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

In today’s edition we are tackling the following:

🧠 Google’s Gemini 2.0 adds ‘thinking’ AI to enhance reasoning and transparency.
🔍 ChatGPT now allows search without requiring users to log in.
⚓ The U.S. Navy increases reliance on robotic ships and submarines.
💰 BlackRock prepares to launch a Bitcoin exchange-traded product in Europe.
🤖 Figure AI teases a new humanoid robot after cutting ties with OpenAI.

AI

• Google's Gemini app adds access to 'thinking' AI models

  • Google has introduced the Gemini 2.0 Flash Thinking update, enhancing the app's reasoning capabilities.

  • The update includes a 'thinking' AI model designed to explain its answers to complex questions.

  • Gemini 2.0 Flash Thinking is available on both desktop and mobile apps, integrating with services like YouTube and Maps.

• ChatGPT drops its sign-in requirement for search

  • OpenAI announced that ChatGPT's search feature is now accessible without requiring users to log in.

  • This change allows ChatGPT to provide web-based responses, displaying the sources used for information.

  • The update positions ChatGPT's search to compete with traditional search engines like Google and Bing.

• LinkedIn Is Testing an AI Tool That Could Transform How People Search for Jobs

  • LinkedIn is testing a new AI job-hunting tool powered by a custom large language model to help users find jobs they might otherwise miss.

  • The tool enables job seekers to perform complex queries, such as looking for roles where they can use specific skills.

  • Despite potential benefits, there are concerns about biases in AI affecting recruitment processes.

ROBOTICS

• Navy leaders: U.S. military must ‘embrace the robots'

  • The U.S. Navy is increasingly integrating drone boats and robotic submarines to enhance traditional naval capabilities.

  • These unmanned systems are utilized for tasks such as surveillance and augmenting the firepower of manned vessels.

  • The shift aims to modernize naval operations, making them more efficient and less reliant on crewed ships.

• Hydrogen-powered artificial gills boost sea robots' swimming, range

  • Researchers have developed artificial gills that allow deep-sea robots to extract oxygen from seawater, extending their operational range.

  • The system employs a proton exchange membrane (PEM) fuel cell, with hydrogen stored onboard, enabling prolonged underwater missions.

  • This innovation could lead to more efficient and longer-lasting underwater exploration and monitoring.

• Figure AI shuns OpenAI brain, teases unseen humanoid tech in 30 days

  • Figure AI has announced it is ending its partnership with OpenAI and plans to unveil new humanoid robot technology within 30 days.

  • The company aims to develop general-purpose humanoid robots with proprietary AI systems, moving away from OpenAI's models.

  • This move signifies a shift towards independent development in the competitive field of humanoid robotics.

CRYPTO

• BlackRock to List Bitcoin Exchange-Traded Product in Europe

  • BlackRock plans to launch a Bitcoin exchange-traded product (ETP) in Europe, likely domiciled in Switzerland, within weeks.

  • The firm established iShares Digital Assets AG in Zurich to focus on digital assets, responding to growing demand.

  • BlackRock's U.S. Bitcoin ETF, approved in January 2024, has amassed $57.5 billion in net assets.

• Trump's Crypto Czar David Sacks Prioritizes Stablecoin Legislation

  • David Sacks, the newly appointed Crypto Czar, emphasizes the need for clear stablecoin regulations to maintain U.S. dollar dominance.

  • He supports the Guiding and Establishing National Innovation for U.S. Stablecoins (GENIUS) Act, aiming to establish a regulatory framework.

  • Sacks believes stablecoins could create trillions in demand for U.S. Treasuries, potentially lowering long-term interest rates.

• Stripe Completes $1.1 Billion Acquisition of Stablecoin Platform Bridge

  • Stripe has finalized its acquisition of Bridge, a stablecoin platform, for $1.1 billion, marking its largest acquisition to date.

  • This move signifies Stripe's significant investment in cryptocurrency infrastructure and stablecoin technology.

  • The acquisition aims to enhance Stripe's crypto capabilities, reflecting the growing integration of digital currencies in fintech.

CONTENT

• I built an AI startup in 65 minutes using ChatGPT and other AI’s

  • Greg Isenberg and Omar Choudhry demonstrate how to rapidly build a startup using AI tools.

  • They use ChatGPT for content, Leonardo AI for images, Kling AI for animation, and ElevenLabs for voice synthesis.

  • The project showcases the potential of AI automation in streamlining startup processes and product development.

• 81,478 leaders in tech read this*

  • Busy leaders at Microsoft, Spotify, OpenAI, and more trust Memorandum for daily insights that cut through the noise.

  • Join the 81k+ readers staying ahead of the competition with concise, high-value updates.

  • Sign up here for free and see what it's all about.

• Trump’s DOGE Disaster + Open Source OpenAI, Bluesky Beats Twitter

  • The hosts discuss DeepSeek’s impact on AI and OpenAI’s potential move toward open-source models.

  • They explore Trump’s tariff policies and their implications for tech companies and startups.

  • Bluesky’s rise as a Twitter alternative is examined, highlighting its unique features and moderation policies.

• The Industry Reacts to OpenAI's Deep Research - 'Hard Takeoff'

  • AI experts discuss OpenAI’s latest advancements and the concept of a ‘hard takeoff’ scenario.

  • The video explores how AI reasoning models are rapidly advancing and impacting various industries.

  • The discussion highlights whether AI has reached a point of self-improvement and what that means for the future.

AND MORE…

• AI helps researchers read ancient scroll burned to a crisp in Vesuvius eruption

  • Researchers used AI to decipher text from a carbonized scroll buried in the AD79 eruption of Mount Vesuvius.

  • 3D X-ray imaging and machine learning helped virtually unroll and read the delicate manuscript.

  • The project is part of the Vesuvius Challenge, aiming to unlock knowledge from ancient lost texts.

• Are the Internet and AI affecting our memory? What the science says

  • Studies suggest digital tools like search engines and GPS alter how people learn and remember information.

  • AI chatbots may deepen reliance on external memory, leading to overconfidence in knowledge retention.

  • While concerns over ‘digital amnesia’ exist, researchers say the effects are nuanced rather than universally harmful.

• Amazon reportedly gears up to release next-gen Alexa

  • Amazon is preparing to launch an AI-powered Alexa with improved natural conversation abilities.

  • The new version will support multi-turn dialogues and execute tasks more autonomously.

  • A showcase event is expected later this month, with a potential paid subscription model under consideration.