Hertz is offering discounts to renters of electric vehicles, allowing them to buy the car instead of returning it. The offers include a 2023 Chevy Bolt for $18,442, a 2023 Tesla Model 3 with 30,000 miles for $17,913, and a Polestar 2 for $28,500. The deal also includes a 12-month, 12,000-mile powertrain warranty and a buy-back offer within seven days.

Source: https://techcrunch.com/

Bluesky has surpassed 24 million users, growing rapidly due to policy changes at X, including a change to the block feature and allowing third-party AI training on user posts.

Source: https://techcrunch.com/

TechCrunch's Equity podcast reviews the year's biggest tech stories, including AI advancements, venture funding trends, and startup predictions for 2025.

Source: https://techcrunch.com/

ChatGPT Search can be tricked into generating misleading summaries by inserting hidden text into websites, allowing it to ignore negative reviews and produce entirely positive summaries.

Source: https://techcrunch.com/

OpenAI plans to transition its for-profit structure to a Delaware Public Benefit Corporation (PBC). This change will allow the company to pursue its mission of ensuring artificial general intelligence benefits all humanity.

Source: https://techcrunch.com/

Ransomware attacks caused widespread disruption and unprecedented data theft affecting hundreds of millions of people in 2024. Notable attacks include a cyberattack on LoanDepot Mortgage.

Source: https://techcrunch.com/

Scientists in Tokyo have created a suit called the 'Superman Suit' that uses hydraulic artificial muscles to enable the wearer to perform superhuman tasks, such as rotating around a bar 15 times. This suit has the potential to greatly improve physical abilities.

Source: https://techcrunch.com/

A Chinese lab has developed DeepSeek V3, a powerful 'open' AI model that can handle text-based tasks, outperforming other models in coding competitions.

Source: https://techcrunch.com/

VC Jenny Fielding sparked debate on X by questioning the practice of pre-seed founders hiring executive assistants (EAs). She argued that founders may have outdated views on spending during a time of tighter funding.

Source: https://techcrunch.com/

In 2024, Elon Musk's jets made 355 flights, with 31 going to or from Mar-a-Lago, where President-elect Donald Trump resides. Musk's planes also visited swing states and Washington D.C. during Trump's campaign, indicating Musk's political interests.

Source: https://techcrunch.com/