Megalopolis, Francis Ford Coppola’s long-awaited dream project, came and went from theaters last year. Usually, after that, a film would show up on demand or for streaming but that wasn’t the case here. What was happening with Megalopolis? Now we know.
Starting July 20, Coppola’s film will be taken on the road for a series of events called “An Evening With Francis Ford Coppola and Megalopolis Screening.” It kicks off in Red Bank, NJ, before going to Port Chester, NY; Chicago, IL; Denver, CO; Dallas, TX; and San Francisco, CA. It includes a screening of the film, obviously, as well as an “interactive discussion” with Coppola called “How to Change Our Future.”
“This is the way Megalopolis was meant to be seen,” Coppola said in a statement. “In a large venue, with a crowd and followed by intense interactive discussions about the future.” You can get tickets on Ticketmaster, which appear to cost around $40.
Released last year, Megalopolis was the result of decades of planning and anticipation from the legendary director of The Godfather, Apocalypse Now, and The Conversation. It cost well over $100 million and was paid for almost exclusively by Coppola himself, but it proceeded to bomb at the box office, grossing a little over $14 million. Nevertheless, the film’s huge ambition and beyond-weird performances, themes, and visuals gave it the beginnings of cult classic status. Physical versions of the film were released but nothing beyond that.
Adam Driver stars in the film as a visionary architect who wants to push his city into the future, only to run into a hard-nosed mayor, played by Giancarlo Esposito. Nathalie Emmanuel, Jon Voight, Laurence Fishburne, and Shia LaBeouf all get in the fun along with Aubrey Plaza as a character named Wow Platinum. Yes, it’s a movie where someone named “Wow Platinum” makes total sense.
We don’t think Megalopolis is a particularly good movie, but it’s certainly fascinating, worthy of discussion, and surely there won’t be too many more cases to see Coppola discuss his work in public in the coming years. If you’re a fan, take note.
Want more io9 news? Check out when to expect the latest Marvel, Star Wars, and Star Trek releases, what’s next for the DC Universe on film and TV, and everything you need to know about the future of Doctor Who.
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#Francis #Ford #Coppolas #Megalopolis #Returning #Theaters #Mega
Benzer listed out a “few ideas we have in mind so far” in a thread. “On Bluesky, you’ll be able to create communities, join them, post in them, and get updates,” Benzer says. “The core features on Bluesky stay simple. The magic comes from communities also existing on the open web. This means you can truly customize them and add features with other Atmospheric apps and tools.”
Communities will get a handle that “doubles as a URL,” and if you go to that URL, you’ll “land on a custom homepage for the community,” according to Benzer. “Builders can also host a completely custom experience there instead.” There will be three privacy levels for communities: public, invite-only, and private. And each community would have its own feed, Benzer says.
Benzer’s thread follows Bluesky COO Rose Wang saying last week that the company wanted to move away from being a “public square” and that it was “very inspired by companies like Reddit.” Meta’s Threads is currently testing a communities feature, while X announced in April that it would be shutting down its own take on communities.
Benzer listed out a “few ideas we have in mind so far” in a thread. “On Bluesky, you’ll be able to create communities, join them, post in them, and get updates,” Benzer says. “The core features on Bluesky stay simple. The magic comes from communities also existing on the open web. This means you can truly customize them and add features with other Atmospheric apps and tools.”
Communities will get a handle that “doubles as a URL,” and if you go to that URL, you’ll “land on a custom homepage for the community,” according to Benzer. “Builders can also host a completely custom experience there instead.” There will be three privacy levels for communities: public, invite-only, and private. And each community would have its own feed, Benzer says.
Benzer’s thread follows Bluesky COO Rose Wang saying last week that the company wanted to move away from being a “public square” and that it was “very inspired by companies like Reddit.” Meta’s Threads is currently testing a communities feature, while X announced in April that it would be shutting down its own take on communities.
#Bluesky #communitiesNews,Social Media,Tech">Bluesky is getting ‘communities’
Bluesky will be getting “communities,” which will function as smaller spaces where you can “go deeper and hang out with people who care about the same stuff” sometime this year, according to head of product Alex Benzer. They will be built on the decentralized AT Protocol that underpins Bluesky, with Benzer saying that “it’s a new structure for everyone” that’s part of the “Atmosphere” (a shorthand for the AT Protocol ecosystem).
Benzer listed out a “few ideas we have in mind so far” in a thread. “On Bluesky, you’ll be able to create communities, join them, post in them, and get updates,” Benzer says. “The core features on Bluesky stay simple. The magic comes from communities also existing on the open web. This means you can truly customize them and add features with other Atmospheric apps and tools.”
