Daily Crunch: With just $2.2B in remaining liquidity, SVB’s parent company files for bankruptcyTo get a roundup of TechCrunch’s biggest and most important stories delivered to your inbox every day at 3 p.m. PDT, subscribe here.
Happy Friday Crunch!
There’s a persistent theory in hardware that manufacturing overseas is the cheaper/better/more efficient option. You manufacture there, assemble somewhere else, and finally approve and get to market in the United States, Haje writes on TC+. It turns out that it’s possible to manufacture closer to home. With supply chains in the news more than ever, “nearshoring” is an oft-overlooked option for startups.
On that note — we’re going to drink a beer with a shamrock poured into the foam, for no particular reason whatsoever.  — Christine and Haje
The TechCrunch Top 3

Next stop, Chapter 11: Today, SVB Financial filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection, disclosing that it has $2.2 billion in liquidity, Ingrid reports. “This will mean that SVB Financial can apply, and plans to apply, to the courts to resume activities while finding buyers for its assets, which include going ahead with its plans to sell off SVB Securities and SVB Capital, and more,” Ingrid notes.
More that we didn’t ask for: Now U.S. users can add a coveted blue check mark to their Instagram and Facebook accounts — well, at least get on the waitlist to do so — for a monthly fee, that is, Aisha reports. Nothing in life is truly free, loves. But there are stickers, so there’s that.
In the nick of time: As a serial entrepreneur who has famously endured some ups and downs, Parker Conrad has nearly seen it all. Or so he might have thought until last week, Connie reports. Rippling, his six-year-old workforce management company, would go on to secure $500 million in fresh funding as a kind of insurance in the very likely scenario that SVB’s meltdown wasn’t resolved nearly as quickly as it happened.

Startups and VC
Last night, the news broke that Virgin Orbit was pausing operations for at least a week while it looked for funding to support the business. As part of that pause, company executives reportedly told staff in an all-hands meeting that they were being furloughed — and that it would be unpaid. it never should’ve come to a staff furlough, however, Aria writes.
Unearthly Materials claimed to have big-name investors, but they weren’t all on board, Tim reports over on TC+. The startup claims it’s on the cusp of a superconductor breakthrough despite questionable scientific record.
And we have five more for you, complete with saltier-than-usual commentary:

I’d like to buy all your porn, please: Amanda writes that Pornhub owner MindGeek was bought by a private equity firm.
Like an electron, you bring me to my excited state: Lauren reports that wedding platform Joy will let you outsource your vows to OpenAI.
Cleaner communities, one community at a time: Elemental aims to pump $43 million into climate startups with “deep community impact,” writes Harri.
Big bucks for mobile payments: Manish writes that Walmart invests $200 million in Indian mobile payments giant PhonePe.
Safe as banks: Top crypto app downloads rise over 15% following SVB collapse, Jacquelyn reports.

Best practices for changing times: How founders should leverage AI and ML in 2023
Image Credits: Getty Images
We don’t run many articles promoting basic best practices. Suggestions like “listen to your customers” and “make data-driven decisions” are so general, they’re hard to implement.
But now that AI-driven solutions are offering search results, producing poems and generating illustrations on demand, startups need a framework for creating customized user experiences, according to Ab Gaur, founder and CEO of Verticurl.
“While excessive or unhelpful customer data can clog content pipelines, the right information can power hyper-personalization at scale,” he writes.

Best practices for leveraging artificial intelligence and machine learning in 2023

Three more from the TC+ team:

Software to the rescue?: Will software for CFOs create a bright spot in a battered fintech market? Alex and Anna wonder.
BRB, storing my money in gold: Founders scramble to figure out which banks are safe, reports Natasha M.
Here’s how they raised: Haje is back with another Pitch Deck Teardown: StudentFinance’s $41 million Series A deck.

