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

In today’s edition we are tackling the following:

🧠 OpenAI and Anthropic offer free AI tools to college students in a campus land grab.
🛒 Amazon’s Nova AI buys products from other websites using stored checkout info.
📚 Kindle launches AI-powered ‘Recaps’ to summarize earlier books in a series.
📉 Bitcoin flirts with $80K but faces resistance amid tariff-driven market jitters.
📦 Republic agrees to acquire crypto exchange INX in a $60M cash and stock deal.

AI

• Amazon Kindle's New Feature Uses AI to Generate Recaps for Books in a Series

  • Amazon launched 'Recaps' on Kindle, using AI to summarize earlier books in a series for returning readers.

  • The feature supports thousands of popular titles and is currently limited to Kindle users in the U.S.

  • Readers can find summaries through the new 'View Recaps' button inside their Kindle Library interface.

• Amazon Can Now Buy Products from Other Websites for You

  • Amazon's new 'Buy for Me' feature uses AI to purchase items from external websites via its app.

  • Powered by Nova AI and Claude, it auto-fills checkout forms with user data stored on Amazon.

  • The feature is limited to select U.S. users and currently works on both iOS and Android.

• AI Futures Project: Envisioning AI in 2027

  • The New York Times launched the 'AI Futures Project' to explore how AI might evolve by 2027.

  • Experts forecast advancements in regulation, ethics, and AI integration into everyday life and decision-making systems.

  • The initiative highlights potential consequences, progress, and concerns about AI’s global impact across sectors.

ROBOTICS

• Flexible Robot Assists Emergency Responders in Rubble Searches

  • MIT researchers created a soft, inflatable robot called SPROUT that navigates debris to help locate trapped survivors.

  • The robot extends like a growing vine, using real-time camera feeds to search within collapsed buildings and rubble.

  • SPROUT currently reaches 10 feet but aims to expand to 25 feet for broader emergency rescue applications.

• Government Policy Shifts Present Opportunities for U.S. Robotics

  • Robotics panelists said U.S. policy changes could unlock public-private opportunities across defense, logistics, and manufacturing sectors.

  • Experts stressed the importance of aligning startup goals with federal funding initiatives to support scalable robotics innovation.

  • Government investment may accelerate tech development, even amid uncertainty about long-term regulatory directions.

• New Metamaterials Could Enhance Robotics Efficiency

  • Scientists developed a metamaterial that stores and releases elastic energy, ideal for building lightweight robotic structures.

  • The material’s design offers enhanced deformation control, potentially boosting robot speed, efficiency, and durability.

  • Applications range from wearable robotics to drones, where reduced weight and energy waste are critical design goals.

CRYPTO

• ‘Liberation Day’ Tariffs Tank Official Donald Trump Meme Coin 15%

  • The TRUMP meme coin fell 15% after Trump’s 'Liberation Day' tariffs targeted over 180 global trading partners.

  • Investors reacted sharply to new duties on countries like China and Ukraine, prompting immediate digital asset declines.

  • The coin dropped to early launch levels, reflecting waning enthusiasm for politically driven meme assets amid volatility.

• Bitcoin Nears $80K but 'Turning Point' in Sight, Suggests Analyst

  • Bitcoin climbed near $80K before stalling, as analysts flagged a potential pivot in the current crypto rally.

  • Trump's tariffs may trigger broader macro uncertainty, reinforcing Bitcoin’s narrative as a hedge against traditional markets.

  • Technical resistance zones and institutional profit-taking are contributing to a possible short-term correction in BTC momentum.

• Republic Agrees to Acquire Crypto Trading Company INX for Up to $60 Million

  • Republic will acquire INX for up to $60 million in cash and stock, pending regulatory approvals.

  • INX shares surged 180% following the announcement, rising from $0.035 to $0.10 on heavy volume.

  • The deal expands Republic’s footprint in tokenized securities and crypto trading infrastructure globally.

CONTENT

• Unbundling the BPO: How AI Is Disrupting Outsourced Work

  • a16z’s Kimberly Tan explains how AI is automating BPO tasks like invoicing, support, logistics, and internal operations.

  • New AI agents offer scalable, affordable alternatives to traditional outsourcing for startups and mid-market companies.

  • Founders can now automate across systems without hiring offshore teams, unlocking new categories of software opportunities.

• OpenAI’s 4o Image Gen Melted Servers, Got Nerfed… and Raised $40 Billion

  • OpenAI’s 4o image generator overwhelmed servers after launch, prompting limits and feature nerfs across ChatGPT Pro.

  • Despite the throttling, OpenAI closed a massive $40B raise, boosting its valuation to nearly $300 billion.

  • The episode also covers Runway Gen-4, OmniHuman-1 lip sync, Meta’s Hypernova glasses, and Anthropic’s explainability push.

• All-In: Colin and Samir, Chris Williamson, and Bryan Johnson

  • The Besties host Colin & Samir, Chris Williamson, and Bryan Johnson to discuss content, business, and longevity.

  • Guests explore YouTube monetization, short-form vs long-form strategy, and scaling creative work sustainably.

  • Bryan shares views on Spotify’s shift to video, nutrition, U.S. food policy, and ketamine-assisted therapy.

AND MORE…

• Microsoft Reportedly Pulls Back on Its Data Center Plans

  • Microsoft is reportedly pausing or canceling data center projects in key global regions to reduce expansion risk.

  • The shift reflects internal concerns over capacity planning and infrastructure overspending amid rising cloud and AI demands.

  • Microsoft will prioritize upgrades to existing centers rather than launching expensive new builds in untested markets.

• OpenAI and Anthropic Are Fighting Over College Students with Free AI

  • OpenAI and Anthropic are targeting college students with competing free AI tools aimed at enhancing academic learning.

  • Anthropic’s 'Claude for Education' uses Socratic prompts to promote critical thinking and personalized feedback in classrooms.

  • OpenAI countered by offering 'ChatGPT Plus' free for students in the U.S. and Canada until May.

• Google Is Shipping Gemini Models Faster Than Its AI Safety Reports

  • Google’s rapid Gemini releases are outpacing internal safety reviews, raising transparency and risk governance concerns.

  • Gemini 1.5 and 2.5 Pro launched without detailed safety documentation, prompting watchdog scrutiny from AI researchers.

  • Experts urge Google to align product rollouts with ethical reviews to maintain public trust in AI systems.

• 110,421 founders, investors, and leaders read this*

  • Founders and leaders that read Open Source CEO end up with 2.3x the cerebral horsepower of those that don’t.

  • 110k readers from Google, TikTok, OpenAI, and Deel love our deep-dive business content.

  • Subscribe here to see what it’s all about.