TechCrunch Top 3

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1. Meta acquires voice startup Play AI: Meta has acquired Play AI, a startup that uses AI to generate human-sounding voices. Read More

2. Study warns of 'significant risks' in using AI therapy chatbots: Therapy chatbots powered by large language models may stigmatize users with mental health conditions and otherwise respond inappropriately, according to researchers at Stanford University. Read More

3. Elmo's X account hacked to publish racist and antisemitic posts: A hacker compromised Elmo's X account on Sunday and published abusive posts. Read More

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Morning Must-Reads

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Jack Dorsey's latest app tracks sun exposure: Twitter co-founder Jack Dorsey's new app, called Sun Day, ostensibly helps users track UV exposure and Vitamin D intake. Read More

OpenAI delays the release of its open model, again: OpenAI CEO Sam Altman said Friday the company is delaying the release of its open model indefinitely. Read More

xAI and Grok apologize for 'horrific behavior': In a series of posts on X, the AI chatbot Grok apologized for what it admitted was "horrific behavior." The posts appear to be an official statement from xAI, the Elon Musk-led company behind Grok, as opposed to an AI-generated explanation for Grok's posts. (xAI recently acquired X, where Grok is prominently featured.) Read More

Sequoia bets on silence: There is a time-honored crisis management strategy, wherein one says nothing and waits for the outrage to pass. For Sequoia Capital, the strategy worked pretty well this week. Read More

UK launches £500 package to support diverse, underrepresented investors and founders: The British Business Bank, owned by the UK government, is creating a £500 million (around $674 million) economic package to help support diverse and underrepresented fund managers and founders in the country. Read More

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TechCrunch All Stage kicks off tomorrow at 7:30 a.m. ET — and that's when $475 in ticket savings disappear! Don't miss Charles Hudson (Precursor Ventures), Jahanvi Sardana (Index Ventures) & more as they share tactical tips to scale smarter, fund faster, and grow stronger. Plus, connect through curated 1:1 and small-group networking.

Before You Go

Marc Andreessen reportedly told group chat that universities will 'pay the price' for DEI: Venture capitalist Marc Andreessen sharply criticized universities including Stanford and MIT, along with the National Science Foundation, in a group chat with AI scientists and Trump administration officials, according to screenshots viewed by the Washington Post. Read More