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

In today’s edition we are tackling the following:

🍎 Apple eyes AI dominance in China through Tencent and ByteDance.
🤖 Elon Musk's AI robots star in a dystopian Christmas card sparking debates.
🇮🇱 Israel to launch six Bitcoin mutual funds expanding access to regulated crypto.
📱 73% of Apple Intelligence users are opting of AI features.
🌋 Big tech's answer to AI's growing energy consumption is geothermal.

• Apple in Talks with Tencent, ByteDance for AI Integration in China

  • Apple is in talks with Tencent and ByteDance to integrate AI models in China, complying with local laws.

  • This move aims to enhance iPhone AI features and compete with Huawei’s AI-powered devices.

  • Earlier discussions with Baidu faced challenges, delaying progress on AI integration.

• What Happened in AI in 2024, And What Will the New Year Bring? 

  • OpenAI remained the biggest name in AI this year despite a dramatic leadership tussle and executive exodus.

  • Amazon launched a big effort to bring Alexa into the modern ‘chatbot’ era, leveraging its massive tech expertise

  • Apple went all-in on AI on its own terms, with privacy and user safety at the core of its Apple Intelligence push.

• Nvidia sees ‘remarkable’ influx of retail investor dollars as traders flock to AI darling

  • Retail traders sent almost $30 billion into Nvidia shares this year on balance, according to Vanda Research.

  • It’s the latest honor for the megacap, which has shown leadership within artificial intelligence impressing both Wall Street and Main Street.

  • Net inflows for Nvidia have seen a nearly nine-fold jump from 2021, Vanda data shows.

ROBOTICS

• OpenAI may re-enter robotics to potentially compete with Tesla’s Optimus

  • OpenAI is looking to integrate GPT models into robots as it explores humanoid robot development sources say.

  • After scrapping its robotics division in 2021, the AI firm is now re-entering the robotics space.

  • OpenAI faces strong competition from Tesla’s Optimus and Boston Dynamics.

• Elon Musk's AI robots appear in dystopian Christmas card

  • Elon Musk's AI robots are featured in a dystopian-themed Christmas card, sparking discussions about the future of AI and robotics.

  • The card depicts humanoid robots in festive attire, blending holiday cheer with futuristic technology.

  • This imagery reflects Musk's vision of AI integration into daily life, raising both excitement and concerns about technological advancements.

• Kazakhstan Introduces Robot Dog to Enhance Mine Safety

  • Kazakhstan introduces a robot dog to enhance mine safety with gas detection and thermal imaging.

  • The robot autonomously monitors mines, alerting control centers to prevent accidents.

  • This follows a deadly mining explosion, highlighting the need for improved safety measures.

CRYPTO

• Six Bitcoin Mutual Funds to Debut in Israel Next Week: Report

  • Six Bitcoin mutual funds will launch in Israel next week, providing regulated Bitcoin investment options.

  • The funds allow exposure to Bitcoin without requiring direct ownership of the cryptocurrency.

  • This reflects increasing integration of digital assets into traditional investment portfolios.

• Investors Eye Lightchain AI ICO Amid Doge and Solana Pumps

  • As the cryptocurrency market heats up assets like Dogecoin and Solana, investors are now turning their attention to Lightchain AI.

  • Lightchain AI combines AI with blockchain for real-world uses.

  • Priced at $0.003, it’s a potential next big crypto investment.

• Bitfinex: AI Agents Using Smart Contracts Will Revolutionize Crypto

  • Bitfinex suggests AI agents using smart contracts could transform crypto by automating tasks like transactions and wallet management.

  • Collaborations, such as between Eliza Labs and Stanford University, are advancing AI integration in blockchain.

  • While promising, this integration requires safeguards to prevent misuse of autonomous agents.

CONTENT

• Palantir’s Valuation, VC’s Go To Washington and Much More

  • Jason and Alex on This Week In Startups discuss immigration and opt-in empire building.

  • Next they discuss Palantir's financial analysis and market comparison, deep diving into it’s valuation and growth.

  • And more defense tech regarding Palantir and Anduril's consortium.

• Virtual Worlds Mean Real Business: How Games Power the Future

  • Troy Kirwin, Partner at a16z Games, shares how gaming technologies are breaking out of entertainment and transforming industries.

  • They discuss AI for asset creation, 3D capture tech, and improved XR devices boost virtual simulation capabilities.

  • Plus virtual environments enable AI-driven multi-agent simulations for applications like pandemic response and policy planning.

• Sam Altman Reveals A.I In 2025

  • Anticipated advancements in memory systems, enabling ‘infinite memory’ for AI models.

  • Development of a successor to GPT-4, potential middle-ground pricing plans, and a focus on a photo replacement model.

  • Plans for a generative AI hardware device, leveraging expertise from former Apple engineers.

AND MORE…

• Join the 73% of Apple Users Who Don't Care about AI: How to Turn Off Apple Intelligence

  • Apple's new AI feature, Apple Intelligence, has raised privacy concerns due to its access to sensitive user data.

  • Experts advise disabling Apple Intelligence for banking, health, and location apps to protect personal information.

  • Users can manage Apple Intelligence settings to control data access and maintain privacy.

• Geothermal Energy: Big Tech's Answer to AI's Growing Energy Consumption

  • Tech companies are exploring geothermal energy to meet AI's increasing power demands.

  • Geothermal offers a sustainable, reliable energy source for data centers.

  • Early challenges include high initial costs and competition from natural gas.

• Bitfinex: AI Agents Using Smart Contracts Will Revolutionize Crypto

  • Bitfinex suggests AI agents using smart contracts could transform crypto by automating tasks like transactions and wallet management.

  • Collaborations, such as between Eliza Labs and Stanford University, are advancing AI integration in blockchain.

  • While promising, this integration requires safeguards to prevent misuse of autonomous agents.