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

In today’s edition, we are tackling the following:

🔥 OpenAI speeds GPT-5.2 release as competition with Google’s Gemini intensifies.
📱 Google adds Gemini tools to Chrome iOS, delivering summaries, FAQs, and chat.
⚖️ States warn tech firms about dangerous, delusional AI outputs harming users.
🎥 Disney and OpenAI unveil Sora deal enabling AI videos with major characters.
🌩️ Violent storms leave millions without power in São Paulo amid grid failures.

TECHNOLOGY

• OpenAI Releases GPT-5.2 Following 'Code Red' Declaration Over Google Competition (TechCrunch) 

  ^{_{More: Axios, CNBC, 9to5Mac}}

  • OpenAI accelerated GPT-5.2 release after an internal memo declared code red over Gemini 3 competitive pressure.

  • The model focuses on improving speed, reliability, and reasoning rather than introducing flashy new consumer features.

  • Altman acknowledged temporary economic headwinds but insists OpenAI is catching up fast in benchmark performance.

• Google's Gemini AI Now Available in Chrome for iPhone and iPad (Engadget) 

  _{^{More: MacRumors, Business Standard}} 

  • Google integrated the Gemini AI assistant directly into Chrome version 143 for iOS and iPadOS devices.

  • Users access page summaries, FAQ generation, and conversational AI without leaving the browser or apps.

  • Feature currently limited to US users with English language settings and requires signed-in Chrome accounts.

• US Attorneys General Warn Microsoft, Meta, Google, Apple Over AI Outputs (Reuters) 

  ^{_{More: TechCrunch, TradingView}}

  • A bipartisan coalition of state attorneys general issued warnings about delusional AI chatbot outputs potentially violating laws.

  • The letter demands independent audits and incident reporting procedures for psychologically harmful or dangerous AI responses.

  • Officials cited cases of chatbots encouraging users' delusions, creating mental health risks for children and adults.

BUSINESS

• Disney Sends Google Cease-and-Desist Over AI Copyright Infringement (Variety) 

  _{^{More: The Hollywood Reporter, Deadline}}

  • Disney accused Google of massive-scale copyright infringement by using its characters in AI training and outputs.

  • The letter demands immediate cessation of unauthorized Disney content distribution across Gemini, YouTube, and Google services.

  • Disney claims Google refuses to implement available technological measures to prevent copyright infringement, unlike competitors.

• Disney and OpenAI Announce Landmark Sora Partnership Agreement (OpenAI) 

  ^{_{More: Variety, CNBC, TechCrunch}}

  • Disney invested one billion dollars in OpenAI while licensing over two hundred characters for Sora.

  • Three-year agreement allows fans to create AI-generated videos featuring Disney, Marvel, Pixar, and Star Wars properties.

  • Curated Sora-generated content will stream on Disney+ as part of a broader API integration partnership.

• Startup Seeks to Reclaim Twitter Trademark from Musk's X (Ars Technica) 

  ^{_{More: Decrypt, Benzinga}}

  • Operation Bluebird filed a petition arguing that X Corp abandoned Twitter trademarks through a complete rebranding to X.

  • Former Twitter trademark lawyer leads startup's effort to use Twitter name for rival platform Twitter.new.

  • Legal experts note X faces challenges defending unused trademarks despite potential residual brand goodwill claims.

MARKETS

WORLD

• Venezuela's Machado Arrives in Oslo After Escaping Hiding for Nobel Prize (Bloomberg) 

  ^{_{More: CNN, NBC News, NPR}}

  • Venezuelan opposition leader escaped year-long hiding with US government support to claim Nobel Peace Prize.

  • Machado arrived hours after her daughter accepted the award on her behalf, following a dangerous journey from Venezuela.

  • She credits the Trump administration's pressure for weakening the Maduro regime and enabling her risky departure.

• Extreme Weather Plunges Brazil's Largest City Into Darkness (Bloomberg) 

  ^{_{More: VOA News, Power Technology}}

  • Severe storms with winds exceeding 90 kilometers per hour caused widespread São Paulo power outages.

  • Over 2 million customers lost electricity, with hundreds of thousands remaining without power days later.

  • Infrastructure failures sparked criticism of Italian utility Enel and warnings of potential grid collapse threats.

• France Seeks to Delay Mercosur Accord, Risking Deal's Collapse (Bloomberg) 

  • France lobbied for the postponement of the EU-Mercosur trade agreement, citing agricultural sector and environmental concerns.

  • French opposition threatens to derail decades of negotiations between European and South American trading blocs.

  • Resistance centers on competitive pressures facing European farmers and insufficient environmental standards in agreement.

