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

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

💰 Microsoft and OpenAI pledge £31B in UK AI and tech infrastructure.
🕶️ Meta to reveal Hypernova AR glasses and Ray-Ban Display model at Connect 2025.
💻 Google debuts Windows desktop app with Spotlight-style search features.
🇨🇳 U.S. and China near deal to keep TikTok running under U.S. control.
🇷🇺 Report finds Russia operates over 200 re-education camps for Ukrainian children.

TECHNOLOGY

• Microsoft and OpenAI herald Trump’s UK visit with spending pledges

  • Microsoft, OpenAI, and others pledged over £31 billion ($42 billion) in UK tech infrastructure and AI during Trump’s visit.

  • Investments include Britain’s largest supercomputer, expanded cloud and data center projects, and quantum research partnerships.

  • The pact signals stronger U.S.–UK tech ties and a priority shift toward light regulation to attract global AI capital.

• Meta Connect 2025: What to expect and how to watch

  • Meta is expected to reveal Hypernova smart glasses with heads-up display, gesture-control wristband, and enhanced AI assistant features.

  • Leaks suggest the Ray-Ban Meta Display model, the Oakley version, and wearables integrating live translation and object tracking.

  • The focus shifts from VR headsets to AR/glasses and AI software this year, with major hardware announcements anticipated.

• Google rolls out new Windows desktop app with Spotlight-like search tool

  • New Google app lets users press Alt + Space to search local files, apps, Google Drive, plus the web instantly.

  • Includes web results, file search, and AI Overviews integrated, trying to replicate Spotlight-style efficiency on Windows.

  • App currently in Labs release; reflects Google’s push into desktop productivity and competition with Microsoft’s native search tools.

BUSINESS

• U.S. and China near deal that keeps TikTok operating under U.S. control

  • An investor group led by Oracle, Silver Lake, and Andreessen Horowitz would hold about 80% ownership of a new U.S. entity.

  • Chinese shareholders retain under 20%, with Oracle managing user data and TikTok rebuilding its recommendation algorithm stateside.

  • President Trump postponed the TikTok ban deadline to December 16 as negotiations with China over the deal finalize.

• OpenAI is building a ChatGPT version tailored for teens with safety tools

  • OpenAI is creating a teen‐focused ChatGPT version, using age prediction tech and parental oversight features.

  • It will restrict standard ChatGPT access for under‐18 users, ensuring interactions stay age‐appropriate and safe.

  • Initiative comes amid lawsuits, regulatory pressure, and public concern over chatbots’ mental health effects on youth.

• Trump renews push, and the SEC prioritizes ending quarterly earnings reports

  • Trump proposes that companies report earnings semiannually instead of quarterly to reduce burdens and focus on long-term growth.

  • SEC, under the current leadership, is prioritizing evaluating this proposal, exploring possible rule changes to reporting frequency.

  • Critics warn that reduced earnings transparency could harm investors and prompt delayed disclosure of financial problems.

MARKETS

WORLD

• Russia operates over 200 re-education camps for Ukrainian children, report finds

  • More than 200 camps across Russia and occupied Ukraine reportedly indoctrinate children with pro-Kremlin narratives and military training.

  • Some camps include weapons handling and drone drills, raising alarms over violations of international humanitarian law.

  • Investigators say thousands of children have been transferred, separating families and complicating future reunification efforts.

• Charlie Kirk shooting suspect Tyler Robinson faces arraignment

  • Tyler Robinson, 24, appeared in court on charges related to the fatal shooting of activist Charlie Kirk.

  • Prosecutors allege the attack was premeditated, citing online posts and weapons recovered at Robinson’s residence.

  • Defense attorneys requested mental health evaluations, while protests outside the courthouse highlighted political tensions.

• Under US pressure, Syria and Israel inch toward security deal

  • Negotiations aim to restore the 1974 buffer zone and curb recent escalations along the Syrian-Israeli frontier.

  • Talks include limiting Israeli strikes and troop presence, though sovereignty disputes over the Golan Heights remain unresolved.

  • U.S. officials push progress before the UN Assembly, framing diplomacy as essential to regional stability and security.

