Tesla’s Supercharger network is in limbo: Elon Musk laid off Tesla’s entire Supercharger division in April, then said the company will spend $500 million to expand and upgrade its network of fast-charging stations. How will it do so without a team in place? Tim De Chant doesn’t answer the question definitively, but he helps us understand the context with a deep dive into the network’s history and future. Read More
Humanity triumphs at the AI Film Festival: Kyle Wiggers attended the second annual AI Film Festival (put on by generative AI startup Runway) and returned surprisingly hopeful that “AI isn’t hastening in a blob future.” Even when a movie incorporates AI, it seems that the human touch — whether in the form of a well-written script or a convincing voice performance — makes all the difference. Read More
Motional cuts around 40% of its employees: Autonomous vehicle maker Motional laid off around 550 employees, according to filings and company sources. As Rebecca Bellan reports, one employee told TechCrunch that every team has been affected, with the company’s chief operating officer departing. Read More
Emerging venture funds could face a reckoning: Christine Hall looks at the emerging venture fund landscape — of the 10,000+ funds currently trying to raise money (according to PitchBook), more than 45% are run by emerging fund managers. With more firms fighting for less money, we can probably expect many of these funds to fail, and that’s not necessarily a bad thing. Read More