Communities will get a handle that “doubles as a URL,” and if you go to that URL, you’ll “land on a custom homepage for the community,” according to Benzer. “Builders can also host a completely custom experience there instead.” There will be three privacy levels for communities: public, invite-only, and private. And each community would have its own feed, Benzer says.
Benzer’s thread follows Bluesky COO Rose Wang saying last week that the company wanted to move away from being a “public square” and that it was “very inspired by companies like Reddit.” Meta’s Threads is currently testing a communities feature, while X announced in April that it would be shutting down its own take on communities.
According to the lawsuit, which TechCrunch has viewed, Kim became a prominent voice for AI safety while working on Grok, xAI’s AI chatbot. He allegedly complained repeatedly about xAI’s failure to prioritize safety in Grok’s development, a product that has since come under fire for a range of safety and behavioral issues. In particular, Kim was concerned with the possibility that Grok could foment discrimination and help spread information about weapons of mass destruction.
“Grok, of course, proved Mr. Kim right by engaging in spectacular displays of online hatred and vitriol, with the model likening itself to Hitler (‘MechaHitler’),” the lawsuit reads. “Following the Hitler debacle, Mr. Kim worked to re-evaluate Grok’s political bias and discriminatory tendencies.”
September was my last month at xAI! I joined as one of the first members of the post-training team in 2024 and eventually led research tooling, where we built some of the world’s best systems to accelerate Grok’s development.
On my first day, I was at the whiteboard with @ibab…
A few months after Kim departed xAI, Grok made headlines again when the chatbot was used to flood X — Musk’s social media platform that also falls under the xAI umbrella — with nonconsensual sexual imagery.
The lawsuit also positions Kim as a whistleblower who was concerned about xAI’s alleged disregard for AI safety as “unlawful” in areas such as internet regulation, consumer protection and unfair business practices, and arms and explosives regulation, among others.
xAI and SpaceX did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
Kim’s focus on AI safety predates his time at xAI. While working at Scale AI, Kim worked on early safety AI initiatives, like leading a project that produced training data for AI to train systems to detect harmful content and comply with governance policies. Last week, the nonprofit Center for AI Safety, which focuses on AI risks, named Kim as its president.
Interestingly, the lawsuit doesn’t implicate Musk himself as a reason for a lack of safety. Rather, Kim’s lawyers describe Musk as having directed xAI to follow the law and implement appropriate safety and testing processes. Instead the claim targets Kim’s supervisor, xAI co-founder Jimmy Ba — who left the company earlier this year — saying that Ba ignored Musk’s directives and retaliated against Kim for pushing for safeguards, in an effort to “silence his repeated complaints about AI safety and biases.”
The lawsuit portrays Ba as someone who vehemently opposed AI safety measures, allegedly telling Kim at one point “AI will kill us all anyway,” and who was instead driven by a mission to make xAI the first to reach superintelligence.
“In one instance in or around August 2025, Mr. Ba attempted to thwart EU safety regulations during the release of Grok Code 1, misrepresenting aspects of the model in order to avoid legally required testing,” the complaint says. “Mr. Ba indicated that he would rather release an unsafe model than a poor-performing one. Mr. Musk ultimately had to intervene.”
According to the lawsuit, Kim intended to give a presentation of his findings the week of September 15, 2025, but Ba called him into a meeting and told him they should “go [their] separate ways” without providing a satisfactory reason.
TechCrunch has reached out to Ba for comment.
Kim is seeking compensatory and punitive damages, as well as a declaratory judgment that xAI and SpaceX’s conduct was unlawful.
When you purchase through links in our articles, we may earn a small commission. This doesn’t affect our editorial independence.
According to the lawsuit, which TechCrunch has viewed, Kim became a prominent voice for AI safety while working on Grok, xAI’s AI chatbot. He allegedly complained repeatedly about xAI’s failure to prioritize safety in Grok’s development, a product that has since come under fire for a range of safety and behavioral issues. In particular, Kim was concerned with the possibility that Grok could foment discrimination and help spread information about weapons of mass destruction.
“Grok, of course, proved Mr. Kim right by engaging in spectacular displays of online hatred and vitriol, with the model likening itself to Hitler (‘MechaHitler’),” the lawsuit reads. “Following the Hitler debacle, Mr. Kim worked to re-evaluate Grok’s political bias and discriminatory tendencies.”
September was my last month at xAI! I joined as one of the first members of the post-training team in 2024 and eventually led research tooling, where we built some of the world’s best systems to accelerate Grok’s development.
