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

In today’s edition we are tackling the following:

🔍 Anthropic CEO warns AI secrets are at risk from cyber espionage.
🤖 China's humanoid robot rides a bike, showcasing advanced mobility.
🌾 AI-powered laser robots are transforming weed control in farming.
💰 Bitcoin struggles as analysts predict a potential drop to $73K.
📜 Democrats demand answers on Musk's DOGE-linked AI in federal agencies.

AI

• Google Unveils Gemma 3, Its Next-Gen AI Model

  • Gemma 3 introduces enhanced efficiency, multimodal capabilities, and improved reasoning compared to its predecessors.

  • The model is designed for better integration with Google services, emphasizing personalization and ethical AI usage.

  • Google aims to compete with OpenAI and Anthropic by making Gemma 3 accessible to developers and researchers.

• Anthropic CEO Says Spies Are After $100M AI Secrets

  • CEO Dario Amodei warns that state-sponsored actors are targeting Anthropic’s AI breakthroughs through cyber espionage.

  • The company stresses that AI security is now a national concern, with governments ramping up protective measures.

  • AI models are so compact that critical knowledge can be leaked in just a few lines of code, raising major risks.

• ChatGPT Firm Reveals AI Model Optimized for Creative Writing

  • OpenAI has developed a model tailored for creative tasks, excelling in storytelling, poetry, and artistic expression.

  • The AI refines its outputs based on user feedback, learning stylistic preferences and adapting its tone accordingly.

  • Sam Altman sees this as a breakthrough, positioning OpenAI’s models as collaborative tools for writers and creators.

ROBOTICS

• Google DeepMind Unveils New AI Models for Controlling Robots

  • DeepMind introduces AI models that improve robotic dexterity, enabling more precise movements in real-world tasks.

  • The models use reinforcement learning to adapt to changing environments, reducing errors in industrial automation.

  • Google aims to integrate these advancements into logistics, healthcare, and household robotics for broader adoption.

• Laser-Wielding Robots Are Redefining Farming

  • AI-driven robots equipped with lasers are replacing traditional herbicides by targeting and eliminating weeds.

  • The technology enhances crop yields while reducing environmental damage, appealing to sustainable agriculture efforts.

  • Farmers are rapidly adopting these robots, seeing them as a cost-effective solution to labor shortages and efficiency gaps.

• Watch: China’s Humanoid Robot Rides a Bicycle

  • A Chinese research team has developed a humanoid robot capable of riding a bicycle while maintaining balance.

  • The robot uses advanced sensors and AI algorithms to adjust posture, navigate turns, and avoid obstacles.

  • Engineers see this as a step toward more autonomous robots in urban transport and real-world mobility applications.

CRYPTO

• Bitcoin Faces 'Critical Time.' Analysts Warn Of Drop To $73K.

  • Bitcoin's price hit an intraday high of $84,000 before pulling back, with analysts warning of further downside risks.

  • Experts at 10X Research predict a potential drop to $73,000 as Bitcoin struggles to hold key support levels.

  • Short Bitcoin ETFs have surged while Bitcoin-related stocks and long ETFs have faced notable losses this year.

• Which Crypto ETFs Are Next? Dogecoin, XRP, and Solana Lead the List

  • Fund managers are pushing for Dogecoin, XRP, and Solana ETFs, betting on a friendlier regulatory stance under Trump.

  • Smaller crypto assets face regulatory hurdles, with the SEC scrutinizing ETFs and weak demand for Ether funds.

  • Analysts question the real demand for these ETFs, noting Bitcoin’s dominance and skepticism around altcoins' value.

• Crypto ETFs Likely Won't Be Approved Until New SEC Chair Is Sworn In

  • The SEC is delaying spot crypto ETF approvals for XRP, Solana, and Dogecoin, adding uncertainty for investors.

  • Analysts say approvals are unlikely until Trump’s SEC Chair nominee, Paul Atkins, is officially confirmed.

  • Atkins' confirmation hearing hasn’t been scheduled yet, making the ETF approval timeline highly uncertain.

CONTENT

• Manus AI Replaces Your AI Tech Stack? (Full Demo)

  • Greg Isenberg and Min Choi test if Manus AI can autonomously research, plan, and execute complex tasks like building an app clone.

  • Manus functions as a multi-agent system, browsing websites, writing code, and deploying applications with minimal prompting.

  • Key limitations include context length restrictions, deployment issues, and daily usage limits as the tool scales.

• Joseph Henrich – Why Humans Survived and Smarter Species Didn't

  • Henrich explores cultural evolution, showing how survival depended more on knowledge transmission than raw intelligence.

  • He explains how the Catholic Church unintentionally triggered the Industrial Revolution by dismantling kinship structures.

  • The discussion covers declining brain size, AGI's potential for cultural learning, and why some civilizations fell behind.

• GPT-4.5 = Big Model Energy | YC Decoded

  • OpenAI’s GPT-4.5 excels at natural conversation, creative tasks, and complex planning, pushing AI's boundaries.

  • YC’s Tom Blomfield explains how 4.5 fits into AI's broader trajectory and what founders should expect.

  • The model's strengths, limitations, and potential applications for startups are discussed in depth.

AND MORE…

• Democrats Demand Answers on DOGE's Use of AI

  • Democrats have raised concerns about Elon Musk's DOGE deploying AI tools across federal agencies.

  • They fear Musk might use sensitive government data to enhance his AI model, Grok, for personal gain.

  • Lawmakers stress the importance of compliance with legal standards and data protection protocols in AI implementations.

• Snapchat Introduces AI-Powered Video Lenses

  • Snapchat has launched AI-generated video lenses, allowing users to add virtual animals or flowers to their videos.

  • Initially, three lenses are available: a fox on the shoulder, raccoons over the head, and flowers appearing with a zoom-out effect.

  • New AI-powered lenses will be added weekly, utilizing Snap's proprietary generative video model.

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• Browser Use, One of the Tools Powering Manus, Is Also Going Viral

  • Browser Use extracts website elements like buttons and widgets, enabling AI models to interact more effectively with web pages.

  • This tool enhances AI agents' ability to navigate and perform tasks across various websites, improving their functionality.

  • Its integration into Manus has contributed to the AI agent's recent viral popularity, showcasing advanced web interaction capabilities.