AI layoffs or ‘AI-washing’? | TechCrunch

How many of the companies with recent layoffs are truly adapting their workforces to the efficiencies and challenges of artificial intelligence? And how many of them were just using AI as an excuse to cover other problems? That’s the question posed by a New York Times article on the trend of “AI-washing,” where companies will … Read more

Meet the new European unicorns of 2026

January was such a long month that it has already brought us five fresh European unicorns: from Belgium to Ukraine, several tech startups raised funding at valuations above the $1 billion threshold. But before we take a closer look at who joined the club, two caveats. First: This count includes startups that may be incorporated … Read more

Waymo reportedly raising a $16B funding round

Waymo has nearly finalized a new $16 billion funding round that will value the robotaxi company at $110 billion, according to the Financial Times. More than three-fourths of that funding will reportedly come from a source close to home — Alphabet, where Waymo is a subsidiary. (The company was incubated as part of Alphabet’s “moonshot … Read more

SpaceX seeks federal approval to launch 1 million solar-powered satellite data centers

SpaceX has filed a request with the Federal Communications Commission to launch a constellation of up to 1 million solar-powered satellites that it said will serve as data centers for artificial intelligence. The company’s filing lays out a grandiose vision, not just describing these planned satellites as “the most efficient way to meet the accelerating … Read more

A peek inside Physical Intelligence, the startup building Silicon Valley’s buzziest robot brains

From the street, the only indication I’ve found Physical Intelligence’s headquarters in San Francisco is a pi symbol that’s a slightly different color than the rest of the door. When I walk in, I’m immediately confronted with activity. There’s no reception desk, no gleaming logo in fluorescent lights. Inside, the space is a giant concrete … Read more