On my first day, I was at the whiteboard with @ibab…
A few months after Kim departed xAI, Grok made headlines again when the chatbot was used to flood X — Musk’s social media platform that also falls under the xAI umbrella — with nonconsensual sexual imagery.
The lawsuit also positions Kim as a whistleblower who was concerned about xAI’s alleged disregard for AI safety as “unlawful” in areas such as internet regulation, consumer protection and unfair business practices, and arms and explosives regulation, among others.
xAI and SpaceX did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
Kim’s focus on AI safety predates his time at xAI. While working at Scale AI, Kim worked on early safety AI initiatives, like leading a project that produced training data for AI to train systems to detect harmful content and comply with governance policies. Last week, the nonprofit Center for AI Safety, which focuses on AI risks, named Kim as its president.
Interestingly, the lawsuit doesn’t implicate Musk himself as a reason for a lack of safety. Rather, Kim’s lawyers describe Musk as having directed xAI to follow the law and implement appropriate safety and testing processes. Instead the claim targets Kim’s supervisor, xAI co-founder Jimmy Ba — who left the company earlier this year — saying that Ba ignored Musk’s directives and retaliated against Kim for pushing for safeguards, in an effort to “silence his repeated complaints about AI safety and biases.”
The lawsuit portrays Ba as someone who vehemently opposed AI safety measures, allegedly telling Kim at one point “AI will kill us all anyway,” and who was instead driven by a mission to make xAI the first to reach superintelligence.
“In one instance in or around August 2025, Mr. Ba attempted to thwart EU safety regulations during the release of Grok Code 1, misrepresenting aspects of the model in order to avoid legally required testing,” the complaint says. “Mr. Ba indicated that he would rather release an unsafe model than a poor-performing one. Mr. Musk ultimately had to intervene.”
According to the lawsuit, Kim intended to give a presentation of his findings the week of September 15, 2025, but Ba called him into a meeting and told him they should “go [their] separate ways” without providing a satisfactory reason.
TechCrunch has reached out to Ba for comment.
Kim is seeking compensatory and punitive damages, as well as a declaratory judgment that xAI and SpaceX’s conduct was unlawful.
When you purchase through links in our articles, we may earn a small commission. This doesn’t affect our editorial independence.
#xAI #fired #engineer #raised #alarms #Grok #safety #lawsuit #claims #TechCrunchai safety,devin kim,Grok,SpaceX,xAI">xAI fired an engineer who raised alarms about Grok safety, new lawsuit claims | TechCrunch
A former engineer at Elon Musk’s xAI has filed suit against the company and its parent SpaceX claiming he was fired for raising concerns about AI safety.
Devin Kim, who left xAI in September 2025, filed the suit in a California state court on Tuesday. The complaint comes days before SpaceX is set to join the public markets in what’s shaping up to be the largest IPO in history.
According to the lawsuit, which TechCrunch has viewed, Kim became a prominent voice for AI safety while working on Grok, xAI’s AI chatbot. He allegedly complained repeatedly about xAI’s failure to prioritize safety in Grok’s development, a product that has since come under fire for a range of safety and behavioral issues. In particular, Kim was concerned with the possibility that Grok could foment discrimination and help spread information about weapons of mass destruction.
“Grok, of course, proved Mr. Kim right by engaging in spectacular displays of online hatred and vitriol, with the model likening itself to Hitler (‘MechaHitler’),” the lawsuit reads. “Following the Hitler debacle, Mr. Kim worked to re-evaluate Grok’s political bias and discriminatory tendencies.”
September was my last month at xAI! I joined as one of the first members of the post-training team in 2024 and eventually led research tooling, where we built some of the world’s best systems to accelerate Grok’s development.
On my first day, I was at the whiteboard with @ibab…
A few months after Kim departed xAI, Grok made headlines again when the chatbot was used to flood X — Musk’s social media platform that also falls under the xAI umbrella — with nonconsensual sexual imagery.
The lawsuit also positions Kim as a whistleblower who was concerned about xAI’s alleged disregard for AI safety as “unlawful” in areas such as internet regulation, consumer protection and unfair business practices, and arms and explosives regulation, among others.
xAI and SpaceX did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
Kim’s focus on AI safety predates his time at xAI. While working at Scale AI, Kim worked on early safety AI initiatives, like leading a project that produced training data for AI to train systems to detect harmful content and comply with governance policies. Last week, the nonprofit Center for AI Safety, which focuses on AI risks, named Kim as its president.
