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 gives Gemini Advanced and 2TB storage to students through June 2026.
💸 OpenAI launches Flex API tier to cut costs for slow, non-urgent AI tasks.
⚖️ New Jersey sues Discord over failure to protect minors on its platform.
🔩 China’s control of key robotics parts may boost its humanoid dominance.
✈️ AI-powered drones now perform advanced aerial maneuvers without GPS.

AI

• OpenAI Launches Flex Processing for Cheaper, Slower AI Tasks

  • OpenAI launched Flex to cut API costs in half for slower, non-urgent tasks like model evaluation and data enrichment.

  • The feature applies to o3 and o4-mini models and trades responsiveness for affordability and compute flexibility.

  • It positions OpenAI competitively against lower-cost rivals as demand rises for economical frontier AI usage options.

• Google One AI Premium Is Free for College Students Until Spring 2026

  • U.S. college students now get free Gemini Advanced access, 2TB storage, and premium AI tools through June 2026.

  • The bundle includes NotebookLM Plus, Deep Research, and full Docs and Sheets AI integration for academic use.

  • Google joins OpenAI and Anthropic in courting students, aiming to expand early adoption in educational settings.

• Google’s Latest AI Model Report Lacks Key Safety Details, Experts Say

  • Experts say Google’s Gemini 2.5 Pro safety report omits critical metrics needed to evaluate real-world risk and harm.

  • The report raises concerns about transparency, diverging from Google’s stated Frontier Safety Framework commitments.

  • Researchers are urging Google to release fuller safety data before the model sees wider deployment in public settings.

ROBOTICS

• Finger-Shaped Tactile Sensor Advances Robotic Touch

  • A new sensor mimics human fingertips, detecting multi-directional forces and identifying different materials during contact.

  • The design uses microneedles and triboelectric tech to enhance robotic hands with precision touch and sensitivity.

  • Tests showed the sensor accurately recognized 12 materials and improved grip control in real-world object handling.

• Tiny Humanoid Robot Screw Could Hurt US and Allies in Hot Bot Race Against China

  • China dominates planetary roller screw production, a key component in humanoid robot joints and precision movement.

  • These screws are vital for converting rotation into linear motion, impacting robotic agility and physical dexterity.

  • U.S. experts warn this supply chain edge may give China a critical lead in the humanoid robotics arms race.

• Giving Quadcopter Drones the Ability to Carry Out Precise Flight Maneuvers Autonomously

  • Zhejiang researchers built an AI system that lets drones perform complex acrobatic moves and navigate on their own.

  • The drones rely on onboard computing, visual sensors, and preloaded maps to adjust routes mid-flight without GPS.

  • In tests, the system enabled smooth indoor and outdoor flights, including obstacle dodging and tight maneuvering.

CRYPTO

• Bitcoin Holds at $85K Amid Political and Economic Uncertainty

  • Bitcoin stayed near $85K as tensions rose between Trump and Fed Chair Powell over interest rate and tariff policies.

  • Powell warned tariffs could trigger stagflation, adding volatility to financial markets and investor sentiment.

  • Traders are bracing for price swings, with derivatives data showing mixed short-term bets across major exchanges.

• Quantum Computing Group Offers 1 BTC to Break Bitcoin's Cryptography

  • Project Eleven launched the Q-Day Prize, offering 1 bitcoin to anyone who cracks Bitcoin’s encryption using quantum tech.

  • The challenge aims to expose vulnerabilities in elliptic curve cryptography before quantum capabilities become mainstream.

  • Researchers propose migrating to quantum-resistant protocols, though such changes would overhaul Bitcoin’s existing infrastructure.

• JPMorgan: Bitcoin Fails to Attract Safe-Haven Flows Amid Economic Concerns

  • JPMorgan says Bitcoin is missing out on safe-haven demand as investors flock to gold during global market stress.

  • Gold remains a preferred asset in uncertain times, while Bitcoin still behaves more like a speculative tech stock.

  • Analysts question whether Bitcoin can ever replace traditional stores of value in crisis-driven capital flows.

CONTENT

• AGI is Still 30 Years Away — Ege Erdil & Tamay Besiroglu

  • Erdil and Besiroglu argue that AGI won't arrive before 2045, citing the need for multiple breakthroughs beyond current AI capabilities.

  • They challenge the "intelligence explosion" concept, suggesting economic growth will stem from scaling AI labor and capital together.

  • The discussion emphasizes that AI's integration into the economy will be gradual, influenced by societal norms and infrastructure.

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• AI Progress and Impact on Ecosystem Players

  • Jill Chase discusses how CapitalG evaluates AI startups, emphasizing durable advantages over speed in a rapidly evolving landscape.

  • She highlights the shift from AI copilots to autonomous agents, noting implications for product design and operational efficiency.

  • Case studies from Motif and Abridge illustrate how startups leverage AI both in product development and business operations.

• Building and Evaluating AI Agents

  • Sayash Kapoor critiques the current state of AI agents, pointing out their real-world shortcomings despite impressive demos.

  • He emphasizes the need for rigorous evaluation frameworks to assess agent performance and reliability in practical applications.

  • Kapoor advocates for a grounded approach to AI development, focusing on building agents that deliver tangible value.

AND MORE…

• OpenAI's Stargate Project Eyes Global Expansion

  • OpenAI’s $500B Stargate initiative may expand abroad, with Europe eyed for its regulatory and energy infrastructure advantages.

  • Countries like the U.K., Germany, and France are being considered as potential hosts for large-scale AI data centers.

  • Oracle and SoftBank are key partners, with SoftBank expected to fund major components of the project’s global rollout.

• Scottish Boarding School Accepts Bitcoin for Tuition

  • Lomond School in Scotland became the first U.K. boarding school to accept Bitcoin for tuition payments.

  • The school aims to attract international families and reduce currency exchange issues through cryptocurrency support.

  • It partnered with FCA-regulated providers to process transactions securely and remain compliant with local regulations.

• Viral ChatGPT Trend: Reverse Location Search from Photos

  • Users are feeding images into ChatGPT’s o3 and o4-mini models to identify locations without needing image metadata.

  • The trend has gone viral but sparked privacy concerns around AI’s ability to reveal locations from basic visual cues.

  • Critics warn this tool could be misused for doxxing, prompting fresh calls for tighter AI content safeguards.