TechCrunch Equity podcast

2026-10-24

CODING · 3 SOURCES · The Verge AI · WIRED AI · TechCrunch AI

Critical PHP vulnerabilities (PHP2Shell) disclosed, widely exploited after AI-aided discovery

Researchers disclosed two critical vulnerabilities in the PHP programming language — reportedly present for about 20 years — which security firm Wiz says became practically exploitable after AI-assisted work. The flaws have triggered widespread exploitation attempts (Cloudflare reported millions of hits), forced many sites and services offline, and prompted guidance from the NSA and UK NCSC to take systems offline if they cannot be immediately patched.

9.0

2026-10-11

COMPANIES · 1 SOURCE · TechCrunch AI

Amazon stops using NDAs in local data‑center deals as startups push personal AI agents seeking payment access

Amazon said it will no longer use nondisclosure agreements when negotiating data‑center deals with local governments, a move following a similar step by Microsoft aimed at reducing secrecy that has fueled community backlash. Separately, a wave of startups is developing personal AI agents that seek access to users' inboxes, files and credit cards, raising trust and privacy questions as major companies block outside agents.

7.0

2026-10-02

REGULATION · 1 SOURCE · TechCrunch AI

White House hosts tech CEOs to sign AI safety pledge as Trump rebrands AI “super intelligence”; consumer adoption reportedly 2%

The White House convened major tech CEOs — including leaders from Meta, OpenAI and Anthropic — to sign an AI safety pledge President Donald Trump called “morally binding,” while Trump also signed an executive order rebranding AI as “super intelligence.” TechCrunch’s Equity podcast reports that despite consumer-facing moves from firms such as Meta and OpenAI, only about 2% of consumers are buying AI, with most investment still flowing into enterprise and startups.

7.0

2026-09-25

COMPANIES · 1 SOURCE · TechCrunch AI

Meta’s Muse reportedly outpacing ChatGPT’s early mobile launch

TechCrunch’s Equity podcast says Meta’s personal AI agent Muse is reportedly outperforming ChatGPT’s early mobile-launch numbers and is slated for deployment on smart glasses and a Tamagotchi-style wearable. The episode also covers near-simultaneous model updates from Anthropic (Opus 5.5) and OpenAI (GPT-6 updates) and broader implications for consumer AI strategy and startup funding.

7.0

2026-09-20

REGULATION · 1 SOURCE · TechCrunch AI

Anthropic’s “pace the frontier” plan fuels industry debate over slowing AI

Anthropic CEO Dario Amodei published a proposal to “pace the frontier,” prompting public discussion among AI leaders about whether the industry can or will slow development; some executives, including OpenAI’s Sam Altman, signaled support while Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang publicly pushed back. TechCrunch’s Equity podcast hosts noted the plan lacks operational details and questioned how enforceable any voluntary slowdown would be given market and regulatory realities.

6.0

2026-09-18

REGULATION · 1 SOURCE · TechCrunch AI

Anthropic’s Dario Amodei outlines 'pace the frontier' AI safety proposal; industry reacts

Anthropic CEO Dario Amodei has proposed a 'pace the frontier' approach to slow advanced AI development that leans on independent safety evaluators and coordination among AI labs in democratic countries; the idea has drawn some industry support and pushback from Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang. The TechCrunch Equity episode also covers WordPress parent Automattic’s 33-hour boardroom ouster of Matt Mullenweg and related golden-parachute deals, plus updates on deals involving May Mobility and DoorDash’s investment in Wonder.

7.0