Interestingly, the lawsuit doesn’t implicate Musk himself as a reason for a lack of safety. Rather, Kim’s lawyers describe Musk as having directed xAI to follow the law and implement appropriate safety and testing processes. Instead the claim targets Kim’s supervisor, xAI co-founder Jimmy Ba — who left the company earlier this year — saying that Ba ignored Musk’s directives and retaliated against Kim for pushing for safeguards, in an effort to “silence his repeated complaints about AI safety and biases.”
The lawsuit portrays Ba as someone who vehemently opposed AI safety measures, allegedly telling Kim at one point “AI will kill us all anyway,” and who was instead driven by a mission to make xAI the first to reach superintelligence.
“In one instance in or around August 2025, Mr. Ba attempted to thwart EU safety regulations during the release of Grok Code 1, misrepresenting aspects of the model in order to avoid legally required testing,” the complaint says. “Mr. Ba indicated that he would rather release an unsafe model than a poor-performing one. Mr. Musk ultimately had to intervene.”
According to the lawsuit, Kim intended to give a presentation of his findings the week of September 15, 2025, but Ba called him into a meeting and told him they should “go [their] separate ways” without providing a satisfactory reason.
TechCrunch has reached out to Ba for comment.
Kim is seeking compensatory and punitive damages, as well as a declaratory judgment that xAI and SpaceX’s conduct was unlawful.
When you purchase through links in our articles, we may earn a small commission. This doesn’t affect our editorial independence.
WWDC 2026, Apple unveiled iOS 27, the latest version of its iPhone software, packed with amazing AI-driven upgrades. From a new Siri experience to improved Photos editor tools and better system performance, many new capabilities have been introduced in the OS that will make life easier for users. Testing of iOS 27 on developers has already started, before its final release. Apple will roll out a public beta next month, in July, followed by a formal launch in the fall. Here are the nine best features coming to your iPhone.
1. Siri AI Gets a Major Upgrade
Siri AI by Apple has been included in iOS 27 as one of its most exciting innovations. The technology has been redesigned to make Siri smarter, more proactive, and better able to help users accomplish their tasks in real life. Because Siri now understands natural language, people can speak freely without using any commands.
The assistant can use information from apps such as Messages, Mail, Music, Phone, and Calendar to provide personalized responses to users. With Siri, users can ask questions about information in past messages. Because Siri can remember previous interactions, it can maintain a conversation.
2. New AI-Powered Features for Everyday Tasks
Making the iPhone user experience smarter is one of the key purposes of iOS 27. Currently, Apple Intelligence operates on several types of information: voice messages, text, images, and app information. In this way, the system will be able to identify users’ needs and assist them.
The improvements also enhance Siri’s performance, with better language comprehension and greater accuracy when transcribing the user’s voice. Users can personalize certain aspects of the Siri experience and converse more naturally with the assistant.
3. Liquid Glass Design Becomes Easier to Use
This is the first time that Apple has introduced an upgrade to the Liquid Glass design with iOS 27. Apple has concentrated on practicality by improving readability and visual harmony. Higher contrast will enable people to see information more easily, either when they are using applications or accessing settings.
Apple has also updated app icons with sharper details and improved visual depth. Customization is now possible, allowing the user to choose whether the user interface will be clearer or tinted. This has been done to make the viewing experience more enjoyable.
4. Faster Performance Across the System
Performance is an important aspect of iOS 27 because Apple has made many adjustments that can enhance the system’s overall performance. Specifically, the operating system has been optimized in some key areas to allow users’ applications and services to load faster.
Apps can be opened 30% faster, and photographs open much more rapidly, particularly when dealing with large photo libraries. The speed at which documents can be shared using AirDrop is also much greater than previously. Furthermore, Apple has been able to optimize system process efficiency in older iPhones, too.
5. Visual Intelligence Gets Smarter
A number of enhancements have been made to Visual Intelligence in iOS 27 to improve users’ experience with what their iPhone camera can offer. New functions have been integrated into Siri and can deliver helpful suggestions based on visual input from the camera.
This would allow users to learn about the nutritional details of any food item and gain insight into their eating habits. Another great feature is that it can scan information from any poster or brochure and automatically add events to the calendar according to those details.
6. Better Connectivity and Messaging Experience
With iOS 27, Apple is focusing on delivering fast, reliable communication by implementing improved network management capabilities. As a result of the latest updates, Apple will be able to switch between Wi-Fi and cellular data based on signal strength, and vice versa.
