasdaq exchange marks a massive shift for the aerospace giant, following a 24-year period of private operation.

Flutterwave Secures $3.2 Billion Valuation in Ripple-Backed Round

With a fresh injection of capital and a $3.2 billion valuation, African fintech giant Flutterwave is deepening its alliance with blockchain firm Ripple. The partnership aims to overhaul the continent's fragmented cross-border payment infrastructure by bypassing traditional banking hurdles that have historically slowed financial movement across African borders.

DOJ Intervenes to Protect xAI’s Memphis Power Supply

The Department of Justice has moved to block a lawsuit aimed at shutting down xAI’s natural gas turbines in Memphis, arguing that the facility is essential to national security. Federal attorneys contend that the NAACP’s efforts to stop the power supply would compromise military operations and critical artificial intelligence innovation.

Plaud Hits $100M ARR by Betting on Screenless AI Hardware

Two million devices sold and a $100 million annual run rate suggest Plaud has found a rare foothold in the volatile AI hardware market. By focusing on physical recorders rather than keyboard-based prompts, the company is capturing the professional meeting space that software-only firms often overlook.

Robinhood’s latest layoffs signal a shift away from the AI excuse

When Robinhood CEO Vlad Tenev announced the termination of 290 employees—roughly 10% of the firm's workforce—he notably omitted the industry-standard justification of artificial intelligence. While competitors frequently cite AI-driven restructuring to explain mass layoffs, Tenev framed the decision as a push for a leaner, flatter organizational structure.

SpaceX Valuation Surges to $2.7 Trillion Following Cursor Acquisition

A staggering 20% stock price jump on Monday propelled SpaceX to the world's fifth-most valuable company, pushing its market capitalization past $2.7 trillion. This rapid ascent arrives just days after the company’s public debut, fueled by a $60 billion all-stock acquisition of the AI coding startup Cursor.

Probably secures $9M to trade AI power for precision

Startups are betting that the path to reliable artificial intelligence lies in curbing model autonomy rather than chasing larger parameters. Probably, a new venture backed by $9 million in seed funding from Andreessen Horowitz, is testing this thesis by building a validation layer to eliminate LLM hallucinations entirely.

Foundation Alloy Raises $22M to Disrupt Industrial Metal Production

By replacing the ancient method of melting metals with a high-energy solid-state process, Foundation Alloy is manufacturing high-performance materials previously thought impossible to create. The startup, which recently secured $22 million in Series A funding, is now scaling production to meet intense demand across the defense and aerospace sectors.

SpaceX to Acquire AI Startup Cursor for $60 Billion

Days after a historic public offering that sent its stock soaring, SpaceX has confirmed a $60 billion all-stock acquisition of the AI coding startup Cursor. The deal follows a turbulent restructuring of Elon Musk’s AI division, which has struggled with high-profile controversies and the departure of all original xAI co-founders.

India Targets Telegram in Crackdown on Medical Exam Fraud

India has ordered a nationwide block on Telegram through June 22 to curb organized cheating networks. The National Testing Agency initiated the move to protect candidates ahead of the NEET (UG) re-examination, citing the platform's role in the illicit distribution of fake exam papers and widespread misinformation campaigns.

Threads hits 500 million users as it rolls out algorithm controls

Three years after its debut as a rival to X, Meta’s Threads has reached 500 million monthly active users. To sustain this momentum, the platform is launching "Your Algo," a private tool allowing users to curate their feeds without the public posts previously required to influence content discovery.

ChatGPT Market Dominance Slips Below 50 Percent

For the first time since its 2022 debut, OpenAI’s ChatGPT has fallen below a 50% global market share. According to the Sensor Tower State of AI Report for 2026, users are increasingly diversifying their toolkits, migrating toward competitors like Google’s Gemini and Anthropic’s Claude as the AI assistant landscape matures.

