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Disney and Universal sue Midjourney, alleging AI-related copyright infringement
TechCrunch· 2025-06-11 17:34
Core Viewpoint - Disney and Universal have initiated legal action against Midjourney for allegedly using their copyrighted content without permission to train its generative AI models [1][2]. Group 1: Lawsuit Details - The lawsuit was filed in the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California and includes numerous examples of images generated by Midjourney that feature copyrighted characters from Disney and Universal, such as Homer Simpson and Darth Vader [2]. - The studios are seeking monetary damages, a jury trial, and an injunction to prevent further copyright infringement by Midjourney [3]. Group 2: Industry Context - Tech companies, including OpenAI, are advocating for legal protections that would allow them to train AI models on publicly available works, including copyrighted materials, without needing permission or compensation to the original creators [4]. - Some film and television studios have begun to explore generative AI technology, but their efforts have been relatively limited compared to the broader industry push [4].
Musk targets June 22 launch of Tesla's long-promised robotaxi service
TechCrunch· 2025-06-11 15:25
Core Viewpoint - Tesla is set to begin offering public rides in driverless vehicles in Austin, Texas, on June 22, marking the launch of its long-anticipated robotaxi service, although this date may change due to safety concerns [1] Group 1: Tesla's Robotaxi Service - The initial launch of the robotaxi service may shift from the planned date due to Tesla's heightened focus on safety [1] - Tesla Model Y SUVs have been observed being tested in Austin without drivers, indicating progress towards the robotaxi service [1] - Musk previously claimed that Tesla would launch a robotaxi service in 2020 featuring one million driverless vehicles, which did not materialize [2] Group 2: Full Self-Driving (FSD) Software - Tesla has been refining its Full Self-Driving (FSD) software, which still requires driver supervision, and is currently under investigation for its involvement in crashes [3] - The new "unsupervised" version of FSD is being used in Austin, with Musk asserting that every new Tesla is capable of unsupervised driving [4] - The initial fleet for the robotaxi service will consist of around 10 vehicles, geofenced to the safest areas of Austin [4] Group 3: Comparison with Competitors - Tesla's current approach to deploying its robotaxi service resembles that of Waymo, which operates a commercial robotaxi business in several U.S. cities [5] Group 4: Hardware and Software Compatibility - Musk's assertion that all new Teslas can perform unsupervised driving contrasts with his 2016 promise that all vehicles had the necessary hardware for full autonomy [7] - Tesla has undergone multiple iterations of FSD hardware, and millions of cars may require upgrades to run the latest software, raising questions about the feasibility of such upgrades [7]
After Google, Meta loses public policy head in India
TechCrunch· 2025-06-11 15:16
Meta’s head of public policy in India, Shivnath Thukral, is leaving the social networking company, nearly three and a half years after joining, and just months after his counterpart at Google stepped down.Thukral spent over seven and a half years at Meta and took over as public policy lead for the South Asian market — the company’s largest user base — in November 2022, after his predecessor Rajiv Aggarwal left. “Having helped build some of the systems and processes, I do feel it is a good time to let the e ...
YouTube says its ecosystem created 490k jobs and added $55B to the US GDP in 2024
TechCrunch· 2025-06-10 20:20
Core Insights - YouTube's creative ecosystem significantly contributes to the US economy, generating over $55 billion in GDP and supporting more than 490,000 full-time jobs [1][2] - The growth of the creator economy continues despite a decline in venture capital investment, indicating resilience in the sector [2] - In comparison to 2022, the creative ecosystem saw an increase of 100,000 jobs and $20 billion in GDP contribution, highlighting rapid growth [3] Economic Contribution - The creative ecosystem includes not only creators but also video editors, assistants, publicists, and employees of creator-oriented companies [2] - The substantial economic impact is attributed to YouTube's Partner Program, which allows creators to earn 55% of ad revenue, providing lucrative opportunities even for mid-range creators [4] Industry Challenges - Creators face challenges in accessing financial services, such as business credit cards and loans, despite their financial viability [5] - The establishment of the bipartisan Congressional Creators Caucus indicates growing recognition of the creator economy's potential and the need for better support from institutions [7]
At WWDC 2025, Apple sang developers' praises amid AI letdowns and App Store battles
TechCrunch· 2025-06-10 15:43
Core Viewpoint - Apple celebrated its app developers during the WWDC 2025 keynote but failed to address the challenges faced by the developer community in recent years, raising questions about trust and support from the company [4][5][26]. Developer Relations - Apple has faced significant scrutiny and legal challenges regarding its App Store practices, which have strained relationships with developers [5][15]. - The company has not effectively communicated improvements or support for developers, missing an opportunity to acknowledge the difficulties they have encountered [19][26]. AI Integration and Features - Apple has delayed the launch of its AI-powered Siri, which was initially showcased at the previous WWDC, indicating ongoing challenges in delivering promised technology advancements [6]. - The company introduced some AI features, such as integrating OpenAI technology into its apps, but did not announce partnerships with other AI providers, despite speculation [12][14]. App Store Commissions and Policies - Apple recently lost a legal battle that requires it to allow developers to use alternative payment methods, which could impact its revenue model [15]. - The keynote did not address the controversial App Store commissions or any potential reductions, leaving developers uncertain about the future of in-app payment systems [18][20]. Developer Experience and Tools - Apple launched a standalone Games app but focused on consumer benefits rather than how it could support mobile developers [16]. - The company made some improvements to its developer tools, but these were perceived as temporary solutions rather than substantial support for developers [14][19]. Market Dynamics and Future Outlook - Apple subtly updated its App Review Guidelines, indicating a preference for maintaining its App Store as the primary marketplace, which may limit developers' options [20]. - The initial developer beta of iOS 26 suggests that Apple is prioritizing its own revenue generation through increased advertising opportunities for developers [21][23].
