Welcome to this week’s edition of Week in Review, where I, Karyne Levy, TechCrunch’s deputy managing editor, will be your guide through the latest developments in the tech world. I’m thrilled to be on board and can’t wait to dive into the top stories of the week.
This week, we’re covering the excitement at SXSW, Waymo’s expansion into Silicon Valley, Intel’s new CEO, TikTok’s potential new suitor, and why DeepSeek is choosing not to take VC money. Let’s dive in and explore these stories in more detail.
Environmental Impact: In a recent development, the FBI, EPA, EPA inspector general, and Treasury Department have requested that Citibank freeze the accounts of several nonprofits and state government agencies. This move is related to the Trump administration’s efforts to reclaim climate-related funds, and new documents have shed more light on the specifics of this situation.
SXSW Wrap-Up: TechCrunch had a significant presence at SXSW in Austin, where we experienced the latest innovations, including Waymo taxis, and heard from notable figures like Mark Cuban, who shared his thoughts on AI. We also got a glimpse into the thoughts of Bluesky’s CEO, who took a subtle swipe at Mark Zuckerberg through her choice of attire.
Intel’s New Leadership: Intel has appointed Lip-Bu Tan as its next CEO, marking a significant change in the company’s leadership. Tan, a seasoned tech investor, has vowed to make Intel an “engineering-focused company” under his guidance, and he certainly has his work cut out for him.
This is TechCrunch’s Week in Review, a comprehensive summary of the week’s most significant news. If you’d like to receive this newsletter in your inbox every Saturday, sign up here.
News
New Chapter: Rad Power Bikes has appointed a new CEO, Kathi Lentzsch, just days after the previous CEO stepped down. Lentzsch brings extensive experience in turning around underperforming companies and will lead the e-bike company as it shifts towards a retail-based approach.
Backdoor Concerns: Last month, it was revealed that the U.K. government had secretly ordered Apple to create a “backdoor” for accessing cloud-stored data. Now, U.S. lawmakers are urging the U.K.’s surveillance court to hold a public hearing regarding Apple’s potential challenge to this alleged secret demand.
Nourishment for Thought: Bryan Johnson, the founder of the Don’t Die movement, is planning to initiate “foodome” sequencing. His goal is to test a vast array of food items, creating a public database where people can contribute funds to have specific foods and brands tested for toxins.
Parking Woes: Waymo’s 300 driverless vehicles in San Francisco have accumulated nearly 600 parking tickets, totaling $65,065 in fines last year. This raises questions about the navigation and regulation of autonomous vehicles in urban areas.
Open Source Advance: AI company Sesame has released the base model used by its virtual assistant, Maya, as open source. This move allows for commercial use and could lead to significant advancements in AI development.
TikTok’s New Suitor: With the deadline for TikTok’s sale to a U.S. company approaching, Oracle has emerged as a potential buyer. Sources indicate that ByteDance, TikTok’s parent company, favors Oracle over other interested parties.
Support for Digital Markets Act: Y Combinator has urged the White House to support Europe’s Digital Markets Act, which aims to reduce Big Tech’s market power. The response from the White House remains unclear, but this move highlights the growing concern over tech monopolies.
Investment Opportunities: The Trump family is reportedly in talks to acquire a stake in Binance U.S., despite the company’s past issues with anti-money laundering regulations. This potential investment has raised eyebrows and sparked debate.
Efficiency through AI: A new feature in Gmail allows users to add events directly to Google Calendar from emails, making it easier to stay organized. This is a prime example of how AI can enhance productivity and streamline tasks.
Legal Action: The co-founder of Garantex, a Russian cryptocurrency exchange, has been arrested in India under extradition law. The U.S. Department of Justice had previously accused him of approving transactions linked to North Korean hackers and other cybercriminals.
Pokémon GO Maker Sells Gaming Division: Niantic, the company behind the viral sensation Pokémon GO, is selling its gaming division to Scopely for $3.5 billion. Niantic will now focus on building real-world 3D maps through a new entity called Niantic Spatial.
DeepSeek’s Funding Strategy: Despite significant interest, Chinese AI company DeepSeek has chosen not to accept VC money. This decision raises questions about the company’s funding strategy and its potential implications for the future of AI development.
CoreWeave Partnership: OpenAI has signed a five
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