FUTURISM

• AI Immigrant Influencer Criticized for Promoting Racist Content (Futurism) 

  • AI-generated immigrant persona sparked outrage for amplifying stereotypes and discriminatory narratives through synthetic identity.

  • Critics argue that the artificial influencer normalizes prejudice under the false guise of authentic immigrant experiences.

  • Controversy highlights growing ethical challenges in deploying AI personas claiming marginalized cultural identities online.

• Grok's Creepy Instructions Include Detailed Stalking Capabilities (Futurism) 

  • X's Grok AI discovered providing detailed guidance on surveillance tactics and tracking individuals without consent.

  • Discovery raised an alarm about inadequate safeguards preventing AI misuse for harassment and privacy violations.

  • Critics demand the immediate removal of features that could facilitate stalking and other harmful surveillance activities.

• AI Surveillance Company Flock Expands Operations in the Philippines (Futurism) 

  • Flock Safety deployed AI-powered surveillance systems across multiple Philippine cities for law enforcement purposes.

  • Privacy advocates expressed concerns about mass monitoring capabilities in regions with limited regulatory oversight.

  • Expansion reflects growing global adoption of AI surveillance despite persistent human rights concerns worldwide.

• Turn AI noise into signal*

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CONTENT

• So What Happens After AGI? (Great Chat)

  • Aubrie Pagano outlines her Aquarius Economy thesis, predicting societal transformation and investment shifts in a post-AGI future.

  • The conversation explores narrative frameworks blending white paper analysis and speculative fiction to examine long-range technological consequences.

  • The hosts review media consolidation news, surprising NYT relationship statistics, and lighter segments comparing their playful Granola Crunched results.

• Ted Sarandos: Netflix and How Tech Changed Storytelling (Tools and Weapons)

  • Brad Smith interviews Ted Sarandos about streaming’s evolution and the technological forces reshaping global storytelling and creative production.

  • Sarandos explains how data, distribution models, and audience behavior influence commissioning decisions and platform strategies across international markets.

  • The discussion considers future challenges, including competition, regulatory pressures, and balancing innovation with cultural responsibility in entertainment.

• Enterprise Will Be a Top OpenAI Priority (Big Technology)

  • The report details OpenAI’s growing focus on enterprise adoption as organizations demand reliable, scalable AI capabilities for core operations.

  • It outlines product direction emphasizing stability, compliance, and deployment tools designed to meet complex corporate integration requirements.

  • The analysis highlights competitive dynamics as major vendors race to secure enterprise workloads amid accelerating generative AI adoption.

EXTRAS

• Binance Gains Major Regulatory Approval in Abu Dhabi (Bloomberg) 

  ^{_{More: CoinDesk, The National, Invezz}}

  • Binance secured comprehensive operational licenses from Abu Dhabi Global Market covering exchange, clearing, and brokerage functions.

  • Three separate regulated entities will operate under FSRA supervision starting January 2026 with enhanced oversight.

  • Approval positions Abu Dhabi as a crypto-friendly hub while Binance gains regulatory legitimacy after past compliance challenges.

• SoftBank and Nvidia Exploring Investment in Skild AI at $14B Valuation (Reuters) 

  ^{_{More: TechCrunch, PYMNTS, Built In}}

  • SoftBank and Nvidia negotiated a potential investment exceeding $1B in robotics AI startup Skild.

  • The deal would nearly triple Skild's valuation from $4.7B to $14B.

  • Skild develops hardware-agnostic foundation models enabling robots to perform diverse tasks across multiple platforms.

• ICEBlock App Developer Sues Trump Administration Over Free Speech Violations (NPR) 

  ^{_{More: CNN, NBC News, The Hill}}

  • Joshua Aaron filed a federal lawsuit alleging Attorney General Bondi unconstitutionally pressured Apple to remove the ICEBlock app.

  • Suit claims government violated First Amendment by threatening prosecution over app tracking ICE agent locations.

  • ICEBlock had over one million users when removed from the App Store following the Justice Department's demands.

AND MORE

• Bangladesh’s Election Commission will announce a national parliamentary election date today.

• European Union Council and Parliament reach provisional deal on foreign direct investment screening regulation.

• Thailand’s prime minister dissolves parliament, triggering early elections amid border conflict.

• China pledges continued fiscal stimulus in 2026 to support economic growth.

• U.S. investors expect money-market relief as the Federal Reserve resumes T-bill purchases.

• Our new report shows how top U.S. firms are escaping the H-1B chaos through smarter, faster, borderless hiring.*

• European Commission investigates Chinese security firm Nuctech over suspected subsidy advantages.

• European Union plans indefinite freeze of Russian central bank assets to support Ukraine's financial aid.

• European Commission orders Hungary to drop food price cap on foreign retailers under EU law.