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

In today’s edition we are tackling the following:

👾 Musk and investors offer $97.4B to take control of OpenAI..
🎥 OpenAI debuts a $14M Super Bowl ad to showcase ChatGPT’s applications.
🕊️ Hamas delays hostage releases, putting the ceasefire at risk.
📱 Apple’s next iPhone SE may feature Face ID, a 48MP camera, and more.
⚖️ Trump holds talks with Putin, claiming ‘progress’ on a Ukraine peace deal.

TECH

• Everything we think we know about the next iPhone SE

  • Apple is expected to unveil a new iPhone SE with a 6.1-inch OLED display, ditching the home button for Face ID.

  • The phone may feature a single 48MP rear camera, an A18 chip, 8GB RAM, and Apple’s first in-house 5G modem.

  • A USB-C port is expected, aligning with EU regulations, with a possible price of $500 and launch this month.

• Inside OpenAI's $14 million Super Bowl debut

  • OpenAI aired its first Super Bowl ad, using pointillism animation to highlight ChatGPT’s practical applications.

  • The campaign, led by new CMO Kate Rouch, aims to introduce AI to mainstream audiences through real-world use cases.

  • While OpenAI used Sora AI for early drafts, the final version was crafted by human artists to ensure visual quality.

• Big Tech is still silent on Trump's tariffs

  • Big Tech companies have not publicly commented on Trump’s new 10% tariffs on Chinese imports, unlike automakers.

  • The policy increases costs for tech firms, potentially leading to higher prices or squeezed profit margins.

  • Companies may be waiting to assess the impact or avoid political backlash, as trade tensions continue to escalate.

BUSINESS

• Elon Musk-Led Group Makes $97.4 Billion Bid for Control of OpenAI

  • Musk and investors have offered $97.4 billion to take control of OpenAI’s nonprofit, escalating tensions with Sam Altman.

  • The bid challenges Altman’s push to transition OpenAI into a for-profit entity and invest heavily in AI infrastructure.

  • Altman dismissed the offer sarcastically on social media, highlighting their ongoing legal battle over OpenAI’s future.

• Google AI Chief Says DeepSeek's Cost Claims Are 'Exaggerated'

  • Google’s AI Chief doubts DeepSeek’s claim of developing its AI model for under $6 million, calling it "exaggerated."

  • Industry leaders are debating the real costs of AI development, with DeepSeek positioning itself as a low-cost disruptor.

  • The skepticism comes as AI firms compete to develop high-performance models with minimal resources and greater efficiency.

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• Perplexity's Super Bowl 'Tweet' Increased App Installs by 50%

  • Perplexity’s viral Super Bowl post led to a 50% surge in app installs, proving the effectiveness of strategic marketing.

  • Though it didn’t top app store charts, the campaign highlighted how AI companies can leverage cultural moments.

  • The success underscores how AI-driven platforms are gaining traction and competing for mainstream consumer attention.

CONTENT

• Will OpenAI Go Open Source?

  • Yaniv Bernstein, Shira Lazar, and Amir Shevat discuss whether OpenAI will go open-source as DeepSeek’s rise challenges its dominance.

  • They break down the risks and benefits of OpenAI adopting transparency and including developer trust.

  • The episode explores how this shift could affect the AI ecosystem, competition with Google and Meta, and OpenAI’s business model.

• The Step-by-Step Plan to Go From $3M to $10M+

  • Ayman Al-Abdullah shares how he scaled AppSumo from $3M to $84M, focusing on retention, hiring, and sustainable growth strategies.

  • He explains why founders must shift from operator to CEO mindset, ensuring they build a business with lasting value.

  • The conversation covers finding bottlenecks, doubling down on core strengths, and structuring incentives to keep employees aligned.

• OpenAI Researcher on Why Soft Skills Are the Future of Work

  • Karina Nguyen explains why adaptability and trust are key in AI-driven work environments and how AI-human collaboration is evolving.

  • She highlights differences between OpenAI and Anthropic’s model development, including the role of synthetic data in improving accuracy.

  • The episode covers ethical AI design, the future of automation, and why large-scale models must enhance human intelligence.

WORLD

• Hamas Delays Hostage Releases, Ceasefire at Risk

  • Hamas has postponed releasing hostages, accusing Israel of violating the ceasefire agreement, escalating tensions.

  • Israel’s defense minister has placed the military on alert, warning of possible renewed fighting in Gaza.

  • The ceasefire, now in its third week, is under growing pressure, with no clear resolution in sight.

• Trump Calls Putin, Claims ‘Progress’ in Ukraine Peace Deal

  • Trump held his first direct talks with Putin in nearly three years, discussing a potential peace agreement.

  • The U.S. president plans to meet Ukraine’s Zelensky, sending Gen. Keith Kellogg to Kyiv and possibly Moscow.

  • His strategy involves economic sanctions and engaging China, but European allies remain skeptical.

• Romanian President Resigns Amid Impeachment Threat

  • Klaus Iohannis resigned before his term ended, preempting impeachment attempts by far-right opposition parties.

  • His extended stay followed the annulment of the presidential election over alleged Russian interference.

  • Senate Speaker Ilie Bolojan will serve as interim president until a re-run election scheduled for May.

AND MORE…

• Apple Fixes iPhone and iPad Bug Exploited in Sophisticated Attack

  • Apple’s iOS 18.3.1 update patches a zero-day exploit used to bypass security on locked devices.

  • The flaw targeted USB Restricted Mode, allowing hackers to extract data through a USB connection.

  • The exploit was deployed in highly advanced attacks, prompting Apple to urge immediate updates.

• Egypt Calls Emergency Arab Summit Over Trump's Gaza Plan

  • Egypt has scheduled a February 27 summit to discuss Trump’s proposal to resettle Palestinians abroad.

  • The plan, which suggests U.S. control over Gaza, has drawn strong opposition from key Arab nations.

  • Leaders warn forced resettlement could trigger instability, threatening regional security and peace.

• Meta Begins Performance-Based Layoffs Amid AI Investment Shift

  • Meta is eliminating 4,000 jobs worldwide, cutting 5% of its workforce to boost AI development.

  • The layoffs target low-performing employees as Zuckerberg restructures for greater efficiency.

  • Meta aims to streamline operations while shifting focus to AI-driven products and innovation.