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

In today’s edition, we are tackling the following:

🧠 OpenAI keeps a nonprofit in charge, reversing earlier restructuring plans.
🎥 Google enters entertainment with new film studio.
🚗 Waymo expands fleet with 2,000 more robotaxis.
📱 Meta AI app sparks privacy concerns over saved chats.
📉 Greg Abel to replace Warren Buffett as Berkshire CEO.

TECH

• OpenAI reverses course, says its nonprofit will remain in control of its business operations

  • OpenAI announced its nonprofit arm will retain control, reversing earlier plans to shift power to the for-profit wing.

  • The decision followed pressure from regulators and civic leaders concerned about governance and mission alignment.

  • Its business will become a public benefit corporation, with oversight and equity still held by the nonprofit entity.

• Zuckerberg's new Meta AI app gets personal in a very creepy way

  • Meta’s AI app saves user chats to personalize experiences and ads, triggering privacy backlash over opaque data policies.

  • Deleting stored data is possible but intentionally difficult, unlike competitors that offer more transparent controls.

  • Experts warn that default settings may expose users to risks, particularly when discussing sensitive or personal topics.

• Apple iPhone 17 Air Promises Curious Design Change, New Leak Claims

  • Leaks show the iPhone 17 Air will feature a wide horizontal camera bar, dividing fans and critics over its aesthetics.

  • The design aims to set the Air apart, but is being called a downgrade compared to Apple’s sleeker camera placements.

  • Despite mixed reactions, the device will likely include performance gains and preserve its lightweight form.

• Elf Labs raised $3.3M to bring classic characters to life*

  • They took on Disney at the US Patent & Trademark office and won—30+ times.

  • Now they have just closed a $3.5M development deal with a telecom giant.

  • Invest now to get in early and receive 20% bonus shares.

BUSINESS

• Google Gets Into the Movie and TV Business to Boost Its Cool Factor

  • Google launched ‘100 Zeros,’ a film and TV production arm aimed at reshaping tech’s cultural image through scripted content.

  • The studio will focus on AI, digital life, and innovation themes, targeting Gen Z and mainstream audiences.

  • This marks a rare move by a tech giant into entertainment branding to influence perception beyond its products.

• Berkshire board names Greg Abel as CEO, Buffett to remain chair

  • Greg Abel will become CEO of Berkshire Hathaway in 2026, while Warren Buffett stays on as chairman.

  • Abel, Buffett’s long-known successor, currently oversees Berkshire’s non-insurance businesses and has investor backing.

  • Markets reacted cautiously, with Class B shares dropping nearly 2% following the leadership transition announcement.

• Waymo says it will add 2,000 more robotaxis by 2026

  • Waymo will expand its fleet to 3,500 by 2026, adding 2,000 new robotaxis, including Hyundai and Zeekr models.

  • Its autonomous vehicles feature Waymo Driver 6, with the Zeekr minivan built specifically for driverless operation.

  • Waymo’s Arizona factory will use automated production lines to support mass scaling of robotaxi deployment.

CONTENT

• The Most Valuable Skill For Any Founder

  • Sam Parr and Shaan Puri talk with George Mack about why storytelling and ‘high agency’ are crucial skills for startup founders.

  • They explore how narrative drives success in fundraising, recruiting, product design, and founder momentum.

  • The episode emphasizes that refining how you communicate ideas is often more valuable than technical or tactical expertise.

• My Voice AI Agent Negotiated 800+ Business Deals in 1 Day

  • Tony Ge built a voice AI agent that called over 800 Rolex dealers to negotiate watch prices using VAPI and Gemini 2.0 Flash.

  • He shares prompt engineering tricks, regulatory challenges, and how the AI surfaced major arbitrage opportunities.

  • Beyond watches, this system offers a scalable way to automate voice tasks like lead gen, market research, and feedback.

• Mr. Smith Gets a Neuralink Implant and a Visit from Elon Musk

  • Core Memory documents Brad Smith’s journey as Neuralink’s third patient, using the implant to manage ALS-related challenges.

  • The video features rare footage of Elon Musk visiting Smith and observing real-time device training and usage.

  • The story offers an emotional and technical look at how brain-computer interfaces are being tested to restore communication.

WORLD

• Trump’s Memecoin Sparks Ethics Concerns Amid $350M Windfall

  • Trump’s $TRUMP coin hit a $27B market cap, with his affiliates controlling 80% and profiting over $350M to date.

  • The memecoin’s success follows recent pro-crypto policies, raising ethical questions about personal gain from presidential influence.

  • Critics worry the administration is blurring lines between public service and private profit in the crypto space.

• Israel Intensifies Military Operations in Gaza with 'Operation Gideon Chariot'

  • Israel’s IDF launched a large-scale operation targeting Hamas forces and infrastructure, including hostage rescue efforts.

  • The offensive involves land, air, and sea tactics, with pre-warnings issued to evacuate civilians from northern Gaza.

  • This time, Israel plans to hold territory gained, aiming to stop Hamas from rebuilding its presence post-conflict.

• U.S. Dollar Weakens Amid Tariff Concerns and Global Currency Shifts

  • The dollar slipped against major currencies due to fears over U.S. tariffs and broader trade uncertainties under Trump’s policies.

  • It hit record lows against the Taiwan dollar, buoyed by expectations of easing central bank intervention.

  • Modest gains from strong services data weren’t enough to stabilize the outlook amid volatile global economic conditions.

AND MORE…

• YouTube is testing a discounted two-person Premium subscription tier

  • YouTube launched a trial for a two-person Premium plan in select countries, offering ad-free viewing at a lower price than family tiers.

  • The offer targets cohabiting users, similar to Spotify Duo, with background play and offline downloads included.

  • The test comes amid recent Premium price hikes as YouTube explores more flexible subscription models.

• RIP Skype — you were right about almost everything

  • Microsoft officially discontinued Skype on May 5, 2025, after nearly two decades of service and major early success.

  • Once revolutionary, Skype struggled to adapt to mobile-first competitors and was gradually replaced by Microsoft Teams.

  • The shutdown marks the end of an era in online communication as Microsoft focuses on unified productivity tools.

• TeleMessage, a modified Signal clone used by US government officials, has been hacked

  • Hackers breached TeleMessage, accessing sensitive archived messages used by U.S. officials and corporate clients.

  • The platform offered modified versions of secure apps for regulated communication and compliance-based archiving.

  • Smarsh, its parent company, paused services and began investigating the breach with outside cybersecurity firms.