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

In today’s edition we are tackling the following:

⚡ Meta confirms multi-gigawatt AI superclusters starting with ‘Prometheus’ in 2026.
📉 Trump’s Powell threat could crash the dollar and destabilize bond markets.
📱 Meta to demote unoriginal Facebook content with new AI spam filters.
📦 Cognition acquires Windsurf’s IDE team after Google’s failed acquihire.
🌍 Macron boosts defense budget €6.5B to meet NATO targets.

TECHNOLOGY

• NotebookLM adds featured notebooks from The Economist

  • Google’s NotebookLM now offers curated ‘featured notebooks’ from top-tier sources like The Atlantic, Economist, authors, and researchers.

  • Examples include longevity insights, parenting advice, Shakespeare’s complete works, Q1 earnings analysis, and Yellowstone geology.

  • Each notebook supports search, audio overviews, mind maps, and public sharing—bolstering NotebookLM as a destination.

• Samsung Galaxy Z Fold/Flip 7 & Nothing Phone updates

  • Installer highlights fresh news on Samsung’s Z Fold 7 and Z Flip 7 FE release details and carrier partnerships announcement.

  • It previews Nothing Phone’s incoming update and specs, plus a roundup of notable headphone releases.

  • The weekly newsletter blends hardware reviews, software insights, and gadget launch roundups in one digest.

• Meta cracks down on unoriginal Facebook content

  • Meta is limiting distribution and monetization for Facebook accounts reposting content without meaningful original commentary.

  • The policy follows YouTube and targets spammy AI-generated or duplicate content with demotions and de-monetization measures.

  • Actions include demoting unoriginal posts, labeling duplicates with original-source links, and sharing guidelines for creators.

BUSINESS

• Cognition AI Acquires Windsurf IDE Team

  • Cognition purchased Windsurf’s AI-powered IDE, including IP, product, brand, and team, doubling down on coding automation.

  • The deal surfaced after Google’s reverse-acquihire of Windsurf’s CEO and co-founders fell through, sparking industry buzz.

  • Cognition plans to integrate Windsurf tech into its flagship agentic coding product Devin starting this quarter.

• Nvidia Poised to Resume H20 AI Chip Exports to China

  • Nvidia received U.S. assurances that export licenses for its H20 AI chip to China will be approved soon.

  • The chip return follows a $5.5 billion inventory charge and $15 billion revenue loss after April's export curbs.

  • CEO Jensen Huang expects deliveries to resume shortly, aided by easing trade tensions and regulatory realignment.

• Trump’s Threat to Fire Powell Could Trigger Market Turmoil

  • Deutsche Bank warns that Draining Fed independence by removing Chair Powell may cause currency collapse and major bond sell-off.

  • Markets are severely underpricing the risk, with only ~20% chance currently implied for Powell’s removal this year.

  • Potential effects include a 3–4 % dollar drop, surging yields, inflation spikes, and heightened risk premia disrupting financial stability.

MARKETS

WORLD

• South African Police Minister Suspended Amid Corruption Probe

  • President Ramaphosa suspends Senzo Mchunu following allegations of shielding criminal networks within the police leadership.

  • A judicial inquiry has been launched to investigate corruption and political interference in law enforcement.

  • Acting Minister Firoz Cachalia steps in while Mchunu denies wrongdoing and pledges full cooperation.

• Macron Vows Military Strength to Deter Global Threats

  • Macron announces a €6.5 billion defense budget increase over two years to meet NATO’s 3.5 percent GDP spending target.

  • He asserts Europe must be ‘feared to be free’ amid concerns over Russia and global instability.

  • The boost supports France’s push for stronger European defense autonomy and improved national security.

• Anti‑Migrant Riots Erupt Again in Southern Spain

  • Riot police responded to a second night of violent protests in Torre Pacheco sparked by a migrant-related stabbing.

  • Far-right demonstrators clashed with law enforcement, calling for immediate deportations of undocumented migrants.

  • Spanish authorities condemned the unrest and deployed additional officers to prevent further escalation in the region.