It also helps keep the conversation going, even under unfavorable network conditions. Texts can be sent instantly, without waiting for other content, such as photographs or video clips, to finish uploading. It also allows users to share images in full resolution in Shared Albums.
7. Safari Gets Smarter Browsing Tools
One of the biggest additions is the ability to organize tabs and web pages by topic. This makes it easier to manage multiple websites and quickly return to important content later. Safari also introduces a new monitoring feature that can track changes on specific web pages. Users can receive alerts when a sold-out product becomes available again or when concert tickets go on sale. Apple says these tools work while protecting user privacy, as much of the processing happens directly on the device.
8. Shortcuts and Passwords Become More Helpful
The Shortcuts application becomes much more approachable with iOS 27 because it incorporates Siri’s power into its workflow. It is now possible to explain the process to Siri verbally, which will then create the automation itself, eliminating the need for complex settings.
Another way the firm is working on strengthening password protection is by making changes to the Passwords app. The app will be able to notify users of a breach and make it easy for them to change passwords. This reduces the amount of work that would otherwise be done manually.
9. Home App and AirPods Gain New Features
The Home app receives new features in iOS 27 that make managing smart home devices more convenient. Apple is adding support for higher-resolution security camera recordings, giving users clearer footage when reviewing events. The app can also automatically identify and save important clips, making them easier to find later.
Apple is also enhancing notifications by offering smarter updates about activities in the home. On the other hand, for AirPods customers, the ability to adjust sound settings has been improved by the addition of an equalizer button.
WWDC 2026, Apple unveiled iOS 27, the latest version of its iPhone software, packed with amazing AI-driven upgrades. From a new Siri experience to improved Photos editor tools and better system performance, many new capabilities have been introduced in the OS that will make life easier for users. Testing of iOS 27 on developers has already started, before its final release. Apple will roll out a public beta next month, in July, followed by a formal launch in the fall. Here are the nine best features coming to your iPhone.
1. Siri AI Gets a Major Upgrade
Siri AI by Apple has been included in iOS 27 as one of its most exciting innovations. The technology has been redesigned to make Siri smarter, more proactive, and better able to help users accomplish their tasks in real life. Because Siri now understands natural language, people can speak freely without using any commands.
The assistant can use information from apps such as Messages, Mail, Music, Phone, and Calendar to provide personalized responses to users. With Siri, users can ask questions about information in past messages. Because Siri can remember previous interactions, it can maintain a conversation.
2. New AI-Powered Features for Everyday Tasks
Making the iPhone user experience smarter is one of the key purposes of iOS 27. Currently, Apple Intelligence operates on several types of information: voice messages, text, images, and app information. In this way, the system will be able to identify users’ needs and assist them.
The improvements also enhance Siri’s performance, with better language comprehension and greater accuracy when transcribing the user’s voice. Users can personalize certain aspects of the Siri experience and converse more naturally with the assistant.
3. Liquid Glass Design Becomes Easier to Use
This is the first time that Apple has introduced an upgrade to the Liquid Glass design with iOS 27. Apple has concentrated on practicality by improving readability and visual harmony. Higher contrast will enable people to see information more easily, either when they are using applications or accessing settings.
Apple has also updated app icons with sharper details and improved visual depth. Customization is now possible, allowing the user to choose whether the user interface will be clearer or tinted. This has been done to make the viewing experience more enjoyable.
4. Faster Performance Across the System
Performance is an important aspect of iOS 27 because Apple has made many adjustments that can enhance the system’s overall performance. Specifically, the operating system has been optimized in some key areas to allow users’ applications and services to load faster.
Apps can be opened 30% faster, and photographs open much more rapidly, particularly when dealing with large photo libraries. The speed at which documents can be shared using AirDrop is also much greater than previously. Furthermore, Apple has been able to optimize system process efficiency in older iPhones, too.
5. Visual Intelligence Gets Smarter
A number of enhancements have been made to Visual Intelligence in iOS 27 to improve users’ experience with what their iPhone camera can offer. New functions have been integrated into Siri and can deliver helpful suggestions based on visual input from the camera.
This would allow users to learn about the nutritional details of any food item and gain insight into their eating habits. Another great feature is that it can scan information from any poster or brochure and automatically add events to the calendar according to those details.
6. Better Connectivity and Messaging Experience
With iOS 27, Apple is focusing on delivering fast, reliable communication by implementing improved network management capabilities. As a result of the latest updates, Apple will be able to switch between Wi-Fi and cellular data based on signal strength, and vice versa.
It also helps keep the conversation going, even under unfavorable network conditions. Texts can be sent instantly, without waiting for other content, such as photographs or video clips, to finish uploading. It also allows users to share images in full resolution in Shared Albums.
