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

In today’s edition we are tackling the following:

🎥 Veo 2 lets users control camera angles and pacing for AI-generated video.
🟡 Ballie robot launches with projector and Gemini-powered smart home features.
⚖️ OpenAI sues Musk, citing sabotage and interference in AI operations.
🔍 YouTube rolls out deepfake detection tools to top creators.
🇨🇳 Trump spares most tariffs—except for China, which faces 125% duties.

TECH

• You Can Now Give Google's AI Video Model Camera Directions

  • Google’s Veo 2 lets users guide video generation using 'camera directions' like angles, pacing, and cinematic presets.

  • The new update supports inpainting, outpainting, and shot interpolation to create smooth and coherent video transitions.

  • This positions Veo as a robust AI filmmaking tool competing directly with OpenAI’s Sora and Runway.

• Google Says It'll Embrace Anthropic's Standard for Connecting AI Models to Data

  • Google is adopting Anthropic’s MCP, allowing Gemini models to access external business tools and contextual data.

  • The standard helps AI connect with APIs, knowledge bases, and software to complete structured business tasks.

  • OpenAI also supports MCP, suggesting it could become a key interoperability protocol in enterprise AI systems.

• Samsung Is Finally Releasing Ballie

  • Samsung’s long-delayed Ballie robot will launch this summer in the U.S. as an innovative, mobile assistant.

  • Ballie includes a projector, speaker, and camera, operating as a roving home display and voice interface.

  • Integrated with Gemini AI, it adapts to environments and offers personalized support for daily household routines.

BUSINESS

• OpenAI Countersues Elon Musk, Calls for Enjoinment from 'Further Unlawful and Unfair Action'

  • OpenAI filed a countersuit claiming Musk's actions are 'unlawful and unfair', demanding legal prevention of further interference.

  • The suit follows a $97.4B takeover attempt and Musk's alleged harassment via social media and litigation.

  • OpenAI argues Musk is trying to 'seize control' of its AI future after previously abandoning the company.

• Trump Administration Backs Off Nvidia's 'H20' Chip Crackdown After Mar-a-Lago Dinner

  • After CEO Jensen Huang’s Mar-a-Lago dinner, Trump’s team paused restrictions on Nvidia’s H20 AI chip exports.

  • Nvidia reportedly pledged new domestic investments to offset China's exposure and ease national security concerns.

  • Some lawmakers remain critical, pushing for tighter export controls on AI tech used in military applications abroad.

• YouTube Expands Its 'Likeness' Detection Technology, Which Detects AI Fakes, to a handful of Top Creators

  • YouTube is rolling out AI deepfake detection to major creators including MrBeast, Marques Brownlee, and Mark Rober.

  • The tool identifies unauthorized AI-generated content using facial or voice likenesses across uploads and edits.

  • YouTube supports the NO FAKES Act, backing legislative protections against unlicensed AI reproductions of public figures.

CONTENT

• A Better End State than AGI? Replit CEO Amjad Masad on 1 Billion Developers

  • Amjad Masad shares his vision of enabling 'a billion developers' through accessible, AI-powered programming tools.

  • He explains how LLMs are expanding global software literacy, from school kids to remote knowledge workers.

  • Masad also discusses Replit’s early growth, management style, and AI’s role in economic transformation.

• The Impact of AI On The Nobel Prize Dialogue Tokyo 2025

  • Nobel laureates and AI scholars explore how artificial intelligence may reshape health, science, and social systems.

  • Topics include responsible development, long-term risks, and humanity’s ability to guide emerging technologies.

  • The event promotes cross-disciplinary dialogue on building a future aligned with human values and well-being.

• The AI Gold Rush Has Officially Started

  • Greg Isenberg and Riley Brown discuss how AI is fueling a 'gold rush' of product opportunities.

  • They highlight use cases like automated support, AI-generated video, and mobile-first consumer applications.

  • Sketch-based interfaces, 'vibe marketing,' and AI-native startups are driving the next wave of innovation.

WORLD

• Trump Announces 90-Day Tariff Pause for at Least Some Countries

  • Trump paused new tariffs for 90 days on most countries, excluding China, which still faces aggressive increases.

  • The White House says this aims to ease global tensions while encouraging partners to negotiate bilateral trade deals.

  • China’s tariffs remain up to 125%, reinforcing Trump's stance on ‘unfair’ Chinese industrial and IP policies.

• Your next customer reads Memorandum—shouldn’t they see your brand, too?*

  • 120k+ decision-makers and industry leaders rely on Memorandum daily for the insights that shape their business strategies and next big moves.

  • This is your opportunity to consistently place your brand right in front of influential readers who genuinely make high-stakes business decisions.

  • We write the ad copy for you, so you can focus on the results.

• Macron Says France Could Recognise Palestinian State in June

  • Macron said France may formally recognize a Palestinian state by June, signaling a major diplomatic shift.

  • The announcement follows stalled peace talks and France’s desire to push for broader Middle East mutual recognition.

  • France will co-host a recognition summit with Saudi Arabia to align regional powers on the next steps.

• Tariff Turmoil Leaves Investors with Few Hiding Places

  • Investors are retreating from U.S. bonds and the dollar, both under pressure from Trump’s tariff instability.

  • Capital is flowing into gold, the Swiss franc, and defensives like healthcare and utilities as safer bets.

  • Analysts say long-term bond yields are no longer a guaranteed haven during politically driven economic volatility.

AND MORE…

• Apple Stock Leads Tech Rebound After Worst 4-Day Stretch Since 2000

  • Apple rebounded 3% after tariff pause news, recovering from its worst four-day decline in over two decades.

  • The broader tech sector also rallied as markets responded positively to softened trade pressure from Washington.

  • Analysts say Apple remains well-positioned, with strong cash reserves and upcoming AI features driving investor optimism.

• a16z Backs Base Power in $200M Round for Home Backup Batteries

  • Base Power raised $200M from a16z to expand its home battery systems and scale U.S. manufacturing operations.

  • The company sells 25–50kWh systems with zero upfront cost, using power purchase agreements to generate recurring revenue.

  • Their model also allows grid participation, optimizing energy distribution while protecting homes from power outages.

• Adobe Is Building AI Agents for Photoshop and Premiere Pro

  • Adobe unveiled AI 'creative agents' that automate editing actions inside Photoshop and Premiere Pro based on context.

  • Photoshop will recommend edits like background cleanup, contrast tweaks, and depth enhancements through a new Actions panel.

  • Premiere Pro’s version will help generate rough cuts, identify scenes, and propose improved narrative structure suggestions.