Edition: May 29, 2026

Developers are now refusing to work without AI coding tools, but research suggests that AI may not be producing better code and could lead to increased maintenance costs and errors. This over-reliance on AI could cause problems down the road for developers and companies. The solution may involve using AI for specific tasks, but not relying solely on it.

Amazon is developing an AI-animated TV show based on the character 'Good Advice Cupcake', originally created by Loryn Brantz, who is now speaking out against the project. Brantz claims she was not involved in the decision and feels the use of AI to animate her character is an 'assault on artists everywhere'. The show is part of Amazon's GenAI Creators' Fund initiative, which aims to leverage AI in content creation.

Google's new AI agent, Gemini Spark, has been tested and shown impressive capabilities in automating daily tasks and interactions, but also had some humorous mishaps, such as 'friend-zoning' the author's boyfriend. Gemini Spark can access personal data, complete online tasks, and generate detailed itineraries. The AI agent is available as a beta to subscribers of Google's AI Ultra plan.

Google has unveiled Gemini Omni and Gemini 3.5, two new AI models that can create and edit videos, as well as execute complex tasks. Gemini Omni allows users to edit videos through conversation, while Gemini 3.5 Flash delivers high-performance intelligence for agentic tasks. The models were showcased in 9 demos at Google I/O 2026.

AI chip startup Groq is reportedly raising $650 million in new funding from existing investors to grow its inference neocloud business, following a $20 billion not-acqui-hire deal with Nvidia. The funding will support the company's plans to expand its cloud business, which hosts inference-hungry apps for developers and enterprises. Groq's backers have agreed to fill the funding round if other investors opt out.

AI chip startup Groq is reportedly raising $650 million in new funding to grow its inference cloud business, following a $20 billion deal with Nvidia. The funding round is led by existing investors, with some committing to fill the round if others opt out. Groq's new direction is led by interim CEO Adam Winter and CFO Matt Eng.

Author Steve Rosenbaum's book 'The Future of Truth' has come under scrutiny for its use of AI-generated quotes and potential AI-assisted writing, despite his claims that the ideas and final authorship are his own. An investigation by WIRED found that AI-detection tools suggested the book was likely AI-generated, but Rosenbaum refused to comment on the accuracy of these results. The incident raises questions about the role of AI in writing and the importance of transparency in authorship.

Cognition CEO Scott Wu says his company's AI coding agent, Devin, is designed to augment human programmers, not replace them. Wu believes AI agents can free programmers from mundane tasks, allowing them to focus on creative work. The goal, he says, is to enhance human capabilities, not supplant them.

The Vatican has enlisted the help of Chris Olah, co-founder of AI company Anthropic, in its efforts to promote responsible AI development, as outlined in Pope Leo's historic AI encyclical. Olah's involvement is seen as a significant step in creating dialogue between the AI industry and the Church. The encyclical warns of the potential risks of AI, including a new form of slavery and a regime of efficiency and surveillance.

XCENA, a chip startup, has raised $135M to develop a new chip that places compute capabilities closer to memory, potentially solving a major bottleneck in AI infrastructure. The company's chip, the MX1, could significantly reduce AI infrastructure costs by handling routine data operations near memory. XCENA aims to start generating revenue in 2027 with mass production scheduled for the end of 2026.

The Google-funded Futures Lab has developed innovative AI prototypes, including an app that teaches Japanese through immersive stories and a sign language tool with real-time feedback. These prototypes aim to revolutionize the way we learn. The lab is a partnership with the University of Waterloo, led by Dr. Edith Law.

The Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, caused by the Bundibugyo virus, has resulted in over 223 deaths and 900 suspected cases, with no vaccine available and challenges in controlling the spread due to misinformation and attacks on healthcare facilities. The disease has a high fatality rate and can spread through contact with bodily fluids. Efforts to stop the outbreak are hindered by a lack of specific treatments and vaccines, as well as community mistrust.

Pope Leo XIV's new encyclical, Magnifica Humanitas, emphasizes that technology is never neutral and calls for individuals to act with courage and solidarity in the face of AI transformation. The encyclical presents a choice between the Tower of Babel and rebuilding common humanity, highlighting the need for collaborative responsibility. Institutional investors have already begun to step in, demanding transparency and accountability around AI deployment.

