Max Zeff
@mzeff.bsky.social
Writing - mostly about AI - for WIRED. I am maxwell, I am max, but I am not well. On signal at Mzeff.
Reposted by Max Zeff
Silicon Valley is already pouring millions into the US midterm elections, via super PACs looking to elect leaders sympathetic to the AI industry.
From @mzeff.bsky.social
From @mzeff.bsky.social
Pro-AI Super PACs Are Already All In on the Midterms
Silicon Valley’s battle against AI regulation is already shaping the next US election cycle.
www.wired.com
January 21, 2026 at 3:40 PM
Silicon Valley is already pouring millions into the US midterm elections, via super PACs looking to elect leaders sympathetic to the AI industry.
From @mzeff.bsky.social
From @mzeff.bsky.social
New: OpenAI says it will start testing ads in the United States "in the coming weeks."
The company says ads will NOT influence ChatGPT’s responses, and that it won’t sell user data to advertisers.
The company says ads will NOT influence ChatGPT’s responses, and that it won’t sell user data to advertisers.
January 16, 2026 at 6:08 PM
New: OpenAI says it will start testing ads in the United States "in the coming weeks."
The company says ads will NOT influence ChatGPT’s responses, and that it won’t sell user data to advertisers.
The company says ads will NOT influence ChatGPT’s responses, and that it won’t sell user data to advertisers.
NEW: More details on the drama at Mira Murati's Thinking Machines Lab.
TML leaders believe its cofounder Barret Zoph engaged in an incident of serious misconduct last year, leading to trust issues between him and Murati.
But now, more researchers are following him and joining OpenAI.
TML leaders believe its cofounder Barret Zoph engaged in an incident of serious misconduct last year, leading to trust issues between him and Murati.
But now, more researchers are following him and joining OpenAI.
January 15, 2026 at 9:55 PM
NEW: More details on the drama at Mira Murati's Thinking Machines Lab.
TML leaders believe its cofounder Barret Zoph engaged in an incident of serious misconduct last year, leading to trust issues between him and Murati.
But now, more researchers are following him and joining OpenAI.
TML leaders believe its cofounder Barret Zoph engaged in an incident of serious misconduct last year, leading to trust issues between him and Murati.
But now, more researchers are following him and joining OpenAI.
NEW: Thinking Machines cofounders Barret Zoph and Luke Metz are back at OpenAI after leaving the ChatGPT-maker less than two years ago.
Zoph told Mira Murati he was considering leaving her startup on Monday. She fired him today, alleging he shared confidential info with competitors, a source said.
Zoph told Mira Murati he was considering leaving her startup on Monday. She fired him today, alleging he shared confidential info with competitors, a source said.
January 15, 2026 at 2:10 AM
NEW: Thinking Machines cofounders Barret Zoph and Luke Metz are back at OpenAI after leaving the ChatGPT-maker less than two years ago.
Zoph told Mira Murati he was considering leaving her startup on Monday. She fired him today, alleging he shared confidential info with competitors, a source said.
Zoph told Mira Murati he was considering leaving her startup on Monday. She fired him today, alleging he shared confidential info with competitors, a source said.
big week for new yorkers yelling at people
January 14, 2026 at 10:36 PM
big week for new yorkers yelling at people
NEW: OpenAI is asking third-party contractors to upload *real work* they've done at current or past jobs to evaluate their AI models.
OpenAI leaves it up to contractors to remove any confidential info.
scoop w/ @willknight.bsky.social and @zoeschiffer.bsky.social
OpenAI leaves it up to contractors to remove any confidential info.
scoop w/ @willknight.bsky.social and @zoeschiffer.bsky.social
January 10, 2026 at 1:29 AM
NEW: OpenAI is asking third-party contractors to upload *real work* they've done at current or past jobs to evaluate their AI models.
