SpaceX Plans to Build 'Terafab' AI Chip Factory in Texas

SpaceX is planning a major investment to build a semiconductor factory, dubbed 'Terafab,' in Texas to produce chips for AI and other applications. The company is considering an initial investment of $55 billion, with the total project cost potentially reaching $119 billion.

xAI Rebrands as SpaceXAI Following Acquisition

Elon Musk's AI company, xAI, has been acquired by another of his ventures and will now be known as SpaceXAI. Musk confirmed that xAI will no longer exist as a separate entity, with its products being integrated directly into SpaceX.

Helen Toner Testifies in Musk v. Altman Trial

Former OpenAI board member Helen Toner testified via video deposition in the Musk v. Altman trial, detailing the board's decision-making process during Sam Altman's ouster. Toner said she learned about ChatGPT's release from Twitter and that her concerns about Altman's honesty, which were first raised by Ilya Sutskever, led to his firing.

Google DeepMind Invests in 'EVE Online' Studio CCP Games

Google's DeepMind division has acquired a minority stake in CCP Games, the developer of the online game 'EVE Online.' The partnership will involve using an offline version of the game as a platform for testing and evaluating complex AI systems in a controlled environment.

Hackers Breach Education Tech Company Instructure

The education technology company Instructure, which makes the popular Canvas platform, confirmed it suffered a data breach. A hacking group called ShinyHunters claimed responsibility, stating it stole student data from approximately 9,000 schools and later defaced several login pages while threatening to release the stolen information.

Perplexity 'Personal Computer' Agent Now Available for Mac

AI company Perplexity has launched a desktop app for Mac, making its 'Personal Computer' feature available to all Mac users. The AI agent is designed to access and perform multi-step workflows across local files and applications on a user's device.

Mira Murati Testifies in Musk v. Altman Trial

In video deposition testimony played during the Musk v. Altman trial, former OpenAI CTO Mira Murati described her pivotal role in Sam Altman's ouster and subsequent reinstatement. She testified that she couldn't trust Altman's words after he allegedly lied to her and claimed OpenAI was at "catastrophic risk of falling apart" after his firing.

OpenAI to Introduce 'Trusted Contact' Safety Feature in ChatGPT

OpenAI is rolling out an optional safety feature for ChatGPT called 'Trusted Contact' that allows adult users to designate a person to be notified if the chatbot detects discussions related to self-harm. The feature is opt-in and aims to provide an additional layer of support for users in distress.

Google Unveils Screenless Fitbit Air and AI-Powered Google Health App

Google has launched the Fitbit Air, a screenless health tracker, alongside a new Google Health app that will replace the existing Fitbit app. The new app features an AI Health Coach powered by Google's Gemini model to provide personalized insights based on user data.

TechCrunch Disrupt 2026 Offers 50% Discount on Second Pass

TechCrunch is running a limited-time promotion for its upcoming Disrupt 2026 conference, offering a 50% discount on a second pass with the purchase of a full-price one. The offer, aimed at encouraging attendees to bring colleagues or partners, is set to expire on May 8.

Chinese AI Lab Moonshot AI Raises $2 Billion at a $20 Billion Valuation

Moonshot AI, a Chinese AI lab known for its Kimi series of language models, has raised around $2 billion in a new funding round, valuing the company at $20 billion. The round, led by Meituan's venture arm, highlights growing investor interest in Chinese open-source AI companies.

OpenAI Announces Self-Serve Ad Platform for ChatGPT

OpenAI is piloting ads in ChatGPT and has launched a self-serve Ads Manager in the U.S. to allow advertisers to create and manage campaigns. The company stated the ads will be clearly labeled and will not influence the chatbot's responses, with advertisers only receiving aggregated performance data.