Microsoft takes on AI rivals with three new foundational models

Plus more of TechCrunch's top stories to start your morning

View this email online in your browser  April 03, 2026 TechCrunch Top 3 Microsoft takes on AI rivals with three new foundational models: MAI released models that can transcribe voice into text as well as generate audio and images after the group's formation six months ago. Read More ElevenLabs releases a new AI-powered music-generation app: ElevenMusic lets users create and remix songs using text prompts. The new app suggests ElevenLabs wants to be more than just a voice model company. Read More OpenAI acquires TBPN, the buzzy founder-led business talk show: TBPN, Silicon Valley's cult-favorite tech podcast, will operate independently, even as it's overseen by chief political operative Chris Lehane. Read More 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. Sign up! A message from Stripe Complimentary pass to Sessions with code s26techcrunch100 Join Stripe at Sessions 2026—the internet economy conference—happening April 29–30 in San Francisco. Join fellow business leaders, founders, and developers to explore the latest in financial technology, global commerce, and strategies for growth. Register with code s26techcrunch100 for a complimentary pass. Register Now Morning Must-Reads Amazon hits sellers with 'fuel surcharge' as Iran war roils global energy markets: The e-commerce giant called the surcharge "temporary" but couldn't give a date for when the policy would be retired. Read More The Facebook insider building content moderation for the AI era: Moonbounce has raised $12 million to grow its AI control engine that converts content moderation policies into consistent, predictable AI behavior. Read More NASA astronauts prove that sending an email really is rocket science: NASA Artemis II commander Reid Wiseman faced the most earthly possible conflict while in outer space: his Outlook wasn't working. Read More Telehealth giant Hims & Hers says its customer support system was hacked: The U.S. telehealth giant says hackers stole customer support ticket data over the course of several days in February. Read More Artemis II is NASA's last moon mission without Silicon Valley : Next time around, the pressure will be on SpaceX and Blue Origin. Read More A message from Stripe Complimentary pass to Sessions with code s26techcrunch100 Join Stripe at Sessions 2026—the internet economy conference—happening April 29–30 in San Francisco. Join fellow business leaders, founders, and developers to explore the latest in financial technology, global commerce, and strategies for growth. Register with code s26techcrunch100 for a complimentary pass. Register Now Last but Not Least Flipboard's new 'social websites' help publishers and creators tap into the open social web: Flipboard's social websites consolidate profiles and posts from Bluesky, Mastodon, Threads, YouTube, podcasts, blogs, and RSS feeds into a single, shared destination. Read More Check out some of our other newsletters: StrictlyVC TechCrunch Events TechCrunch Mobility Want to adjust your daily newsletter schedule? You can do it right here Got a tip? Get in touch securely. Want to advertise on TechCrunch? advertise@techcrunch.com Has this been forwarded to you? Click here to subscribe to this newsletter. Unsubscribe Member Center Privacy Policy Copyright © 2026 TechCrunch Media LLC 501 2nd Street, Suite 650, San Francisco, CA 94107