Author: GT

Sword Health, a startup focused on helping people deal with pain through digital services, is expanding into mental health and has raised additional capital to fuel its growth.The 10-year-old company is introducing Mind, which uses a combination of artificial intelligence, hardware and human mental health professionals to treat patients with mild depression and anxiety. Sword said Mind will help users access care whenever they need it, rather than during sporadic, hourlong appointments. “It’s really a breakthrough in terms of how we address mental health, and this is only possible because we have AI,” Sword CEO Virgílio Bento told CNBC in an…

Instagram users have for weeks complained about a significant increase in accounts being mistakenly banned or suspended. Many suspect, without direct evidence, that the issues may have to do with the use of AI automation. Reached for comment, Meta has so far not offered an on-record statement. According to a growing number of social media posts, including on sites like Reddit and X, Instagram users report that their accounts were banned even though they had not violated the company’s terms of service or other policies. In addition, when they submitted an appeal to have their account reviewed, some claimed they…

Chinese tech company Tencent is a gaming giant and the parent company of WeChat, the ubiquitous social messaging app in China.Cheng Xin | Getty Images News | Getty ImagesTencent has spent years evolving into a gaming and social media giant in China and in the process, has built up its cloud computing capabilities.The technology firm is now looking to bring that expertise to Europe as it ramps up expansion of its cloud business overseas, Dowson Tong, CEO of Tencent’s cloud group told CNBC.”We have strengths and competence in very specific technology areas, as well as industry verticals,” Tong said in…

Instagram is testing the ability for users to repost posts, the company confirmed to TechCrunch on Monday. The move doesn’t come as a surprise, as the social network was spotted developing the feature as far back as 2022. Some users have reported seeing the feature on their accounts, with one noting that users will be able to repost their own content in addition to other users’ posts. Of course, not everyone will be on board if Instagram decides to roll out the change officially, especially since it would add yet another content format to a platform already overcrowded with posts,…

It doesn’t look like much, but Finland recently flipped the switch on the world’s largest sand-based battery. Yes, sand. A sand battery is a type of thermal energy storage system that uses sand or crushed rock to store heat. Electricity — typically from renewable sources — is used to heat the sand. That stored heat can later be used for various ends, including to warm buildings. The economics are compelling, and it’s hard to get any cheaper than the crushed soapstone now housed inside an insulated silo in the small town of Pornainen. The soapstone was basically trash — discarded from…

OpenAI and Microsoft may be reaching an inflection point in their relationship, according to a report from The Wall Street Journal. The report, citing anonymous sources, says OpenAI executives have considered publicly accusing Microsoft of anticompetitive behavior throughout their partnership. OpenAI executives also mulled whether to seek a federal regulatory review of their contract with Microsoft. OpenAI is trying to loosen Microsoft’s grip on its intellectual property and computing resources, but the startup also needs the tech giant’s approval to complete its for-profit conversion. The two companies are in a standoff over OpenAI’s $3 billion acquisition of the AI coding…

An Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps speed boat sailing along the Persian Gulf during the IRGC marine parade to commemorate Persian Gulf National Day, near the Bushehr nuclear power plant in the seaport city of Bushehr, in the south of Iran, on April 29, 2024.Nurphoto | Nurphoto | Getty ImagesSome shipowners are opting to steer clear of the strategically important Strait of Hormuz, according to the world’s largest shipping association, reflecting a growing sense of industry unease as the Israel-Iran conflict rages on.Israel’s surprise attack on Iran’s military and nuclear infrastructure on Friday has been followed by four days of escalating…

In an effort to resonate with younger users amid declining user engagement, Tinder announced on Tuesday the launch of a new Double Date feature, which allows users to team up with friends and chat with potential matches together. Double Date lets users pair up with a friend and browse through other paired users who share at least one of their individual preferences, such as gender and sexual orientation. When one person in a pair receives a match, a group chat begins with all four participants. Users also have the option to like an individual profile within the match if they…

An Amazon worker moves boxes on Amazon Prime Day in the East Village of New York City, July 11, 2023.Spencer Platt | Getty ImagesAmazon is extending its Prime Day discount bonanza, announcing that the annual sale will run four days this year.The 96-hour event will start at 12:01 a.m. PT on July 8, and continue through July 11, Amazon said in a release.For the first time, the company will roll out themed “deal drops” that change daily and are available “while supplies last.” Amazon has in recent years toyed with adding more limited-run and invite-only deals during Prime Day events…

Whether you’re a founder gearing up for your next raise or a VC scouting your next portfolio win, TechCrunch All Stage, happening July 15 at Boston’s SoWa Power Station, packs more into one day than most multi-day conferences manage to deliver. This isn’t your typical sit-and-listen event. It’s designed to help you build momentum in real time — whether that means raising capital, sharpening your pitch, expanding your network, or rethinking your go-to-market. And for a limited time, tickets are available for a $210 discount right here. Why founders and VCs should be in the room No matter your stage…