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

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

🧠 DeepMind debuts AlphaEvolve, a Gemini-powered agent for solving challenges.
📱 Google rolls out Android-wide AI scam detection to combat toll fraud phishing.
📊 Netflix’s ad-supported plan hits 40M monthly users, doubling from last year.
🤖 China unveils humanoid robots built to automate manufacturing and boost resilience.
🌍 Putin and Trump decline invitation to Ukraine peace summit in Switzerland.

TECHNOLOGY

• AlphaEvolve: A Gemini-powered coding agent for designing advanced algorithms

  • DeepMind introduced AlphaEvolve, an AI agent that autonomously iterates and improves complex algorithms through trial and refinement.

  • Powered by Gemini 1.5 Pro, the system excels at solving optimization tasks in fields like logistics, chip design, and science.

  • AlphaEvolve signals a step toward general-purpose problem solvers that adapt to abstract tasks beyond traditional LLM capabilities.

• OpenAI brings its GPT-4.1 models to ChatGPT

  • OpenAI rolled out GPT-4.1, improving reasoning, speed, and context retention in ChatGPT across paid and enterprise tiers.

  • The update introduces smoother tool switching, better file handling, and memory features for more personalized assistant behavior.

  • GPT-4.1 aims to strengthen ChatGPT’s position as a day-to-day work and productivity platform for professionals and teams.

• Google adds scam detection to Android amid toll-text fraud spike

  • Google is deploying a system-wide alert in Android to detect and flag toll scam texts impersonating government road authorities.

  • The move responds to a surge in phishing schemes targeting U.S. drivers with fake unpaid toll notifications and links.

  • Android's new feature leverages AI to identify suspicious language and protect users from common social engineering tactics.

BUSINESS

• Netflix’s ad tier now has 40M monthly active users

  • Netflix's ad-supported plan has hit 40 million monthly active users, doubling from 2023 as global adoption accelerates.

  • The company says 40% of new sign-ups in supported markets now choose the ad tier over standard subscriptions.

  • Netflix plans more live events and advertising innovations as part of its broader monetization and growth strategy.

• Warren Buffett reveals why he’s stepping down as Berkshire Hathaway CEO

  • Buffett, 94, says there was ‘no magic moment’ behind his decision to retire as CEO of Berkshire Hathaway by year’s end.

  • He named Greg Abel as his successor and will remain as chairman until death, continuing daily work and investment duties.

  • Buffett cites age-related decline, like balance issues and memory lapses, but insists his health and passion for work remain.

• Foxconn approved for $435M project to expand Apple chip production in India

  • Foxconn secured approval for a $435 million semiconductor plant in India, boosting Apple’s supply chain diversification.

  • The project will initially support component testing before scaling up to full chip packaging operations in the region.

  • It aligns with Apple’s broader pivot toward India amid geopolitical tensions and manufacturing shifts away from China.

MARKETS

WORLD

• Putin, Trump to skip Ukraine’s peace talks that Russian leader proposed

  • Russia and the U.S. will not attend Ukraine’s Switzerland-hosted peace summit despite prior overtures from President Putin.

  • Moscow criticized the event as one-sided and claimed it lacked serious engagement with Russia’s core security concerns.

  • Trump’s absence follows his recent focus on domestic priorities and Middle East diplomacy rather than the European conflict.

• Satellite images show damage from India-Pakistan attacks

  • High-resolution satellite photos reveal craters, debris, and scorched terrain from recent strikes between India and Pakistan.

  • The imagery confirms that military targets and adjacent infrastructure were hit, intensifying concerns of a broader regional escalation.

  • Both nations have exchanged blame while international pressure mounts to de-escalate the most serious flare-up in years.

• Trump moves to ease Syria sanctions in controversial shift

  • Trump is reportedly considering lifting certain Syria sanctions to boost ties with Saudi Arabia and secure reconstruction deals.

  • The proposal includes restoring regional trade routes and easing restrictions on allies interacting with the Damascus leadership.

  • Critics warn the move legitimizes Assad’s regime and weakens U.S. leverage on human rights and accountability.

