A third of webpages published since ChatGPT’s launch show signs of AI authorship, study finds

Source: Tech Crunch

A third of webpages published since ChatGPT’s launch show signs of AI authorship, study finds

Startups

ChatGPT and other AI models are now authoring and editing much of the new web.

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Castelion hits $13B valuation to mass-produce hypersonic missiles

Startups

Castelion, a missile startup founded by former SpaceX executives, has raised $1 billion in Series C funding at a $13 billion valuation. Co-led by Andreessen Horowitz, Carlyle, and JP Morgan Chase, the capital will support the production of Blackbeard hypersonic missiles in New Mexico. With over $500 million in military contracts, the company aims to help the U.S. close its hypersonic weapon gap with China.

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Linkdaze’s smart calendar is built to run a household, not just track a schedule

Startups

Linkdaze has launched a smart digital calendar designed for household organization, available in 10.1-inch and 15.6-inch models. The device synchronizes multiple calendar services, including Google and iCloud, using color-coding for clarity. Key features include a digital photo frame and an AI-powered meal planner with "Snap-to-Sync" technology. Unlike competitors, Linkdaze offers its main features without a monthly subscription, starting at $119.99 for the smaller model.

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Grok keeps sending gibberish responses to users

Startups

xAI’s Grok chatbot recently experienced a glitch causing it to output gibberish to some users, particularly those using Grok Lite on Grok.com. While the Grok account on X acknowledged the "word salad" as a rare temporary generation error, some users found that refreshing sessions did not resolve the issue. This incident follows reports of significant staff turnover at xAI, including the loss of many founding researchers.

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The investor’s guide to TechCrunch Disrupt 2026: Everything you need to know

Startups

TechCrunch Disrupt 2026 takes place October 13-15 at Moscone West in San Francisco, focusing on building enduring companies in the AI era. The event offers investors access to the vetted Startup Battlefield 200, curated 1:1 meetings, and the Deal Flow Café. With various specialized stages and networking opportunities with top operators, the conference provides critical deal flow and market intelligence for angel, seed, and growth-stage investors.

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Early Cerebras investor Adit Singh joins Mayfield as infrastructure partner

Startups

Adit Singh, a former Foundation Capital partner known for early investments in Cerebras, has joined Mayfield as an infrastructure partner. Singh, a trained chip designer, will focus on hardware, cybersecurity, infrastructure software, and physical AI. He was drawn to Mayfield's strong semiconductor portfolio and its capacity to write seed checks up to $20 million, supported by the firm's $3 billion in assets under management.

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Ramp launches its own AI model router, called Router

Startups

Ramp, a corporate expense management platform, has launched Router, an AI model routing service available in the United States. The API allows users to switch between various large language models from providers like OpenAI and Anthropic. Free through 2026, the service includes routing strategies and a usage dashboard. This move enables Ramp to enter the AI inference market while attracting new customers to its core financial products.

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Senators demand answers from TikTok over experiment that disabled safeguards

Startups

"Senators Marsha Blackburn and Richard Blumenthal have demanded answers from TikTok regarding an experiment that disabled a safety safeguard for 15 million U.S. users. The senators called the move 'depraved' after a teenager in the control group died by suicide. TikTok allegedly tested if the feature reduced engagement. The company must respond by September 1, providing details on the experiment and other similar safety-related tests.".

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Meta brings Pocket, an app that lets you vibe-code and share games, to US users

Startups

"Meta has launched Pocket, an AI-powered gaming app, in the United States. The app enables users to create interactive "gizmos" using AI prompts, which can incorporate music, photos, and motion controls. Users can share, remix, and repost these games on their profiles. This release is part of Meta's strategy to mainstream AI tools, with CEO Mark Zuckerberg citing AI-enabled development as the key to faster app deployment.".

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MC² Foundation launches accelerator for energy deeptech startups

Startups

"The MC² Foundation, supported by public sector energy companies, has launched MC²+ Ignite, a deeptech accelerator for energy startups. Inaugurated by the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas, the programme provides around 30 startups with access to R&D centres, pilot sites, and mentoring via partnerships with institutions like IIT Madras. Selected ventures can receive up to Rs 2 crore in funding to bridge the gap between research and commercialization.".

