May 16, 2026

TechCrunch Top 3

AI voice startup Vapi hits $500M valuation after winning Amazon Ring over 40 rivals: Vapi says its enterprise business has grown tenfold since early 2025 as companies shift customer support and sales calls to AI agents. Read More

Musk’s xAI is running nearly 50 gas turbines unchecked at its Mississippi data center: Gas turbines at xAI's Colossus 2 data center have drawn a lawsuit over the company's use of "mobile" gas turbines as power plants. Read More

Amazon launches 30-minute delivery across the US: This ultra-fast delivery option will allow customers to shop across "thousands" of items, Amazon says, including fresh groceries, household essentials, and other locally relevant items. Read More

A message from TechCrunch Events

Next StrictlyVC stop: Athens on May 27

Join us for another round of insider perspectives from the investors and founders shaping Europe’s tech landscape. Past speakers include Kaedim founder Konstantina Psoma, Hack the Box founder Haris Pylarinos, and Prime Minister of Greece Kyriakos Mitsotakis. Expect the same high-caliber voices this year. Space is limited. Secure your spot now.

This Week's Must-Reads

US orders travelers on Air Force One to throw away gifts, pins, and burner phones after China trip: While the summit appeared cordial, China remains a key adversary of the United States, given its advanced intelligence and espionage capabilities. Read More

OpenAI launches ChatGPT for personal finance, will let you connect bank accounts: Once users connect their accounts, they will see a dashboard of their portfolio performance, spending, subscriptions, and upcoming payments. Read More

How to turn off Instagram's new Instants feature and retract photos you accidentally shared: While the Meta-owned social network billed Instants as a new format to share real-life moments as they’re happening, many users are looking for a way to turn off the feature, especially those who have accidentally sent images to others, not fully understanding how the feature works. Read More

OpenAI is reportedly preparing legal action against Apple; it wouldn't be the first partner to feel burned: OpenAI is so frustrated with Apple over a ChatGPT integration that failed to deliver the subscribers and prominence it expected that the company is now actively exploring legal action against the iPhone maker. Read More

What happens when AI starts building itself?: Richard Socher's new $650 million startup wants to build an AI that can research and improve itself indefinitely — and he insists it will actually ship products. Read More

A message from TechCrunch Events

StrictlyVC hits Los Angeles on June 18

Top space tech founders and VCs take the stage in sunny Los Angeles on June 18. Get in the room, make the connections that matter, and hear where the industry is headed. Grab your ticket early before your seat is gone.

Disrupt 2026: Where deals and ideas ignite

Oct 13–15 at San Francisco's Moscone West, 10,000 founders, investors, and operators gather for high-signal insights, curated connections, and real momentum.

Last but Not Least

General Catalyst posted VC rage bait and it worked, especially on a16z: Compulsive X user Marc Andreessen himself couldn't resist responding, many, many times. Read More

Check out some of our other newsletters:

StrictlyVC

TechCrunch Events

TechCrunch Mobility

Got a tip?
Get in touch securely.

Want to advertise on TechCrunch?

Has this been forwarded to you? Click here to subscribe to this newsletter.

Unsubscribe

Member Center

501 2nd Street, Suite 650, San Francisco, CA 94107