TechCrunch+ is our membership program that helps founders and startup teams get ahead of the pack. You can sign up here. Use code “DC” for a 15% discount on an annual subscription!
Big Tech Inc.
TikTok had a lot going on in the past day: Taking a nod from several governmental entities in the United States, New Zealand banned TikTok from phones of parliamentarians. Ivan has more on what is going on there. Speaking of the U.S., Taylor writes that the government here is increasing its pressure on TikTok to separate from parent company ByteDance or risk also being banned in the U.S. While the social media giant is dealing with that, it’s also managed to strike a multiyear deal with Major League Soccer — well, unless it’s banned in the U.S. For now, the deal will provide exclusive content and other in-app programming, Aisha writes.
And we have five more for you:

No, you are not dreaming: That is Donald Trump back on YouTube, Amanda reports.
Just what you were waiting for: OpenAI’s ChatGPT Plus subscription is now live in India, Jagmeet writes.
Don’t wait!: Google found that some Samsung chips can be exploited to compromise Android devices and is now warning users to take action to protect themselves. Zack has more.
One phone to rule them all: The Federal Communications Commission voted to move forward with satellite-to-phone rules to eliminate ‘no signal’ once and for all, Devin reports.
Pour one out for our homies: “The world wasn’t ready for Google Glass,” Brian writes in his tribute, Goodbye, Google Glass, we knew you well.

Daily Crunch: With just $2.2B in remaining liquidity, SVB’s parent company files for bankruptcy by Christine Hall originally published on TechCrunch

HUMAN ARTISTRY CAMPAIGN LAUNCHES, Announces AI PrinciplesA broad coalition announced the launch of the Human Artistry Campaign to ensure artificial intelligence technologies are developed and used in ways that support human culture and artistry – and not ways that replace or erode it. With more than 40 members including major unions, trade associations, and policy experts representing individual creators and rightsholders from across the entire tapestry of creative endeavor, the Human Artistry Campaign is positioned to be a leading voice in the rapidly unfolding debate over the costs and benefits of different forms of AI.The group outlined principles advocating AI best practices, emphasizing respect for artists, their work, and their personas; transparency; and adherence to existing law including copyright and intellectual property.The campaign urges supporters to sign a petition to advance these fundamental principles.The launch was announced at SXSW in Austin today at an event featuring voice actor and prolific songwriter Dan Navarro, GRAMMY-nominated singer-songwriter Jessy Wilson and UT Austin professor and immersive technology expert Erin Reilly – and moderated by Rob Levine, Billboard's Deputy Editorial Director.

Core Principles for Artificial Intelligence Applicationsin Support of Human Creativity and Accomplishments1. Technology has long empowered human expression, and AI will be no different.

For generations, various technologies have been used successfully to support human creativity. Take music, for example... From piano rolls to amplification to guitar pedals to synthesizers to drum machines to digital audio workstations, beat libraries and stems and beyond, musical creators have long used technology to express their visions through different voices, instruments, and devices. AI already is and will increasingly play that role as a tool to assist the creative process, allowing for a wider range of people to express themselves creatively.Moreover, AI has many valuable uses outside of the creative process itself, including those that amplify fan connections, hone personalized recommendations, identify content quickly and accurately, assist with scheduling, automate and enhance efficient payment systems – and more. We embrace these technological advances.

2. Human-created works will continue to play an essential role in our lives

Creative works shape our identity, values, and worldview. People relate most deeply to works that embody the lived experience, perceptions, and attitudes of others. Only humans can create and fully realize works written, recorded, created, or performed with such specific meaning. Art cannot exist independent of human culture.

3. Use of copyrighted works, and use of the voices and likenesses of professional performers, requires authorization, licensing, and compliance with all relevant state and federal laws.

We fully recognize the immense potential of AI to push the boundaries for knowledge and scientific progress. However, as with predecessor technologies, the use of copyrighted works requires permission from the copyright owner. AI must be subject to free-market licensing for the use of works in the development and training of AI models. Creators and copyright owners must retain exclusive control over determining how their content is used. AI developers must ensure any content used for training purposes is approved and licensed from the copyright owner, including content previously used by any pre-trained AIs they may adopt. Additionally, performers' and athletes' voices and likenesses must only be used with their consent and fair market compensation for specific uses.

4. Governments should not create new copyright or other IP exemptions that allow AI developers to exploit creators without permission or compensation.

AI must not receive exemptions from copyright law or other intellectual property laws and must comply with core principles of fair market competition and compensation. Creating special shortcuts or legal loopholes for AI would harm creative livelihoods, damage creators' brands, and limit incentives to create and invest in new works.

