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

In today’s edition we are tackling the following:

🚀 United Airlines accelerates Starlink rollout, debuting this spring.
🍎 Tim Cook is donating $1 million to Trump’s inauguration.
👾 Microsoft planning $80B AI infrastructure spend next year.
💄 Meta’s AI-generated bot profiles are not being received well.
🇭🇷 Croatia’s tourism may be hurt by price hikes, ECB’s Vujcic says.

TECH

• United Airlines to accelerate Starlink rollout, debuting this spring

  • United Airlines is expediting the installation of SpaceX's Starlink satellite internet across its fleet.

  • Wi-Fi over Starlink will be free for all members of United’s MileagePlus program. Fliers will also be able to connect with multiple devices.

  • The first commercial flight equipped with Starlink is scheduled for spring 2025.

• Microsoft to spend $80B on AI data centers this year

  • Microsoft will invest $80 billion in fiscal 2025 to expand its AI-enabled data centers.

  • The move aligns with surging demand for AI technologies, driven by tools like OpenAI's ChatGPT.

  • Over half of the investment will be allocated to projects confirmed by Microsoft's Vice Chair and President, Brad Smith.

• Meta’s AI-generated bot profiles are not being received well

  • Meta's introduction of AI-generated profiles on Instagram and Facebook has led to user confusion and frustration.

  • These AI personas, such as ‘Jane Austen’ and ‘Carter,’ were intended to enhance engagement but have been heavily criticized.

  • A bug preventing users from blocking these profiles exacerbated the situation, prompting Meta to pause the feature to address the issue.

BUSINESS

• Foxconn beats estimates with record fourth-quarter revenue on AI demand

  • Taiwan's Foxconn, the world's largest contract electronics maker, beat expectations to post its highest-ever revenue for Q4.

  • Apple's biggest iPhone assembler jumped 15.2% to T$2.13 trillion ($64.72 billion), Foxconn said in a statement on Sunday.

  • Robust AI server demand led to strong revenue growth for its cloud and networking products division, said Foxcon.

• Spirit Blockchain Capital plans to generate yield from its Dogecoin holdings

  • Spirit Blockchain Capital is aiming to enhance returns on its digital assets.

  • The company plans to expand this yield-generating approach to include Bitcoin and Solana, diversifying its investment portfolio.

  • This initiative positions Spirit Blockchain Capital as a significant player in the cryptocurrency market.

• Recovery remains challenging for Boeing a year after the door plug accident

  • A year ago, a door plug blew out of a nearly new Boeing 737 Max 9 during an Alaska Airlines flight.

  • The incident thrust Boeing back into the spotlight for safety concerns and manufacturing flaws.

  • New CEO Kelly Ortberg, who began in the top job in August, is tasked with ensuring Boeing can ramp up production and maintain quality.

CONTENT

• Explore venture concentration, high-skill immigration, and potential buyers for Lyft

  • Jason and Alex analyze Instacart's funding, early-stage investment focus, and the impact of large funds on seed rounds.

  • They also had a topic including social media weaponization, H1B visa reforms, and predictions for startup failures by 2025.

  • They explore potential mergers in the autonomous sector, tech giant dominance, and major company valuations.

• Executive coach Alisa Cohn provides scripts for navigating difficult conversations

  • Alisa Cohn, a renowned executive coach for startups and Fortune 500 companies, shares insights on leadership and navigating challenges.

  • She provides specific scripts for managing basic difficult conversations, and outlines three key questions to conclude every meeting.

  • Alisa debunks leadership myths, reflects on personal career failures, and discusses her award-winning book and podcast.

• Investing wisdom from Nassim Taleb, plus ChatGPT questions that will change your life

  • Sam and Shaan discuss personal philosophies, popularizing the phrase ‘No Small Boy Stuff,’ and its impact on their mindset and life decisions.

  • They delve into using ChatGPT and AI tools as assistants, thought partners, and coaches to optimize personal and business decisions.

  • Topics range from venture capital strategies to amusing takes on AI's potential to replace creative and intellectual roles.

WORLD

• How Chinese Hackers Graduated From Clumsy Corporate Thieves to Military Weapons

  • ‘Typhoon’ cyberattacks on U.S. infrastructure and telecoms lay groundwork for potential conflict with Beijing.

  • Intruders are gathering data, improving positioning to impede response and sow geopolitical chaos.

  • Chinese hackers gained the ability to shut down U.S. ports, power grids and other infrastructure targets, sources claim.

• A weakened Iran prepares to face Trump 2.0

  • Iran faces severe economic challenges worsened by sanctions and internal mismanagement.

  • Iran's geopolitical influence has diminished, with setbacks to its allies and reduced sway over regional conflicts, such as in Syria.

  • Iran may escalate its nuclear program to strengthen its deterrence as they anticipate potential U.S. policy shifts.

• Ukraine launches new attack in Kursk region of western Russia

  • Ukraine reportedly carried out attacks in the Kursk region using drones and artillery with aims to weaken Russian supply lines.

  • The attacks demonstrate Ukraine's increasing military capabilities, sending a message to Moscow about its resilience and tactical reach.

  • The offensive highlights ongoing escalations in the conflict, with both sides intensifying efforts.

AND MORE…

• What went wrong for Spirit Airlines?

  • Spirit Airlines, once a pioneer in ultra-low-cost travel, has faced significant challenges leading to its recent Chapter 11 bankruptcy filing.

  • The airline says it will continue to operate as normal as it works through bankruptcy.

  • A process it said it expects to exit in the first quarter of 2025.

• 'Doom' CAPTCHA transforms online security into a demon-slaying nightmare challenge

  • A developer has created a CAPTCHA that requires users to play a brief the classic first-person shooter game 'Doom' to verify humanity.

  • This innovative approach aims to enhance online security by leveraging the game's demon-slaying challenges as a test.

  • The 'Doom' CAPTCHA offers a more engaging alternative to traditional text-based CAPTCHAs.

• Tim Cook is also donating $1 million to Trump’s inauguration

  • Apple CEO Tim Cook donated $1 million to Donald Trump's inauguration committee, joining other tech leaders in contributing.

  • Cook has maintained a personal relationship with Trump, including meetings at Mar-a-Lago during his first term.

  • The donation is framed as a gesture to support the inauguration as a unifying American tradition.