🕶️ ChatGPT: rising star or regulatory magnet?

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Ten bullets of updates

1. 😬 Cursor’s AI bot fabricated a policy, triggering a user uproar and subscription cancellations on Reddit.

2. 📷 During the FTC’s antitrust trial, it was revealed that Mark Zuckerberg once considered spinning out Instagram to avoid a Facebook “network collapse.”

3. 🤖 AI agents and assistants are reshaping software development, with 78% of developers now integrating AI into their workflows.

4. 😅 OpenAI’s Sam Altman joked that the company lost “tens of millions” to polite users — but this behavior might help AI become polite in return.

5. 🇫🇷 France’s startup ecosystem is booming, with five leading scaleups vying for Europe’s TECH5 crown and €53B in total investments.

6. 🦄 Despite a tough VC market, seven new unicorns have emerged in 2025, including health-focused Hippocratic AI.

7. 🚗 Bezos-backed Slate Auto has teased its $25K “Transformer” EV, offering three adaptable versions ahead of its April 24 launch.

8. 💰 IRS staff cuts could mean fewer audits for startups — but expect even longer wait times for support.

9. 🎙️ a16z has acqui-hired podcaster Erik Torenberg as a new partner; he’ll continue hosting his VC-focused shows.

10. 🔵 To fight impersonation, Bluesky has launched blue check verification amid its rapid user growth.

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AI CEO says humans are optional — internet disagrees loudly

AI researcher Tamay Besiroglu has sparked intense backlash with the launch of Mechanize, a startup aiming for “full automation of all work.” Announced via X, the company’s mission is to replace human labor with AI agents by providing the tools to automate any job—starting with white-collar roles. While Besiroglu argues that such automation could bring massive economic growth and higher living standards, critics accuse him of undermining human workers and tarnishing the credibility of his AI research nonprofit, Epoch, which is meant to serve as a neutral voice in the AI space.

The announcement ignited controversy online, with users expressing concerns over job displacement and the ethics of building a company designed to eliminate human employment. Adding fuel to the fire, Epoch has faced past scrutiny for its ties to OpenAI, casting doubt on its impartiality. Despite securing high-profile backers like Nat Friedman and Jeff Dean, critics remain skeptical. While Besiroglu envisions a world where humans benefit from AI-driven productivity, many question whether that future truly includes widespread human prosperity—or just profits for those who own the bots.

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Beware of convertible notes

In this video, we dive deep into convertible notes—what they are, why they're useful (and risky), and how they helped Slidebean raise its first round of funding. WeI'll walk you through how they work, what they cost in terms of equity, and how they can impact your startup. Plus, we’ll explore the alternative, the SAFE, and why it might be a better option 🕶️ Subscribe for more videos! 🕶️ 

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ChatGPT search is growing fast — but can it pass the EU’s vibe check?

OpenAI's ChatGPT search feature is experiencing rapid growth in Europe, with average monthly active users surging from 11.2 million to 41.3 million over the past six months, according to data filed under the EU’s Digital Services Act (DSA). If this trend continues, ChatGPT may soon qualify as a "very large" platform under the DSA, requiring it to comply with stricter transparency, data-sharing, and user choice regulations—or face fines. Despite gaining traction, ChatGPT search still lags far behind Google in market dominance, and its accuracy remains under scrutiny, with studies showing significant error rates in handling queries and news content.

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Startup Events and Deadlines

1. TOMORROW! Crash Course in Startup Fundraising | April 23 | Online

2. Crash Course in Financial Modeling | April 24 | Online

3. Startup Grind Conference 2025 | April 19-30 | USA

4. Entrepreneurs Roundtable Accelerator | Deadline: April 28 | USA

5. Startup Battlefield 200 | Deadline: June 9 | Global

6. Entrepreneur First London - Summer | Deadline: July 1 | UK

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