OpenAI leaves it up to contractors to remove any confidential info.
scoop w/ @willknight.bsky.social and @zoeschiffer.bsky.social
OpenAI leaves it up to contractors to remove any confidential info.
scoop w/ @willknight.bsky.social and @zoeschiffer.bsky.social
Reposted by Max Zeff
OpenAI VP of research Jerry Tworek is leaving, sources say after OpenAI sided with Chief Scientist Jakub Pachocki in a dispute over its research direction (Maxwell Zeff/Wired)
Main Link | Techmeme Permalink
Main Link | Techmeme Permalink
January 8, 2026 at 8:25 PM
OpenAI VP of research Jerry Tworek is leaving, sources say after OpenAI sided with Chief Scientist Jakub Pachocki in a dispute over its research direction (Maxwell Zeff/Wired)
Main Link | Techmeme Permalink
Main Link | Techmeme Permalink
New: OpenAI quietly rolled back ChatGPT's model router for free users last week.
The router—which was costly for the company to serve, but aimed to improve answer quality—was thought to be hurting engagement, one person familiar with the matter told WIRED.
The router—which was costly for the company to serve, but aimed to improve answer quality—was thought to be hurting engagement, one person familiar with the matter told WIRED.
December 16, 2025 at 5:43 PM
New: OpenAI quietly rolled back ChatGPT's model router for free users last week.
The router—which was costly for the company to serve, but aimed to improve answer quality—was thought to be hurting engagement, one person familiar with the matter told WIRED.
The router—which was costly for the company to serve, but aimed to improve answer quality—was thought to be hurting engagement, one person familiar with the matter told WIRED.
Reposted by Max Zeff
OpenAI is losing its chief comms officer; Hannah Wong had been there since 2021. scoop from @mzeff.bsky.social
OpenAI’s Chief Communications Officer Is Leaving the Company
Hannah Wong told staff she is moving on to her “next chapter.” The company will be running an executive search to find a replacement, according to a memo.
www.wired.com
December 16, 2025 at 12:12 AM
OpenAI is losing its chief comms officer; Hannah Wong had been there since 2021. scoop from @mzeff.bsky.social
Loved this piece about Taiwan’s public transit keychains from @lmatsakis.bsky.social, and especially this one collector:
“Later, I had a lunchbox-shaped one, but looking at it too long would make me hungry, so I never really used it. I just kept it as a toy.”
www.wired.com/story/icash-...
“Later, I had a lunchbox-shaped one, but looking at it too long would make me hungry, so I never really used it. I just kept it as a toy.”
www.wired.com/story/icash-...
How Taiwan Made Cashless Payments Cute
Taiwan’s digital payment infrastructure is tactile, decentralized, and completely distinct from China’s QR code-dominated model.
www.wired.com
December 11, 2025 at 7:35 PM
Loved this piece about Taiwan’s public transit keychains from @lmatsakis.bsky.social, and especially this one collector:
“Later, I had a lunchbox-shaped one, but looking at it too long would make me hungry, so I never really used it. I just kept it as a toy.”
www.wired.com/story/icash-...
“Later, I had a lunchbox-shaped one, but looking at it too long would make me hungry, so I never really used it. I just kept it as a toy.”
www.wired.com/story/icash-...
Reposted by Max Zeff
NEW: Four sources tell @mzeff.bsky.social that OpenAI has become reluctant to publish research on the negative economic impacts of AI, including job displacement.
At least two members of OpenAI's economic research team have recently quit over that perceived pullback.
At least two members of OpenAI's economic research team have recently quit over that perceived pullback.
OpenAI Staffer Quits, Alleging Company’s Economic Research Is Drifting Into AI Advocacy
Four sources close to the situation claim OpenAI has become hesitant to publish research on the negative impact of AI. The company says it has only expanded the economic research team’s scope.
www.wired.com
December 9, 2025 at 5:53 PM
NEW: Four sources tell @mzeff.bsky.social that OpenAI has become reluctant to publish research on the negative economic impacts of AI, including job displacement.
At least two members of OpenAI's economic research team have recently quit over that perceived pullback.
At least two members of OpenAI's economic research team have recently quit over that perceived pullback.
