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

In today’s edition we are tackling the following:

📦 Apple ships iPhones by air from India to bypass incoming China tariffs.
🚀 OpenAI replaces GPT-4 with faster multimodal GPT-4o in ChatGPT.
🤖 DoorDash launches delivery robots in LA and Chicago suburbs.
💻 Laptop brands halt U.S. shipments as trade war heats up.
📢 Former OpenAI staffers protest profit-driven shift from nonprofit mission.

TECH

• OpenAI to Retire GPT-4 From ChatGPT by April 30

  • OpenAI will phase out GPT-4 from ChatGPT, replacing it with the faster, smarter multimodal model GPT-4o.

  • GPT-4o outperforms GPT-4 in writing, STEM reasoning, and conversation, streamlining user experience across all subscription tiers.

  • GPT-4 remains available through the API but will no longer power ChatGPT’s core interface.

• DoorDash Expands Robot Deliveries in Los Angeles and Chicago

  • DoorDash has partnered with Coco to deploy autonomous sidewalk robots in LA and Chicago for merchant deliveries.

  • Over 100,000 deliveries have been completed, supporting DoorDash’s broader multi-modal strategy including drones and human couriers.

  • The robots aim to reduce traffic, lower emissions, and speed up short-distance order fulfillment in urban areas.

• Netflix Tests OpenAI-Powered Search on iOS

  • Netflix is testing a new AI search feature that lets users discover shows based on mood or themes.

  • The feature is powered by OpenAI and currently available in beta for iOS users in select countries.

  • Netflix plans to expand testing to more users, potentially enhancing personalized recommendations and content navigation.

BUSINESS

• Ex-OpenAI Employees Challenge Company’s For-Profit Transition

  • Twelve former OpenAI employees filed an amicus brief supporting Elon Musk’s lawsuit against OpenAI’s for-profit pivot.

  • They argue the company abandoned its mission of safety-first AI by prioritizing commercial returns and investor control.

  • OpenAI maintains that its benefit corporation structure still honors its original nonprofit charter and ethical commitments.

• Apple Airlifts iPhones to U.S. to Avoid Tariffs

  • Apple used six chartered cargo flights to move 600 tons of iPhones from India before tariffs hit.

  • The shipments preempted Trump’s new import taxes on Chinese goods, which would’ve raised iPhone costs.

  • Analysts warn hardware pricing could rise as brands shift supply chains to cope with trade instability.

• U.S.-China Tariff War Steers Global Economy Toward Instability

  • Trump raised tariffs on Chinese imports to 145%, triggering immediate retaliation from Beijing at 125%.

  • Economists say the clash could derail global growth, hitting supply chains and consumer prices worldwide.

  • Markets remain volatile as investors assess geopolitical risk and policy response from U.S. trading partners.

CONTENT

• Sam Altman on AI vs Human Creativity

  • Altman argues AI won’t replace writing but will elevate it, empowering more people to publish ideas widely.

  • He highlights ChatGPT's growing storytelling potential and everyday use as a creative companion for modern writers.

  • Writing now emphasizes clarity, structure, and collaboration—skills essential for working alongside AI systems effectively.

• Satya Nadella on AI, Ambition, and a $3 Trillion Vision

  • Nadella discusses Microsoft's transformation, placing AI at the center of its future growth strategy and operations.

  • He shares how cultural shifts, including openness and experimentation, laid the foundation for AI-first leadership.

  • Microsoft’s AI investments aim to deliver trillions in economic impact, redefining productivity across all industries.

• The Great Tariff Debate With David Sacks, Larry Summers, and Ezra Klein

  • The All-In crew debates Trump’s China tariffs, their economic logic, and the risks to global trade.

  • Summers challenges populist trade strategies while Sacks defends national interests and selective decoupling from China.

  • Panelists explore recession fears, political consequences, and whether globalization failed America’s middle class.

WORLD

• Trump Tariffs Force Major Laptop Makers to Halt U.S. Shipments

  • Major laptop brands, including Lenovo and Asus, paused U.S. shipments to avoid steep new import tariffs.

  • Trump’s trade measures have disrupted supply chains, forcing companies to reconsider domestic inventory and pricing strategies.

  • Consumers may see laptop shortages or price hikes as manufacturers scramble to relocate production or delay launches.

• Global Shipping Industry Reaches Carbon Tax Agreement

  • Over 170 nations approved a global carbon tax on maritime shipping to curb emissions and fund climate adaptation.

  • The tax will gradually increase through 2030, with funds redistributed to vulnerable nations facing environmental challenges.

  • Industry leaders say this marks a turning point in decarbonizing global trade and freight operations.

• Ukraine’s Allies Pledge $21 Billion in Military Aid

  • NATO countries and other allies committed $21 billion in new military support for Ukraine during a defense summit.

  • The aid package includes advanced drones, ammunition, air defense systems, and tactical training for Ukrainian forces.

  • Western officials reaffirmed long-term backing, warning Russia that strategic fatigue will not outlast allied support.

AND MORE…

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• BlackRock CEO Warns U.S. May Already Be in Recession

  • Larry Fink said the U.S. is likely already in a recession, citing slowing growth and rising economic stress.

  • He blamed new Trump-era tariffs for worsening inflation and damaging global investor sentiment across multiple asset classes.

  • Fink urged renewed trade cooperation with China to avoid broader economic fallout in global financial markets.

• Penguin Causes Helicopter Crash in South Africa

  • A penguin in a cardboard box slid into flight controls, forcing a helicopter crash on Bird Island.

  • The helicopter was airlifting endangered birds during conservation work in South Africa’s Eastern Cape region.

  • All passengers, including the penguin, survived without injury despite the hard emergency landing in dense brush.

• Law Professors Support Authors in Meta AI Copyright Case

  • Dozens of law professors filed an amicus brief supporting authors suing Meta for copyright violations in AI training.

  • They claim using copyrighted books to train Llama AI models exceeds fair use and lacks necessary transformation.

  • The case could shape legal precedent around AI model training and intellectual property protections moving forward.