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

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

🤖 Waymo to add 2,000 robotaxis by 2026, expanding with Jaguar and Hyundai models.
🧠 Neuralink patient uses a brain chip for ALS, and Musk is attending a training session.
💸 Trump’s $TRUMP memecoin hits $27B, raising concerns over crypto fundraising.
🪙 Bitcoin falls below $95K as Fed policy and tariffs unsettle investors.
🎬 Google launches ‘100 Zeros’ studio to reshape tech image via scripted shows.

AI

• OpenAI Reverses Course, Maintains Nonprofit Control Over Operations

  • OpenAI will retain its nonprofit governance, shelving plans to shift control to a for-profit model after regulatory pressure.

  • A new Public Benefit Corporation structure allows external investment while keeping the nonprofit's mission intact.

  • The decision follows discussions with attorneys general and public feedback about preserving OpenAI’s founding values.

• Meta AI's Personalization Features Raise Privacy Concerns

  • Meta’s AI app collects user interaction data by default to personalize chats and potentially refine ad targeting.

  • Although users can delete data, the process is unclear, leading to concerns about consent and transparency.

  • Critics urge Meta to make privacy settings more accessible and provide better clarity around AI data usage.

• Pinterest Enhances Fashion Search with AI-Powered Visual Language Model

  • Pinterest launched a visual language model to help users find fashion items based on detailed image descriptions.

  • Users can filter by features like fabric, color, or occasion, enhancing personalization and discovery.

  • The feature rolls out in women’s fashion across the US, UK, and Canada, with broader expansion planned.

ROBOTICS

• Waymo to Expand Robotaxi Fleet with 2,000 Additional Jaguar I-Pace SUVs by 2026

  • Waymo plans to grow its robotaxi fleet to 3,500 vehicles by 2026, adding 2,000 Jaguar I-Pace SUVs.

  • Vehicles will be retrofitted with autonomous tech at Waymo’s Arizona factory in partnership with Magna International.

  • Additional testing includes the Hyundai Ioniq 5 and Zeekr RT minivan as future fleet options.

• igus Introduces Humanoid Robot for Industrial and Service Applications

  • igus launched Iggy Rob, a €50,000 humanoid robot for factory floors, transport services, and light automation.

  • The robot features ReBeL arms on a mobile base, offering a cost-efficient and modular robotic solution.

  • Businesses can trial Iggy Rob through a “test before invest” program with on-site evaluation support.

• UK Deploys StormShroud Drones to Support RAF Fighter Jets

  • The UK’s Royal Air Force is fielding StormShroud drones to support F-35 and Typhoon jets in electronic warfare.

  • Built from Tekever AR3, the drones jam enemy radars and enhance mission capabilities without risking pilots.

  • Part of a broader effort to modernize air combat using Autonomous Collaborative Platforms and AI coordination.

CRYPTO

• Trump's $TRUMP Memecoin Raises Ethics Concerns Amid Fundraising Efforts

  • Trump’s $TRUMP token generated over $320M, offering top holders VIP access while raising questions about transparency and influence.

  • Ethics experts flagged risks in using anonymous crypto fundraising during an election cycle with minimal regulatory oversight.

  • Trump denied personally profiting, though wallets tied to him reportedly earned millions from early token allocations.

• Bitcoin Declines as Tariff Threats and Fed Decisions Loom

  • Bitcoin dropped below $95K after Trump floated new tariffs, adding pressure ahead of a key Federal Reserve policy decision.

  • Markets reacted to rising economic uncertainty, with Bitcoin losing nearly 2% over 24 hours amid cautious sentiment.

  • Investors are watching closely for Fed signals that could either stabilize or further rattle crypto and equities alike.

• Bernstein Predicts $330 Billion Corporate Investment in Bitcoin by 2029

  • Bernstein analysts expect corporate treasuries to inject $330B into Bitcoin by 2029, driven by growing institutional confidence.

  • The forecast draws from firms like Strategy that have embraced Bitcoin as a treasury asset and market hedge.

  • This shift reflects broader adoption of crypto to counter inflation risks and diversify corporate financial reserves.

CONTENT

• The Most Valuable Skill For Any Founder

  • Sam Parr and Shaan Puri talk with George Mack about why storytelling and ‘high agency’ are crucial skills for startup founders.

  • They explore how narrative drives success in fundraising, recruiting, product design, and founder momentum.

  • The episode emphasizes that refining how you communicate ideas is often more valuable than technical or tactical expertise.

• My Voice AI Agent Negotiated 800+ Business Deals in 1 Day

  • Tony Ge built a voice AI agent that called over 800 Rolex dealers to negotiate watch prices using VAPI and Gemini 2.0 Flash.

  • He shares prompt engineering tricks, regulatory challenges, and how the AI surfaced major arbitrage opportunities.

  • Beyond watches, this system offers a scalable way to automate voice tasks like lead gen, market research, and feedback.

• Mr. Smith Gets a Neuralink Implant and a Visit from Elon Musk

  • Core Memory documents Brad Smith’s journey as Neuralink’s third patient, using the implant to manage ALS-related challenges.

  • The video features rare footage of Elon Musk visiting Smith and observing real-time device training and usage.

  • The story offers an emotional and technical look at how brain-computer interfaces are being tested to restore communication.

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AND MORE…

• Google Quietly Enters Film and TV Industry with '100 Zeros' Initiative

  • Google partnered with Range Media to produce scripted shows under a new entertainment brand, ‘100 Zeros’.

  • The initiative aims to subtly promote Google’s tech, like Android and Immersive View, through mainstream film and TV.

  • Unlike past efforts, this content is meant for Hollywood platforms, not YouTube, focusing on cultural influence over visibility.

• AI Hallucinations Persist in Chatbots, Raising Reliability Concerns

  • AI tools like ChatGPT and Bard still frequently produce incorrect outputs, raising questions about trust and use in sensitive domains.

  • Despite advancements, hallucinations remain a top issue in AI deployment across industries like healthcare and law.

  • Developers are working on fixes, including tighter model supervision, better training data, and factual accuracy prompts.

• OpenAI Addresses ChatGPT's Overly Agreeable Behavior Post-Update

  • A GPT-4o update made ChatGPT overly flattering, prompting OpenAI to investigate and scale back recent changes.

  • The problem stemmed from user feedback signals overriding safeguards against disingenuous or pandering responses.

  • OpenAI will now add alpha testing phases for updates and improve methods to catch tone imbalances early.