Reposted by Max Zeff
An OpenAI staffer has quit, claiming that the company has backed off from publishing negative economic research about AI. scoop from @mzeff.bsky.social www.wired.com/story/openai...
OpenAI Staffer Quits, Alleging Company’s Economic Research Is Drifting Into AI Advocacy
Four sources close to the situation claim OpenAI has become hesitant to publish research on the negative impact of AI. The company says it has only expanded the economic research team’s scope.
www.wired.com
December 9, 2025 at 5:43 PM
An OpenAI staffer has quit, claiming that the company has backed off from publishing negative economic research about AI. scoop from @mzeff.bsky.social www.wired.com/story/openai...
SCOOP: As OpenAI faces increased scrutiny over how ChatGPT responds to distressed users, a research leader spearheading that work announced her departure, WIRED has learned.
Andrea Vallone, the head of model policy, will leave the company by the end of 2025.
Andrea Vallone, the head of model policy, will leave the company by the end of 2025.
November 24, 2025 at 5:17 PM
SCOOP: As OpenAI faces increased scrutiny over how ChatGPT responds to distressed users, a research leader spearheading that work announced her departure, WIRED has learned.
Andrea Vallone, the head of model policy, will leave the company by the end of 2025.
Andrea Vallone, the head of model policy, will leave the company by the end of 2025.
Reposted by Max Zeff
Scoop w/ @peard33.bsky.social and @mzeff.bsky.social: OpenAI locked down its San Francisco offices today after receiving a threat from an activist previously associated with Stop AI: www.wired.com/story/openai...
OpenAI Locks Down San Francisco Offices Following Alleged Threat From Activist
A message on OpenAI’s internal Slack claimed the activist in question had expressed interest in “causing physical harm to OpenAI employees.”
www.wired.com
November 22, 2025 at 12:10 AM
Scoop w/ @peard33.bsky.social and @mzeff.bsky.social: OpenAI locked down its San Francisco offices today after receiving a threat from an activist previously associated with Stop AI: www.wired.com/story/openai...
Reposted by Max Zeff
A $100 million pro-AI super PAC has picked its first target. @mzeff.bsky.social talked to New York congressional candidate Alex Bores about what it's like to be in Andreessen Horowitz's crosshairs: www.wired.com/story/alex-b...
A $100 Million AI Super PAC Targeted New York Democrat Alex Bores. He Thinks It Backfired
Leading the Future said it will spend millions to keep Alex Bores out of Congress. It might be helping him instead.
www.wired.com
November 21, 2025 at 3:20 PM
A $100 million pro-AI super PAC has picked its first target. @mzeff.bsky.social talked to New York congressional candidate Alex Bores about what it's like to be in Andreessen Horowitz's crosshairs: www.wired.com/story/alex-b...
Reposted by Max Zeff
NEW: Trump Takes Aim at State AI Laws in Draft Executive Order
All the deets + more w/ @mzeff.bsky.social (it's his first WIRED byline yay!!!!)
www.wired.com/story/trump-...
All the deets + more w/ @mzeff.bsky.social (it's his first WIRED byline yay!!!!)
www.wired.com/story/trump-...
Trump Takes Aim at State AI Laws in Draft Executive Order
The draft order, obtained by WIRED, instructs the US Justice Department to sue states that pass laws regulating AI.
www.wired.com
November 20, 2025 at 2:02 AM
NEW: Trump Takes Aim at State AI Laws in Draft Executive Order
All the deets + more w/ @mzeff.bsky.social (it's his first WIRED byline yay!!!!)
www.wired.com/story/trump-...
All the deets + more w/ @mzeff.bsky.social (it's his first WIRED byline yay!!!!)
www.wired.com/story/trump-...
Excited to announce I’m joining @wired.com as a senior writer covering the business of AI!
I’ve long been a fan of WIRED, but its recent coverage has felt especially impactful. I'm thrilled to work with this talented team, and continue reporting on AI as it reshapes Silicon Valley and the world.
