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

In today’s edition we are tackling the following:

🎨 Flora builds an AI-powered ‘infinite canvas’ for creative professionals.
🤖 Humanoid robots are starting to work human warehouse jobs.
💰 Trump calls for creation of a ‘Crypto Strategic Reserve.’
🔬 Microsoft announces world's first topological quantum chip - Majorana 1 explained.
🚀 SoftBank’s son goes on a new borrowing binge to fund AI.

AI

• Flora builds an AI-powered ‘infinite canvas’ for creative professionals

  • Flora’s AI-driven platform allows creators to work seamlessly across different media types, enhancing workflow efficiency.

  • The tool integrates generative AI features to assist with ideation, organization, and real-time collaboration.

  • Flora positions itself as a next-generation alternative to traditional design software, focusing on flexibility and AI-enhanced creativity.

• Honor invests $10B in AI and strengthens Google partnership

  • Honor on Sunday pledged $10 billion in artificial intelligence investments over the next five years.

  • The Chinese smartphone company also announced deepening ties with Google around Android updates and an AI agent.

  • Honor is looking to expand outside of China and push into the higher-end part of the market where Apple and Samsung play.

• Apple's artifical intelligence efforts reach a make or break point

  • ​Apple's efforts to enhance Siri with advanced AI capabilities have encountered significant delays.

  • Apple is pushing the anticipated release of a more conversational version to at least iOS 20, expected in 2027.

  • Apple's strategy involves merging the traditional Siri architecture with advanced AI functionalities to handle both simple and complex tasks.

ROBOTICS

• Humanoid robots are starting to work human warehouse jobs

  • Companies like GXO Logistics have begun utilizing humanoid robots, such as Agility Robotics' ‘Digit,’ to handle repetitive warehouse duties.

  • Humanoid robots can adapt to various tasks within the same environment, offering flexibility in operations and multiple roles.

  • Recent progress in artificial intelligence has improved the capabilities of humanoid robots, enabling them to navigate complex environments.

• This robot made of pig gelatin biodegrades when it’s no longer useful

  • ​Researchers at Westlake University in China developed a biodegradable soft robot using pig gelatin and cellulose derived from cotton.

  • The pig gelatin material functions as a sensor by altering its electrical resistance during movement, enabling real-time position tracking.

  • Potential applications include medical procedure, where the robot could perform surgeries or deliver drugs before safely biodegrading.

• Rosendin Electric tests ULC Technologies solar construction robots

  • Rosendin Electric and ULC Technologies developed and tested specialized robots designed for installation of solar modules.

  • The robots are designed to transport, position, and install solar panels, reducing the need for extensive manual labor.

  • The robots integrate computer vision, AI-powered positioning to accurately place and align panels.

CRYPTO

• Trump calls for creation of a ‘Crypto Strategic Reserve’

  • U.S. President Donald Trump announced that XRP, Solana, and Cardano would be included in a U.S. strategic crypto reserve.

  • He later added Bitcoin and Ethereum to the list of assets composing the reserve.

  • XRP, SOL, and ADA experienced significant price surges on the news, while BTC and ETH fans expressed disappointment.

• ADA, XRP, and TRUMP score largest daily gains in crypto market

  • President Trump’s announcement regarding a U.S. Crypto Strategic Reserve sent prices soaring across the crypto industry.

  • Cardano, XRP, Trump’s memecoin, and Solana were the best performing coins over the past 24 hours.

  • Some industry figures have criticized the Strategic Reserve, which Trump said will include at least BTC, ETH, XRP, ADA, and SOL.

• Bybit hacker moves 62,200 ETH, full amount could be cleared in 3 days

  • North Korea’s Lazarus Group intensified efforts to launder funds and is considered the largest crypto hack in history at $1.4B.

  • The cyberattackers moved another 62,200 ETH or $138M on March 1 leaving them with just 156,500 Ethereum remaining.

  • The latest transfer brings the total amount laundered to approximately 343,000 ETH, which is close to 68.7% of the 499,000 ETH stolen.

CONTENT

• Microsoft announces world's first topological quantum chip - Majorana 1 explained

  • Dr. Ben Miles delves into Microsoft's recent breakthrough in quantum computing with the introduction of the Majorana 1 chip.

  • A notable feature of the Majorana 1 chip is its design, which allows for the integration of up to one million qubits on a single, palm-sized chip.

  • Dr. Miles discusses how this development could accelerate the timeline for achieving utility-scale quantum computing.

• Matt Mullenweg on the future of open source and why he’s taking a stand

  • Matt Mullenweg, co-founder of WordPress and CEO of Automattic, oversees a $7 billion company powering 43% of the internet.

  • He addresses public criticism, challenges Meta’s Llama as “fake open source,” and advocates for true open-source principles.

  • Mullenweg believes in building movements, not just products, and even mortgaged his home to fund San Francisco’s Bay Lights project.

• Staying vigilant on deepfakes and emerging AI threats

  • Brian Long, co-founder of Adaptive, joins a16z to discuss the rapid evolution of AI-driven threats.

  • Deepfakes and AI-generated misinformation are becoming more realistic, making it easier to commit fraud, and large-scale deception.

  • Brian dives into the latest developments in adversarial AI, how organizations can stay ahead of evolving threats.

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• SoftBank’s son goes on a new borrowing binge to fund AI

  • SoftBank Group CEO Masayoshi Son is actively seeking substantial financing to bolster the company's investments in artificial intelligence.

  • The company is negotiating to borrow $16 billion to invest in AI, with potential plans to secure an additional $8 billion by early 2026.

  • SoftBank is a key partner in the Stargate Project, a joint venture with OpenAI and Oracle, aiming to invest up to $500 billion in 4 years.

• FAA staff reportedly ordered to find funding for deal with Musk’s Starlink

  • FAA officials have instructed staff to identify funds to support a deal with Starlink, aiming to enhance air traffic control communications.

  • Lawmakers have expressed worries about potential conflicts of interest, given Musk's government role.

  • Elon Musk has publicly criticized the current system's reliability, advocating for Starlink's involvement to improve aviation safety.

• Mark Cuban offers to fund government tech unit that was cut in the middle of the night

  • Billionaire investor Mark Cuban has offered to fund a consulting firm composed of recently laid-off employees from the General Services.

  • This proposal follows the abrupt shutdown of 18F, a unit known for assisting government agencies in developing technology solutions.

  • Cuban's proposal suggests that these skilled tech professionals could form a consulting company to address challenges arising.