Google tests ML-powered age estimation tech in US

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

View this email online in your browser  July 31, 2025 TechCrunch Top 3 Google tests ML-powered age estimation tech in US: The company said it will consider data from Google accounts, including what users have searched for or videos they have watched, to determine their ages. If its tool decides that a user is under 18, they would get an email with details about how Google products might change for them. Read More GitHub Copilot crosses 20 million all-time users: One of the most popular AI coding tools on the market added five million users in the last three months. Read More Ford to reveal more about its new low-cost electric vehicles on August 11: Jim Farley, Ford's CEO, has touted this as a "Model T moment" -- but the first of these new EVs won't come out until 2027. Read More A message from TechCrunch Events Showcase your brand to 10,000+ tech leaders Get your brand in front of 10,000+ tech and VC leaders over three action-packed days at Disrupt 2025 this October. Boost your visibility, spark meaningful connections, and position your company at the forefront of innovation. Don't wait. Secure your exhibit space before your competitor beats you to it. Book Now Morning Must-Reads Figma's IPO price hit a $19.3B valuation out of the gate: In what should be a surprise to no one, Figma priced its IPO shares above its already increased previously announced range. Read More Zuckerberg says people without AI glasses will be at a disadvantage in the future: Mark Zuckerberg really believes AI glasses will be the ideal way to blend the physical and digital worlds together. Read More Ramp hits $22.5B valuation just 45 days after reaching $16B: In 2025, Ramp keeps raising money at increasing valuations as its CEO pursues an AI-powered future. Read More How 2 UC Berkeley dropouts raised $28M for their AI marketing automation startup: A marketing automation startup called Conversation has a founding story that sounds like it could have been an episode of the HBO show "Silicon Valley." Read More Skechers is making kids' shoes with a hidden AirTag compartment: Skechers launches kids' shoes with a built-in AirTag holder. Read More A message from TechCrunch Events Join 10,000 tech & VC leaders at Disrupt 2025 in Oct 250+ top tech voices. 200 sessions. 10,000+ attendees. 3 days straight — October 27–29 at Moscone West in San Francisco. Don't miss valuable takeaways across 6 industry stages, breakouts, roundtables, and unmatched networking. All at the 20th anniversary of TechCrunch Disrupt. Register now to save up to $675 on your ticket. Register Now Last but Not Least Proton releases a new app for two-factor authentication: Proton has a free new authenticator apps, which is available cross-platform with end-to-end encryption protection for data. 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 © 2025 TechCrunch Media LLC 501 2nd Street, Suite 650, San Francisco, CA 94107

How 2 UC Berkeley dropouts raised $28M for their AI marketing automation startup

Plus more of TechCrunch's top stories this afternoon

View this email online in your browser  July 30, 2025 TechCrunch Top 3 How 2 UC Berkeley dropouts raised $28M for their AI marketing automation startup: A marketing automation startup called Conversation has a founding story that sounds like it could have been an episode of the HBO show "Silicon Valley." Read More Skechers is making kids' shoes with a hidden AirTag compartment: Skechers launches kids' shoes with a built-in AirTag holder. Read More PlayerZero raises $15M to prevent AI agents from shipping buggy code: PlayerZero landed angel investors like Databricks' Matei Zaharia, Dropbox's Drew Houston, Figma's Dylan Field, and Vercel's Guillermo Rauch, its founder says. Read More A message from TechCrunch Events Join 10,000 tech & VC leaders at Disrupt 2025 in Oct 250+ top tech voices. 200 sessions. 10,000+ attendees. 3 days straight — October 27–29 at Moscone West in San Francisco. Don't miss valuable takeaways across 6 industry stages, breakouts, roundtables, and unmatched networking. All at the 20th anniversary of TechCrunch Disrupt. Register now to save up to $675 on your ticket. Register Now Afternoon Must-Reads Ramp hits $22.5B valuation just 45 days after reaching $16B: In 2025, Ramp keeps raising money at increasing valuations as its CEO pursues an AI-powered future. Read More Zuckerberg signals Meta won't open source all of its 'superintelligence' AI models: Meta is shifting how it plans to ensure widespread access to superintelligence, a suggestion that the company's most advanced AI may remain closed so that Meta can stay in the driver's seat. Read More Palo Alto Networks agrees to buy CyberArk for $25 billion: The cybersecurity giant is getting into identity security with its acquisition of CyberArk, which is one of the biggest cybersecurity deals of the year so far. Read More Meta to spend up to $72B on AI infrastructure in 2025 as compute arms race escalates: Meta is pouring money into the physical and technical infrastructure needed to scale its AI ambitions. The company said Wednesday in its second-quarter earnings report that it plans to more than double its spend on building AI infrastructure – like data centers and servers.  "We currently expect 2025 capital expenditures, including principal payments on finance leases, to be in the range of $66-72 billion…up approximately $30 billion year-over-year at the midpoint," Meta said. Read More Nvidia AI chip challenger Groq said to be nearing new fundraising at $6B valuation : AI chip startup Groq is in talks to raise a fresh $600 million at a near $6 billion valuation, sources tell Bloomberg, although the deal isn't yet final and terms could change.  Read More A message from TechCrunch Partnerships Got IPO Chops? Sponsor the Going Public Track at TechCrunch Disrupt 2025 TechCrunch Disrupt is launching a bold new Going Public track, and we're looking for sponsors ready to lead the conversation. If your company has experience scaling, filing, or navigating Wall Street, this is your chance to showcase it to founders prepping for their IPO moment. Opportunities include two Stage Sessions and one exclusive track sponsorship. Contact TechCrunch Last but Not Least How a New Jersey startup found an electrifying way to slash copper costs: Still Bright is now loaded up with $18.7 million in seed money to build out its demonstration unit. 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 © 2025 TechCrunch Media LLC 501 2nd Street, Suite 650, San Francisco, CA 94107