AI's growing pains are evident as DuckDuckGo sees user growth following backlash against Google's AI Search, while a critical vulnerability imperils millions of AI agents; meanwhile, OpenRouter's valuation doubles, and efforts to combat unauthorized AI music continue alongside advances in robotics with 3D-printable humanoid legs and startups training robots using India's gig economy.

• DuckDuckGo installs are up 30% as users reject being ‘force-fed’ Google’s AI Search — TechCrunch -
• Millions of AI agents imperiled by critical vulnerability in open source package — Ars Technica -
• OpenRouter more than doubles valuation to $1.3B in a year — TechCrunch -

• FBI agent explains how easy it is to ID people posting AI porn without consent — Ars Technica -
• 3D-printable humanoid legs let robotics experiments run wild — Ars Technica -
• This startup is betting India’s gig economy can train the world’s robots — TechCrunch -
• Universal Music Group and TikTok renew agreement to combat unauthorized AI music — TechCrunch -

SpaceX faces challenges with Musk reporting Starlink misuse by military drones and Starship's reusability path remaining uncertain despite Starlink securing an American Airlines contract, while NASA advances plans for a Moon base amidst concerns over China's increasing space debris.

• Musk says US military suicide drones used Starlink in violation of SpaceX rules — Ars Technica -
• Starship’s path to reusability looks murky after SpaceX’s S-1 — TechCrunch -
• NASA takes steps toward building Moon Base, including discussing a "perimeter" — Ars Technica -

• SpaceX’s Starlink nabs American Airlines contract, another win for its IPO — TechCrunch -
• Analyst on China's spent rocket stages: "Things only continue to get worse" — Ars Technica -

The automotive industry sees significant developments with the Trump administration permitting Volvo to sell connected cars in the U.S., as luxury brands like Ferrari unveil their first electric vehicles and Porsche introduces its most powerful car, while Audi's CEO outlines a future of global branding and local production.

• Trump Admin permits Volvo to keep selling connected cars in the U.S. — TechCrunch -
• Ferrari’s first EV is not for you — TechCrunch -
• A global brand but local cars is Audi's future, says CEO — Ars Technica -

• Amazing interior, controversial exterior: Ferrari's first electric car — Ars Technica -
• Driving Porsche's most powerful car—and no, it's not a 911 — Ars Technica -

The startup landscape is active, with TechCrunch's Startup Battlefield deadline approaching and Disrupt 2026 early bird rates ending, while the Trump administration explores using plutonium for nuclear startups; in other news, the Dutch government blocked a US acquisition for public interest reasons, and **Amazon competitor Stord achieved a $3B valuation** after a significant funding round.

• What we’re looking for in Startup Battlefield 2026, and how to apply in time for the May 27 deadline — TechCrunch -
• Trump administration wants nuclear startups to use plutonium for their reactors — TechCrunch -
• Dutch government blocks US company from acquisition, citing ‘risk to public interest’ — TechCrunch -

• TechCrunch Disrupt 2026 Early Bird ticket rates end May 29 — TechCrunch -
• Amazon fulfillment competitor Stord raises $250M at $3B valuation — TechCrunch -

Cybersecurity remains a critical concern with Iranian hackers blamed for a Los Angeles transit system breach and 7-Eleven reporting a data breach impacting over 185,000 people, alongside the ongoing mystery of the 'Ghost hackers' and their implications for digital risk.

• Ghost hackers: the cybersecurity mystery that nobody has solved — TechCrunch -
• Iranian hackers blamed for breach of Los Angeles transit system that took weeks to recover — TechCrunch -
• 7-Eleven data breach affects over 185,000 people’s personal data — TechCrunch -

Consumer technology is evolving with PC makers responding to Apple's MacBook Neo, Spotify expanding its offerings to include narrated magazine articles, and even a physical re-creation of Windows' classic 3D Space Cadet pinball on the horizon.

• We're starting to see some PC makers respond to Apple's MacBook Neo — Ars Technica -
• Windows' classic 3D Space Cadet pinball is getting a physical re-creation — Ars Technica -
• Spotify now lets you stream narrated magazine articles, too — TechCrunch -