AI’s ‘South Park’ Ep, Microsoft’s Security Woes & Tesla’s Cybertruck Debut |

Welcome to Week in Assessment (WiR)

Hey, of us, welcome to Week in Assessment (WiR), ’s common roundup of the previous week in tech. Too busy to examine the headlines this week? Don’t sweat it. That’s why WiR exists — we’ll get you caught up to the mark.

This version of WiR options items a few pretend AI-generated “South Park” episode; the surging downloads of Threads, an app that shares the identical identify as Meta’s Twitter competitor; and Tesla’s first Cybertruck construct. We additionally recap the CEO of OnlyFans stepping down; Wix’s new software that may create web sites on the fly, utilizing generative AI; and Plex’s free Winamp-inspired music participant.

That’s lots to cowl, so let’s get cracking. Oh, and if you happen to haven’t already, join here to get WiR in your inbox each Saturday.

Poor timing for AI-generated TV

AI startup Fable Studios demoed its platform this week, utilizing it to create a full, pretend “South Park” episode during which Cartman tries to use deepfake expertise to the media trade. The tech was spectacular, Devin writes, however — juxtaposed towards the continued strike of creatives in TV and movie — the stunt got here throughout as a tad inartful.

Not an excellent search for Microsoft safety

Microsoft nonetheless doesn’t know — or need to share — how China-backed hackers stole a key that allowed them to stealthily break into dozens of e-mail inboxes, together with these belonging to a number of authorities companies. The corporate first disclosed the incident final Tuesday, attributing the monthlong exercise to a newly found espionage group it’s calling Storm-0558, which it believes has a robust nexus to China.

The opposite Threads surges to new heights

Instagram’s Twitter clone Threads loved a reasonably fruitful first week in existence, crusing previous 30 million customers within the first 24 hours. Nevertheless it’s had the unintended impact of thrusting Threads, an unrelated app first pitched as a Slack various, into the highlight. Threads (the Slack various) reportedly racked up greater than 880,000 downloads on iOS between July 6 and July 12, after Meta’s Threads launched, having had few downloads prior so far.

Telsa unveils the primary Cybertruck construct

Tesla over the weekend mentioned its first, much-anticipated Cybertruck got here off the manufacturing line in Texas. The debut of the long-delayed, futuristic-looking pickup truck comes within the lead-up to Tesla’s second-quarter 2023 earnings name.

OnlyFans CEO steps down

After about two and a half years on the helm, Ami Gan is leaving OnlyFans. Chief technique and operations officer Keily Blair will take over as CEO. As Amanda writes, OnlyFans is probably the best-known creator platform that helps grownup content material; in response to Gan, the corporate paid out $10 billion to creators whereas she was CEO.

New websites, generated by AI

Wix, a longtime fixture of the web-building house, is betting that at the moment’s prospects don’t significantly care to spend time customizing each facet of their web site’s look. The corporate’s new AI Website Generator software, introduced this week, will enable Wix customers to explain their intent and generate an internet site full with a homepage, interior pages and textual content and pictures — in addition to business-specific sections for occasions, bookings and extra.

Plex makes its Winamp-inspired participant free

Plexamp, the music participant initially incubated by the Labs division of media firm Plex, is now free. The mission was first launched in 2017 as a subscription-based spin on the basic Winamp media participant app, providing visualizations to accompany your tunes, instruments for programming mixes, and extra not too long ago, a ChatGPT-powered “Sonic Sage” function that builds distinctive playlists from customers’ music libraries.

VanMoof e-bikes, saved

Since struggling e-bike startup VanMoof confirmed it has requested for a deferment of fee in Holland, there’s been a query hanging over the VanMoof bikes on the market within the wild. Driving to the rescue, considerably improbably, is Cowboy, VanMoof’s e-bike competitor over the border in Belgium. Cowboy’s “Bikey” app allows VanMoof riders to generate their distinctive digital key and hold driving, Mike writes.

’s roster of podcasts is, as the youngsters say, giving. Tune in for excellent new content material this week.

On Fairness, PitchBook enterprise guru Kyle Stanford got here to riff with the crew on the enterprise capital in Q2 2023: the nice, the dangerous, and the late stage.

The newest episode of Discovered, in the meantime, spotlighted Catherine Tabor, the founder and CEO of Sparkfly, an organization that helps manufacturers with advertising and marketing and buyer engagement. Tabor talked about constructing an organization fluid sufficient to adapt to altering expertise traits over the past decade and the way she was dismissed by enterprise capitalists regardless of touchdown notable prospects.

TC+ subscribers get entry to in-depth commentary, evaluation and surveys — which you realize if you happen to’re already a subscriber. When you’re not, contemplate signing up. Listed below are just a few highlights from this week:

Electrical utilities drive prospects to startups: Of all the businesses that needs to be desirous to embrace the electrical transition, electrical utilities would appear to be on the high of the checklist. But additionally they seem like among the most hesitant. Startups are profiting from the scenario, Tim writes.

Combined-gender founding groups increase over a billion {dollars}: U.S. startups with mixed-gender founding groups — that means they’ve a minimum of one feminine founder — raised $24.1 billion within the first half of 2023, which breaks right down to $17.2 billion in Q1 and $6.9 billion in Q2, per the newest PitchBook information. That’s an enormous deal — but it surely’s vital to notice that startups with all-women founding groups are nonetheless struggling to lift cash this yr.

Ripple’s XRP case and the dearth of regulatory readability: Final week, the crypto neighborhood celebrated a U.S. federal court docket case that dominated Ripple’s XRP token doesn’t make up unlawful securities gross sales — however solely in some circumstances. Although many celebrated the ruling, it’s not a real win for crypto — Jacquelyn explains why.

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What’s WiR?

WiR stands for Week in Assessment, which is a daily roundup of the previous week’s tech information.

What are the highlights on this version of WiR?

This version options information a few pretend AI-generated “South Park” episode, the surging downloads of Threads app, Tesla’s first Cybertruck construct, the CEO of OnlyFans stepping down, Wix’s new AI Website Generator software, and Plex’s free Winamp-inspired music participant.

What’s the most learn information article?

Probably the most learn information article is about AI startup Fable Studios making a pretend “South Park” episode utilizing deepfake expertise.

What are the opposite subjects coated on this version?

Different subjects embrace Microsoft’s safety breach, the surprising reputation of Threads app, the revealing of Tesla’s Cybertruck, the management change at OnlyFans, Wix’s AI-powered web site generator, and Plex’s free music participant.

Are there any podcasts talked about?

Sure, the podcasts talked about are Fairness and Discovered, that includes discussions on enterprise capital and interviews with founders and CEOs.

What content material is on the market for + subscribers?

+ subscribers have entry to in-depth commentary, evaluation, and surveys. This version covers subjects resembling electrical utilities driving prospects to startups, funding for mixed-gender founding groups, and the Ripple XRP case.

Is there an upcoming occasion talked about?

Sure, Disrupt 2023 is talked about, an occasion in San Francisco that gives numerous actions and alternatives for startup lovers. There are reductions obtainable for early registration.