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

In today’s edition we are tackling the following:

👾 Altman dismisses Musk’s $97.4B bid, accusing him of trying to slow OpenAI down.
🌍 European leaders push for AI regulation but struggle to find common ground.
⚖️ Goldman Sachs abandons its IPO board diversity pledge amid legal pressures.
🇮🇱 Netanyahu warns of renewed fighting if hostages aren’t released by Saturday.
🔑 Google’s Chrome update promotes passkeys over passwords for better security.

TECH

• Sam Altman Says OpenAI Is Not for Sale

  • Altman dismissed Elon Musk’s $97.4 billion bid for OpenAI, saying Musk is just trying to slow the company down.

  • Musk has long feuded with OpenAI, accusing it of abandoning its nonprofit mission and pursuing profit-driven AGI.

  • OpenAI's nonprofit structure complicates any sale, but Musk’s offer could set a new valuation floor for future deals.

• Google’s Shock New Chrome Password Update—What You Need to Do

  • Google rolls out a major Chrome security update, urging users to adopt passkeys and phase out traditional passwords.

  • The update aims to enhance security by making logins more resistant to phishing attacks and credential leaks.

  • Users are advised to update Chrome immediately, enable two-factor authentication, and explore passkey integration for better protection.

• Altman says 1 in 4 people are flirting with chatbots online

  • A survey of 90,000 users found that one in four people have flirted with AI chatbots, intentionally or unknowingly.

  • 90% of respondents want dating apps to verify real humans, as 60% suspect they have matched with bots.

  • World Network’s new ‘World ID Deep Face’ aims to authenticate humans on dating platforms to curb bot-driven interactions.

BUSINESS

• Elon Musk-led Consortium Offers $97.4 Billion to Take Control of OpenAI

  • Musk and investors proposed a $97.4 billion bid for OpenAI, aiming to restore its open-source mission.

  • OpenAI CEO Sam Altman rejected the offer, stating the company isn’t for sale and reaffirming its strategy.

  • The move escalates Musk’s long-running feud with Altman, who he co-founded OpenAI with before leaving.

• BuzzFeed Announces Plans to Launch Its Own Social Media Platform

  • BuzzFeed is launching a platform focused on joy and creativity, avoiding AI-driven outrage content.

  • CEO Jonah Peretti coined the term SNARF to criticize engagement tactics used by traditional platforms.

  • The platform will prioritize authentic connections, with early access offered to select users before launch.

• Goldman Sachs Abandons IPO Board Diversity Pledge

  • Goldman Sachs is dropping its diversity rule, which required at least one diverse board member for IPOs.

  • The shift comes amid political and legal pressures on corporate diversity efforts, particularly in the U.S.

  • Critics say the reversal weakens progress on board inclusion, while supporters argue it simplifies listings.

• Grow your brand with ease using top marketing professionals*

  • Work with pre-vetted experts in SEO, content marketing, and social media, ensuring a data-driven approach to growth.

  • No upfront costs or hidden fees—pay only when you find the perfect marketing expert for your business needs.

  • Scale your marketing efforts faster with AI-matched professionals, ready to drive engagement, visibility, and conversions.

CONTENT

• What $200 of ChatGPT Is Really Worth

  • OpenAI’s new Operator and Deep Research features promise more autonomy and better results, but they cost $200 monthly.

  • The Verge team discusses whether these premium AI tools justify the price and how they fit into OpenAI’s broader strategy.

  • The episode also covers Elon Musk’s continued involvement with Dogecoin and a discussion on the Super Bowl’s 4K stream.

• Sam Altman discusses Donald Trump

  • Altman praised Trump’s pro-tech stance, contrasting it with Biden’s policies, which he viewed as unfriendly to business.

  • The $500B Stargate AI infrastructure initiative was fast-tracked after Trump’s inauguration, with support from tech leaders.

  • Altman’s statements highlight the growing alignment between AI industry ambitions and government-backed infrastructure projects.

• Why Economists Get It Wrong | Gary Stevenson vs. Nadhim Zahawi

  • Stevenson critiques economists’ repeated forecasting failures, arguing that political biases cloud economic predictions.

  • Zahawi defends traditional economic modeling, claiming that uncertainty is an inherent challenge in financial forecasting.

  • The debate explores whether current economic theories need a complete overhaul or if forecasting errors are unavoidable.

WORLD

• Trump Reinstates 25% Tariffs on Steel and Aluminum Imports

  • Trump announced 25% tariffs on steel and aluminum, reversing prior policies, with no exceptions for allies like Canada or Japan.

  • The tariffs, set to begin March 4, aim to boost domestic industries but could raise costs for U.S. manufacturers.

  • Global trade partners warn of retaliatory measures, with concerns that the move could escalate economic tensions worldwide.

• Netanyahu warns ‘Intense Fighting’ in Gaza if Hostages Are Not Freed

  • Netanyahu warned that fighting in Gaza would restart if Hamas fails to release all hostages by the Saturday deadline.

  • Hamas accused Israel of ceasefire violations, delaying hostage releases and blaming Israel for jeopardizing the deal.

  • U.S. and Egyptian mediators are pushing for de-escalation, fearing renewed violence could derail ongoing peace talks.

• Trump Insists the U.S. Will ‘Take’ Gaza

  • Trump proposed relocating Palestinians and having the U.S. oversee Gaza’s redevelopment, sparking global criticism.

  • Jordan’s King Abdullah II firmly rejected the plan, stressing the need for Palestinian self-determination and stability.

  • The proposal has been condemned as a violation of Palestinian rights, with fears it could destabilize the entire region.

AND MORE…

• Apple Partners with Alibaba to Launch AI Features in China

  • Apple has chosen Alibaba over other major Chinese tech firms to develop AI services tailored for the local market.

  • The partnership aims to integrate advanced AI capabilities into Apple devices while complying with China’s regulations.

  • Both companies have submitted their co-developed AI features for approval by China’s cyberspace regulator.

• Shopify Removes Kanye West's Yeezy Store Over Swastika Merchandise

  • Shopify shut down Kanye West’s Yeezy store after it listed shirts featuring swastikas, violating platform policies.

  • The store had been promoted in a Super Bowl commercial and previously sold sneakers and other apparel.

  • The Anti-Defamation League condemned the merchandise, noting that certain product names contained Nazi symbolism.

• YouTube AI-Powered Auto-Dubbing and Age Identification Technology

  • YouTube is rolling out AI-driven auto-dubbing to more creators, improving content accessibility across different languages.

  • The platform is also introducing age-identification technology to ensure age-appropriate content delivery for users.

  • These updates aim to enhance user experience, safety, and global reach for YouTube creators.