Malaysia’s Respond.io secures $62.5 million to scale AI messaging

Kuala Lumpur-based Respond.io has raised $62.5 million in a Series B round led by Camber Partners. The startup, which provides AI-driven customer conversation management, plans to use the capital to accelerate its expansion into North American and European markets through both organic growth and strategic acquisitions.

Stanford graduates stage walkout as Sundar Pichai takes the stage

As Sundar Pichai stood to address Stanford University’s graduating class this weekend, roughly 200 students rose from their seats and exited the ceremony. The demonstration, punctuated by loud jeering, targeted the Google CEO over the company’s ongoing cloud computing contracts with the Israeli military and U.S. immigration authorities.

The Trump Administration's Sudden AI Export Ban Sets a Dangerous Precedent

When the U.S. Commerce Department invoked an obscure export control directive on Friday, Anthropic was forced to pull its Fable 5 and Mythos 5 models offline. The move, characterized by the government as a national security necessity, appears increasingly driven by political friction rather than legitimate technical threats to model safety.

Meta Integrates AI Search and Editing Tools Into Facebook

Meta is deploying a new “AI Mode” on Facebook, a search interface that synthesizes public posts, Groups, and Reels into direct answers. By moving away from traditional link-based search results, the company aims to transform how users navigate platform discussions while simultaneously rolling out AI-driven image and video editing capabilities.

SpaceX Makes History With Record-Breaking Public Offering

SpaceX has officially entered the public markets, pricing 555.6 million shares at $135 each to raise $75 billion. The debut marks the largest IPO in history, effectively vaulting Elon Musk to the status of the world's first trillionaire as trading volume surges on platforms like Robinhood.

The Global Push to Bar Children From Social Media

A growing coalition of nations is moving to restrict social media access for minors, citing rising concerns over cyberbullying, mental health decline, and predatory risks. Following Australia’s lead in late 2025, governments from the U.K. to Indonesia are drafting legislation to enforce age-gated barriers across major digital platforms.

Cybersecurity experts push back against US ban on Anthropic AI models

Seventy-six cybersecurity veterans are challenging a US government order that restricts access to Anthropic’s Fable and Mythos models. The coalition warns that by stripping defenders of advanced tools capable of identifying software vulnerabilities, the government is inadvertently leaving critical digital infrastructure exposed to rapidly evolving adversaries.

Salesforce Snaps Up AI Platform Fin for $3.6 Billion

With a $3.6 billion price tag, Salesforce is betting its future on the acquisition of Fin, an AI-driven customer service platform designed to automate support across channels like WhatsApp, Slack, and voice. The deal aims to bolster Agentforce, the company’s enterprise-grade engine for building autonomous AI agents.

SpaceX IPO haul hits $85.7 billion after underwriter expansion

Underwriters have exercised their full option to acquire additional shares, pushing the total capital raised by SpaceX to a record-breaking $85.7 billion. This surge follows an initial offering of $75 billion, further cementing the company's position as the largest IPO windfall in financial history.

UK to Implement Under-16 Social Media Ban by Next Spring

Prime Minister Keir Starmer announced a sweeping prohibition on social media access for children under 16, aiming to curb the platforms' addictive influence. The policy, which excludes messaging apps like WhatsApp, targets major networks including TikTok, Instagram, and X, with enforcement expected to begin as early as next spring.

Sarvam Secures $234 Million to Become India’s Latest AI Unicorn

Bengaluru-based Sarvam has reached a $1.5 billion valuation after securing $234 million in a funding round led by HCLTech. The investment underscores a growing urgency among Indian firms and government bodies to develop sovereign AI infrastructure, reducing reliance on the concentrated power of overseas technology providers.

Fox to Acquire Roku in $22 Billion Streaming Consolidation

Fox will acquire streaming giant Roku for $22 billion in a cash-and-stock deal, a move designed to bridge the gap between traditional live news and sports with the rapidly expanding connected TV market. The transaction aims to secure a dominant position in the fragmented landscape of modern video consumption.