5. Copyright should only protect the unique value of human intellectual creativity.

Copyright protection exists to help incentivize and reward human creativity, skill, labor, and judgment -not output solely created and generated by machines. Human creators, whether they use traditional tools or express their creativity using computers, are the foundation of the creative industries and we must ensure that human creators are paid for their work.

6. Trustworthiness and transparency are essential to the success of AI and protection of creators.

Complete recordkeeping of copyrighted works, performances, and likenesses, including the way in which they were used to develop and train any AI system, is essential. Algorithmic transparency and clear identification of a work's provenance are foundational to AI trustworthiness. Stakeholders should work collaboratively to develop standards for technologies that identify the input used to create AI-generated output. In addition to obtaining appropriate licenses, content generated solely by AI should be labeled describing all inputs and methodology used to create it -- informing consumer choices, and protecting creators and rightsholders.

7. Creators' interests must be represented in policymaking.

Policymakers must consider the interests of human creators when crafting policy around AI. Creators live on the forefront of, and are building and inspiring, evolutions in technology and as such need a seat at the table in any conversations regarding legislation, regulation, or government priorities regarding AI that would impact their creativity and the way it affects their industry and livelihood.

Human Artistry Campaign – Member Commentary

“Artists shape our culture and help build a richer, more meaningful world. We simply cannot hand over that great responsibility to computers. AI is a wonderful tool, but it needs to complement human creativity, not replace it. We will not sit on the sidelines while Big Tech once again defines the rules for a new creative frontier.” – A2IM President and CEO Richard Burgess“Black songwriters, producers, and artists already face an uphill battle for ownership, credit, and proper payment in the music industry. Although AI can be an incredible tool, without the protection of real human artistry AI could devastate the Black creative community that leads so much of popular culture.” – Black Music Action Coalition Co-founder and Co-Chair Willie “Prophet” Stiggers“Artists and all creators are determined to lead on this issue and make sure we have a thoughtful, serious debate about both the risks and the benefits of AI. And the time for that debate is now.” – Susan Genco, Board Member Music Artists Coalition“Incredible music originates from individuals. As we face growing AI capabilities, we as an industry are united around the fact that human artistry must be protected by strong copyright law and policy and that AI tools are developed in ways that do not undermine the value of songwriters' work.” – NMPA President & CEO David Israelite.“There is so much potential with AI. But it also presents risks to our creative community. It's crucial that we get this right early on so we don't risk losing the artistic magic that only humans can create.” – Recording Academy CEO Harvey Mason jr.“Human artistry is irreplicable. Recent developments in AI are remarkable, but we have seen the costs before of rushing heedlessly forward without real thought or respect for law and rights. Our principles are designed to chart a healthy path for AI innovation that enhances and rewards human artistry, creativity, and performance.” – RIAA Chairman and CEO Mitch Glazier“It comes down to respect for creative workers and their craft. We have long fought for protections against misappropriation of our members' voices, likenesses and performances, and we are excited to continue that vital work in conjunction with our coalition partners. As technology continues to improve storytelling, we want to ensure humans are always at the center of the story.” – SAG-AFTRA National Executive Director and Chief Negotiator Duncan Crabtree-Ireland“Artificial intelligence is a powerful, still-emerging technology that presents unique challenges as it matures in the creative arts space. We embrace the responsible use of AI, but recent advancements in AI have underscored the need to develop consensus on responsible use and to address important intellectual property concerns. Our culture and our technology must respect the foundational role that all creators play in AI's ultimate output.”– SoundExchange President and CEO Michael Huppe

