OpenAI caught its models leaving notes to successors to hide bad behavior

Plus more of TechCrunch's top stories this afternoon

View this email online in your browser  September 17, 2026 TechCrunch Top 3 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 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 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 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 Roku's new Labs hub brings experimental apps to the big screen: Roku’s latest OS update introduces Roku Labs, a new hub for experimental apps, alongside personalized home screens in more markets, streaming subscription bundles, and more. Read More Rival AI agents, Instinct and Meta's Muse, both add the ability to make calls: People can use these assistants to make restaurant reservations and cancel subscriptions. Read More Is the AI safety debate about safety or control?: Not everyone agrees with Amodei's call for globally coordinated action for AI safety. Read More UN turns to Google to make its global data ready for AI agents: The shift comes after a UNICEF test found leading AI models struggled to accurately retrieve global development statistics. Read More Apple will let EU apps use less-alarming tracking-consent screens: Apple is changing its App Tracking Transparency prompts in parts of Europe after competition regulators said the system favored Apple over third-party apps, giving developers more flexibility over how they ask users for tracking consent. 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 Google, Nvidia, and Anthropic want Emerald AI to find space on the grid for more data centers: A new coalition that includes Google, Nvidia, Anthropic, and Emerald AI wants to find 100 GW of grid capacity for new data centers. 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

Al Gore says the real AI risk isn't data centers

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

View this email online in your browser  September 17, 2026 TechCrunch Top 3 Al Gore says the real AI risk isn't data centers: In an interview with TechCrunch, Al Gore suggested he isn't losing sleep over AI data center emissions — he's more worried about the AI industry's own warnings about where the technology is headed. Read More Musk's long-time backer is giving SpaceX stock to its investors: Valor Equity Partners is handing out stock to its LPs instead of cash returns. Read More Rival AI agents, Instinct and Meta's Muse, both add the ability to make calls: People can use these assistants to make restaurant reservations and cancel subscriptions. Read More A message from Virginia Tech Work With Real Industry Partners Virginia Tech MEng students join project teams solving a live problem sourced from a real industry partner. Recent teams have worked with real partner organizations on drone detection systems, AI language tools, and defense analytics platforms. Real deadlines, real portfolio. Learn About the MEng Morning Must-Reads Google, Nvidia, and Anthropic want Emerald AI to find space on the grid for more data centers: A new coalition that includes Google, Nvidia, Anthropic, and Emerald AI wants to find 100 GW of grid capacity for new data centers. Read More Lucid Motors has a potential robotaxi partner for Europe: The company is partnering with mobility platform Bolt -- but no vehicle orders have been placed just yet. Read More Comp AI sets eyes on a continuously agentic future for security and compliance: Comp AI, a cybersecurity and compliance startup, announced a $34 million Series A round led by Roo Capital and Grand Ventures.  Read More Snap tries to make the case again for its $2,200 smart glasses: Since Specs' debut earlier this year, Snap has clearly been looking for an opportunity to explain why the smart glasses deserve to exist. Read More Noise wants to help everyday people become paid content creators: Marketing platform Noise is on a mission to help anyone with a smart phone make money from their content. Read More A message from TechCrunch Events 2 days left to book your exhibit table at Disrupt Only 2 days left to secure your Disrupt 2026 exhibit table. Put 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. Tables are limited and can sell out before September 18. Book now Last but Not Least Huawei plans Q1 2027 launch of new AI chip as it takes on Nvidia: Huawei is accelerating the launch of its next-generation Ascend 960DT AI chip as it pushes to compete with Nvidia and close China’s AI computing gap with the U.S. 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