Meta Opens Muse Spark, Replit Picks OpenAI, Bumble Sells for $1.3B, Character.AI Files Chapter 11: 15 Must-Know Startup and AI Stories (October 18, 2026)
AI startup news dominated the week ending October 18, 2026, as TechCrunch Disrupt turned San Francisco into a launchpad for new models, big strategy shifts, and a few sobering exits. This week’s AI startup news roundup covers Meta’s biggest open-weight model yet, Replit’s surprise switch of default model provider, Bumble’s take-private deal, Character.AI’s bankruptcy, and …