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

In today’s edition we are tackling the following:

🤖 Physical Intelligence secures major funding, backed by Jeff Bezos.
🗞️ Perplexity’s CEO offers AI services to replace striking NYT staff, igniting controversy.
📺 Amazon introduces generative AI recaps for Prime Video.
🤳 iOS 18.2 beta lets users upgrade to ChatGPT Plus directly in settings.
🔬 MIT's new approach to training general-purpose robots.

AI

• Perplexity CEO offers AI company’s services to replace striking NYT staff

  • CEO Aravind Srinivas offered Perplexity's support amid a New York Times tech worker strike, sparking criticism for undermining collective action.

  • The strike addresses wage increases and work conditions, coinciding with crucial U.S. election coverage.

  • Srinivas clarified it was for infrastructure support, not replacing staff, yet the offer raised questions on AI’s role and labor ethics.

• Amazon brings generative AI-powered recaps to Prime Video

  • Launches AI-based 'X-Ray Recaps’ for season and episode summaries, aiming to be spoiler-free.

  • Initially available for U.S. Fire TV users, focusing on Amazon MGM Studios original shows.

  • Utilizes Amazon Bedrock and SageMaker, with broader device rollout expected by year-end.

• Apple will let you upgrade to ChatGPT Plus right from Settings in iOS 18.2

  • iOS 18.2 beta lets users subscribe to ChatGPT Plus directly from the Settings menu for $19.99/month.

  • The update includes other new AI features like Visual Intelligence and Genmoji, set to launch in December.

  • Talks for a Google Gemini integration hint at future in-Settings upgrades for Gemini Advanced.

ROBOTICS

• Physical Intelligence, a Robot A.I. Specialist, Raises Millions From Bezos

  • Physical Intelligence raised $400M, led by Jeff Bezos and top venture capital firms, valuing the company at $2B.

  • The start-up aims to create a universal AI ‘brain’ capable of controlling any robot, unlike task-specific models.

  • The firm has demonstrated robots performing versatile tasks like folding laundry and clearing tables.

• Chip giant Nvidia wants to bring robots to the hospital

  • Nvidia aims to integrate ‘physical AI’ into hospitals, automating tasks like X-rays and linen delivery.

  • This initiative aligns with Nvidia’s push to dominate the robotics market, partnering with healthcare firms and utilizing ‘digital twins’ for training.

  • Nvidia collaborates with startups and tech giants like Microsoft to advance AI in healthcare, without plans for acquisitions.

• MIT researchers develop new approach for training general-purpose robots

  • MIT's Heterogeneous Pre trained Transformers (HPT) enables robots to learn and adapt broadly, inspired by language models like GPT-4.

  • The approach uses diverse data sources to train a unified system, outperforming traditional methods by over 20% in tests.

  • Researchers aim for a scalable ‘universal robot brain’ for flexible learning, funded by Amazon's Greater Boston Tech Initiative and Toyota.

CRYPTO

• Coinbase, a16z and others pour more than $78 million into pro-crypto PAC for 2026 election

  • Crypto-focused PAC Fairshake has raised $78 million for 2026, supported by Coinbase, a16z, and Ripple Labs.

  • Coinbase's $25 million and a16z's $23 million contributions emphasize their push for clear, consumer-protective crypto legislation.

  • Fairshake has raised $170 million this cycle, with significant success influencing primary elections.

• If U.S. Election Is Disputed, Prediction Markets Could Face 'Hornet's Nest'

  • Prediction markets like Polymarket face complex challenges in resolving election outcomes amid potential disputes or delays.

  • Contracts vary in approach: Polymarket uses media confirmations, while Kalshi relies on Inauguration Day, both with distinct trade-offs.

  • Experts highlight potential issues, such as reversals in media calls or inauguration uncertainties, complicating timely contract resolutions.

• Coinbase accused of charging substantial 'listing fees' by Justin Sun and Andre Cronje, despite CEO's assertion that listings are free

  • Tron’s Justin Sun and Sonic Labs’ Andre Cronje allege hefty fees for Coinbase listings, contrary to CEO Armstrong's claim of free listings.

  • Claims include $80M in TRX and $250M BTC deposits; Coinbase defends Earn program fees as unrelated to listings.

  • Ex-Coinbase staff supports non-fee stance, suggesting misinformation or optional program costs.

CONTENT

• The Risks of Too Much AI: Fortune’s Jeremy Kahn

  • Jeremy Kahn, Fortune's AI editor, shares his thoughts on the implications of AI and lessons from his book, Mastering AI.

  • The discussion includes generative AI's impact on critical thinking, and how to better educate on AI's risks and adaptability.

  • Insights also touch on how AI-simulated interactions might be influencing people's real-life social skills.

• The AI Daily Brief | AI Search Arms Race

  • OpenAI's ChatGPT search enters a competitive market against Google and Perplexity.

  • Highlights include direct answers with source citations and fast follow-ups.

  • Initial feedback praises speed and accuracy; Sam Altman notes computing challenges.

• Five Proven Prompt Engineering Techniques

  • Crafting effective prompts boosts AI results; detailed guidance leads to more tailored outputs.

  • Key techniques include role-playing, style unbundling, and emotion prompting for diverse responses.

  • Few-shot learning and synthetic bootstrap help guide AI understanding and create test cases.

AND MORE…

• Meta AI is ready for war

  • Meta's Llama AI model is now accessible to US agencies for national security uses, like logistics and cyber defense.

  • Partners include Amazon, Microsoft, Oracle, and Lockheed Martin, with early projects focused on data analysis and repair assistance.

  • Meta emphasizes its push for US AI leadership amid rising competition with China’s massive AI investments.

• AI That Can Invent AI Is Coming. Buckle Up

  • AI self-research could spark a transformative ‘intelligence explosion,’ with systems autonomously advancing AI development.

  • Sakana AI's 'AI Scientist’ can independently conduct research and produce publishable papers, hinting at future self-improving models.

  • Leading AI labs like OpenAI are exploring automated research, potentially scaling expertise exponentially and reshaping innovation.

• Westworld lookalike robot springs to life

  • Clone Robotics unveils a lifelike torso powered by hydraulic artificial muscles, reminiscent of ‘Westworld’ androids.

  • The humanoid upper body features a movable spine, elbows, and shoulders, demonstrating realistic, if still jerky, movements.

  • Potential applications include industrial tasks, daily chores, and medical teleoperation for rehabilitation.