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Inertia Enterprises finds a way to make its fusion fuel fast

Startups

Fusion startup Inertia Enterprises has significantly reduced the production time for its fusion fuel pellets from several days to just a few hours. By optimizing the manufacturing process and utilizing a more powerful laser to tolerate minor imperfections, the company has overcome a key barrier to commercialization. This advancement reduces expensive tritium inventory requirements and enables the industrial scale necessary for a future commercial power plant.

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The 2026 Startup Battlefield 200 is here — see who made the cut

Startups

We’re thrilled to unveil the 2026 Startup Battlefield 200, our annual handpicked list of the 200 most promising early-stage startups from around the world.

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Patreon launches 30 new creator features, including short-form Clips and revamped discovery

Startups

Patreon has introduced thirty new and revamped features designed to help creators build sustainable communities and improve discovery. Key updates include "Clips" for short-form video, a revised discovery algorithm to highlight smaller creators, and "Niches" for topic-based communities. The platform is also launching granular earnings analytics and fan profiles, while planning future security tools like anti-AI scraping to better support creators against traditional social media models.

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There are less than 48 hours to save up to $300 on your TechCrunch Disrupt 2026 ticket

Startups

TechCrunch Disrupt 2026 will take place from October 13-15 at Moscone West in San Francisco, focusing on innovation in the AI era. The event features specialized stages for real-world AI, smart money, and smart systems, with speakers from Rivian, Amazon, and Bluesky. Attendees can save up to $300 on passes if they purchase by Friday, August 21, at 11:59 p.m. PT to secure the lowest available pricing.

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Flipkart Ads Drive Walmart’s Advertising Business Growth In Q2

Business

"Walmart's global advertising business grew 20% in Q2 FY27, driven largely by Flipkart Ads. Walmart International reported sales of $35.2 billion, a 12.8% increase, while ecommerce sales rose 19%. Despite this growth, a timing shift in Flipkart’s Big Billion Days is expected to hinder Q3 sales. Meanwhile, Flipkart is expanding into food delivery and premium groceries while delaying its IPO to prioritize profitability and margin improvement.".

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Tiger Global-Backed Upstox Begins IPO Talks, Eyes $400 Mn Public Issue: Report

Business

Upstox, India's fifth-largest stockbroking platform, has started preliminary talks with investment banks for an IPO aiming to raise approximately $400 million. The offering will likely include fresh shares and an offer for sale, potentially allowing major investors like Tiger Global to reduce their stakes. This move follows Groww's recent listing and aligns with the growing retail investor base in India, as Upstox expands its digital financial services.

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Apollo Atomics wants to make nuclear power cheaper by shrinking an overlooked part

Startups

Apollo Atomics is developing a compact nuclear reactor by redesigning the steam generator to be mass-manufacturable and significantly smaller. Based on MIT research, this innovation allows for factory assembly, reducing costs and construction time. The startup recently raised $26 million in seed funding to build a demonstration reactor, aiming for commercial deployment by 2028 with a goal to outperform natural gas in cost-efficiency.

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India’s Data Centre Boom Has A Security Blind Spot

Business

India's rapidly growing data center infrastructure faces escalating cybersecurity, physical, and geopolitical threats. With the average breach cost hitting ₹25.5 Cr in 2026, risks like ransomware and insider attacks are rising. Incidents involving the Kudankulam plant and facility fires highlight these vulnerabilities. Consequently, enterprises and regulators are shifting toward stricter contractual accountability and integrated security solutions to protect critical digital infrastructure powering AI and government services.

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Jodii Vs Jodi365: Inside Matrimony.com’s Trademark Setback

Business

"The Madras High Court has restrained Matrimony.com from using its 'Jodii' brand, finding it deceptively similar to Free Elective Network’s registered 'Jodi365' trademark. Overturning a 2022 ruling, the division bench ordered the destruction of infringing materials but rejected Free Elective’s claim for ₹1 crore in damages. Matrimony.com is now considering an appeal to the Supreme Court to challenge the decision regarding the matchmaking platform's branding.".

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Google rolls out AI-powered learning tools for students to prep for competitive exams

Startups

"Google CEO Sundar Pichai announced new AI-powered learning tools for students and educators. Google Search now offers customized practice quizzes for various standardized tests, including the SAT and GRE, using expert content. Additionally, Gemini introduces a student hub with tailored study plans and research capabilities. Google is also providing free AI subscriptions to eligible college students globally and new curriculum-tracking tools for teachers via Google Classroom.".

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