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

In today’s edition we are tackling the following:

🧀 Google’s AI Super Bowl ad is wrong about cheese.
💰 Intel gets $536M in interest from $1.06B euro EU antitrust fine.
🤖 Bob McGrew’s take on AI agents and the path to AGI.
🇮🇩 Indonesia may set age limit on social media use in upcoming rule.
🎮 The biggest games to release this February 2025.

TECH

• Google’s AI Super Bowl ad is wrong about cheese

  • The commercial shows Gemini wrongly stating that Gouda makes up ‘50 to 60 percent of the world’s cheese consumption.‘

  • The mistake highlights AI's accuracy challenges, and raises concerns about fact-checking AI in major ads.

  • “Not a hallucination. Gemini is grounded in the Web — and users can always check the results and references” Google rep says.

• AI has shown me my future, here’s what I’ve learned

  • A new AI tool enables users to have conversations with their 80-year-old selves.

  • Interacting with this AI-generated future self can reduce anxiety and negative emotions.

  • The experience aims to increase one's sense of connection with their future self.

• Open AI’s Operator points to a future of powerful AI agents

  • OpenAI is developing "Operator," an AI agent designed to perform tasks on behalf of users.

  • The project aims to integrate AI into daily activities, enhancing efficiency and personalization.

  • Operator is expected to handle tasks such as scheduling, information retrieval, and personalized recommendations.

BUSINESS

• Intel gets $536M in interest from 1.06B euro EU antitrust fine

  • Intel received $536M in interest after its €1.06B EU antitrust fine was annulled.

  • The EU paid the amount in November 2024 after Intel’s appeal.

  • Intel still faces a €376M fine for past anti-competitive payments.

• Honda’s new EV production revolution begins $1B investment in Ohio

  • Honda’s next generation of manufacturing is starting in Ohio.

  • The automaker plans to install six “giga presses,” and a new “cell” manufacturing system.

  • Manufacturing changes would begin in Japan to then be rolled out to facilities in the U.S. and elsewhere.

• Investors buy dollars, brace for stock slide as trade war begins

  • Trump’s new tariffs spark a trade war with Canada, Mexico, and China.

  • The U.S. dollar strengthens as investors seek safe assets.

  • Markets brace for volatility amid expected retaliation.

CONTENT

• Bob McGrew’s take on AI agents and the path to AGI

  • Bob McGrew believes reasoning and test-time compute will drive more reliable AI and AGI scalability.

  • He discusses OpenAI lessons, scaling laws, and startup advice with YC’s Garry Tan.

  • The conversation explores AI’s future impact on jobs and innovation.

• Mullenweg started WordPress at 19 and is now 40% of the internet

  • Sam Parr and Shaan Puri interview Matt Mullenweg, founder of WordPress and Automattic.

  • Topics include turning down $200M, WooCommerce vs. Shopify, and leadership insights.

  • Mullenweg shares thoughts on hiring, company culture, and DeepSeek AI.

• TS Anil of Monzo’s struggles to $1B revenue

  • TS Anil led Monzo from financial struggles and layoffs to $1B revenue and profitability.

  • He shares insights on product strategy, monetization, and global expansion.

  • The discussion covers leadership, scaling, and the future of digital banking.

WORLD

• Indonesia may set age limit on social media use in upcoming rule

  • Indonesia is considering implementing a minimum age requirement for social media users.

  • Goal is to protect children from online risks.

  • The government plans to introduce interim child protection guidelines for social media platforms.

• Shein app relaunches in India with Reliance partnership

  • Shein returns to India via a Reliance Retail partnership after a five-year ban.

  • Reliance controls Shein’s local operations and Indian customer data.

  • The deal may set a precedent for Chinese firms re-entering India.

• Pressure grows on EU to freeze minerals deal with Rwanda over DRC fighting

  • The EU faces pressure to freeze its minerals deal with Rwanda over DRC conflict.

  • Rwanda is accused of backing M23 rebels to exploit DRC resources, which it denies.

  • Belgium leads calls for suspension to address the crisis in Goma.

AND MORE…

• The biggest games to release this February 2025

  • February 2025 features major video game releases across multiple genres.

  • Studios are leveraging next-gen technology for enhanced gameplay and graphics.

  • The lineup highlights the industry's push for immersive worlds and deep storytelling.

• Google’s X spins out Heritable Agriculture, a startup using AI to improve crop yield

  • Google's X has spun out Heritable Agriculture, a startup leveraging AI to enhance crop yields.

  • The company employs data-driven machine learning techniques to optimize agricultural practices.

  • This reflects a growing trend of integrating advanced technology into farming to boost productivity.

• Meta taps ad agencies to help devise AI ad tools

  • Meta partners with ad agencies to develop AI-powered ad tools.

  • The goal is to enhance ad creation and performance across its platforms.

  • This move reflects Meta’s push for AI-driven marketing innovation.