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

In today’s edition we are tackling the following:

🧠 Researchers built an AI model rivaling OpenAI’s O1 for just $50 in 26 minutes.
🔍 Google plans to make Search more like an AI-powered assistant by 2025.
🤖 Apple’s Pixar-style robot lamp teases its vision for home robotics.
⚖️ Lawmakers push to ban DeepSeek over data security concerns.
📉 Amazon posts strong Q4 earnings but warns of weaker Q1 guidance.

TECH

• Researchers created an open rival to OpenAI’s O1 reasoning model

  • Researchers from Stanford and the University of Washington built an AI model rivaling OpenAI’s O1 for just $50.

  • The model, trained in 26 minutes using a dataset of 1,000 questions, outperformed O1 in competition math tests.

  • The project demonstrates how low-cost AI development could challenge proprietary models from major tech companies.

• Google wants Search to be more like an AI assistant in 2025

  • Google is working to transform Search into a more conversational AI assistant, integrating DeepMind’s latest models.

  • The update aims to provide intuitive responses, allowing users to interact with Search more naturally.

  • This shift signals Google's move toward AI-driven experiences to compete with ChatGPT-powered search tools.

• This Pixar-style dancing lamp hints at Apple’s future home robot

  • Apple researchers developed a tabletop robot lamp with expressive movements to study engagement and interaction.

  • The prototype responds to music, voice commands, and gestures, displaying emotions like excitement and disappointment.

  • Reports suggest Apple may launch a home robot with similar features by 2026 or 2027, priced around $1,000.

BUSINESS

• Lawmakers push to ban DeepSeek app from U.S. government devices

  • A bipartisan group of lawmakers is pushing to ban DeepSeek from government devices over data security concerns.

  • Officials worry the AI chatbot’s data collection practices could be influenced by Chinese government policies.

  • The proposed bill reflects growing scrutiny of foreign-developed AI applications in the U.S. market.

• Amazon reports strong Q4 earnings but issues cautious Q1 guidance

  • Amazon posted a 10% revenue increase in Q4 2024, reaching $187.8 billion, with $20 billion in profit.

  • Earnings per share were $1.86, surpassing analyst expectations and reflecting strong holiday sales.

  • Despite positive results, Amazon’s stock dipped after hours due to weaker-than-expected Q1 guidance.

• OpenAI looking at 16 states for data center campuses tied to Stargate

  • OpenAI is considering 16 states for AI data center campuses as part of Trump’s $500 billion Stargate project.

  • The first site in Abilene, Texas, is under construction, with more locations to be announced in the coming months.

  • The project aims to boost AI infrastructure and create thousands of jobs, though environmental concerns remain.

CONTENT

• The Trouble With Tariffs + Why Palantir Could Dominate AI

  • Scott Galloway and Ed discuss tariffs on Mexico and Canada, Vanguard’s fee cuts, and Palantir’s AI strategy.

  • Aswath Damodaran analyzes DeepSeek’s impact on the AI market and explains why Palantir may lead in AI infrastructure.

  • He also weighs in on whether Tesla and Nvidia are overvalued, plus how tariffs could reshape the global economy.

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• Elon Musk on the Future of Warfare: AI, Drones, and Military Strategy

  • Musk warns that AI and drones are revolutionizing warfare, citing conflicts like Ukraine as key examples.

  • He stresses the need for robust communication systems, like Starlink, to maintain military efficiency.

  • The discussion also covers Neuralink, human-machine integration, and the risks of autonomous weapons in combat.

• OpenAI's Deep Research Inches Humanity Closer to AGI

  • OpenAI’s Deep Research model challenges DeepSeek, fueling debates on whether AGI is near.

  • The episode explores new AI breakthroughs, including OmniHuman-1 for realistic lip-sync and Replit’s AI coding app.

  • NVIDIA’s latest humanoid robots and the rise of AI-generated media are also examined in depth.

WORLD

• DR Congo conflict: Nearly 3,000 killed in Goma as M23 rebels seize city

  • Heavy fighting in Goma has left nearly 3,000 dead, as M23 rebels, backed by Rwanda, overrun the city.

  • Hospitals are overwhelmed, with urgent calls for blood donations as civilians flee the escalating violence.

  • The humanitarian crisis worsens as mass graves are reported, sparking international condemnation and warnings.

• Egypt lobbies against Trump plan to empty Gaza of Palestinians

  • Egypt is actively opposing Trump’s plan to relocate Palestinians from Gaza, warning it could threaten its peace deal with Israel.

  • Trump officials insist relocations would be temporary, but critics fear it amounts to forced displacement and ‘ethnic cleansing.’

  • Cairo has warned U.S. and European allies that it will resist the proposal, calling it a major risk to Middle East stability.

• Santorini declares state of emergency

  • Strong earthquakes have rocked Santorini in the past days, triggering evacuations and raising fears of aftershocks.

  • Around 11,000 people have fled the island, with flights and ferries arranged to assist evacuations amid high winds.

  • Officials warn of continued seismic activity, as hundreds of tremors have shaken the island over the past week.

AND MORE…

• Lawmakers introduce 'Kids Off Social Media Act' to protect children

  • A new bipartisan bill aims to ban kids under 13 from social media and restrict recommendation algorithms for teens.

  • The legislation would let the FTC and state attorneys general enforce these rules, but tech firms criticize enforcement challenges.

  • Instead of requiring ID verification, the bill suggests using user data to estimate ages, which experts warn may be unreliable.

• Tinder will try AI-powered matching as the dating app loses users

  • Tinder is introducing AI-powered discovery and matching features to counter declining user engagement on the platform.

  • The AI tools aim to offer better, more personalized match recommendations by analyzing user behavior and preferences.

  • This move follows broader industry trends where dating apps experiment with AI to improve user experience and retention.

• Lyft integrates Anthropic's Claude AI to enhance customer service

  • Lyft has partnered with Anthropic to introduce the Claude AI chatbot, improving response times for customer service.

  • The AI will handle common queries, while complex issues will still be managed by human representatives for accuracy.

  • This move reflects a growing trend in the transportation sector toward AI-driven automation in customer support.