TechCrunch Top 3

Microsoft AI chief says it's 'dangerous' to study AI consciousness: As AI chatbots surge in popularity, Mustafa Suleyman argues that it's dangerous to consider how these systems could be conscious. Read More

YouTube Music celebrates 10 years with new features that help it compete with Spotify: YouTube Music is rolling out taste match playlists, comments, badges and more. Read More

Google's AI Mode expands globally, adds new agentic features: As part of the expansion, Google is bringing AI Mode to 180 new countries in English. Read More

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Afternoon Must-Reads

Hackers who exposed North Korean government hacker explain why they did it: The two self-described hacktivists said they had access to the North Korean spy's computer for around four months before deciding what they had found should be made public. Read More

Apple TV+ price jumps 30% to $12.99 monthly: The updated price is effective for new customers starting Thursday and will affect current subscribers 30 days after their next renewal date. Read More

StrictlyVC at TechCrunch Disrupt 2025: Inside the LP Track: In an era of extended exit timelines, slowed distributions, and increasingly selective LPs, the conversations behind closed doors matter more than ever. Read More

As India bans real-money games, Dream Sports, MPL start pulling the plug: Several Indian startups, including Dream Sports, MPL, and Zupee, are shutting down their real-money games after parliament passed a bill banning such games. Read More

Space is open for business with Even Rogers and Max Haot at TechCrunch Disrupt 2025: The next era of the space economy isn't just about rockets and satellites — it's about infrastructure, autonomy, and entirely new models for building and defending off-Earth assets. At TechCrunch Disrupt 2025 this October 27–29 in San Francisco's Moscone West, the Space Stage is where this shift gets real. Read More

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Disrupt 2025 gathers 250+ industry trailblazers and 10,000+ attendees in San Francisco on October 27–29. Explore 200+ sessions on scaling, exits, and the evolving tech landscape. Hear from Elad Gil (Gil & Co), Astro Teller (X, The Moonshot Factory), Tekedra Mawakana (Waymo), May Habib (Writer), and more. Register now to save $600+ before prices climb.

Last but Not Least

Report: Meta is hitting pause on AI hiring after its poaching spree: The freeze went into effect last week, and it's not clear how long it will last, The Journal's sources say. Meta is still likely working through its reorg, which split its AI unit, Meta Superintelligence Labs, into four new groups: TBD Labs, run by former Scale AI founder Alexandr Wang, and three groups focused on research, product integration, and infrastructure, respectively. Read More