Welcome back to your daily memorandum talking tech, business, AI, markets, and more. 🗞️

In today’s edition we are tackling the following:

🎧 OpenAI bets big on audio as Silicon Valley declares war on screens.
📜 New tech laws take effect in 2026, reshaping AI, social media, and repairs.
📈 Stocks open 2026 higher as tech leads gains & silver jumps.
🏦 European banks plan to cut 200,000 jobs as AI takes hold.
🕊️ Swiss Alpine bar fire kills 40, injures 115 during New Year celebration.

TECHNOLOGY

• OpenAI bets big on audio as Silicon Valley declares war on screens (TechCrunch)
  ^{_{More: MSN, CryptoRank}}

  • OpenAI is consolidating teams to overhaul audio models ahead of an audio-first personal device launch.

  • Tech giants and startups alike are betting on audio interfaces replacing screens across homes, cars, and wearables.

  • New OpenAI audio models aim for natural, interruptible conversation, supporting companion-like devices launching in 2026.

• New tech laws take effect in 2026, reshaping AI, social media, and repairs (The Verge)
  ^{_{More: CBS, NBC}}

  • State legislatures passed sweeping tech laws in 2025, many taking effect nationwide throughout 2026.

  • New rules cover AI transparency, companion chatbots, right-to-repair, crypto refunds, and social media limits.

  • California emerges as AI regulation test case, while courts delay Texas App Store age-verification law.

• U.S. grants TSMC annual license to import U.S. chipmaking tools into China (CNBC)
  ^{_{More: Tech in Asia, Tom's Hardware, Yahoo!}}

  • The U.S. approved an annual license allowing TSMC’s Nanjing plant to import chipmaking equipment.

  • License replaces expired exemptions, ensuring uninterrupted fab operations and product deliveries in China.

  • Samsung Electronics and SK Hynix also received similar U.S. licenses for 2026 operations.

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BUSINESS

• Stocks open 2026 higher as tech leads gains & silver jumps (Bloomberg)
  ^{_{More: Business Times, Investing.com}}

  • Global stocks began 2026 upbeat, driven by AI, chipmakers, and rising precious metal prices.

  • Asian shares climbed 0.9%, with technology stocks pushing a regional tech index to record highs.

  • Samsung hit an all-time high, while Baidu and Shanghai Biren surged on chip-related news.

• Trump administration terminates lease for Washington’s 3 public golf courses (AP)
  ^{_{More: USA Today, AOL, NBC}}

  • The Trump administration terminated the lease for three public golf courses in Washington, citing unmet capital improvement requirements.

  • National Links Trust, the nonprofit managing the courses, claimed $8.5 million was spent and revenues had more than doubled.

  • The decision allows Trump to potentially redesign the Potomac, Rock Creek Park, and historically Black golf course sites.

• Italy says U.S. significantly reduces proposed pasta tariffs after thorough review (CNBC)
  ^{_{More: CBS, The Independent, Reuters}}

  • The U.S. initially proposed 92% duties on 13 Italian pasta makers for unfair pricing.

  • After review, La Molisana faces 2.26%, Garofalo 13.98%, others 9.09% tariffs in 2026.

  • Italy welcomes recalculation as recognition of companies’ cooperation, with full report expected March 11.

MARKETS

WORLD

• European banks plan to cut 200,000 jobs as AI takes hold (TechCrunch)
  ^{_{More: Yahoo!, FindArticles, Financial Times}}

  • Morgan Stanley estimates over 200,000 European banking jobs may disappear by 2030.

  • Job losses will hit back-office, risk, and compliance roles as AI boosts efficiency.

  • Banks expect 30% efficiency gains, though some leaders warn of long-term skills risks.

• China imposes contraceptive taxes to encourage births amid declining population concerns (Reuters)
  ^{_{More: BBC, CNN, Business Times}}

  • From January 1, China applies 13% sales tax on contraceptives, while childcare remains tax-exempt.

  • The tax reform removes old exemptions and also exempts marriage and elderly care services.

  • Rising contraceptive costs spark concern over unwanted pregnancies, HIV risk, and public ridicule online.

• Swiss Alpine bar fire kills 40, injures 115 during New Year celebration (AP)
  ^{_{More: Reuters, NY Times, BBC}}

  • About 40 people died and 115 were injured after a fire at Crans-Montana bar.

  • Rescue teams are identifying victims while authorities work to notify families and assess damage.

  • Italians were among the injured, and cause of fire remains under investigation by experts.

