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Researchers at Northeastern University found vehicles and their companion apps regularly shared detailed data with some of the largest tech companies. https://techcrunch.com/2026/09/29/your-car-and-its-mobile-app-are-probably-handing-over-all-kinds-of-data-to-tech-companies/?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=mastodon

EliseAI raises $350M, doubles valuation in a year. https://techcrunch.com/2026/09/29/a16z-backed-eliseai-raises-350m-doubles-valuation-to-4b/?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=mastodon

Hertha Metals secured $133.65 million in Series A funding. The financing was co-led by Khosla Ventures and Doerr Capital and includes a $65 million equity investment from the U.S.
Source: Ventureburn
https://ventureburn.com/hertha-metals-secures-133-65m-for-steel-production/
#Startups

The company says it won't draw on the new debt facilities this year, as it has already planned at least $25 billion in capital expenditures. https://techcrunch.com/2026/09/29/tesla-secures-30b-in-new-credit-lines-as-it-looks-to-scale-cybercab-optimus/?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=mastodon

Google is a technology partner for the launch of America.gov. Google partners with America.gov to use Gemini to help 100 million people access federal services faster.
Source: Google
https://blog.google/company-news/outreach-and-initiatives/public-policy/america-gov-google-public-sector/
#AI #Google #Gemini

Microsoft announced new data innovations at the European Microsoft Fabric + SQL Community Conference in Barcelona, highlighting advances in Microsoft Fabric and Azure Databases.
Source: Microsoft
https://blogs.microsoft.com/blog/2026/09/28/new-microsoft-data-innovations-unlock-what-only-your-business-knows/
#Tech #Microsoft

Nvidia Corp. is extending its data processing unit from infrastructure offload to a broader security role across the artificial intelligence factory.
Source: SiliconANGLE
https://siliconangle.com/2026/09/29/nvidias-scale-in-play-controlling-agents-is-the-next-infrastructure-priority/
#AI #Nvidia

OpenAI is building out the pieces of an alternative to the traditional app store model, turning ChatGPT into a place where software can be discovered and used by people and AI agents alike. https://techcrunch.com/2026/09/29/openais-latest-features-take-direct-aim-at-the-app-store-model/?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=mastodon

The new round is anticipated to be the company's last before its delayed 2027 public debut. https://techcrunch.com/2026/09/29/openai-repotedly-in-talks-to-raise-30b-round-at-1-4t-valuation/?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=mastodon

Google analysts warn that stolen AI credentials are being sold underground, and businesses are footing the bill. LLMjacking can run up your business' AI bill fast - how to stop it.
Source: ZDNET
https://www.zdnet.com/innovation/llmjacking-business-ai-bill-cost-how-to-stop/
#Automation #Google

OpenAI agents are being rebranded as "dots". Safety concerns are delaying a new model. Sam Altman spoke in San Francisco at OpenAI's yearly developer event.
Source: BBC News
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cw7v42rp083eo?at_medium=RSS&at_campaign=rss
#AIAgents #OpenAI

OpenAI's Dots are always-on AI agents that can connect to your apps and tackle multistep tasks.
Source: WIRED
https://www.wired.com/story/openai-dots-always-on-ai-agents-that-proactively-help/
#AIAgents #OpenAI #Meta

Disrupt doesn’t end when you leave Moscone West. 👀
Founder dinners, investor meetups, happy hours, workshops, roundtables and more are taking over San Francisco during Disrupt Week.
See what’s happening, find your people, and start building your calendar. https://techcrunch.com/2026/09/29/more-ways-to-disrupt-new-2026-side-events-from-kotra-wayfounder-enterprise-ireland-safetywing-descope/?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=mastodon

Some of India's largest banks are holding off on supporting Apple Pay initially. https://techcrunch.com/2026/09/29/apple-pay-set-to-launch-in-india-with-axis-bank-today-sources-say/?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=mastodon

The US military task force announced it is ready to bet billions of dollars on answers to the drone problem.
Source: Business Insider
https://www.businessinsider.com/us-counter-drone-task-force-spending-billions-on-tech-systems-2026-9
#Tech

OpenAI isn't a public supporter of Nvidia's Open Agent Safety Platform, but it is privately working with Nvidia, TechCrunch has learned. https://techcrunch.com/2026/09/29/heres-why-openai-is-absent-from-nvidias-industry-wide-effort-to-end-rogue-ai-agents/?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=mastodon

OpenAI reports that GPT-6.1 Sol performs close to GPT-6 Astra while costing only one-fifth as much.
Source: The Decoder
https://the-decoder.com/gpt-6-1-sol-comes-close-to-astra-at-a-fifth-of-the-price/
#Tech #OpenAI

Asana is developing human-agent teams that can be coached with Claude.
Source: Claude Blog
https://claude.com/blog/agents-you-can-coach-how-asana-builds-human-agent-teams-with-claude
#Tech #Claude

Data center construction will resume only after obtaining large guarantees and undergoing rigorous scrutiny by the new Israel AI National Directorate, according to Globes.
Source: Globes
https://en.globes.co.il/en/article-1001557948#utm_source=RSS
#TechPolicy

OpenAI's newly announced suite of office features puts it into mor direct competition with more traditional software companies. https://techcrunch.com/2026/09/29/openai-takes-on-microsoft-with-the-launch-of-what-feels-a-whole-lot-like-chatgpts-own-office-suite/?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=mastodon