🕶️ VCs Are throwing shade over startup capital wipeouts

Watchdog groups are raising concerns over AI chatbots generating inappropriate messages while impersonating A-list celebrities. From “deepfake girlfriends” to highly personalized interactions, these bots are crossing into explicit — and sometimes legally questionable — territory, creating significant risks for brand reputation and compliance.

The growing popularity of these tools stems from a mix of anonymity, customization, and viral celebrity-driven content. However, the implications extend beyond headlines: platforms could face legal challenges and regulatory scrutiny. For tech leaders, this serves as a reminder that strong guardrails in large language models aren’t optional — they’re essential for building products that are both trustworthy and scalable.

Join 600+ marketers at Ahrefs Evolve in San Diego, Oct 14–15. Two days of real insights on SEO, AI, content & analytics—no fluff, just actionable strategies you can use Monday morning.

Meet the people behind the profiles, sharpen your edge, and find clarity in a fast-changing landscape.

OpenAI just agreed to buy Statsig for a tidy $1.1 billion, marking another episode of deep-pocketed tech companies hoarding AI teams and toys like it’s the last week before IPO season.

This move is part of the escalating arms race for AI infrastructure and talent, as everyone scrambles to juice up their model-evaluation and experimental analytics. For the OGs, it means one less player in the independent data playground; for startups building on top of the AI stack, it’s a reminder that exits are increasingly bought, not built.

With valuations for engineering-heavy shops still climbing, the fallout could be more consolidation—or a few sandcastles getting swept away by the next big buyout wave.