About the Human Artistry Campaign: The Human Artistry Campaign was launched at SXSW 2023 for open dialogue and guidance from the united creative community in shaping the AI debate. Visit HumanArtistryCampaign.com to join.Members include: AFL-CIO; American Association of Independent Music; American Federation of Musicians; Americana Music Association; American Photographic Artists; Artist Rights Alliance; Artist Rights Watch; ASCAP; Association of American Publishers; Authors Guild; Black Music Action Coalition; BPI; Christian Music Trade Association; Church Music Publishers Association; Concept Art Association; Department of Professional Employees, AFL-CIO; European Composer and Songwriter Alliance; Folk Alliance International; Future of Music Coalition; Georgia Music Partners; Global Music Rights; Gospel Music Association; Graphic Artists Guild; IFPI; International Federation of Actors; #IRespectMusic; Living Legends Foundation; MLB Players Association; Music Artists Coalition; Music Managers Forum – US; Music Tech Policy; Music Workers Alliance; National Music Publishers' Association; News Media Alliance; NFL Players Association; NHL Players' Association; Professional Photographers of America; Recording Academy; Recording Industry Association of America; Rhythm & Blues Foundation; SAG-AFTRA; SESAC, Songwriters of North America; SoundExchange and The Trichordist.

# # #

www.HumanArtistryCampaign.com contact@humanartistrycampaign.com

From Believe’s $800m in annual revenues to HYBE ending its SM Entertainment takeover bid… it’s MBW’s Weekly Round-UpThe biggest stories on MBW from the past seven days
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In a shock move, Meta has pulled music by Italian songwriters from its platforms. Is this connected to Mark Zuckerberg’s ‘Year of Efficiency’ ?A mega dispute is brewing in Italy between music publishers and Mark Zuckerberg's Meta
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40 trade groups form Human Artistry Campaign to shape AI for creativesA broad coalition has come together to launch the Human Artistry Campaign with the goal of ensuring that artificial intelligence (AI) is developed and used to support human culture and artistry and. Continue reading
The post 40 trade groups form Human Artistry Campaign to shape AI for creatives appeared first on Hypebot.

50 short video content ideas for musicians on Reels, TikTok, YouTubeAre you feeling stuck and looking for content ideas? For this week’s Flashback Friday, we resurface a post by our friend and music marketer extraordinaire Michael Brandvold with content ideas. Continue reading
The post 50 short video content ideas for musicians on Reels, TikTok, YouTube appeared first on Hypebot.

Techivation unveil new M-Loudener plug-in M-Loudener aims to provide users with control over their track's perceived loudness and stereo width without sacrificing clarity and dynamic range. 

Waves MetaFilter Is FREE For A Limited Time
Waves Audio and ProducerGrind offer the MetaFilter ($149 list price, $29 sale price) plugin as a FREE download for a limited time. MetaFilter is a multi-mode resonant filter plugin with a built-in step sequencer, envelope follower, and an LFO. It also features a delay module, distortion, and a stereo widener. The step sequencer is a [...]
View post: Waves MetaFilter Is FREE For A Limited Time

Dolby Atmos Renderer application released Dolby's latest software release combines the features of their Dolby Atmos Production Suite and Dolby Atmos Mastering Suite tools into a single all-in-one solution.