CONTENT

• I Tested EVERY Hyped AI Tool – I ONLY Kept Using These

  • Greg Isenberg and Ras Mic rate tools like Claude Code, n8n, and Devin as underrated for power users building lean AI startups

  • They highlight Claude Code as the most complete autonomous agent, capable of planning, coding, and testing with minimal input

  • Discussion includes how tools like MCP and VAPI may empower non-technical users to build serious software businesses solo

• Aaron Levie on AI's Enterprise Adoption

  • Box CEO Aaron Levie explains how enterprise AI differs from consumer use, requiring orchestration, not just execution

  • He shares how Box integrates AI across workflows, decision-making, and budget planning for real operational value

  • Conversation explores how startups must go vertical and adapt as AI agents start to outnumber human employees

• Reid Hoffman on the Multimillion-Dollar AI Talent War

  • Reid Hoffman discusses the fierce global battle for AI talent, with salaries and startup acquisitions escalating rapidly

  • He emphasizes long-term bets in AI infrastructure, agent platforms, and foundational models with defensible moats

  • Hoffman warns the job market will polarize fast, with top AI talent in short supply and most workers displaced or repurposed

FUTURISM

• Zuckerberg: Meta to build several gigawatt-size AI data centers

  • Zuckerberg confirms plans for massive multi‑gigawatt supercluster data centers to power Meta’s push toward AI superintelligence.

  • The first facility, ‘Prometheus,’ is due online next year, followed by a 5 GW‑scale ‘Hyperion’ cluster.

  • Meta plans to spend ‘hundreds of billions’ over multiple years, staking its future on AI infrastructure dominance.

• Musk’s xAI lands $200M Pentagon Grok deal days after antisemitism controversy

  • The Pentagon awards xAI up to $200 million for Grok‑for‑Government models despite recent antisemitic response backlash.

  • The deal is part of an $800 million defense AI initiative shared with OpenAI, Anthropic, and Google.

  • xAI promises improved safeguards even as it navigates scrutiny over hate speech functionality and public trust concerns.

• Musk has money and xAI wants some

  • Bloomberg writes Musk may tap Tesla’s vast cash reserves to fund xAI expansion, highlighting a potential conflict of interest.

  • Tesla’s $37 billion cash hoard offers fuel for AI ambitions while Musk juggles business and governance ethics.

  • The piece underscores tension between shareholder value and private AI bets, as xAI competes for resources.

EXTRAS

• Reddit starts verifying ages of UK users to comply with child-safety law

  • UK Reddit users now must verify age via selfie or ID before accessing mature or restricted content during browsing sessions.

  • Persona verification promises photo deletion after seven days and no tracking of subreddit activity for privacy protection.

  • Critics raise concerns about data privacy, potential misuse, and exclusion of adults without valid identification documents.

• Meta announces crackdown on ‘unoriginal’ Facebook content

  • Facebook will demote and demonetize AI-generated or copied content that lacks original commentary or added informational value.

  • Over 500,000 spammy accounts have been hit so far, with 10 million impersonator profiles removed earlier this year.

  • The platform uses duplicate-labeling and reduced reach to encourage authentic content and reduce low-effort reposts.

• ByteDance Developing Mixed Reality Goggles in Challenge to Meta

  • ByteDance’s Pico division is building lightweight mixed-reality goggles connected to a compact puck for portable immersive experiences.

  • The device will use custom chips and aim for high visual fidelity while being significantly more comfortable than bulky headsets.

  • The project, codenamed Swan, signals ByteDance’s strategic push into AR hardware to rival Meta and Apple offerings.

AND MORE

• Nvidia CEO plans to attend China supply chain expo, showcasing firm’s China engagement.

• Unlock access to 200+ classes taught by the world’s best with MasterClass!*

• SpaceX expected to launch Starlink services in Vietnam, expanding SE Asia coverage.

• BMW partners with Momenta to develop China-tailored driving assistance tech.

• Bitcoin hits new all-time high as Trump returns to crypto spotlight.

• Starbucks tightens in-person work policy, offers corporate employees voluntary buyouts.

• If your product helps companies think smarter, Memo gets it seen by the people who can make that happen.*

• Trump to unveil US $70 billion AI and energy investments, per reports.