CONTENT

• Google’s Jeff Dean on the Coming Era of Virtual Engineers

  • Jeff Dean says AI will reach junior engineer capability within a year, transforming how we build and scale software systems.

  • He highlights the shift toward brain-inspired architectures and tighter hardware/software integration to optimize performance.

  • The talk emphasizes specialized AI models that adapt and collaborate across increasingly complex digital and real-world environments.

• Elon Musk Makes Huge Announcements in Saudi

  • Elon Musk discusses major AI, robotics, and energy projects in Saudi Arabia, signaling deepened international partnerships.

  • His announcements touch on Tesla's supply chain expansion, Starlink infrastructure, and humanoid robots for logistics.

  • The event underlines Saudi Arabia’s ambition to be a global tech hub under Vision 2030, with Musk as a key partner.

• Will AI Take Our Jobs? | Tim Sweeney and Lex Fridman

  • Tim Sweeney and Lex Fridman debate how AI will change employment, especially in creative and engineering fields.

  • Sweeney argues AI will replace routine coding but amplify high-level design, imagination, and world-building in gaming.

  • They explore the tension between job disruption and productivity gains, concluding that adaptability is the key to future roles.

FUTURISM

• China’s AI-powered humanoid robots aim to transform manufacturing

  • China unveiled next-gen humanoid robots designed to handle precise, repetitive factory tasks more flexibly than traditional machines.

  • Backed by government funding, these robots integrate AI vision and reasoning for adaptive performance on diverse assembly lines.

  • Officials view the initiative as vital to reducing labor dependency and boosting industrial resilience and competitiveness.

• Student’s robot obliterates 4x4 Rubik’s Cube world record

  • A high school student’s custom robot solved a 4x4 Rubik’s Cube in 29.52 seconds, crushing the previous machine record.

  • The robot features optimized servo motors and machine vision to quickly detect cube states and execute precise movements.

  • Judges confirmed the new record under World Cube Association standards, highlighting student-led innovation in robotics.

• New device mimics the brain to enhance humanoid robotics

  • Engineers developed a neuromorphic chip that mimics human brain signals, enabling humanoid robots to better perceive and react.

  • The chip allows robots to adjust stiffness and motion in real-time, improving physical interaction with humans and environments.

  • Researchers say the innovation bridges AI reasoning with motor control, a key step in achieving lifelike robotic responsiveness.

EXTRAS

• Max rebrands back to HBO Max in new strategy shift

  • Warner Bros. Discovery is dropping the ‘Max’ brand, restoring HBO Max after consumer confusion and declining app engagement.

  • Executives cited stronger global recognition and trust in the HBO name, especially for prestige TV and loyal subscribers.

  • The rollout includes a visual redesign and messaging campaign focused on premium content and a simplified user experience.

• Valeria Márquez, a rising TikTok star, was shot dead in Mexico

  • Mexican beauty influencer Valeria Márquez was fatally shot in Monterrey, sparking renewed fears over violence against women.

  • The 23-year-old had amassed a large following through fashion and lifestyle content and was reportedly targeted in public.

  • Authorities are investigating possible motives as tributes flood social media and fans call for justice and safety reforms.

• Starmer condemns fires as ‘attack on democracy’

  • UK Labour leader Keir Starmer condemned coordinated arson attacks on party offices as a direct threat to democratic values.

  • The fires occurred overnight in multiple locations, prompting police investigations into politically motivated extremism.

  • Starmer vowed to continue campaigning without fear and urged unity across parties in defending democratic institutions.

AND MORE

• FirstCash buys UK’s H&T for $394M, entering the European pawn market.

• ARK Invest adds $29.6M in Airbnb shares, betting on travel rebound.

• Circle files IPO amid stablecoin pressure, aiming to boost investor trust.

• 130k+ readers from Google and Deel love Open Source CEO's deep dive business content.*

• India’s Sensex climbs as inflation slows, Nifty hits 24,650.

• BofA sees a 17% rally if recession is dodged, citing strong sentiment.

• Playbookz guarantees 20k+ reach in 28 days or you don’t pay.*

• Saudi Arabia plans $600B U.S. investment, spanning defense and tech.