20 results found
The studio behind Steam hit *Wardogs*, Bulkhead, openly embraces crunch, with CEO Joe Brammer admitting it's an expected part of their development process. The studio even screens job applicants' social media, turning away those who publicly criticize crunch, believing they wouldn't fit in. While some employees with shares can see significant financial benefits from successful titles, not all staff receive these rewards, and the company has had yearly layoffs.
AI founders face an unprecedented challenge: their core products becoming features of rapidly evolving foundation models from giants like OpenAI. TechCrunch Disrupt 2026 will host a critical session on navigating this shift, featuring Michel Tricot (Airbyte), Linda Tong (Webflow), and Rob Toews (Radical Ventures) to discuss building lasting defensibility.
An exclusive TechCrunch investigation reveals a hidden human cost in the robotaxi industry, with Waymo and Zoox test drivers suffering over two dozen injuries from sudden autonomous vehicle movements in 2024-2025. These incidents, including whiplash, sideline workers for months, challenging the industry's safety narrative. The report highlights occupational hazards for those at the forefront of AV development and raises questions about broader industry reporting as the sector expands.
TechCrunch Disrupt 2026, held Oct 13-15 in San Francisco, features an AI Stage presented by Google for Startups. It will explore how AI is reshaping business models, creating security gaps like the 'agent security gap,' and pioneering new job categories like the 'GTM Engineer.' Industry leaders will share insights on topics from enterprise AI security to the future of video intelligence.
Chris Fall, the director of the Center for AI Standards and Innovation (CAISI), has resigned from his position, marking yet another rapid leadership change within the critical federal agency responsible for developing
Developers working on The Elder Scrolls 6 are reportedly fearing further delays for the highly anticipated RPG following recent widespread layoffs across Xbox and Bethesda Game Studios. These job cuts have had a "crushing effect on morale" and raised concerns about staffing, potential reliance on contract labor, and increased crunch for the remaining team. The situation highlights Microsoft's broader strategy to focus on projects with the "highest likelihood of making money" amidst significant industry turmoil.
TechCrunch has unveiled an updated, comprehensive AI glossary to demystify the rapidly evolving language of artificial intelligence. It provides plain-English definitions for essential terms like LLMs, AGI, and Hallucination, crucial for anyone tracking the transformative tech landscape. This resource aims to bridge the knowledge gap for professionals and enthusiasts, offering clarity on the foundational technologies, emerging capabilities, and industry challenges facing AI.
TechCrunch's Startup Battlefield is returning to Sydney, Australia, on August 19, 2026, in partnership with Stripe. Ten startups will pitch, with the winner securing automatic entry to TechCrunch Disrupt's Startup Battlefield 200 in San Francisco. This return follows the highly successful 2017 event, which launched companies like HealthMatch and FluroSat (now Regrow Agriculture) to raise over $85 million combined and foster a vibrant Australian tech ecosystem.
To truly understand the profound message of My Hero Academia, its spinoff Vigilantes is essential. Released as an anime in 2025 on Crunchyroll, it explores the everyday lives of unofficial heroes.
In a fresh flashpoint concerning artificial intelligence and intellectual property, KC Green, the artist behind the ubiquitous “This is fine” meme, has publicly accused AI startup Artisan of stealing his iconic artwork
AI dictation apps have made significant strides, leveraging advanced LLMs and speech-to-text models to offer high accuracy and intelligent formatting. TechCrunch has ranked the top AI-powered dictation apps of 2025, highlighting tools like Wispr Flow, Willow, and Monologue for their innovative features, privacy options, and productivity enhancements. These apps are transforming how users interact with technology, making voice input a powerful alternative to typing.
Tokyo is set to be the premier tech destination of 2026, highlighted by the SusHi Tech Tokyo event, April 27-29. This conference uniquely focuses on four key domains: AI, Robotics, Resilience, and Entertainment, featuring global leaders and innovative startups. TechCrunch is a key partner, spotlighting emerging talent.
Uber is significantly boosting its autonomous vehicle strategy with a $300 million investment in Rivian, securing 10,000 R2 robotaxis for a 2028 rollout in San Francisco and Miami. This unique partnership places development risks on Rivian as it builds both the vehicle and the self-driving system. The move reflects Uber's broader shift to a global, partner-centric approach to AVs after divesting its in-house unit.
Super Early Bird pricing for TechCrunch Disrupt 2026 concludes tomorrow, February 27, at 11:59 p.m. PT, offering the final chance to save up to $680 on passes or 30% on group registrations. The event, held October 13-15 in San Francisco, serves as a crucial platform for founders, investors, and operators to connect, raise capital, and discover innovations.
The TechCrunch Founder Summit 2026 in Boston offers a high-leverage opportunity for developer-led startups to accelerate growth. Exhibiting provides direct access to over 1,000 founders, investors, and decision-makers, enabling rapid customer acquisition, capital raising, and strategic partnership formation. Leverage multi-channel ROI and strategic team deployment to convert three concentrated days into months of pipeline.
Peter Steinberger, creator of the viral AI agent OpenClaw, suggests a "playful" approach is a superior method for learning AI coding. His insights, shared via TechCrunch AI, emphasize that this mindset can enhance the development and understanding of artificial intelligence, making the learning process more effective for AI builders.
Microsoft Gaming's AI Strategy: A Pivotal Question Emerges Key takeaways TechCrunch has publicly posed a central question regarding the future direction of Microsoft's prominent gaming division concerning Artificial
The creator economy is rapidly evolving beyond ad revenue, with digital entrepreneurs like MrBeast building business empires through product lines and startup acquisitions. This shift highlights how influence is becoming infrastructure, though its scalability beyond top creators remains a key question. TechCrunch's Equity podcast unpacks this trend alongside developments in AI, fintech, and global tech infrastructure.
Startup CEOs from Read AI and Lucidya shared an optimistic outlook at Web Summit Qatar, challenging common fears about AI replacing human jobs. They told TechCrunch that AI tools are designed to automate specific tasks, not entire professional roles. This perspective suggests AI will enhance human productivity by handling mundane work, allowing people to focus on creative and strategic endeavors.
Phison CEO Pua Khein-Seng warns of a severe RAM crunch by late 2026, threatening product line cuts and even company failures due to component shortages. This dire prediction, confirmed by sources to The Verge, highlights a critical vulnerability in the global tech supply chain.
