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

In today’s edition we are tackling the following:

🤖 DeepSeek unveils DeepSeek-R1, claiming it surpasses OpenAI’s o1.
🌍 China to host the first human-robot marathon, highlighting AI and robotics.
💰 Solana surges past Bitcoin and XRP, becoming a top choice.
🎹 Robotic hand helps pianists overcome skill plateaus, enhancing motor learning.
💥 Trump’s memecoin launch sparks backlash from the crypto industry.

AI

• DeepSeek claims its reasoning model beats OpenAI’s o1

  • Chinese AI firm DeepSeek unveiled DeepSeek-R1, a model that reportedly surpasses OpenAI’s o1 in select reasoning tasks.

  • The model employs advanced self-verification techniques, spending more time analyzing queries to improve accuracy.

  • Backed by quantitative traders, DeepSeek aims to position itself as a major competitor in the AI reasoning space.

• Sam Altman urges AI fans to lower expectations with superintelligence

  • OpenAI CEO Sam Altman warns that expectations of AI reaching superintelligence soon are overly optimistic.

  • He stresses that while AI is advancing rapidly, meaningful progress toward Artificial General Intelligence (AGI) is gradual.

  • Altman encourages focusing on sustainable growth rather than chasing speculative AI breakthroughs.

• Why agentic AI will soon make ChatGPT look like a simple calculator

  • Agentic AI can autonomously plan, execute, and optimize tasks, reducing the need for constant human input.

  • Unlike ChatGPT, these systems use reinforced learning and real-time feedback to improve decision-making.

  • Experts believe agentic AI will revolutionize industries by offering smarter, more adaptive automation solutions.

ROBOTICS

• Robotic hand helps pianists overcome 'ceiling effect'

  • A robotic exoskeleton assists pianists in surpassing skill plateaus by enhancing motor learning and dexterity.

  • The device passively moves individual fingers, improving control and coordination in both trained and untrained hands.

  • Studies show significant improvements in complex playing ability after just two weeks of use.

• Humanoid robot learns to waltz by mirroring people's movements

  • Researchers have developed a humanoid robot capable of learning dance movements by observing and mimicking human actions.

  • Using advanced motion-capture technology, the robot refines its balance and coordination over time.

  • This breakthrough could lead to better human-robot interaction in entertainment and rehabilitation.

• China to host world’s first human-robot marathon

  • China will hold a half-marathon featuring humanoid robots racing alongside 12,000 human participants in Beijing.

  • The event aims to showcase advancements in robotics and artificial intelligence, aligning with national tech goals.

  • Organizers hope the competition will highlight robots’ potential in areas such as logistics and disaster response.

CRYPTO

• Trump’s memecoin launch sparks backlash from crypto industry

  • Trump’s new memecoin, launched just days before his inauguration, has stirred controversy within the crypto industry.

  • Critics argue the coin’s speculative nature undermines efforts to legitimize crypto, while supporters claim it signals GOP backing.

  • Despite concerns, major exchanges like Coinbase and Binance have listed the token, pushing its market value beyond $45 billion.

• Bitcoin hits $109K before Trump inauguration, then drops

  • Bitcoin surged to an all-time high of $109,000 before pulling back to $103,558 amid speculation around Trump’s pro-crypto policies.

  • Traders anticipated a potential executive order on crypto, fueling optimism about regulatory support under the new administration.

  • Analysts suggest Bitcoin’s record run could extend to $130,000 if bullish momentum continues in the coming months.

• Solana surges past Bitcoin and XRP as top choice for US investors

  • Solana hit an all-time high of $275 before retreating to $250, still up 48% in a week, outperforming Bitcoin and XRP.

  • Increased search interest and speculation around potential altcoin ETF approvals fueled SOL’s rapid rise.

  • Analysts warn that rising trading volumes signal an oversupplied market, which could trigger price volatility.

CONTENT

• Why AI Means London Can Compete with the US

  • Hoxton Ventures' Hussein Kanji discusses why AI innovation could help London rival the US in venture capital.

  • Kanji highlights lessons from raising funds, investment strategies, and how to build successful venture teams.

  • He addresses Europe's challenges in scaling startups and offers insights on future opportunities in the AI space.

• I Discovered The Perfect AI Writing System

  • Nicolas Cole explains how AI enhances content creation by supporting ideation, structuring, and refining workflows.

  • The video introduces frameworks like the 'Editor-in-Chief' method and the '10 Magical Ways' for structuring content.

  • Cole emphasizes that AI should complement human creativity rather than replace it, helping writers work smarter.

• INSANE Robots Will Define 2025

  • Chris Saad and Yaniv Bernstein discuss how robotics will revolutionize industries, from AI-driven automation to household applications.

  • The conversation explores breakthroughs in robot dexterity, battery technology, and how NVIDIA is leading AI-robotics integration.

  • The duo predicts that robotics will move from science fiction to mainstream adoption within the next few years.

AND MORE…

• Unofficial Barron Trump memecoin surges to $460M, then crashes 95%

  • The unofficial Barron Trump-themed token spiked to a $460 million market cap before plummeting by 95% in hours.

  • The coin's rapid rise and fall highlight the speculative frenzy surrounding Trump-branded digital assets.

  • Crypto experts warn investors to be cautious as memecoins tied to public figures often carry high risks.

• Metropolis to acquire AI vision startup Oosto for $125M

  • AI security firm Metropolis is purchasing Oosto, formerly AnyVision, to expand its facial recognition capabilities.

  • The deal underscores the growing demand for AI-driven security solutions in public and private spaces.

  • Oosto’s tech will bolster Metropolis’ smart parking and access control offerings with enhanced AI vision tools.

• Paul Schrader taps ChatGPT for fresh film ideas and concepts

  • Famed screenwriter Paul Schrader is using ChatGPT to develop and refine new movie concepts.

  • Schrader sees AI as a valuable creative tool, blending human storytelling with machine-generated inspiration.

  • Industry experts debate whether AI tools could reshape screenwriting or hinder originality in filmmaking.