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

In today’s edition we are tackling the following:

👨‍⚖️ Sam Altman faces sexual abuse allegations filed by his sister.
🇺🇸 Trump plans sweeping tariffs under a national economic emergency.
🏦 Major U.S. banks leave the UN-backed net-zero climate alliance.
🔥 Los Angeles wildfires grow to 12,000 acres, forcing evacuations.
📱 Samsung debuts global AI subscriptions, offering affordable access to AI.

TECH

• Microsoft Backs $3 Billion AI Push in India

  • The company committed $3 billion to expand AI and cloud infrastructure in India, its largest investment in the region.

  • Plans include new data centers and AI skill training for 10 million people by 2030, fostering local talent and innovation.

  • Partnerships with public and private sectors aim to integrate AI solutions in education, healthcare, and agriculture.

• Nvidia Unveils Compact AI Supercomputer 'Digits'

  • Nvidia introduces Project Digits, a $3,000 AI supercomputer offering a petaflop of computing power for researchers.

  • Powered by the GB10 Grace Blackwell Superchip, it supports advanced AI model development and training.

  • Targeted at academics and small-scale innovators, it aims to democratize high-performance AI computing.

• Samsung Is Rolling Out a Smartphone Subscription Next Month

  • Samsung’s AI Subscription Club will expand to Galaxy smartphones and the Ballie robot, starting in South Korea next month.

  • The subscription offers lower upfront costs for AI-powered devices like TVs and appliances, with optional maintenance services.

  • Galaxy AI features remain free until late 2025, with further plans to be revealed at Samsung’s Galaxy Unpacked event on January 22nd.

BUSINESS

• EU Rejects Meta's Censorship Claims

  • The EU denied Mark Zuckerberg’s claim that its Digital Services Act amounts to censorship.

  • Officials clarified the law targets illegal content removal, ensuring platforms remain transparent and accountable.

  • The Commission emphasized user protection and lawful expression as central goals of the regulation.

• Sam Altman Accused Of Sexual Abuse

  • OpenAI CEO Sam Altman’s sister, Ann Altman, filed a lawsuit alleging childhood sexual abuse.

  • Sam Altman and his family deny the claims, citing Ann’s mental health challenges and financial disputes.

  • The lawsuit seeks $75,000 in damages, fueling public scrutiny and debate over the allegations.

• Major U.S. Banks Exit Net-Zero Banking Alliance

  • Six leading U.S. banks, including JPMorgan and Goldman Sachs, left the UN-backed climate coalition.

  • Analysts link the exits to political pressure and Trump’s pro-fossil fuel agenda ahead of his presidency.

  • Banks pledged ongoing support for low-carbon technologies despite withdrawing from the alliance.

CONTENT

• Google Breakup? Banning Teens From Social Media?

  • Scott Galloway analyzes the potential breakup of Google amid an ongoing antitrust case, debating its feasibility and impact.

  • Explores Australia's proposed ban on social media for under-16s, raising questions about tech regulation and societal norms.

  • Offers practical advice to professors for keeping students engaged in small classroom settings.

• Building A $2 Billion SaaS Company: Lessons From a Two-Time Founder

  • Rujul Zaparde recounts his transition from founding FlightCar to co-creating Zip, a $2.2 billion procurement software firm.

  • Shares lessons on enterprise sales, pricing strategies, and leveraging first-principles thinking for startup success.

  • Highlights the importance of resilience, pivoting, and mastering the complexities of scaling SaaS businesses.

• Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella on How AI is Reshaping Lives and Work

  • Satya Nadella discusses AI's transformative impact on global industries, highlighting advancements in workforce dynamics and innovation.

  • Microsoft leaders explore regional AI developments in South Asia, emphasizing actionable strategies for thriving in an AI-driven world.

  • Insights into how Microsoft is shaping the future of work through cutting-edge AI technologies and initiatives.

WORLD

• Trump Considers National Economic Emergency for New Tariffs

  • President-elect Trump plans to declare a national economic emergency to implement sweeping import tariffs.

  • Proposed measures include a 10% tariff on global imports and harsher rates for China, Canada, and Mexico.

  • The move, leveraging emergency powers, aims to boost U.S. manufacturing but risks trade retaliation.

• Los Angeles Wildfires Prompt Evacuations and Damage

  • Pacific Palisades wildfires have forced evacuations, damaging property as they grow to nearly 12,000 acres.

  • High winds and dry conditions hamper firefighting efforts, with two deaths reported and many injured.

  • Authorities declared a state of emergency, warning residents of potential spread to nearby communities.

• Lebanon Prepares for Presidential Vote Amid Political Shifts

  • Lebanon’s parliament seeks to fill the presidency, vacant since 2022, amid Hezbollah’s waning influence.

  • Leading candidates include General Joseph Aoun and ex-finance minister Jihad Azour, reflecting political divides.

  • The vote marks a critical moment as Lebanon grapples with economic crisis and shifting regional dynamics.

AND MORE…

• Omi: AI Wearable Companion

  • Omi is an AI-powered wearable designed to assist users with tasks like meeting summaries, mentorship, and real-time information retrieval.

  • It uses advanced AI and a microphone to adapt to user needs, offering a glimpse into future brain-computer interfaces.

  • Positioned as a versatile platform, Omi emphasizes open-source innovation, competing with other AI wearables.

• Italian Journalist Cecilia Sala Freed from Iran

  • Italian journalist Cecilia Sala has been released from detention in Iran after diplomatic negotiations led by Italy.

  • Known for her incisive Middle Eastern reporting, Sala’s arrest highlighted the dangers journalists face in restrictive regimes.

  • Her return underscores Italy's commitment to press freedom amid global concerns for journalist safety in conflict zones.

• Quantum Stocks Plunge After Nvidia CEO's Remarks

  • Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang predicted quantum computers are decades away, triggering a sell-off in quantum tech stocks.

  • Companies like Rigetti and IonQ faced sharp declines as investors reevaluated the sector’s near-term potential.

  • Huang’s remarks challenge the hype around quantum computing, spotlighting slow revenue growth and uncertain breakthroughs.