Daily Crunch: Bing lets users generate images using ‘latest DALL-E models’

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TechCrunch’s top 3

• Image prompts: Microsoft is enabling Bing users to tap into their most creative selves – powered by AI, of course, through the use of OpenAI’s DALL-E image creator, Frederic reports. Frederic also writes about two additional features, Visual Stories and Knowledge Cards. “From what I can tell, Microsoft has been testing them extensively over the past few weeks since they’ve been popping up in my searches with some frequency.
• Look who’s getting into generative AI: Firefly is Adobe’s approach to generative AI and “will consist of multiple AI models ‘working in a variety of different use cases’” Kyle writing. More Adobe news in Big Tech.
• Get in line: Speaking of generative AI (because that’s really all we’ve been talking about for weeks), Google is opening early access to Bard, its AI chatbot. You can join the waiting list. Roman see you.

Startups and VCs

The worlds of technology and medicine are placing big bets on AI playing a central role in the delivery of healthcare in the future. Today, a Durham, North Carolina startup called Bionic Health — built by two AI commercialization pioneers — is throwing its hat into this ring to develop its approach, Ingrid reports. He raised $3 million for his AI health clinic.

Last week, the FBI arrested a man believed to be “Pompompurin”, the administrator of the infamous and popular BreachForums, Lawrence reports. A few days after the arrest, the new administrator of the cybercrime website announced that he was permanently closing the forum.

Another handful of stories worth mentioning:

SaaS is still open for business, but it will take longer to buy and sell

More than 225,000 tech workers have been laid off in the past year, which has a direct effect on SaaS renewal and purchase cycles.

SaaS customers who have downsized are buying fewer licenses and sales cycles are taking a little longer than before, says Ryan Neu, CEO and co-founder of SaaS buying platform Vendr.

“Over the past three years, our data has shown a steady decline in multi-year transactions,” he writes. “Yet we also saw a significant increase (in average contract value) from purchase to renewal in critical and persistent software categories, like CRM or email.”

Three others from the TC+ team:

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Big Tech inc.

Well, it’s an interesting twist of events in the age of credit: DoorDash is adding support for cash. Sarah writes that it’s only being rolled out as a DoorDash Drive feature, but when tested, about 20% of US customers ordering pizza paid cash. She notes that the cash option has helped attract customers who don’t like giving out their payment information.

Meanwhile, Devin wants to have a few words with Amazon, which he says is shutting down DPReview, “the best cam review site on the web.” He writes that the company’s team was laid off as part of Amazon’s latest round of layoffs and that “DPReview is not the first media property to be cut in these turbulent times, but it is surely one of the oldest and most unique. Hopefully, the talented and capable team lands on its feet, and Amazon comes to regret its decision.

And we have five more for you:

• Control, I like to have a lot: And a lot you will have. A new WhatsApp feature gives admins an easier way to control who can join a group, Aisha reports.
• At Adobe: There is a lot to unpack. Ivan writes on the enterprise level of Adobe Express, while Frederic looks at the Experience Cloud. And Kyle writes that there are new generative AI tools for marketers, and Ron reports on artist compensation for artwork used to train Adobe’s generative AI product.
• talk about car: Ford unveiled its €45,000 Explorer EV for the European market, Mast writing. And Ferrari says a ransomware attack has exposed customers’ personal data. Carly see you.
• Comfortable in the face of adversity: Before speaking to Congress, TikTok CEO Shou Zi Chew said the streaming giant has 150 million active users in the United States, Ivan reports. In the meantime, Aisha writes that TikTok is revising its community guidelines, adding new policies on AI and climate misinformation.
• Priorities: Some goods and services could be more expensive due to inflation, but new research from Counterpoint shows consumers are still splurging on high-end smartphones. Ivan see you.