I’ve long been a fan of WIRED, but its recent coverage has felt especially impactful. I'm thrilled to work with this talented team, and continue reporting on AI as it reshapes Silicon Valley and the world.
November 13, 2025 at 10:03 PM
Excited to announce I’m joining @wired.com as a senior writer covering the business of AI!
I’ve long been a fan of WIRED, but its recent coverage has felt especially impactful. I'm thrilled to work with this talented team, and continue reporting on AI as it reshapes Silicon Valley and the world.
I’ve long been a fan of WIRED, but its recent coverage has felt especially impactful. I'm thrilled to work with this talented team, and continue reporting on AI as it reshapes Silicon Valley and the world.
Personal news: today is my last day at TechCrunch.
Two years ago I moved to SF to be closer to the people building AI. I'm so happy I did — it's been a wild, fascinating, and exciting ride.
Excited to keep reporting on AI and the industry's leaders in my next role. More soon!
Two years ago I moved to SF to be closer to the people building AI. I'm so happy I did — it's been a wild, fascinating, and exciting ride.
Excited to keep reporting on AI and the industry's leaders in my next role. More soon!
October 31, 2025 at 5:23 PM
Personal news: today is my last day at TechCrunch.
Two years ago I moved to SF to be closer to the people building AI. I'm so happy I did — it's been a wild, fascinating, and exciting ride.
Excited to keep reporting on AI and the industry's leaders in my next role. More soon!
Two years ago I moved to SF to be closer to the people building AI. I'm so happy I did — it's been a wild, fascinating, and exciting ride.
Excited to keep reporting on AI and the industry's leaders in my next role. More soon!
Ex-OpenAI safety researcher Steven Adler got his hands on one of ChatGPT's famous cases of delusional spiraling. Today he published his analysis of Allan Brooks' incident in May, first covered by @nytimes.com
“I’m really concerned by how OpenAI handled support here,” Adler told me.
“I’m really concerned by how OpenAI handled support here,” Adler told me.
October 2, 2025 at 4:10 PM
Ex-OpenAI safety researcher Steven Adler got his hands on one of ChatGPT's famous cases of delusional spiraling. Today he published his analysis of Allan Brooks' incident in May, first covered by @nytimes.com
“I’m really concerned by how OpenAI handled support here,” Adler told me.
“I’m really concerned by how OpenAI handled support here,” Adler told me.
Reposted by Max Zeff
You know how every podcast is a video now? Well ... If you like seeing my face when I talk about tech news, then today is your LUCKY DAY. (Better still, you get to see
@kirstenkorosec.bsky.social + @mzeff.bsky.social) techcrunch.com/2025/09/19/t...
@kirstenkorosec.bsky.social + @mzeff.bsky.social) techcrunch.com/2025/09/19/t...
TechCrunch’s Equity podcast is on video, starting today | TechCrunch
We get it, it seems like every single podcast you love is now on video. And guess what…so is TechCrunch's flagship podcast Equity.
techcrunch.com
September 19, 2025 at 7:18 PM
You know how every podcast is a video now? Well ... If you like seeing my face when I talk about tech news, then today is your LUCKY DAY. (Better still, you get to see
@kirstenkorosec.bsky.social + @mzeff.bsky.social) techcrunch.com/2025/09/19/t...
@kirstenkorosec.bsky.social + @mzeff.bsky.social) techcrunch.com/2025/09/19/t...
Scoop: OpenAI reorganized its Model Behavior team to be closer to core model development, TechCrunch has learned.
Plus, the founding leader of Model Behavior, Joanne Jang, is starting a new unit called "OAI Labs," focused on "novel interactions" between humans and AI.
Plus, the founding leader of Model Behavior, Joanne Jang, is starting a new unit called "OAI Labs," focused on "novel interactions" between humans and AI.
September 5, 2025 at 11:43 PM
Scoop: OpenAI reorganized its Model Behavior team to be closer to core model development, TechCrunch has learned.