7. Safari Gets Smarter Browsing Tools
One of the biggest additions is the ability to organize tabs and web pages by topic. This makes it easier to manage multiple websites and quickly return to important content later. Safari also introduces a new monitoring feature that can track changes on specific web pages. Users can receive alerts when a sold-out product becomes available again or when concert tickets go on sale. Apple says these tools work while protecting user privacy, as much of the processing happens directly on the device.
8. Shortcuts and Passwords Become More Helpful
The Shortcuts application becomes much more approachable with iOS 27 because it incorporates Siri’s power into its workflow. It is now possible to explain the process to Siri verbally, which will then create the automation itself, eliminating the need for complex settings.
Another way the firm is working on strengthening password protection is by making changes to the Passwords app. The app will be able to notify users of a breach and make it easy for them to change passwords. This reduces the amount of work that would otherwise be done manually.
9. Home App and AirPods Gain New Features
The Home app receives new features in iOS 27 that make managing smart home devices more convenient. Apple is adding support for higher-resolution security camera recordings, giving users clearer footage when reviewing events. The app can also automatically identify and save important clips, making them easier to find later.
Apple is also enhancing notifications by offering smarter updates about activities in the home. On the other hand, for AirPods customers, the ability to adjust sound settings has been improved by the addition of an equalizer button.
#iOS #Upgrades #Apple #Announced #WWDCapple">9 Best iOS 27 Upgrades Apple Announced at WWDC 2026
At WWDC 2026, Apple unveiled iOS 27, the latest version of its iPhone software, packed with amazing AI-driven upgrades. From a new Siri experience to improved Photos editor tools and better system performance, many new capabilities have been introduced in the OS that will make life easier for users. Testing of iOS 27 on developers has already started, before its final release. Apple will roll out a public beta next month, in July, followed by a formal launch in the fall. Here are the nine best features coming to your iPhone.
1. Siri AI Gets a Major Upgrade
Siri AI by Apple has been included in iOS 27 as one of its most exciting innovations. The technology has been redesigned to make Siri smarter, more proactive, and better able to help users accomplish their tasks in real life. Because Siri now understands natural language, people can speak freely without using any commands.
The assistant can use information from apps such as Messages, Mail, Music, Phone, and Calendar to provide personalized responses to users. With Siri, users can ask questions about information in past messages. Because Siri can remember previous interactions, it can maintain a conversation.
2. New AI-Powered Features for Everyday Tasks
Making the iPhone user experience smarter is one of the key purposes of iOS 27. Currently, Apple Intelligence operates on several types of information: voice messages, text, images, and app information. In this way, the system will be able to identify users’ needs and assist them.
The improvements also enhance Siri’s performance, with better language comprehension and greater accuracy when transcribing the user’s voice. Users can personalize certain aspects of the Siri experience and converse more naturally with the assistant.
3. Liquid Glass Design Becomes Easier to Use
This is the first time that Apple has introduced an upgrade to the Liquid Glass design with iOS 27. Apple has concentrated on practicality by improving readability and visual harmony. Higher contrast will enable people to see information more easily, either when they are using applications or accessing settings.
Apple has also updated app icons with sharper details and improved visual depth. Customization is now possible, allowing the user to choose whether the user interface will be clearer or tinted. This has been done to make the viewing experience more enjoyable.
4. Faster Performance Across the System
Performance is an important aspect of iOS 27 because Apple has made many adjustments that can enhance the system’s overall performance. Specifically, the operating system has been optimized in some key areas to allow users’ applications and services to load faster.
Apps can be opened 30% faster, and photographs open much more rapidly, particularly when dealing with large photo libraries. The speed at which documents can be shared using AirDrop is also much greater than previously. Furthermore, Apple has been able to optimize system process efficiency in older iPhones, too.
5. Visual Intelligence Gets Smarter
A number of enhancements have been made to Visual Intelligence in iOS 27 to improve users’ experience with what their iPhone camera can offer. New functions have been integrated into Siri and can deliver helpful suggestions based on visual input from the camera.
This would allow users to learn about the nutritional details of any food item and gain insight into their eating habits. Another great feature is that it can scan information from any poster or brochure and automatically add events to the calendar according to those details.
6. Better Connectivity and Messaging Experience
With iOS 27, Apple is focusing on delivering fast, reliable communication by implementing improved network management capabilities. As a result of the latest updates, Apple will be able to switch between Wi-Fi and cellular data based on signal strength, and vice versa.
