Highlights from SXSW: Your Ultimate Week in Review!
Welcome to the latest edition of TechCrunch’s Week in Review! This week, we’re diving into major tech developments, including highlights from SXSW, Waymo’s expansion in Silicon Valley, Intel’s leadership change, TikTok’s latest suitor, and DeepSeek’s funding decisions. Let’s explore the most significant tech news of the week!
Highlights from SXSW
This week marked the conclusion of SXSW in Austin, where TechCrunch had an active presence. From riding in Waymo taxis to discussing AI with Mark Cuban, here are some key moments:
- Mark Cuban on AI: Cuban emphasized that while AI is a powerful tool, it shouldn’t be viewed as a cure-all.
- Bluesky’s CEO: The CEO’s T-shirt made headlines by taking a jab at Mark Zuckerberg.
Intel’s New CEO
Intel has appointed Lip-Bu Tan as its new CEO. A veteran in the tech industry and former CEO of Cadence Design Systems, Tan aims to steer Intel towards becoming an “engineering-focused company.” He faces a challenging road ahead to revitalize the brand.
Environmental Concerns
In a significant move, the FBI, EPA, and other agencies have requested Citibank to freeze the accounts of several nonprofits and state agencies due to environmental concerns. This action was taken in February, but recent court filings have unveiled new details.
Tech News Roundup
Rad Power Bikes’ Leadership Change
Rad Power Bikes has appointed Kathi Lentzsch as its new CEO just days after the previous CEO’s departure. Lentzsch, known for her expertise in turning around underperforming companies, will focus on shifting the company from direct-to-consumer sales to a retail-based approach.
Apple’s Controversial Backdoor
Last month, it was revealed that the U.K. government had secretly ordered Apple to create a “backdoor” for accessing cloud-stored data. U.S. lawmakers are now calling for an open hearing regarding Apple’s potential challenge to this legal demand.
Innovative Food Testing Initiative
Investor Bryan Johnson, founder of the Don’t Die movement, is proposing “foodome” sequencing. This initiative aims to create a public database for testing various foods for toxins, funded by public donations.
Waymo’s Parking Woes
Waymo’s fleet of 300 driverless cars in San Francisco has accumulated a staggering $65,065 in parking fines due to 589 violations last year.
AI Developments and Market Trends
Sesame’s Voice Assistant
Sesame, an AI company, has recently released the base model for its super-realistic voice assistant, Maya. The model is open-source, allowing for commercial use.
TikTok’s Potential Acquisition
With the deadline for TikTok’s sale to a U.S. company approaching, Oracle has emerged as a new suitor, potentially favored by ByteDance, TikTok’s parent company.
Support for Digital Markets Act
Y Combinator has urged the White House to support Europe’s Digital Markets Act, which aims to dismantle the monopolistic power of big tech companies. The government’s response remains uncertain.
Trump Family’s Investment Interests
Reports indicate that the Trump family is considering investments in Binance U.S., following the company’s recent legal challenges regarding anti-money laundering violations.
New Features in Gmail
In a recent update, Gmail introduced a feature allowing users to add events to Google Calendar directly from emails, enhancing user efficiency.
Arrest of Cryptocurrency Exchange Co-Founder
Aleksej Besciokov, co-founder of Russian cryptocurrency exchange Garantex, was arrested in India. The U.S. Department of Justice has accused him of facilitating transactions for North Korean hackers.
Niantic Sells Gaming Division
Niantic, the company behind Pokémon GO, has sold its gaming division to Scopely for $3.5 billion. The company plans to focus on developing real-world 3D mapping technology.
DeepSeek’s Funding Strategy
Despite significant interest, Chinese AI company DeepSeek has chosen not to pursue venture capital funding at this time. Reasons for this decision are explored in-depth.
Conclusion
That wraps up this week’s highlights in the tech world. For more insights, stay tuned for our upcoming newsletters. If you’d like to receive these updates directly in your inbox every Saturday, sign up here.
