title: “Ex-OpenAI Staff Launch $100M Fund, Netflix Kids Gaming” date: “{{date}}” featured_image: “{{featured_image}}” vertical: tech-gobbles sources: [- OpenAI alums have been quietly investing from a new, potentially $100M fund: https://techcrunch.com/2026/04/06/openai-alums-have-been-quietly-investing-from-a-new-potentially-100m-fund/, - Google quietly launched an AI dictation app that works offline: https://techcrunch.com/2026/04/06/google-quietly-releases-an-offline-first-ai-dictation-app-on-ios/, - Netflix is expanding into kids’ games with a new stand-alone app: https://techcrunch.com/2026/04/06/netflix-launches-a-standalone-app-for-kids-games/, - Why safety regulators closed their investigation into Tesla’s remote parking feature: https://techcrunch.com/2026/04/06/tesla-actually-smart-summon-nhtsa-investigation-smart-parking/, - Gas prices aren’t the only factor fueling used EV sales: https://techcrunch.com/2026/04/06/gas-prices-arent-the-only-factor-fueling-used-ev-sales/, - Wisconsin governor says ‘no’ to age checks for porn: https://www.theverge.com/policy/907761/wisconsin-governor-porn-age-verification-vetoed, - People consistently devalue creative writing generated by artificial intelligence: https://news.google.com/rss/articles/CBMiqgFBVV95cUxOMWM4d3ZpOGdXRG0zaFVLZnRCU0xieUhtay1Sc2xPcnF0eEVPMjBVR1laWTJmMHVsTUpHd1BzNldfUXRIMXQ5d0lxQ1BlVGtTakp2elRfTDFKVUJJejJMSzhqUWwyX1JnQXFEV1Q1WkN3OGZUelYwaWQ1MUdybm85WWpsYkJBejY2ZFFwRWQ1eUFaLWttejRpaEpmZ2EyT2xxdlEwa01vX3NoUQ?oc=5, - Tech companies are cutting jobs and betting on AI. The payoff is far from guaranteed: https://news.google.com/rss/articles/CBMie0FVX3lxTE5pMWkwT29XYVp0NmZ6cnFtbmUtM2U1UUVUU0U0MmIwakFyUVNjX0NXb1huM01BTFZwQ0dFdW5oc2JWelRUWXNBRXl4OVFDSEZuenZJN3pkTFBKQ1F3QVZCYy1tbXN2Rk5GZF9WS0w2TDB1QktENmZSWXgzOA?oc=5] affiliate_placeholders_remaining: 0 status: “ready”

Former OpenAI Employees Launch $100M AI Investment Fund

Former OpenAI employees have established Zero Shot Fund, a venture capital firm with reportedly $100 million in funding to invest in early-stage AI startups. The fund’s team includes Andrew Mayne, OpenAI’s original prompt engineer, and Evan Morikawa, former head of engineering for ChatGPT. TechCrunch

Zero Shot Fund plans to focus on companies building for what it calls the “post-AGI world,” targeting sectors including robotics, energy, automation, and AI security. The fund joins a growing trend of OpenAI alumni launching their own ventures, following companies like Anthropic and Perplexity that have collectively raised billions in funding.

Google Releases Offline AI Dictation App for iOS

Google quietly launched “AI Edge Eloquent,” a free iOS app that transcribes speech to text entirely offline using on-device AI models. The app removes filler words and polishes dictation without sending audio to cloud servers, addressing privacy concerns common with competing services. TechCrunch

The app competes directly with premium dictation services that typically charge monthly fees and require internet connections. Google has referenced an Android version but hasn’t released it yet. The tool demonstrates practical applications for Google’s Gemma AI models running locally on consumer devices.

Netflix Launches Dedicated Kids Gaming App

Netflix introduced “Netflix Playground,” a standalone gaming app for children aged eight and under, featuring games based on franchises like Sesame Street and Peppa Pig. The app includes no ads, in-app purchases, or additional fees for Netflix subscribers. TechCrunch

Available in six countries initially, the app supports offline play and includes parental controls. Netflix plans a global rollout on April 28, 2026. The move extends Netflix’s gaming strategy beyond its main platform, targeting family engagement to reduce subscriber churn.

NHTSA Closes Tesla Smart Summon Investigation

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration closed its investigation into Tesla’s “Actually Smart Summon” feature after finding it caused minor property damage incidents but no injuries or fatalities. The probe covered 2.6 million Tesla vehicles and identified 159 incidents, with 97 involving crashes. TechCrunch

Tesla issued six software updates during the investigation to address obstacle detection and camera visibility issues. NHTSA cited the low occurrence and severity of incidents in its decision to close the preliminary evaluation, though separate investigations into Tesla’s Full Self-Driving system continue.

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