It also helps keep the conversation going, even under unfavorable network conditions. Texts can be sent instantly, without waiting for other content, such as photographs or video clips, to finish uploading. It also allows users to share images in full resolution in Shared Albums.
7. Safari Gets Smarter Browsing Tools
One of the biggest additions is the ability to organize tabs and web pages by topic. This makes it easier to manage multiple websites and quickly return to important content later. Safari also introduces a new monitoring feature that can track changes on specific web pages. Users can receive alerts when a sold-out product becomes available again or when concert tickets go on sale. Apple says these tools work while protecting user privacy, as much of the processing happens directly on the device.
8. Shortcuts and Passwords Become More Helpful
The Shortcuts application becomes much more approachable with iOS 27 because it incorporates Siri’s power into its workflow. It is now possible to explain the process to Siri verbally, which will then create the automation itself, eliminating the need for complex settings.
Another way the firm is working on strengthening password protection is by making changes to the Passwords app. The app will be able to notify users of a breach and make it easy for them to change passwords. This reduces the amount of work that would otherwise be done manually.
9. Home App and AirPods Gain New Features
The Home app receives new features in iOS 27 that make managing smart home devices more convenient. Apple is adding support for higher-resolution security camera recordings, giving users clearer footage when reviewing events. The app can also automatically identify and save important clips, making them easier to find later.
Apple is also enhancing notifications by offering smarter updates about activities in the home. On the other hand, for AirPods customers, the ability to adjust sound settings has been improved by the addition of an equalizer button.
![xAI fired an engineer who raised alarms about Grok safety, new lawsuit claims | TechCrunch
A former engineer at Elon Musk’s xAI has filed suit against the company and its parent SpaceX claiming he was fired for raising concerns about AI safety.
Devin Kim, who left xAI in September 2025, filed the suit in a California state court on Tuesday. The complaint comes days before SpaceX is set to join the public markets in what’s shaping up to be the largest IPO in history.
According to the lawsuit, which TechCrunch has viewed, Kim became a prominent voice for AI safety while working on Grok, xAI’s AI chatbot. He allegedly complained repeatedly about xAI’s failure to prioritize safety in Grok’s development, a product that has since come under fire for a range of safety and behavioral issues. In particular, Kim was concerned with the possibility that Grok could foment discrimination and help spread information about weapons of mass destruction.
“Grok, of course, proved Mr. Kim right by engaging in spectacular displays of online hatred and vitriol, with the model likening itself to Hitler (‘MechaHitler’),” the lawsuit reads. “Following the Hitler debacle, Mr. Kim worked to re-evaluate Grok’s political bias and discriminatory tendencies.”
September was my last month at xAI! I joined as one of the first members of the post-training team in 2024 and eventually led research tooling, where we built some of the world’s best systems to accelerate Grok’s development.On my first day, I was at the whiteboard with @ibab…— Devin Kim (@devindkim) October 3, 2025
A few months after Kim departed xAI, Grok made headlines again when the chatbot was used to flood X — Musk’s social media platform that also falls under the xAI umbrella — with nonconsensual sexual imagery.
The lawsuit also positions Kim as a whistleblower who was concerned about xAI’s alleged disregard for AI safety as “unlawful” in areas such as internet regulation, consumer protection and unfair business practices, and arms and explosives regulation, among others.
xAI and SpaceX did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
Kim’s focus on AI safety predates his time at xAI. While working at Scale AI, Kim worked on early safety AI initiatives, like leading a project that produced training data for AI to train systems to detect harmful content and comply with governance policies. Last week, the nonprofit Center for AI Safety, which focuses on AI risks, named Kim as its president.
Interestingly, the lawsuit doesn’t implicate Musk himself as a reason for a lack of safety. Rather, Kim’s lawyers describe Musk as having directed xAI to follow the law and implement appropriate safety and testing processes. Instead the claim targets Kim’s supervisor, xAI co-founder Jimmy Ba — who left the company earlier this year — saying that Ba ignored Musk’s directives and retaliated against Kim for pushing for safeguards, in an effort to “silence his repeated complaints about AI safety and biases.”
The lawsuit portrays Ba as someone who vehemently opposed AI safety measures, allegedly telling Kim at one point “AI will kill us all anyway,” and who was instead driven by a mission to make xAI the first to reach superintelligence.
“In one instance in or around August 2025, Mr. Ba attempted to thwart EU safety regulations during the release of Grok Code 1, misrepresenting aspects of the model in order to avoid legally required testing,” the complaint says. “Mr. Ba indicated that he would rather release an unsafe model than a poor-performing one. Mr. Musk ultimately had to intervene.”
