Tech & AI News Roundup — October 12, 2026, 1:04 AM UTC

Quick links to what's actually happening in AI, tech, and IT right now — curated from real reporting, not rewritten, so you can go read the full story wherever it's genuinely worth your time.

The founder’s guide to TechCrunch Disrupt 2026: Everything you need to know

TechCrunch Disrupt 2026 is built around one question: How do you build an enduring company in the AI era? Our programming and speaker lineup reflect that. — TechCrunch

AI is less regulated than milk, says Microsoft president

Brad Smith calls for global rules on AI, and says the UK is in the "best position" to lead the charge. — BBC Technology

Review: 4-hour Musk documentary feels like two different films

Alex Gibney's provocative film is compelling but overlong, and there's not much new here for Ars readers. — Ars Technica

Can the AI industry persuade data center opponents by getting rid of NDAs?

On Equity, we debate the impact of data center moratoriums and whether the AI industry has a communication problem. — TechCrunch

Horror is big business

This is The Stepback, a weekly newsletter breaking down one essential story from the tech world. For more on how pervasive horror has become, follow Andrew Webster. The Stepback, arrives in our subscribers' inboxes on Sunday at 8AM ET. Opt in for The Stepback here. How it started Resident Evil has been around for 30 years, but the survival horror series is more popular than ever. The most recent g — The Verge

Learning to use local AI is exciting, overwhelming, and frustrating

Baby’s first local AI agent. | Photo: Antonio G. Di Benedetto / The Verge I'm embarking on a journey I've so far been hesitant to go on: actually using AI on the regular. Giving my most personal data to cloud services has been a major hold up for me, but it's increasingly possible to run powerful models locally to see what they're capable of. Is this tech so useful that it's worth throwing gobs of — The Verge

Lowe’s Promo Codes and Deals: Up to $300 Off Appliances

Find the latest Lowe’s promo codes and offers, including up to $300 off select major appliances and $5 off $50 with sign-up, here at WIRED. — Wired

ICE Agent at NYC Shooting Has History of Alleged Violence and Illegal Arrests

Brenden Cuni, an ICE supervisor, has been accused of excessive force and tackling a pregnant woman to the ground. Several of his arrests were later found to be unlawful in federal court. — Wired