Report: Meta taps Scale AI's Alexandr Wang to join new ‘superintelligence' lab
TechCrunch· 2025-06-10 15:22
Group 1 - Meta plans to launch a new AI research lab focused on "superintelligence" to enhance its competitive edge in the AI sector [1] - The company has recruited Alexandr Wang, founder and CEO of Scale AI, to lead the new lab and is in discussions to invest billions into Scale AI [1] - Meta is actively recruiting top talent from other tech companies, including lead researchers from OpenAI and Google, to strengthen its AI capabilities [1] Group 2 - CEO Mark Zuckerberg is reportedly frustrated with Meta's current AI performance and is personally involved in recruiting a team of around 50 AI researchers [2] - Zuckerberg aims for Meta to surpass other tech companies in the pursuit of Artificial General Intelligence (AGI), which is the concept of AI systems exceeding human performance in various tasks [2] - Meta AI recently achieved a milestone of 1 billion monthly active users, indicating significant user engagement with its AI products [3]
Apple brings Apple Intelligence to the iPhone screen
TechCrunch· 2025-06-09 17:50
Core Insights - Apple is introducing Visual Intelligence, an AI-powered image analysis technology, to the iPhone with the upcoming iOS 26 [1] - The technology aims to enhance user experience by enabling faster and easier interactions with content on the iPhone [2] Functionality and Features - Visual Intelligence allows users to perform image searches directly from any app by pressing the screenshot button, facilitating tasks like finding products on social media [2] - The feature can automatically extract relevant information such as date, time, and location to create calendar events based on context [3] - Users can also upload screenshots to ChatGPT for further analysis and information [3] Developer Integration - Apple is providing developers with tools to integrate Visual Intelligence into their applications, enhancing the search capabilities within their apps [4] - Developers can utilize app intents to connect their app functionalities with Visual Intelligence, allowing for a seamless user experience across frequently used applications [4]
Apple debuts a new dedicated Games app
TechCrunch· 2025-06-09 17:47
Core Insights - Apple has introduced a new dedicated gaming app aimed at centralizing gaming experiences across its devices [1][2] - The app features social functionalities, including a "Play Together" tab for tracking friends' activities and a "Challenges" feature for competitive play [1][2] Summary by Sections App Features - The Games app will function as a launcher for games, allowing users to track achievements and view leaderboards [1] - It includes five tabs: Home, Arcade, Play Together, Library, and Search [2] - The app will link to the App Store's games section and promote Apple Arcade, which is priced at $6.99 per month [2] Developer Integration - The Challenges feature is built on Game Center leaderboards, enabling single-player games to become competitive among friends [2] Availability - The new Games app is expected to be preinstalled on iPhone, iPad, Mac, and Apple TV later this year [2]
Apple introduces live translation across Messages, FaceTime, and Phone at WWDC 25
TechCrunch· 2025-06-09 17:41
Core Insights - Apple is launching a Live Translation feature for Messages, FaceTime, and Phone calls, which allows for real-time translation of conversations [1][2] - The translation technology is powered by Apple Built models that operate entirely on the user's device, ensuring privacy for personal conversations [1] - The feature will automatically translate text messages and provide live captions during FaceTime calls, as well as translate spoken words during phone calls [2] Feature Details - In Messages, Live Translation will translate text as users type and deliver it in their preferred language, with instant translation for responses [1] - During FaceTime calls, live captions will be provided, and for phone calls, translations will be spoken aloud for the recipient [2] - Developers can easily integrate live translation into their communication apps using a new API provided by Apple [2] Language Availability - Apple has not disclosed the number of languages that the Live Translation feature will support [3]
At WWDC, Apple introduces iOS 26 and macOS 26 in major operating system rebrand
TechCrunch· 2025-06-09 17:23
Core Points - Apple announced a new naming convention for its operating systems, using the year in the name instead of version numbers [1] - The new naming system aims to enhance clarity and consistency across all platforms, aligning with competitors like Samsung and Microsoft [2] - The announcement includes a significant design overhaul featuring a "Liquid Glass" interface, marking the most notable redesign since iOS 7 [3]