According to the lawsuit, Kim intended to give a presentation of his findings the week of September 15, 2025, but Ba called him into a meeting and told him they should “go [their] separate ways” without providing a satisfactory reason.
TechCrunch has reached out to Ba for comment.
Kim is seeking compensatory and punitive damages, as well as a declaratory judgment that xAI and SpaceX’s conduct was unlawful.
When you purchase through links in our articles, we may earn a small commission. This doesn’t affect our editorial independence.#xAI #fired #engineer #raised #alarms #Grok #safety #lawsuit #claims #TechCrunchai safety,devin kim,Grok,SpaceX,xAI](https://i3.wp.com/techcrunch.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/grok-getty.jpg?resize=1200%2C800&ssl=1 "xAI fired an engineer who raised alarms about Grok safety, new lawsuit claims | TechCrunch
A former engineer at Elon Musk’s xAI has filed suit against the company and its parent SpaceX claiming he was fired for raising concerns about AI safety.
Devin Kim, who left xAI in September 2025, filed the suit in a California state court on Tuesday. The complaint comes days before SpaceX is set to join the public markets in what’s shaping up to be the largest IPO in history.
According to the lawsuit, which TechCrunch has viewed, Kim became a prominent voice for AI safety while working on Grok, xAI’s AI chatbot. He allegedly complained repeatedly about xAI’s failure to prioritize safety in Grok’s development, a product that has since come under fire for a range of safety and behavioral issues. In particular, Kim was concerned with the possibility that Grok could foment discrimination and help spread information about weapons of mass destruction.
“Grok, of course, proved Mr. Kim right by engaging in spectacular displays of online hatred and vitriol, with the model likening itself to Hitler (‘MechaHitler’),” the lawsuit reads. “Following the Hitler debacle, Mr. Kim worked to re-evaluate Grok’s political bias and discriminatory tendencies.”
September was my last month at xAI! I joined as one of the first members of the post-training team in 2024 and eventually led research tooling, where we built some of the world’s best systems to accelerate Grok’s development.On my first day, I was at the whiteboard with @ibab…— Devin Kim (@devindkim) October 3, 2025
A few months after Kim departed xAI, Grok made headlines again when the chatbot was used to flood X — Musk’s social media platform that also falls under the xAI umbrella — with nonconsensual sexual imagery.
The lawsuit also positions Kim as a whistleblower who was concerned about xAI’s alleged disregard for AI safety as “unlawful” in areas such as internet regulation, consumer protection and unfair business practices, and arms and explosives regulation, among others.
xAI and SpaceX did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
Kim’s focus on AI safety predates his time at xAI. While working at Scale AI, Kim worked on early safety AI initiatives, like leading a project that produced training data for AI to train systems to detect harmful content and comply with governance policies. Last week, the nonprofit Center for AI Safety, which focuses on AI risks, named Kim as its president.
Interestingly, the lawsuit doesn’t implicate Musk himself as a reason for a lack of safety. Rather, Kim’s lawyers describe Musk as having directed xAI to follow the law and implement appropriate safety and testing processes. Instead the claim targets Kim’s supervisor, xAI co-founder Jimmy Ba — who left the company earlier this year — saying that Ba ignored Musk’s directives and retaliated against Kim for pushing for safeguards, in an effort to “silence his repeated complaints about AI safety and biases.”
The lawsuit portrays Ba as someone who vehemently opposed AI safety measures, allegedly telling Kim at one point “AI will kill us all anyway,” and who was instead driven by a mission to make xAI the first to reach superintelligence.
“In one instance in or around August 2025, Mr. Ba attempted to thwart EU safety regulations during the release of Grok Code 1, misrepresenting aspects of the model in order to avoid legally required testing,” the complaint says. “Mr. Ba indicated that he would rather release an unsafe model than a poor-performing one. Mr. Musk ultimately had to intervene.”
According to the lawsuit, Kim intended to give a presentation of his findings the week of September 15, 2025, but Ba called him into a meeting and told him they should “go [their] separate ways” without providing a satisfactory reason.
TechCrunch has reached out to Ba for comment.
Kim is seeking compensatory and punitive damages, as well as a declaratory judgment that xAI and SpaceX’s conduct was unlawful.
When you purchase through links in our articles, we may earn a small commission. This doesn’t affect our editorial independence.#xAI #fired #engineer #raised #alarms #Grok #safety #lawsuit #claims #TechCrunchai safety,devin kim,Grok,SpaceX,xAI")
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