Glean, an enterprise AI search company, has reached $300 million in annual recurring revenue, driven by its ability to help companies cut AI computing costs. The company's AI tools achieve a deep understanding of customers' business needs, resulting in significant token cost savings. Glean's growth is notable as tech giants enter the enterprise AI search market with rival products.

Google has launched Gemini 3.5 Flash, a faster and more capable AI model with improved agentic capabilities and visual understanding, but at a substantially higher price. The AI industry is also seeing a rise in demand for AI engineers and forward deployed engineers to customize AI solutions for clients. New job opportunities are emerging in the field of AI engineering, with skilled engineers in high demand.

Google has released a quiz to test knowledge of its I/O 2026 announcements, built using Google AI Studio and vibe coded for a unique experience. The quiz showcases the capabilities of Google AI Studio, which allows users to bring ideas to life with the latest Gemini models. It is accessible to non-developers, as demonstrated by the editor who created the quiz with no coding background.

The rapidly evolving field of artificial intelligence has created a new language with terms like AGI, AI agent, and chain of thought, which can be confusing even for tech-savvy individuals. A glossary is being updated regularly to help clarify these concepts. The goal is to make AI more accessible and understandable to a broader audience.

Companies are increasingly relying on AI, but this trend may be misguided, as those making the decisions often don't fully understand the jobs being replaced, according to Box founder Aaron Levie. This has led to significant layoffs, with some companies cutting staff to make way for AI agents. As a result, some users are pushing back against the forced integration of AI into search and other services.

Tech companies are offering free cleaning services in exchange for footage of the cleaning process to train AI models for robotics. The goal is to teach machines to perform domestic labor, making it easier to outsource chores. This data will help companies develop and sell robots that can perform household tasks.

Box founder Aaron Levie claims many CEOs have 'AI psychosis', overestimating AI's ability to replace jobs, as companies like ClickUp cut workforce for AI agents. This phenomenon is discussed on TechCrunch's Equity podcast, along with other tech news. The podcast explores the implications of AI on hiring and the tech industry.

A new extraction process could unlock the world's lithium, cutting costs and emissions for EVs and energy storage, while a deadly Ebola outbreak is proving difficult to control due to the disease itself and local environment. Researchers and health officials are working to address these issues. Meanwhile, Pope Leo XIV's encyclical on artificial intelligence emphasizes that technology is never neutral.

AI startup Shift is offering free home cleaning services in exchange for recording the cleaning process to train future robots. The company claims the value of the training data generated is enough to fund the service. Shift's unusual offer aims to create a win-win situation for both the company and homeowners.

Adobe's Firefly AI Assistant is a conversational AI agent designed to assist with design tasks, acting as a middleman to operate Adobe's design apps. The AI is intended to take away busywork while granting users creative control. However, the results have been described as mediocre.

A beginner's guide to PyTorch profiling using torch.profiler, covering the basics of profiling and optimization in PyTorch. The guide starts with a simple matrix multiplication and addition operation, and will scale up to more complex models in future parts. It aims to lower the barrier to entry for profiling in PyTorch.

Today is the last day to apply to speak at TechCrunch Disrupt 2026, a major tech event to be held in San Francisco from October 13-15. The event will gather over 10,000 startup and VC leaders to discuss the latest in AI, fintech, and innovation. Applications close at 11:59 p.m. PT tonight.

TechCrunch Disrupt 2026 is offering a final chance to save up to $410 on tickets before prices increase at 11:59 p.m. PT tonight. The event, taking place from October 13-15, will bring together founders, investors, and innovators for networking, startup discovery, and conversations on the future of tech. Attendees can register now and take advantage of discounts for groups and additional tickets.

The Kiwibit Bird Feeder Pro 4K AI Camera is a smart bird feeder that uses AI to identify over 10,000 bird species and notify users of visits through a companion app. The device features a solar panel, dual seed compartments, and a 130-degree wide-angle lens. It has become a delightful addition to the author's backyard, allowing them to connect with nature and track bird visits.

Ferrari's first electric vehicle, the Luce, has been unveiled with a unique design courtesy of Sir Jony Ive. The car features a decidedly un-Ferrari look and lots of new technology. It has garnered mixed reactions, with some people really hating its design.