FUTURISM

• Meta created its own super PAC to politically kneecap its AI rivals in California

  • Mark Zuckerberg’s Meta launched a California super-PAC, allowing it to spend corporate funds influencing state elections.

  • The PAC backs candidates who favor lighter AI regulation and innovation, regardless of party affiliation.

  • Critics warn this gives Meta outsized political power to sway AI rules and shape competition.

• Al Gore on China’s climate rise: ‘I would not have seen this coming’

  • Al Gore expresses surprise at China becoming a leading global climate actor with aggressive renewable energy expansion.

  • He highlights large solar, wind, and EV investments altering global emissions dynamics faster than expected.

  • Urges the U.S. and others to step up climate policy abatement in response to China’s momentum.

• BBC: World’s first AI minister will eliminate corruption, says Albania’s PM

  • Albania appoints an AI ‘minister’ tasked with automating public procurement and fighting corruption using algorithmic oversight.

  • The AI role is expected to evaluate contracts and reduce discretionary human decision-making in public tenders.

  • Some experts caution risks around accountability, transparency, and whether AI oversight can fully replace legal institutions.

CONTENT

• One of the scariest hackers I’ve ever met 

  • Pablos Holman shares his journey from Blue Origin to building breakthroughs at Intellectual Ventures Lab and his new book.

  • He explains how hacking reveals vulnerabilities but also drives real innovation when applied to deep tech problems.

  • The conversation explores creating technologies that matter, from space projects to future-shaping inventions.

• Will AI actually kill us all? Sam Harris with Eliezer Yudkowsky & Nate Soares

  • The trio discusses their book If Anyone Builds It, Everyone Dies and the case against unchecked superintelligent AI.

  • They cover deception, hallucinations, and survival instincts in AI systems, warning of potentially catastrophic outcomes.

  • The debate includes skepticism from other tech leaders, timelines for superintelligence, and whether humanity can avoid collapse.

• Aaron Levie: Why startups win in the AI era

  • Box CEO Aaron Levie reflects on adapting to tech shifts, from cloud and mobile to today’s AI revolution.

  • He highlights AI’s opportunity in unstructured data, reshaping SaaS models, and how startups move faster than incumbents.

  • Advice includes why not every company can build in-house and how founders should rethink their strategy in this new wave.

• 161,596 founders, investors, and leaders read this

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EXTRAS

• Rivian breaks ground on $5B Georgia factory for mass-market EVs

  • Rivian started construction on a $5B plant in Social Circle, Georgia, aiming to produce its R2 and R3 vehicles.

  • The factory will roll out by 2028, with a capacity forecast of up to 400,000 EVs annually if incentives hold.

  • This is a major bet despite industry headwinds and waning EV tax credits under current U.S. policy.

• YouTube unveils new ways for creators to earn with brand deals via shopping program

  • YouTube will let creators dynamically insert and swap brand sponsorships in long-form videos with flexible ad slots.

  • New features include auto-timestamped product tags, auto-tagging mentioned items, and enhanced brand links for Shorts.

  • These changes aim to boost creator revenue and streamline brand partnerships through the YouTube Shopping ecosystem.

• Judge drops terrorism charges in Luigi Mangione case, other charges remain

  • A New York judge dismissed two state terrorism counts against Luigi Mangione in the UnitedHealthcare CEO murder case.

  • Mangione still faces second-degree murder plus several weapons and false identity charges in state and federal courts.

  • Legal experts point to insufficient evidence for the terrorism theory; a major court date is set for a December hearing.

AND MORE

• Asia stocks scale new highs as dollar weakens on Fed rate-cut hopes.

• Wall St ends lower as investors turn cautious ahead of Fed rate decision.

• Roko’s Basilisk skips the buzz words and cuts straight to what moves markets, products, and careers. Read it over coffee, sounds brilliant on your next call.*

• GSK plans a $30 billion U.S. investment to strengthen R&D and drug supply chains.

• Robotics firm Figure achieves $39 billion valuation amid booming demand for humanoid AI robots.

• UK and U.S. unveil a tech pact investing in AI, quantum computing, and civil nuclear programs.

• Russian diplomat states new U.S.–Russia talks on tension issues expected this autumn.