News highlights significant funding rounds for AI-driven biotech and video sound solutions, Nvidia's expansion in open-source AI models and H200 chip production, OpenAI's major deals with Disney and data privacy scrutiny, Creative Commons' support for AI 'pay-to-crawl' systems, Zoom's free AI assistant rollout, and Merriam-Webster's adoption of 'slop' as word of the year to describe low-quality AI content.

• OpenAI-backed biotech firm Chai Discovery raises $130M Series B at $1.3B valuation — TechCrunch -
• I hate that I love Riverside’s AI-driven ‘Rewind’ for podcasters — TechCrunch -
• Merriam-Webster’s word of the year delivers a dismissive verdict on junk AI content — Ars Technica -

• Disney’s OpenAI deal is exclusive for just one year — then it’s open season — TechCrunch -
• Nvidia bulks up open source offerings with an acquisition and new open AI models — TechCrunch -
• Creative Commons announces tentative support for AI ‘pay-to-crawl’ systems — TechCrunch -
• Murder-suicide case shows OpenAI selectively hides data after users die — Ars Technica -
• Merriam-Webster names ‘slop’ the word of the year — TechCrunch -
• Zoom brings its AI assistant to the web with access to free users — TechCrunch -
• First Voyage raises $2.5M for its AI companion that helps you build habits — TechCrunch -
• Nvidia reportedly weighs ramping up H200 production to meet surging demand in China — TechCrunch -
• Thea Energy previews Helios, its pixel-inspired fusion power plant — TechCrunch -
• Mirelo raises $41M from Index and a16z to solve AI video’s silent problem — TechCrunch -

This topic details Ford's strategic shift away from large EVs towards battery storage solutions and hybrid F-150 Lightnings, Tesla's advancements in driverless robotaxi testing, and the bankruptcy filing of lidar-maker Luminar.

• Ford is starting a battery storage business to power data centers and the grid — TechCrunch -
• Ford ends F-150 Lightning production, starts battery storage business — Ars Technica -
• Ford’s next F-150 Lightning will have a gas generator as it pivots away from large EVs — TechCrunch -

• Lidar-maker Luminar files for bankruptcy — TechCrunch -
• Tesla starts testing robotaxis in Austin with no safety driver — TechCrunch -

Recent developments include Microsoft's long-awaited elimination of the RC4 cipher, Google's discontinuation of its dark web report feature, UK government's push for nudity-blocking systems on phones, and a successful consumer lawsuit against Verizon regarding iPhone unlocking.

• Microsoft will finally kill obsolete cipher that has wreaked decades of havoc — Ars Technica -
• UK to “encourage” Apple and Google to put nudity-blocking systems on phones — Ars Technica -
• Google’s ‘dark web report’ feature will no longer be available starting in February — TechCrunch -

• Google will end dark web reports that alerted users to leaked data — Ars Technica -
• Verizon refused to unlock man’s iPhone, so he sued the carrier and won — Ars Technica -

This section covers Threads' expansion with new communities and engagement badges, Snapchat's release of end-of-year Recaps, the discontinuation of Facebook Messenger's desktop app, and WhatsApp's regulatory challenges in India.

• Threads adds new communities, tests badges for highly engaged members — TechCrunch -
• Facebook Messenger’s desktop app is no more — TechCrunch -
• Snapchat rolls out its end-of-year Recaps — TechCrunch -

• WhatsApp’s biggest market is becoming its toughest test — TechCrunch -

This topic features **Lightspeed's substantial $9 billion capital raise, the bankruptcy and acquisition of Roomba maker iRobot, and the emergence of another Starship clone in China**.

• Lightspeed raises record $9B in fresh capital — TechCrunch -
• Oh look, yet another Starship clone has popped up in China — Ars Technica -
• Roomba maker iRobot swept into bankruptcy — Ars Technica -

• How iRobot lost its way home — TechCrunch -

Latest updates include a trailer teasing Volume 2 of Stranger Things Season 5, Netflix addressing concerns over a potential Warner Bros. Discovery deal, and Microsoft's takedown of a fan-made Halo 3 mod in Counter-Strike 2.

• Stranger Things S5 trailer teases Vol. 2 — Ars Technica -
• Microsoft takes down mod that re-created Halo 3 in Counter-Strike 2 — Ars Technica -
• Netflix responds to concerns about WBD deal — TechCrunch -