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

In today’s edition we are tackling the following:

🪙 Memecoins like Fartcoin surge to $800M valuations.
💰 Databricks secures $10B in funding, reaching a $62B valuation.
🇬🇧 The UK considers forcing AI companies to disclose training data to protect creators.
🏥 AI-driven gig nursing apps face backlash for worsening pay and working conditions.
🤖 Apptronik’s Apollo humanoid robot lands a paying warehouse job.

AI

• UK looks at forcing greater transparency on AI training models

  • The UK government considers requiring AI companies to disclose data used to train their models, aiming to protect creative industries.

  • A 'rights reservation’ system could allow creators to block their work from being used by AI tools, though enforcement concerns remain.

  • Critics argue the responsibility unfairly falls on creators, while tech firms face calls for stricter regulation.

• Databricks secures $10 billion in funding, valued now at $62 billion

  • Databricks raised $10 billion in a funding round led by Thrive Capital, bringing its valuation to $62 billion.

  • CEO Ali Ghodsi highlighted strong revenue growth and readiness for an IPO as Databricks solidifies its AI leadership.

  • The funding reflects continued investor interest in AI infrastructure as competition heats up with OpenAI and Google.

• Report raises concerns over AI-powered gig nursing apps in healthcare

  • AI-driven gig apps for nurses face criticism for reducing pay, worsening working conditions, and creating scheduling uncertainty.

  • The Roosevelt Institute warns that these platforms prioritize cost savings over patient safety and healthcare worker well-being.

  • Healthcare experts call for stronger oversight to address risks associated with AI use in critical care staffing.

ROBOTICS

• Slip Robotics Raises $28M for Truck-Loading Bots

  • The company’s robots can fully load or unload a truck in five minutes, addressing bottlenecks in logistics.

  • Funds will be used to scale operations and enhance automation systems for warehouses and trucking.

  • The Series B funding, led by DCVC, brings the total funding to $45 million.

• Second Humanoid Robot Secures a Paying Job

  • Apptronik’s Apollo humanoid robot joins the workforce, performing warehouse and factory tasks.

  • Apollo stands 5’8, weighs 160 pounds, and can lift up to 55 pounds, aiming to take on repetitive or unsafe jobs.

  • The robot is expected to be commercially available in 2024, showcasing growing adoption of humanoid systems.

• iRobot Co-Founder Launches New Home Robotics Startup

  • Colin Angle, iRobot co-founder, has launched Familiar Machines & Magic, focusing on AI-powered home robots.

  • The startup raised $15 million to develop robots for health and wellness applications in domestic settings.

  • Angle aims to redefine the home robotics market by creating more interactive and engaging robotic solutions.

CRYPTO

• Crypto Got What It Wanted in the US Election - What’s Next

  • The U.S. election favored pro-crypto leaders, fueling optimism for clearer, more supportive regulations.

  • Industry insiders predict advancements in blockchain infrastructure and digital asset adoption nationwide.

  • The focus will shift toward balancing innovation with safeguards to prevent misuse and financial instability.

• Memecoins Like Fartcoin Are Riding Trump's Victory to Huge Valuations

  • Memecoins, driven by online communities and viral trends, attract retail investors seeking quick profits.

  • Coins like Dogecoin and Shiba Inu rely on hype rather than utility, making them highly speculative assets.

  • Analysts caution investors about extreme volatility and the potential for sudden price collapses.

• European MP Argues for Bitcoin Reserve, Says No to Digital Euro

  • A European MP advocates Bitcoin reserves to diversify national assets and reduce reliance on fiat systems.

  • Rising skepticism toward the digital euro reflects growing concerns about centralized control and surveillance.

  • Bitcoin supporters see it as a decentralized hedge against inflation and geopolitical financial risks.

CONTENT

• Investing in AI, Crypto, & Tech in 2025

  • Silicon Valley investor Elad Gil shares insights on AI, crypto, and tech trends for 2025, emphasizing opportunities in the political landscape.

  • He discusses the intersection of centralized and decentralized AI, as well as the long-term potential of AI agents and crypto.

  • Key advice for founders: focus on foundational technologies driving change and maintain flexibility in uncertain markets.

• A U.S. Bitcoin Reserve? | Michael Saylor

  • Michael Saylor argues for Bitcoin as ‘digital energy,’ likening its transformative potential to electricity and the automobile.

  • Discusses Bitcoin's strategic role in hedging inflation and its potential as a U.S.-led digital asset reserve.

  • Explores challenges and solutions for regulatory clarity, transaction fees, and the integration of stablecoins into the global economy.

• Gemini, GTA, and the Search for the Next Big Thing

  • Discusses Google's Gemini-powered vision for AI and XR, smart glasses advancements, and the future of computing.

  • Highlights the excitement surrounding GTA VI and the Nintendo Switch 2 as transformative milestones for gaming.

  • Features insights on gaming industry challenges and predictions for how emerging tech will shape user experiences.

AND MORE…

• Salesforce to Hire 2,000 People to Sell AI Products, Benioff Says

  • Salesforce CEO Marc Benioff announced plans to hire 2,000 employees to support AI product sales and expansion.

  • The company is doubling down on AI-driven solutions as demand for enterprise AI tools surges.

  • Salesforce’s focus on AI reflects its strategy to capitalize on growing competition in the tech sector.

• NASA Astronauts Stuck Longer on Boeing’s Starliner at Space Station

  • NASA astronauts aboard Boeing's Starliner are stuck at the International Space Station due to technical issues.

  • The delay stems from concerns with the spacecraft’s propulsion system, requiring further testing.

  • Boeing’s ongoing problems with Starliner raise questions about reliability as it competes with SpaceX.

• Binary Star System Found in Milky Way Hides Black Hole

  • Scientists discovered a binary star system containing a black hole 33 times the mass of the Sun in the Milky Way.

  • The black hole is unusually inactive, challenging prior theories about their behavior in star systems.

  • Researchers say the system's proximity offers a rare chance to study black hole evolution and interactions.