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

In today’s edition we are tackling the following:

👾 President Milei faces impeachment after promoting a failing cryptocurrency.
🚫 South Korea suspends DeepSeek downloads over data privacy concerns.
🤖 Musk says Grok 3 is nearly finished, claiming it outperforms all chatbots.
🌍 The U.K. and Sweden may deploy troops to Ukraine after a potential ceasefire.
📚 Amazon is removing USB download support for Kindle books starting Feb 26.

TECH

• South Korea Blocks Downloads of DeepSeek from Local App Stores

  • South Korea suspended new downloads of DeepSeek's AI chatbot due to concerns over data collection and privacy transparency.

  • Existing users can still access the app, but officials warn against sharing sensitive information until privacy issues are addressed.

  • DeepSeek is working with regulators to improve data protection and resume downloads in compliance with local laws.

• Amazon to Remove USB Download Option for Kindle Books

  • Amazon will end its 'Download & Transfer via USB’ feature on February 26, affecting users who prefer offline backups.

  • This change impacts Kindle owners who manually sideload books, limiting them to Wi-Fi-based downloads.

  • Amazon says previously downloaded books will remain accessible and encourages users to use its official apps.

• Researchers Are Training AI to Interpret Animal Emotions

  • Scientists are using AI to analyze animal behaviors and vocalizations to better understand their emotions.

  • The technology could help detect signs of stress or discomfort in farm animals, pets, and wildlife.

  • AI models are being trained on large datasets to classify emotions and improve animal welfare practices.

BUSINESS

• Elon Musk Says Grok 3 in Final Stages, Outperforming All Chatbots

  • Elon Musk announced that Grok 3, xAI's latest AI chatbot, is nearing completion and will be released within two weeks.

  • Musk claims Grok 3 exhibits superior reasoning capabilities, surpassing existing chatbots in performance.

  • This development is part of Musk's ongoing efforts to challenge OpenAI and other AI industry leaders.

• Hermès Will Gift Staffers Bonus After Sales, Revenue Surge

  • Hermès reported a revenue of €15.2 billion for 2024, an 18% increase in the fourth quarter.

  • In recognition of this growth, the company will award a €4,500 bonus to each of its over 25,000 employees.

  • This marks the fifth consecutive year Hermès has increased employee bonuses, reflecting its commitment to sharing success.

• Africa's Richest Man Doubled His Fortune on a Massive $23 Billion Bet

  • Nigerian billionaire Aliko Dangote doubled his net worth to an estimated $28.3 billion following the launch of Africa's largest oil refinery.

  • The $23 billion investment broke Nigeria's oil monopoly, positioning Dangote as a key player in the industry.

  • Despite the project's success, concerns remain about its long-term impact on Nigeria's economy and Dangote's financial exposure.

CONTENT

• The Future of Training vs Inference

  • Jonathan Ross explains how Groq optimizes AI inference with LPUs, offering faster, cost-effective alternatives to NVIDIA’s GPUs.

  • He argues NVIDIA dominates training but struggles in inference, where Groq’s chips provide significant performance advantages.

  • Ross highlights energy efficiency and supply chain issues as key challenges, stressing the need for specialized AI hardware.

• AI Won’t Plateau — if We Give It Time To Think

  • OpenAI’s Noam Brown explains how slower, more deliberate reasoning can improve AI decision-making.

  • He introduces OpenAI’s o1 model, which mimics human thought processes for complex problem-solving.

  • The talk highlights a shift from brute-force computation to more strategic AI reasoning methods.

• Trump, Musk Reveal What They Think of Media

  • Trump and Musk dismiss reports of rivalry, calling media efforts to divide them misleading and politically motivated.

  • They stress shared goals in business and innovation, highlighting their alignment on economic and technological policies.

  • Both criticize traditional media, arguing direct platforms like X allow them to communicate without narrative distortion.

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WORLD

• Argentina's President Milei Faces Impeachment Calls After Promoting Cryptocurrency

  • President Javier Milei promoted the cryptocurrency $LIBRA, which experienced a rapid price surge followed by a collapse.

  • Opposition lawmakers have filed for impeachment, accusing Milei of fraud and misuse of his position.

  • Legal experts have also filed criminal complaints, alleging that Milei's actions constitute a breach of public trust and financial misconduct.

• U.K., Sweden Say Troops Could Head to Post-War Ukraine as Trump Engages Russia

  • The U.K. and Sweden have expressed willingness to deploy troops to Ukraine following a potential ceasefire.

  • This development comes as President Trump initiates direct negotiations with Russia, raising concerns among European allies.

  • European leaders emphasize the importance of a unified approach to European security.

• At Least 18 Dead in Crush at New Delhi Train Station as Crowds Head for Religious Festival

  • A stampede at New Delhi Railway Station resulted in at least 18 deaths, including women and children before the Kumbh Mela festival.

  • The incident occurred due to overcrowding and confusion over train schedules, leading to a deadly rush on the platforms.

  • Authorities have launched an investigation into the tragedy, with officials pledging to implement measures to prevent similar incidents.

AND MORE…

• Elon Musk’s X Blocks Links to Signal, the Encrypted Messaging Service

  • Users attempting to share Signal.me links on X receive error messages citing potential harm or spam concerns.

  • This restriction affects direct messages, public posts, and profile bios, limiting direct contact through Signal.me URLs.

  • Other Signal domains, like Signal.org, remain unaffected, and X has not clarified the reason for this specific block.

• Mistral Releases Regional Model Focused on Arabic Language and Culture

  • Mistral has unveiled Mistral Saba, an AI model tailored to Arabic-speaking regions, enhancing language and cultural understanding.

  • The model aims to improve AI applications in Arabic-speaking countries by addressing linguistic nuances and cultural contexts.

  • Mistral Saba is part of the company's strategy to develop region-specific AI solutions, promoting inclusivity and relevance.

• First Openly Gay Imam Shot Dead in South Africa

  • Muhsin Hendricks, known for advocating LGBTQ+ inclusion within Islam, was fatally shot in Gqeberha, South Africa.

  • Hendricks founded a mosque in Cape Town that welcomed LGBTQ+ Muslims, challenging traditional norms and facing opposition.

  • Authorities are investigating the motive, with many suspecting his progressive activism as the reason for the targeted attack.