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 updates its R1 reasoning model, now available freely on Hugging Face.
🖼️ Google Photos adds new AI-powered tools for enhanced image editing experience.
🌐 Odyssey’s new AI model can stream immersive, interactive 3D worlds live.
🤖 China’s Honor develops humanoid robots as part of $10B AI plan.
💰 GameStop buys $500M worth of bitcoin to bolster financial strategy.

AI

• DeepSeek updates its R1 reasoning model, now available freely on Hugging Face

  • DeepSeek released an updated R1 AI model on Hugging Face under a permissive MIT license.

  • The model is a minor upgrade with 685 billion parameters, unsuitable for consumer-grade hardware.

  • U.S. regulators have flagged DeepSeek as a potential national security risk due to its advanced AI.

• Google Photos adds new AI-powered tools for an enhanced image editing experience

  • Google Photos updates editor with AI tools for quick, eye-catching photo edits and specific part suggestions.

  • New AI features like Reimagine and Auto frame debut on Android, coming to iOS later this year.

  • Sharing albums is easier with QR codes, allowing quick access and collaboration for group events.

• Odyssey’s new AI model can stream immersive, interactive 3D worlds live

  • Odyssey’s AI model streams interactive, navigable 3D video by predicting visual states in real time.

  • The tech promises new forms of entertainment, though creatives worry about job loss and automation.

  • Odyssey pledges collaboration, not replacement, and plans rapid model improvements using real-world video data.

ROBOTICS

• China’s Honor develops humanoid robots as part of $10B AI plan

  • HONOR, spun off from Huawei, plans humanoid robots in $10 billion AI expansion.

  • China leads humanoid robotics with startups and events like the recent robot half-marathon.

  • HONOR aims to diversify like Xiaomi, integrating AI services across devices and industries.

• Mid-air transformation enables a robot to smoothly transition between flying and rolling modes

  • Caltech engineers created ATMO, a flying robot that transforms midair to drive smoothly on rough terrain.

  • ATMO uses four thrusters for flight, which become wheels when switching to ground-driving mode.

  • This midair morphing ability improves agility, benefiting delivery systems and robotic exploration missions.

• MassRobotics announces 2025 robotics medal winners and rising stars list

  • MassRobotics honored female robotics leaders with $50,000 Robotics Medal and $5,000 Rising Star awards.

  • Dr. Maja Matarić won the Robotics Medal for pioneering socially assistive and distributed robot research.

  • Dr. Tania Morimoto received the Rising Star award for innovations in soft medical robots and human-machine interfaces.

CRYPTO

• JD Vance tells the Bitcoin conference that stablecoins support and do not threaten the U.S. dollar

  • U.S. Vice President JD Vance spoke at Bitcoin 2025, highlighting crypto’s economic potential.

  • Vance promoted the GENIUS Act, stablecoin legislation aimed at strengthening the U.S. economy.

  • He emphasized stablecoins could boost, not weaken, the global influence of the U.S. dollar.

• GameStop buys $500M worth of bitcoin to bolster financial strategy

  • GameStop bought 4,710 bitcoins, worth over $500 million, to strengthen its financial position.

  • The move follows a shift in U.S. crypto policy under Trump, boosting bitcoin’s price above $110,000.

  • Critics warn of corruption risks as Trump’s personal crypto ties raise ethical and legal concerns.

• Here’s the team behind Freysa AI raising $30M from Coinbase Ventures

  • Freysa AI raised $30 million from Coinbase Ventures, Selini Capital, and other investors, The Block confirmed.

  • The project is backed by Eternis AI, co-founded by Varadaraj, Tiwari, Li, and Malinauskas.

  • Freysa AI’s goal is to provide every person with a personal AI twin for enhanced assistance.

CONTENT

• How I use Google Veo3 to create viral videos with PJ Accetturo

  • Filmmaker PJ Accetturo shares how he creates viral AI-generated commercials using Google’s Veo 3.

  • He breaks down his step-by-step process, including scripting with ChatGPT, video generation, and editing.

  • PJ highlights how his pharmaceutical ad parody went viral and offers insights on monetizing AI content creation.

• Rahm Emanuel explains "The Death of the American Dream"

  • Rahm Emanuel discusses Democratic Party challenges, including Biden’s health and growing cultural and political divides.

  • Topics include GOP tax cuts, antisemitism, education issues, and difficulties confronting today’s young men.

  • Emanuel reflects on future leadership and addresses speculation about a potential 2028 presidential run.

• Rick Rubin says vibe coding is the punk rock of software

  • Rick Rubin’s The Way of Code blends Taoist philosophy, AI, and “vibe coding” into a creative manifesto.

  • The conversation explores AI as a new artistic medium, remix culture, and staying authentic as creators.

  • Topics span punk rock, Johnny Cash, and how tech intersects with music, art, and self-expression.

AND MORE…

• AMD acquires silicon photonics startup Enosemi to boost its AI goals

  • AMD acquired Enosemi to accelerate co-packaged optics innovation for next-generation AI systems and data movement.

  • Enosemi develops photonic integrated circuits for faster, energy-efficient data transmission using silicon photonics technology.

  • Founded in 2023, Enosemi had 16 employees and previously raised $150,000 in venture capital funding.

• Athyna connects you to LATAM’s top tech talent now*

  • Hire pre-vetted professionals in just five days and skip the hassle of long, expensive recruitment cycles.

  • Save up to 70% on salaries while accessing high-quality engineers, product managers, and data professionals.

  • Scale your team with AI-matched, expert candidates who integrate seamlessly and consistently drive business success.

• Security startup Horizon3.ai is raising $100M in a new funding round

  • Horizon3.ai is raising $100 million, having secured $73 million in its latest funding round.

  • The startup, valued near $750 million, generates about $30 million in annual recurring revenue.

  • Horizon3.ai recently earned FedRAMP authorization and reported 101% year-on-year revenue growth.

• Vietnam’s AI ambitions depend on one $8.8 billion technology company

  • FPT Corp., founded 40 years ago by Truong Gia Binh, is Vietnam’s largest tech company.

  • The company serves 130 Fortune Global 500 clients and partners with Nvidia on AI and semiconductors.

  • FPT faces challenges competing with Indian and Malaysian firms and navigating new US tariffs.