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

In today’s edition we are tackling the following:

🛡️ Meta says scammers stole billions through Facebook and Instagram fraud schemes.
🧠 Microsoft clears itself of misuse in Israel-Gaza conflict.
🎮 Fortnite disabled on iOS globally after Apple-Epic dispute flares up.
🤖 Princeton’s shape-shifting robot blends material and machine.
🗣️ Amazon’s Alexa+ AI struggles to keep users engaged.

TECHNOLOGY

• OpenAI launches Codex, an AI coding agent in ChatGPT

  • Codex can now write, edit, and explain code directly within ChatGPT, helping developers complete complex tasks faster.

  • The tool supports Python, JavaScript, and other major languages, streamlining workflows across web, data, and app development.

  • OpenAI says Codex will enhance productivity by serving as a real-time programming collaborator inside the chat interface.

• Fortnite on iOS is now unavailable worldwide again

  • Epic Games disabled Fortnite for all iOS users globally after Apple threatened to revoke its developer account.

  • The move follows renewed tension between the companies over Epic’s attempts to sidestep App Store payment rules.

  • Players with the game installed can no longer log in, as Epic prepares for a legal counter-offensive.

• Acer’s Swift Edge laptop is gunning for the MacBook Air

  • Acer’s new Swift Edge offers a lightweight design, OLED display, and latest AMD chips in a bid to rival Apple.

  • The device undercuts the MacBook Air on price while promising similar performance for casual and business users.

  • With aggressive pricing and premium features, Acer targets users seeking ultraportables outside the Apple ecosystem.

BUSINESS

• Charter in advanced talks to merge with Cox, Bloomberg reports

  • Charter and Cox Communications are reportedly discussing a merger that would reshape the U.S. broadband and cable landscape.

  • The potential deal comes amid increased industry consolidation and pressure to scale in response to cord-cutting trends.

  • Both companies have yet to comment publicly, and regulatory scrutiny would likely follow if a deal is confirmed.

• Consumer sentiment drops in May as inflation and tariffs fuel anxiety

  • U.S. consumer sentiment fell sharply in May, driven by rising inflation fears and concerns about new global tariffs.

  • University of Michigan’s survey revealed growing pessimism over personal finances and future economic conditions.

  • Inflation expectations rose to their highest level since 2022, complicating the Fed’s efforts to maintain stability.

• Coinbase says cybercriminals stole account data from some customers

  • Coinbase revealed a security breach involving customer data theft and insider bribery linked to an attempted $20M ransom.

  • Hackers allegedly bribed employees and gained unauthorized access to internal systems and sensitive client information.

  • The exchange is cooperating with law enforcement and says affected users have been notified and secured.

MARKETS

WORLD

• Russia and Ukraine hold peace talks in Turkey

  • Russia and Ukraine resumed negotiations in Istanbul, though key territorial and security disagreements remain unresolved.

  • Turkish officials emphasized the importance of dialogue, offering to host further rounds if momentum continues.

  • Both delegations expressed cautious optimism, with Ukraine demanding international security guarantees.

• Trump confirms U.S. offered Iran proposal for nuclear deal

  • Donald Trump acknowledged that the U.S. proposed a new framework to Iran aimed at reviving the nuclear agreement.

  • He emphasized tougher enforcement terms and restrictions to prevent uranium enrichment beyond peaceful use.

  • Iran has not formally responded, but insiders suggest Tehran is weighing the proposal amid economic pressures.

• Germany backs Trump’s NATO goal of 5% GDP defense spending

  • Germany publicly endorsed Donald Trump's proposal for NATO members to raise defense spending to 5% of GDP.

  • The announcement marks a major policy shift, signaling stronger European support for military investment and readiness.

  • Some allies remain hesitant, citing budget constraints and the political risks of rapidly increasing military expenditures.

CONTENT

• Startup Ideas You Can Now Build With AI

  • Y Combinator partners explore how AI makes previously impossible startup ideas—like full-stack law firms—suddenly viable.

  • Personalized education, recruiting, and vertical SaaS tools now benefit from scaled capabilities enabled by LLMs.

  • They emphasize second chances: many failed ideas now work due to better distribution, infra, and smarter AI.

• OpenAI Launches Codex: An Autonomous Programming Agent

  • Codex autonomously builds features, fixes bugs, and manages pull requests, acting like a junior engineer on command.

  • OpenAI envisions it as part of a broader super-assistant that integrates seamlessly into user workflows.

  • Codex uses parallel task execution and a hands-off design, encouraging an “abundance mindset” for managing agents.

• Who’s Coding Now? AI and the Future of Software Development

  • a16z discusses how AI tools reshape programming, pushing coding into a high-level, prompt-based abstraction layer.

  • Developers still need deep understanding of logic and architecture to manage non-deterministic agent behavior.

  • Formal languages won’t disappear, but how and when we use them will shift as vibe coding becomes the norm.

FUTURISM

• Centipede-Inspired Robot Could Kill Farm Weeds Autonomously

  • Engineers created a low-cost, modular robot that mimics a centipede’s motion to target and eliminate invasive weeds.

  • The robot uses simple mechanical parts and smart design, reducing dependence on herbicides for sustainable farming.

  • Researchers say its multi-leg structure enhances terrain adaptability, enabling operation in diverse agricultural environments.

• Princeton Engineers Develop a ‘Metabot’ That’s Both Material and Robot

  • Scientists unveiled a shape-shifting robot made from a single stretchable material embedded with sensors and actuators.

  • The ‘metabot’ can deform and move autonomously, marking a leap in soft robotics and responsive materials.

  • It may lead to robotics that adapt their physical form to complete tasks without separate mechanical components.

• Robot With an Animated Face Is Here to Make Customer Service Better

  • A new customer service robot features an animated digital face to foster friendly, human-like interactions.

  • The expressive interface aims to ease communication barriers and provide more engaging in-store support experiences.

  • Developers claim this tech could revolutionize how people interact with machines in retail and hospitality sectors.

EXTRAS

• xAI reveals Grok system prompts powering its AI

  • xAI shared new details on Grok’s underlying prompt structure, aiming to boost transparency in how its AI produces answers.

  • The company says system prompts help define tone, safety, and factual accuracy across different Grok products.

  • The move comes as AI firms face mounting pressure to demystify how models are trained and prompted.

• Meta says fraudsters used Facebook and Instagram to steal billions

  • Meta disclosed that scammers exploited Facebook and Instagram to orchestrate frauds costing users billions of dollars.

  • The company blames increasingly sophisticated phishing campaigns that bypass detection and target user trust.

  • Meta claims to have improved fraud prevention tools but says stopping bad actors remains a constant challenge.

• Microsoft finds no evidence its tech harmed civilians in Israel conflict

  • Microsoft concluded internal reviews found no signs its software was used to harm civilians in the Israel-Gaza conflict.

  • The investigation followed public concern over its cloud services and defense ties with Israeli agencies.

  • Microsoft pledged to maintain transparency while reaffirming its commitment to ethical use of AI and cloud tools.

AND MORE

• Amazon's Alexa+ AI struggles with user engagement, raising questions.

• Uber partners with Serve Robotics for sidewalk deliveries.

• Nvidia opens Shanghai AI center, maintaining presence despite U.S. chip export limits.

• The Entrepreneur DNA Test decodes your authentic entrepreneurial style.*

• Wall Street ends week on a high note amid trade optimism, with major indexes.

• European leaders meet in Albania, focusing on defense and economic stability.

• Northrop shows smart grenade launcher, featuring airburst tech.

• Rosetta Stone gives you lifetime access to 25 languages with real-world lessons.*