Issue #73
Nvidia's MediaTek bet, the Pentagon's AI chatbot, and Apple's data theft case
Tuesday, September 1, 2026
Today covers Nvidia's $3.5 billion investment in MediaTek, a Defense Department AI assistant, and legal action from Apple against a former employee. Also included: funding rounds for Clipto and Blue Voice, Instagram's new AI profile rules, and reporting on engineered crop microbes and OpenAI's internal culture.
1 of 7 · TechCrunch AI
Nvidia’s $3.5B MediaTek bet reveals its plan for tackling Big Tech’s AI chip buildout
Nvidia invested $3.5 billion in Taiwanese chipmaker MediaTek. The partnership reflects Nvidia's strategy to remain central to AI infrastructure as major tech companies develop their own AI chips.
Read the full story →2 of 7 · TechCrunch AI
The Pentagon now has its own version of ChatGPT and Grok
The Pentagon added versions of OpenAI's ChatGPT and xAI's Grok to its central portal for AI tools, where they join Google's Gemini. The move expands the range of generative AI systems available to the Department of Defense.
Read the full story →3 of 7 · TechCrunch AI
Clipto uses AI to search terabytes of video and is now valued at $250M
Clipto, a three-year-old startup using AI to search across terabytes of video, raised a $15 million round at a $250 million valuation. The company reached $15 million in annual recurring revenue and profitability before the raise.
Read the full story →4 of 7 · TechCrunch AI
Harvard Law dropout raises $6M for Blue Voice to build a ‘Harvey for police officers’
Blue Voice, an AI tool designed to help police officers navigate department-specific laws, local ordinances, and protocols, has raised $6 million in funding. The company positions itself as a legal assistant for law enforcement, drawing comparisons to Harvey, an AI tool used by lawyers.
Read the full story →5 of 7 · TechCrunch AI
Instagram puts new limits on undisclosed AI profiles
Instagram is reducing the reach of AI-generated profiles that do not disclose their use of artificial intelligence. The change comes amid growing user frustration over AI influencers on the platform.
Read the full story →6 of 7 · TechCrunch AI
Apple shares ‘shocking evidence’ against former employee accused of stealing company data for OpenAI
Apple has filed evidence alleging that a former employee stole company data before leaving for OpenAI and destroyed proof of the theft after learning of an investigation.
Read the full story →7 of 7 · MIT Technology Review
The Download: engineered microbes for crops, and OpenAI’s culture problem
Engineered microbes are being developed as a potential alternative to conventional fertilizer, which is energy-intensive to produce and a significant source of emissions. The edition also examines cultural challenges at OpenAI.
Read the full story →That is today's roost. Back tomorrow morning with the next scan.
Morning Roost Issue #73