FUTURISM

• Investors expect AI to significantly disrupt labor markets in 2026 (TechCrunch)
  ^{_{More: Yahoo!, Forbes, AutoGPT}}

  • Investor concerns grow as AI automation advances, with studies showing many jobs already technically automatable.

  • An MIT study estimates 11.7% of current jobs could already be automated using AI.

  • Enterprise investors predict major workforce changes in 2026, though impacts on layoffs and productivity remain uncertain.

• Elon Musk plans 2026 Neuralink production, automating brain-chip implant procedures (Reuters)
  ^{_{More: Business Insider, CNBC, KSL}}

  • Neuralink will begin high-volume production of brain-computer interface chips in 2026, Musk announced.

  • The devices aim to help patients with paralysis, neurological disorders, or sight impairments regain independence.

  • Musk envisions future use of Neuralink chips to merge human consciousness with AI technology.

• Baidu’s Kunlunxin seeks Hong Kong IPO amid booming AI chip demand (WSJ)
  ^{_{More: CNBC, Tech in Asia, Yahoo!}}

  • Baidu plans Hong Kong listing for Kunlunxin, its AI chip unit, to raise funds.

  • Kunlunxin is expanding from internal supplier to major third-party AI chip provider.

  • U.S. chip restrictions accelerate Chinese firms’ push toward domestic semiconductor self-reliance.

CONTENT

• Jason Lemkin explains how he used AI to multiply sales team performance (Lenny's Podcast)

  • Jason Lemkin replaced his entire sales team with 20 AI agents managed by just 1.2 humans.

  • AI is rapidly transforming sales, potentially rendering most SDR and BDR roles extinct within a year.

  • Lemkin shares tools, tactics, and frameworks for successfully integrating AI into GTM strategies in 2026.

• Dr. Rhonda Patrick explains key micronutrients essential for health and longevity (Andrew Huberman)

  • Dr. Patrick highlights four micronutrients that influence inflammation, cellular stress, detoxification, and support healthy aging.

  • Diet, supplementation, exercise, and deliberate cold or heat exposure can optimize metabolic and cardiovascular health.

  • These strategies also promote cognitive function and overall longevity, according to biomedical research insights.

• Oliver Hsu shows how AI and robotics drive autonomous scientific laboratory progress (a16z)

  • Advances in AI reasoning and robotics are enabling autonomous labs, accelerating scientific discovery and requiring greater interpretability.

  • Consumer AI is shifting from productivity tools to connection, identity, and personalized user experiences.

  • Companies using AI to their business models gain compounding advantages, stronger outcomes, and durable revenue growth.

EXTRAS

• Samsung says customers praised HBM4 chip’s competitiveness, signaling company’s AI market comeback (Reuters)
  ^{_{More: Business Times, Investing.com}}

  • Samsung’s HBM4 chips received strong customer praise, highlighting competitiveness and market confidence revival.

  • Shares of Samsung and SK Hynix rose as AI chip demand accelerated in early 2026.

  • Samsung is negotiating HBM4 supply with Nvidia while AI chip market competition intensifies.

• These are the best gadgets for your pet right now (TechCrunch)
  ^{_{More: FindArticles, Yahoo!}}

  • New pet gadgets use AI cameras, GPS trackers, and smart feeders to simplify daily pet care.

  • Petlibro’s Scout camera tracks pets, follows movement, supports two-way audio, and recognizes multiple pets.

  • Life360’s GPS tracker and Petlibro’s wet feeder boost safety, freshness, and peace of mind for owners.

• Russia launches 3 Iranian satellites into orbit, marking continued space cooperation (AP)
  ^{_{More: NPR}}

  • Russia sent three Iranian communications satellites into a 500-kilometer orbit from Vostochny launchpad.

  • The satellites, including Iran’s heaviest Paya at 150 kilograms, support agriculture and water management.

  • This launch reinforces Russia-Iran ties amid previous satellite missions and strategic partnership agreements.

AND MORE

• Reports suggest that Apple will not launch the iPhone 18 this year.

• Finding refuge on analog islands offers comfort amid digital seas.

• Beginner’s guide to Mastodon, the open-source alternative to Twitter.

• Shares of Devyani rise following merger announcement with rival franchisee Sapphire.

• Canon EOS R6 Mark III performs well, but this lens is amazing.

• Fizz CEO explains why anonymous social apps appeal to Gen Z.

• Your brand deserves to be in front of people who actually make decisions. That’s Memo’s audience.*

• Gardyn Studio 2 smart garden transformed my black thumb into green.

• Sandbar CEO Mina Fahmi on competing in post-Humane AI wearables era.