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

In today’s edition, we are tackling the following:

🎬 OpenAI drama becomes an Amazon MGM movie.
📸 Google pauses ‘Ask Photos’ over performance issues.
📓 NotebookLM adds public sharing features.
🤖 Amazon deploys 750K robots in warehouses.
💰 The Trump family denies involvement in a crypto app.

AI

• The OpenAI board drama is reportedly turning into a movie

  • Amazon MGM is developing ‘Artificial,’ a film about OpenAI's 2023 leadership crisis involving CEO Sam Altman's firing and rehiring.

  • Luca Guadagnino is in talks to direct, with Simon Rich penning the script; actors like Andrew Garfield are being considered.

  • The movie aims to blend tech industry drama with humor, reflecting the absurdity of real-life AI power struggles.

• Google paused the rollout of its AI-powered ‘Ask Photos’ search feature

  • Google halted the rollout of ‘Ask Photos’ due to latency, quality, and user experience issues, planning improvements within two weeks.

  • The feature, powered by Gemini AI, was designed to answer context-rich questions about users' photo libraries.

  • Google also enhanced keyword search in Photos, allowing exact text matches and broader results without quotes.

• Google’s NotebookLM now lets you share your notebook — and AI podcasts — publicly

  • NotebookLM users can now share notebooks via public links, enabling others to view and interact with AI-generated content.

  • Shared notebooks include features like audio overviews, briefings, FAQs, and podcast-style discussions, enhancing collaborative learning.

  • While public viewers can't edit, users can grant editing access to specific individuals via email, similar to Google Drive sharing.

ROBOTICS

• Color-smart AI device mimics human eye, powered by solar energy

  • Japanese researchers developed a solar-powered AI synapse that mimics human color perception, with 82% accuracy in recognition.

  • The device operates entirely on light, addressing the high power and computational demands of current machine vision systems.

  • Potential applications include energy-efficient visual recognition for smartphones, drones, and autonomous vehicles.

• Learn how gearboxes enable next-gen warehouse automation

  • Gearboxes and motion-control systems are crucial for diversifying automation in modern warehouses, enhancing efficiency and precision.

  • A recent webinar discussed how these components enable advanced robotic movements and improve overall warehouse operations.

  • Understanding gearbox integration helps in designing scalable and adaptable automation solutions for various industries.

• Amazon set to expand robotics push to cut labor reliance

  • Amazon is accelerating its robotics rollout, deploying over 750,000 robots that assist with 75% of customer orders.

  • The initiative aims to reduce labor dependency, improve order accuracy, and enhance warehouse efficiency.

  • Analysts view this move as a key driver for long-term margin improvement and operational scalability.

CRYPTO

• Trump-branded crypto wallet and trading app launching soon, but the president's family denies involvement

  • A new website promotes a Trump-branded crypto wallet and trading app, but the Trump family denies any involvement.

  • The app is associated with the $TRUMP meme coin, which has seen significant market activity since its launch.

  • Despite the branding, official representatives state they do not know the project's development or launch plans.

• Why a Bitcoin Treasury Strategy Is Risky: Analyst

  • A Standard Chartered analyst warns that if Bitcoin's price drops below $90,000, many corporate treasuries could face significant losses.

  • Companies emulating Strategy's Bitcoin accumulation model may be particularly vulnerable due to higher average purchase prices.

  • The strategy's success heavily relies on Bitcoin's continued price appreciation to avoid potential financial distress.

• France Charges 25 People, Including 6 Minors, in Crypto Kidnapping Cases

  • French authorities have charged 25 individuals, including six minors, for involvement in crypto-related kidnappings in Paris.

  • The investigation focuses on the attempted kidnapping of the family of Pierre Noizat, CEO of crypto exchange Paymium.

  • Additional thwarted abduction attempts near Nantes highlight growing security concerns for crypto executives in France.

CONTENT

• Making $2,800/day with AI Design Agents (Runway + Midjourney)

  • Brett from Designjoy shows how AI tools like ChatGPT, Midjourney, and Runway enable scalable, pro-quality branding assets.

  • He details a workflow using prompt engineering, image generation, and motion video tools for consistent ad creation.

  • The episode highlights how non-designers can generate high-value content and launch AI-powered creative agencies.

• Marc Andreessen Reveals His Biggest Wins and Mistakes at a16z

  • Marc shares how a16z grew from Fund I in 2009 to a multi-stage, globally influential venture capital firm.

  • He discusses tech’s shift toward vertical specialization, policy engagement, and the emergence of ‘Little Tech.’

  • The talk covers major moments in tech history, venture evolution, and the misunderstood role of innovation.

• Essentials: Machines, Creativity & Love | Dr. Lex Fridman

  • Lex Fridman explains the emotional potential of human-AI relationships, exploring companionship, authenticity, and loneliness.

  • The episode traces AI's journey from machine learning to deeply interactive, human-like agents with social functions.

  • It raises questions about rights, emotional manipulation, and the future of love in a world of robots.

AND MORE…

• Flex your product muscles with Product for Engineers*

  • PostHog’s newsletter is dedicated to helping engineers and founders improve their product skills.

  • With over 50k subscribers, it is a trusted source bridging the gap between product and engineering, helping you ship products users love.

  • Subscribe for free now.

• Yoshua Bengio launches LawZero, a nonprofit AI safety lab

  • Turing Award winner Yoshua Bengio has launched LawZero, a nonprofit AI safety lab, to build safer AI systems.

  • LawZero has raised $30 million from philanthropic contributors, including Skype's Jaan Tallinn and former Google CEO Eric Schmidt.

  • The lab aims to develop AI systems that prioritize safety and transparency, addressing concerns about deceptive AI behavior.

• Meta buys a nuclear power plant (more or less)

  • Meta announced it will purchase all clean energy attributes from the Clinton Clean Energy Center in Illinois, starting in 2027.

  • The deal ensures the plant's operation through 2047, supporting Meta's sustainability goals and AI infrastructure needs.

  • This move reflects a broader trend of tech companies investing in nuclear energy to meet growing power demands.

• TikTok will give advertisers even more data on trends and users

  • TikTok introduced AI-driven tools like Insight Spotlight, providing advertisers with detailed user demographics and content trends.

  • The platform's new features aim to enhance ad targeting by analyzing viewing habits and suggesting relevant content topics.

  • These updates position TikTok as a more strategic platform for advertisers, aligning content with user interests and behaviors.