Plus, the founding leader of Model Behavior, Joanne Jang, is starting a new unit called "OAI Labs," focused on "novel interactions" between humans and AI.
Plus, the founding leader of Model Behavior, Joanne Jang, is starting a new unit called "OAI Labs," focused on "novel interactions" between humans and AI.
SCOOP: A Scale executive Alexandr Wang brought over to help run MSL has departed Meta after just two months.
Plus, researchers in TBD Labs have complained that Scale AI's data is low quality, and are using its competitors, Surge and Mercor, to train next-gen AI models.
Plus, researchers in TBD Labs have complained that Scale AI's data is low quality, and are using its competitors, Surge and Mercor, to train next-gen AI models.
August 30, 2025 at 5:06 AM
SCOOP: A Scale executive Alexandr Wang brought over to help run MSL has departed Meta after just two months.
Plus, researchers in TBD Labs have complained that Scale AI's data is low quality, and are using its competitors, Surge and Mercor, to train next-gen AI models.
Plus, researchers in TBD Labs have complained that Scale AI's data is low quality, and are using its competitors, Surge and Mercor, to train next-gen AI models.
NEW: Meta is updating how it trains AI chatbots such that they can't have inappropriate romantic conversations with teenage users.
This follows a bombshell report that found Meta was allowing its AI chatbots to have sensual chats with teens. Meta calls these "interim" changes.
This follows a bombshell report that found Meta was allowing its AI chatbots to have sensual chats with teens. Meta calls these "interim" changes.
August 29, 2025 at 5:42 PM
NEW: Meta is updating how it trains AI chatbots such that they can't have inappropriate romantic conversations with teenage users.
This follows a bombshell report that found Meta was allowing its AI chatbots to have sensual chats with teens. Meta calls these "interim" changes.
This follows a bombshell report that found Meta was allowing its AI chatbots to have sensual chats with teens. Meta calls these "interim" changes.
Reposted by Max Zeff
Elon Musk said Grok 4 is “maximally truth-seeking.”
But if you ask Grok 4 questions about controversial topics, one of its first steps is to search for what Musk has said publicly about the topic, and then it shapes its response around that.
Yes, really:
techcrunch.com/2025/07/10/g...
But if you ask Grok 4 questions about controversial topics, one of its first steps is to search for what Musk has said publicly about the topic, and then it shapes its response around that.
Yes, really:
techcrunch.com/2025/07/10/g...
Grok 4 seems to consult Elon Musk to answer controversial questions | TechCrunch
Elon Musk's newly launched AI chatbot, Grok 4, seemed to reference Musk's posts on social media before answering controversial questions.
techcrunch.com
July 11, 2025 at 12:24 AM
Elon Musk said Grok 4 is “maximally truth-seeking.”
But if you ask Grok 4 questions about controversial topics, one of its first steps is to search for what Musk has said publicly about the topic, and then it shapes its response around that.
Yes, really:
techcrunch.com/2025/07/10/g...
But if you ask Grok 4 questions about controversial topics, one of its first steps is to search for what Musk has said publicly about the topic, and then it shapes its response around that.
Yes, really:
techcrunch.com/2025/07/10/g...
NEW: Cloudflare has a big idea to give publishers a lifeline in the AI era.
It's called Pay per Crawl, and it forces AI companies to pay publishers every time they scrape a website. New websites set up with Cloudflare will also block all AI crawlers by default now.
It's called Pay per Crawl, and it forces AI companies to pay publishers every time they scrape a website. New websites set up with Cloudflare will also block all AI crawlers by default now.
July 1, 2025 at 4:12 PM
NEW: Cloudflare has a big idea to give publishers a lifeline in the AI era.
It's called Pay per Crawl, and it forces AI companies to pay publishers every time they scrape a website. New websites set up with Cloudflare will also block all AI crawlers by default now.
It's called Pay per Crawl, and it forces AI companies to pay publishers every time they scrape a website. New websites set up with Cloudflare will also block all AI crawlers by default now.