The US government ramps up its pressure campaign against TikTokThe Biden administration is escalating its pressure campaign against TikTok, threatening a U.S. ban against the world’s most popular app if the company doesn’t split with its Chinese ownership.
The current administration’s public concerns around the hit app have ratcheted up considerably in recent days. The Wall Street Journal reported this week that the U.S. government is again seeking to separate the app from its Chinese owners, demanding the sale through the Committee on Foreign Investment in the U.S. (CFIUS).
TikTok pushed back against the new White House demand, arguing that the proposed solution wouldn’t resolve the U.S. government’s concerns. TikTok claims that the company’s own unusual gesture at self-regulation — undergoing an audit by U.S.-based tech giant Oracle, among other measures — would offer more resolution.
“If protecting national security is the objective, divestment doesn’t solve the problem: a change in ownership would not impose any new restrictions on data flows or access,” TikTok spokesperson Maureen Shanahan told TechCrunch. “The best way to address concerns about national security is with the transparent, U.S.-based protection of U.S. user data and systems, with robust third-party monitoring, vetting, and verification, which we are already implementing.”
That program, known as Project Texas, is part of an ongoing TikTok charm offensive in the U.S. that seeks to portray the company’s U.S. operations as transparent and accountable. The campaign comes with about $1.5 billion in infrastructure spending and corporate re-organization to erect a firewall between the company’s U.S. business and its Chinese ownership.
In an interview with the Journal, TikTok CEO Shou Zi Chew argued that Project Texas would place U.S. data beyond the reach of the Chinese government. He declined to answer if TikTok’s parent company ByteDance’s founders would be open to divesting.
“I do welcome feedback on what other risk we are talking about that is not addressed by this,” Chew said in the interview. “So far I haven’t heard anything that cannot actually be solved by this.”
The TikTok national security saga began during the Trump administration. The Trump White House’s threats against the company eventually culminated in a plan to force TikTok to sell its U.S. operations to Oracle in late 2020. At the time, TikTok also rejected an acquisition offer from Microsoft, but ultimately didn’t sell to Oracle either.
The deal was shelved indefinitely when the Biden took office the following year, a result of changing White House priorities and a flurry of successful court challenges by TikTok parent company ByteDance.
Last year, TikTok’s odd relationship with Oracle turned a new page, with the company shifting data on U.S.-based users to Oracle’s domestic servers. Around the same time, an explosive story from BuzzFeed documented internal TikTok discussions in which Chinese employees admitted to having open access to data on American users — reporting that ran counter to the company’s reassurances.
Since then, the Biden administration has expressed its own concerns over the hit Chinese app, which has taken the world by storm and dislodged U.S.-based social media incumbents.
On Thursday, Emily Baker-White, who has published a number of illuminating stories about TikTok and national security concerns, reported that the FBI and the Department of Justice are both investigating the company over concerns that it has surveilled American journalists. The UK also announced a TikTok ban for government devices Thursday — a move the U.S. government previously implemented. In recent months, some U.S. based colleges have also followed suit, complying with the guidance issued by state-level executive orders restricting the app.
In a recent Senate Intelligence hearing, FBI director Chris Wray voiced his agency’s own worries about the app and its ties to an authoritarian state with an increasingly adversarial relationship to the U.S. Wray confirmed his belief that the Chinese government could force TikTok’s U.S. operation to hand it control of the software, affecting many millions of Americans. If that came to pass, Wray argued that there might not be “outward signs” to indicate that the app was compromised at all.
“Something that’s very sacred in our country — the difference between the private sector and the public sector — that’s a line that is nonexistent in the way the CCP operates,” Wray said.
The timing of the Biden administration’s fresh efforts to raise alarm about TikTok probably isn’t random. Next week, TikTok CEO Shou Zi Chew will testify before the House Energy and Commerce committee, the chief executive’s first time before Congress. The hearing, scheduled for March 23, will explore TikTok’s “consumer privacy and data security practices, the platform’s impact on kids, and their relationship with the Chinese Communist Party,” according to the now Republican-led committee.
“Americans deserve to know how these actions impact their privacy and data security, as well as what actions TikTok is taking to keep our kids safe from online and offline harms,” Committee Chair Cathy McMorris Rodgers said.

More universities are banning TikTok from their campus networks and devices

The US government ramps up its pressure campaign against TikTok by Taylor Hatmaker originally published on TechCrunch

Collapse of Silvergate and Silicon Valley Bank represent a challenge for cryptoThe fire lit by Silvergate Bank and Silicon Valley Bank will make it harder for crypto to find financial partners.

SoundExchange Joins Human Artistry Campaign to Protect Royalty Payments for CreatorsSoundExchange, the premier music-tech organization, powering the future of music, announced during SXSW 2023 in Austin, Texas, the founding of the Human Artistry CampAIgn along with more than 40 organizations, including the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA), The Recording Academy, AFL-CIO, and SAG-AFTRA. 

The coalition brings together organizations from music and other industries potentially impacted by artificial intelligence (AI) and outlines foundational principles for supporting human creativity while embracing opportunities presented by AI. 

“Artificial intelligence is a powerful, still-emerging technology that presents unique challenges as it matures in the creative arts space,” said Michael Huppe, President and CEO of SoundExchange. “We embrace the responsible use of AI as a tool that spurs the continuing evolution of human-created works. At the same time, recent advancements in AI have underscored the need to develop consensus on responsible use and to address important intellectual property concerns. Our culture and our technology must respect the foundational role that all creators play in AI’s ultimate output.”

Organizations interested in signing the petition can do so at www.humanartistrycampaign.com.