Welcome back to your daily dossier talking AI, robotics, crypto and the future of tech. 👾

In today’s edition we are tackling the following:

💰 Jeff Bezos joins a $700M funding round for Tenstorrent.
💸 XRP reclaims its position as the third-largest cryptocurrency.
📸 World Labs unveils an AI tool to create immersive 3D scenes from single photos.
🌾 AI revolutionizes crop breeding, cutting development time by 70%.
🍸 Harvard researchers develop vodka-powered robots.

AI

• World Labs AI Can Generate Interactive 3D Scenes From a Single Photo

  • World Labs unveils AI capable of creating immersive 3D scenes from just one photo, a breakthrough in visual technology.

  • Applications range from gaming to real estate, offering interactive environments with minimal input.

  • The tool simplifies 3D content creation, potentially disrupting industries reliant on traditional modeling.

• AI Is Revolutionizing Crop Breeding for Farmers Facing Climate Change

  • AI is transforming agriculture by accelerating the development of climate-resilient crop varieties.

  • Farmers benefit from predictive tools that enhance yield and optimize for extreme weather conditions.

  • The technology helps bridge gaps in food security amidst rising global climate challenges.

• Bezos Backs AI Chipmaker Vying With Nvidia at $2.6 Billion Value

  • Jeff Bezos joins Samsung and LG in a $700M funding round for Tenstorrent, valuing the AI chipmaker at $2.6B.

  • Tenstorrent, led by semiconductor pioneer Jim Keller, aims to challenge Nvidia with cost-effective, open-source AI chip solutions.

  • The funding will bolster engineering teams, supply chain investments, and AI training servers to showcase their technology.

ROBOTICS

• Vodka-powered Robots Breakthrough

  • Harvard researchers developed robots powered by vodka, leveraging the Marangoni effect for propulsion.

  • Higher alcohol concentrations improved speed and duration, with robots reaching up to 6 cm/sec.

  • Potential applications include environmental cleanup, industrial processes, and educational tools.

• New Syllabus Boosts Robot Efficiency

  • A new training syllabus improves robot efficiency by enhancing decision-making and task optimization in complex environments.

  • Robots are trained through simulation to adapt to diverse scenarios, reducing failure rates and improving productivity.

  • Applications span logistics, healthcare, and autonomous systems, with a focus on minimizing energy consumption and maximizing speed.

• Robot could sniff out profits for farmers

  • Cornish scientists are testing gamma ray detectors on robots to map soil health faster and more accurately.

  • The £25,000 device eliminates the need for slow, costly lab tests, helping farmers make quicker decisions.

  • Robot dogs can traverse tough terrain, offering potential for hill and hedgerow analysis to improve farm efficiency.

CRYPTO

• Coinbase Now Lets You Buy Crypto With Apple Pay in Third-Party Apps

  • Coinbase's new integration allows app developers to embed Apple Pay for seamless crypto purchases directly in their apps.

  • This marks a shift in Apple's approach to crypto, amid a political climate signaling support for the industry under President-elect Trump.

  • Coinbase CEO Brian Armstrong previously criticized Apple's restrictive policies, which may now be easing.

• Global Ethereum Investment Products Hit $2.2 Billion Annual Inflow Record Amid US ETF Surge

  • Ethereum funds saw $634 million in net inflows last week, driving annual inflows to a record $2.2 billion.

  • U.S. spot Ethereum ETFs led the surge with $466.5 million, boosted by favorable sentiment following the U.S. election.

  • Ethereum outpaced Bitcoin in inflows, signaling renewed investor interest and sparking discussions of an early altcoin market resurgence.

• XRP Reclaims Top Spot as Third-Largest Cryptocurrency After $100 Billion Market Cap Surge

  • XRP surged past a $100 billion market cap, reclaiming its position as the third-largest cryptocurrency after Bitcoin and Ether.

  • The token saw a 341% jump in November, marking a historic comeback from its 2020 SEC lawsuit.

  • Google Trends revealed XRP outpaced "crypto" searches in November, reflecting heightened interest.

CONTENT

• Product-Market Fit – 5 Proven Steps to Exponential Growth

  • Host Pablo Srugo, outlines five steps to achieve market fit, emphasizing research, focus, and value over premature growth.

  • Discusses critical pivots and actionable strategies based on insights from 100+ founder interviews.

  • Key takeaway: Align your product with urgent customer needs to unlock exponential growth.

• 5 Ways the Universe Is Trying to Kill Us | Sara Webb

  • Dr. Sara Webb reveals existential threats, from asteroid impacts to rogue black holes, urging global cooperation for prevention.

  • Explores AI-powered anomaly detection in space science and its role in addressing cosmic dangers.

  • Highlights her work merging AI with astronomy to uncover and mitigate universal risks.

• Lhe Issue with Centralized AI Solutions | Brian Rose & Zoltan Prokai

  • Zoltan Prokai, CEO of Skillful AI, critiques centralized AI models, advocating for user-focused solutions with transparency.

  • Explores Skillful AI's tools allowing users to compare outputs across 120+ models, revealing biases and enhancing customization.

  • Discusses building personalized AI agents through modular design, enabling private, ethical data use and efficient monetization pathways.

AND MORE…

• AWS bets on liquid cooling for its AI servers

  • AWS introduces liquid cooling for AI servers using Trainium2 chips and Nvidia accelerators to handle high-density workloads efficiently.

  • Updated systems integrate air and liquid cooling, reducing energy use and enhancing performance across emerging workloads.

  • AWS uses AI to optimize rack placement, promising a 6x rack power density increase and modular retrofits for sustainability goals.

• China’s robot dog jumps to explore asteroid surfaces

  • China develops a robot dog capable of mid-air adjustments for low-gravity asteroid exploration using reinforcement learning.

  • The AI-powered robot overcomes instability challenges, enabling controlled jumps and reorientation during free fall.

  • Its lightweight design opens possibilities for asteroid mining and research, addressing limitations of traditional rovers.

• Saudi team earns top Arab spot at World Robot Olympiad

  • Saudi students secure 9th globally at World Robot Olympiad with AI-powered robot.

  • Their design integrates machine learning, 3D printing, and advanced sensor technology.

  • Effort highlights Saudi Arabia's growing focus on robotics and STEM education.