TechCrunch Offers Last-Minute Halloween Costume Ideas for Tech Fans

TechCrunch published a list of last-minute Halloween costume ideas built around tech-industry in-jokes on Oct. 30, according to the outlet's story. The suggestions target people who have not planned a costume and want something tied to AI and gadget culture, per TechCrunch.

What costume ideas does TechCrunch recommend?

TechCrunch lists several options, including a "deceptively cute AI agent," a "recursive self-improvement" look, and a costume mocking people who wear Meta's camera-equipped smart glasses in public, the outlet reports. TechCrunch writer Amanda Silberling notes that "effort levels vary" across the suggestions.

How do you pull off the 'deceptively cute AI agent' look?

TechCrunch points to Meta and OpenAI, which it says have both launched AI assistants with cute avatars recently. The outlet suggests dressing in something "big and fluffy," such as a puffy jacket or colorful feather boas, paired with a distinctive hat or glasses to resemble a ChatGPT-style dot. A matching colorful shirt and pants also works, according to the piece. TechCrunch's bit: spend the night asking people for "read/write access to their Gmail."

What is the 'recursive self-improvement' costume?

TechCrunch frames this one around AI leaders Dario Amodei and Sam Altman, who the outlet says have warned that AI models capable of recursive self-improvement could advance without human intervention. The costume skips the AI metaphor and instead satirizes New Year's-resolution culture, TechCrunch says. Its instructions: carry a self-help book such as "Atomic Habits" or a Malcolm Gladwell title, bring a yoga mat and a large water bottle, leave parties early claiming to go to therapy, and talk up an Oura Ring sleep score. "You are recursive self-improvement," the outlet writes.

How does the Meta glasses costume work?

TechCrunch's third idea targets people who record others without consent using camera-equipped smart glasses, which the piece refers to informally as "pervert glasses." The instructions are simple: take any pair of glasses, attach a red or white circle to one lens to mimic a recording light, and wear them around unsuspecting partygoers, according to TechCrunch.

The outlet frames the broader list as commentary on the AI industry's current moment, from debates over how quickly AI capabilities are advancing to privacy concerns around wearable cameras. TechCrunch does not specify additional costumes beyond the AI agent, recursive self-improvement and Meta glasses entries in the material reviewed for this report.

Where can readers find the full list?

TechCrunch's complete roundup, including its reasoning for each costume and accompanying images, is available on TechCrunch's website. The outlet credits its Media & Entertainment desk with the piece, published Oct. 30 at 2:26 p.m. PDT.

mindfulAI Keyboard — An iPhone keyboard that rewrites a draft in a tone you pick. Four free AI actions a day.