A new kind of AI model from a ChatGPT inventor is thrilling developers

Plus more of TechCrunch's top stories this afternoon

View this email online in your browser  September 18, 2026 TechCrunch Top 3 A new kind of AI model from a ChatGPT inventor is thrilling developers: Jev, a new kind of AI model, is showing developers a cheaper and faster path to software intelligence. Read More In India, the new iPhone can arrive faster than a pizza: Availability of Apple's iPhone 18 Pro series turned patchy within hours of its debut on India's quick-commerce apps. Read More Automattic names interim CFO after exec departures: Jeremy Klaperman, the CFO of the company's WordPress VIP Enterprise business unit, will act as CFO for the time being. Read More A message from R1 The AI layer healthcare has been missing The value of AI in healthcare isn’t the model alone. R1 combines enterprise-grade AI with revenue cycle expertise through Phare OS, a new architecture that helps prevent issues upstream and accelerate financial outcomes. Discover Phare OS Afternoon Must-Reads Joby Aviation's 3,100-mile autonomous flight signals its push beyond electric air taxis: An aircraft equipped with Joby Aviation's autonomy technology flew across the United States without a human pilot taking control at any point. Read More Researchers used Anthropic's Claude to hack into OpenAI: Security researchers used Anthropic’s Claude to exploit vulnerabilities in OpenAI’s systems, taking over employee accounts and gaining access to an internal code repository before reporting the flaws. Read More Google's new 'CC' is an AI agent that helps families run their households: Google is refocusing its CC AI agent on household coordination, letting families share emails, schedules, and tasks so the AI can manage calendars, fill out forms, make shopping lists, plan meals, and more. Read More FBI, Coast Guard boarded hacked oil tankers heading toward US coast: The feds are said to be investigating the compromise of the tankers' networks, which in one case interfered with one of the tanker's navigation and propulsion systems. Read More Disney's first CTO led an AI startup it once accused of copying its characters: The former CEO of Character.AI, which Disney previously sent a cease-and-desist letter to, will serve as the company's first-ever chief technology officer. Read More A message from ThoughtSpot Embedded Analytics Cost Calculator Uncover the true price of building and maintaining embedded analytics in-house. See the tradeoff in dollars and engineering years. Run my numbers Last but Not Least Y Combinator insurance tech alum Angle Health hits $2.7B valuation: Angle Health has grown to 5,000 customers and become profitable, by helping small businesses get "level-funded" health insurance. 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

Microsoft exec called AI scraping ‘the largest theft of labor in human history,' new unredacted filings reveal

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

View this email online in your browser  September 18, 2026 TechCrunch Top 3 Microsoft exec called AI scraping ‘the largest theft of labor in human history,' new unredacted filings reveal: Newly unsealed court filings show Microsoft privately called OpenAI's data practices "theft" while both companies scraped paywalled Times content, built datasets from it, and warned internally it would gut publishers. Read More OpenAI caught its models leaving notes to successors to hide bad behavior: OpenAI disclosed instances of GPT-5.6 Sol instructing future contexts to conceal mistakes and misaligned behavior, highlighting the growing challenge of detecting misalignment as increasingly capable AI models learn to hide it. Read More Researchers used Anthropic's Claude to hack into OpenAI: Security researchers used Anthropic’s Claude to exploit vulnerabilities in OpenAI’s systems, taking over employee accounts and gaining access to an internal code repository before reporting the flaws. Read More A message from Virginia Tech Graduate With a Portfolio, Not Just a Transcript Shape a technical identity you design on purpose, built for a workforce that's changing faster than most degrees can adapt, with real-world partners embedded in the work you do. Learn more about MEng programs with Virginia Tech. See the ROI Morning Must-Reads PrismML hopes its tiny LLM will change how we all use AI: If AI lab PrismML isn't on your radar yet, it should be. Read More Inertia co-founder Jeff Lawson’s next big bet is fusion: Go inside it at TechCrunch Disrupt 2026: Inertia co-founder and CEO Jeff Lawson joins the Smart Systems Stage at TechCrunch Disrupt 2026. Register now to save up to $200 by September 25. Read More The fix for rogue AI agents could be more AI: As companies hand off longer and more complex tasks to AI agents, they are running into an oversight problem: Agents can act faster, longer, and at greater volume than humans can realistically review. Read More Khosla-backed Mazama Energy just raised $135M to drill deeper into superhot-rock geothermal: Geothermal startup Mazama is drilling three miles underground to tap superhot rock, with one well capable of generating 15 MW of electricity 24/7. Read More The FAA's plan to fix air traffic? $875M worth of AI: A new AI-based software program is being launched to help air traffic controllers better navigate their jobs as the crossing guards of America's skies. Read More A message from TechCrunch Events Last 24 hours to get your exhibit table at Disrupt This is your final day to secure a Disrupt 2026 exhibit table. Showcase your company in the heart of the Expo Hall, where you’ll be in front of 10,000+ tech leaders. Demo your product to VCs, connect with potential clients and partners, and generate high-impact leads. Book yours before tables are all gone, or before the clock strikes midnight PT. Book now Last but Not Least Amazon-owned Zoox's 100-robotaxi limit in Nevada is about to disappear: An updated permit shows the 100-cap will expire later this month just as competition in Las Vegas heats up. 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