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

In today’s edition we are tackling the following:

👾 The US and UK reject the Paris Summit’s AI inclusivity pact.
🎥 YouTube adds AI-powered auto-dubbing and age verification tools.
🤖 NVIDIA’s AI model trains robots to mimic elite athletes.
💰 Fed Chair Powell rules out a US central bank digital currency.
📰 BuzzFeed launches a social platform to compete with TikTok and X.

AI

• Sam Altman Says OpenAI Is Not for Sale

  • Altman dismissed Elon Musk’s $97.4 billion bid for OpenAI, saying Musk is just trying to slow the company down.

  • Musk has long feuded with OpenAI, accusing it of abandoning its nonprofit mission and pursuing profit-driven AGI.

  • OpenAI's nonprofit structure complicates any sale, but Musk’s offer could set a new valuation floor for future deals.

• YouTube Expands AI Features with Age-Identifying Tech

  • YouTube is rolling out AI-powered automatic dubbing to help creators reach global audiences with multilingual content.

  • New AI-driven age verification tools will analyze user behavior and content to enforce stricter content restrictions.

  • Google is also testing AI moderation tools to detect misinformation and policy violations in real-time on YouTube.

• World Network Reveals One in Four People Flirt with AI Chatbots

  • A World Network survey of 90,000 users found that 26% have flirted with AI chatbots, knowingly or unknowingly.

  • 90% of respondents want dating apps to verify human users, as AI chatbots become more common in online romance.

  • World Network’s new World ID Deep Face tool aims to combat bot interactions by verifying human identities on platforms.

ROBOTICS

• NVIDIA’s New AI Model Trains Robots to Move Like LeBron and Ronaldo

  • NVIDIA’s latest AI model enables humanoid robots to mimic human athletes, improving agility and real-world adaptability.

  • Using reinforcement learning, the system trains robots in dynamic movements, from basketball dribbling to sprinting.

  • The breakthrough could enhance robotics in manufacturing, sports training, and autonomous assistance industries.

• Robot Dog Deployed for Fire Rescue in Changsha in Extreme Conditions

  • A new quadruped robot in China assists firefighters in hazardous conditions, operating in extreme heat and smoke.

  • The robot is equipped with thermal imaging, gas sensors, and AI-based navigation to support emergency responders.

  • Officials say the robotic assistant improves safety by reducing human exposure to life-threatening rescue operations.

• How Leading Countries Are Investing in Robotics R&D

  • China is advancing its robotics leadership with a $45.2M AI training program and a robot density now ranking third globally.

  • Japan’s $440M ‘Moonshot’ initiative aims for AI-driven autonomous robots to address aging populations and climate challenges.

  • The U.S. is investing $10.3B in military robotics and $53B in NASA’s Artemis project while partnering with OpenAI and Oracle.

CRYPTO

• Powell Squashes the Possibility That the Fed Will Develop Its Own Digital Currency

  • Fed Chair Jerome Powell dismissed the idea of a U.S. central bank digital currency, citing privacy and government control concerns.

  • Powell reiterated that any digital dollar would need congressional approval, emphasizing a cautious approach to digital payments.

  • The Fed will continue researching digital currencies but sees no immediate need, focusing instead on improving real-time payment.

• The Guy Who Accidentally Threw Away $700 Million in Bitcoin Wants to Buy a Landfill to Find It

  • James Howells, who lost 8,000 BTC on a discarded hard drive, is lobbying to excavate a landfill in hopes of recovering his fortune.

  • His proposal involves AI-powered robots and a $10M project to sift through waste, though local authorities remain skeptical.

  • Howells has faced multiple rejections from Newport officials, who cite environmental risks and legal hurdles in approving the dig.

• Elon Musk Changes His Name to 'Harry Bolz' as Solana Meme Coins Surge

  • Elon Musk jokingly changed his X profile name to ‘Harry Bolz,’ triggering a rally in Solana-based meme coins referencing the name.

  • Speculative traders pumped tokens like $BOLZ, with some surging over 200% in hours despite having no real ties to Musk.

  • This isn’t Musk’s first crypto-fueled market movement, following past Dogecoin spikes and Twitter-related token trends.

CONTENT

• What $200 of ChatGPT is Really Worth

  • The Verge explores OpenAI’s new premium ChatGPT features, Operator and deep research, costing $200 per month.

  • Elon Musk's continued Dogecoin advocacy sparks discussion, as Liz Lopatto predicts his push won’t slow down soon.

  • Nilay Patel gives his take on the Super Bowl’s 4k stream, analyzing its quality and future broadcasting impact.

• They Built a Robotics Company in 90 Days

  • A group of founders rapidly developed a robotics startup in just three months, working out of a small lab space.

  • Shane Lee, one of the founders, is known for his bold sales tactics, even showing up uninvited at warehouses.

  • The startup’s journey is being documented on Twitter/X, showing the real-time struggles and wins of fast-paced innovation.

• Sam Altman discusses Donald Trump

  • OpenAI CEO Sam Altman praised Trump’s administration for being more pro-tech than Biden’s, which he called restrictive.

  • Trump’s $500 billion Stargate plan for AI data centers aligns with Altman’s vision for AI infrastructure in the U.S.

  • Altman’s comments signal a growing divide between tech leaders and traditional Democratic policy approaches to AI.

AND MORE…

• Apple Reportedly Partners With Alibaba After Rejecting DeepSeek

  • Apple is teaming up with Alibaba to integrate AI into its China-based products after rejecting DeepSeek’s model.

  • The deal aligns with China’s strict AI regulations, as Alibaba’s model is state-approved, unlike OpenAI or DeepSeek.

  • Apple faces growing pressure to adapt in China, where domestic AI firms dominate due to government restrictions.

• US and UK Refuse to Sign Paris Summit Declaration on ‘Inclusive’ AI

  • The US and UK declined to sign a global AI declaration backed by 60 countries, citing concerns over governance and security.

  • US VP JD Vance argued that excessive AI regulation could stifle innovation, clashing with Macron’s call for stricter oversight.

  • The UK insists its decision was independent of US influence, as it balances AI policies between Europe and the Trump administration.

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• BuzzFeed Launches a Social Media Platform in a Bid for Revival

  • BuzzFeed is entering the social media space with a new platform aimed at younger audiences and creator-driven content.

  • The move comes after layoffs and declining ad revenue, as BuzzFeed seeks new revenue streams to sustain its brand.

  • The platform will focus on AI-generated posts, memes, and viral trends, competing with TikTok and X in digital culture.