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

In today’s edition we are tackling the following:

💰 Musk’s xAI seeks $20B to deepen AI and social media integration at $120B valuation.
🧠 DeepMind unveils Genie 2, generating 3D worlds instantly from simple sketches.
👾 Perplexity launches AI browser Comet to challenge Google’s dominance.
👑 Leaders from 150 countries gather in Rome for Pope Francis’ funeral.
🛢️ China exempts key U.S. semiconductors from tariffs despite trade tensions.

TECH

• Artificial Intelligence: Google DeepMind CEO Demis Hassabis on 60 Minutes

  • Demis Hassabis discussed AI’s future, emphasizing its role in accelerating healthcare breakthroughs and scientific discoveries.

  • He unveiled Genie 2, an AI model that can instantly create interactive 3D worlds from single images or sketches.

  • Hassabis said solving AI safety challenges is critical, but stressed optimism about AI’s potential to uplift humanity.

• Perplexity’s CEO on Fighting Google and the Coming AI Browser War

  • CEO Aravind Srinivas announced the launch of Comet, an AI-powered browser designed to directly challenge Google’s dominance.

  • Perplexity will embed advanced AI agents into browsing, offering comparisons, analysis, and personalized web interactions.

  • The company secured a deal to preload its AI app on Motorola Razr devices and hinted at bigger platform ambitions.

• Google’s AI Search Numbers Are Growing, and That’s by Design

  • Google said AI Overviews now reach 1.5 billion users a month globally, reshaping how users interact with search results.

  • Features like Circle to Search have expanded to 250M devices, boosting engagement with mobile-first AI experiences.

  • Despite backlash, Google’s executives insist the shift toward AI-led search is intentional and foundational to its future.

• Elf Labs raised $3.3M to bring characters to life with AI, AR, and VR*

  • They took on Disney at the US Patent & Trademark office and won—30+ times.

  • Now they just closed a $3.5M development deal with a telecom giant.

  • Invest now to get in early and receive 20% bonus shares.

BUSINESS

• China Quietly Exempts Some U.S. Semiconductors From Tariffs

  • China dropped tariffs on eight categories of U.S. chips to protect key industries while broader trade tensions escalate.

  • Officials denied Trump’s claim of new trade talks, signaling no broader thaw in U.S.-China economic relations.

  • The move highlights China's focus on securing access to ‘irreplaceable’ technology amid rising global tech competition.

• Trump’s Tariffs Fuel Economic Fears but Americans Oppose a TikTok Buyout

  • A majority of Americans oppose a TikTok buyout, despite bipartisan concern over China's tech influence.

  • Polls show 64% disapprove of Trump's tariff policies, with many expecting higher prices and slower economic growth.

  • Stock markets continue to slide as tariff-related recession fears grow, fueling anxiety ahead of the 2026 election.

• Elon Musk’s xAI Holdings in Discussions to Raise $20 Billion

  • Elon Musk’s xAI is reportedly seeking $20 billion in new funding, valuing the combined AI and social media venture at over $120 billion.

  • The raise follows xAI’s acquisition of X (formerly Twitter) and could mark the second-largest startup funding round ever.

  • Musk aims to integrate AI and social media more deeply, positioning xAI as a major challenger in the evolving tech landscape.

CONTENT

• Could AI Models Be Conscious?

  • Kyle Fish explores whether advanced AI systems could develop consciousness, agency, or subjective experiences.

  • The discussion covers defining consciousness, objections to AI consciousness, and practical ethical implications.

  • Fish argues it’s an open but urgent question as models grow increasingly complex and human-like in behavior.

• How To Get The Most Out Of Vibe Coding

  • Tom Blomfield shares tips on using Claude Code, Windsurf, and Aqua to build full-stack apps faster with AI collaboration.

  • He outlines best practices like setting a plan, using version control, testing often, and letting AI assist beyond coding.

  • Vibe coding is presented as a major productivity unlock, where rapid experimentation is the key to success.

• Joe Rogan Experience #2311 - Jeremie & Edouard Harris

  • Jeremie and Edouard Harris of Gladstone AI discuss AI safety, responsible development, and the risks of superintelligent systems.

  • They highlight why proactive governance and clear safety standards are crucial before powerful AI models are widely deployed.

  • The conversation emphasizes the urgency of balancing AI innovation with real-world ethical and societal safeguards.

WORLD

• Royalty and Presidents Join Multitude of Mourners at Pope Francis’ Funeral

  • Leaders from over 150 countries gathered at St. Peter’s Square to honor Pope Francis in a historic funeral ceremony.

  • President Trump, President Macron, and President Zelensky were among the dignitaries attending the solemn mass.

  • Francis was buried at the Basilica of St. Mary Major, becoming the first pope in over a century interred outside Vatican grounds.

• Russia Launches Deadly Strikes on Kyiv as Trump Urges Putin to Stop

  • Russia’s attacks on Kyiv killed at least 12 people and injured over 90, using missiles sourced from North Korea.

  • President Zelensky confirmed a KN-23 ballistic missile was involved, intensifying global scrutiny of Russia’s arsenal.

  • Trump publicly called on Putin to halt the offensive, pressing for renewed efforts toward a peace deal.

• U.S. and Iran Hold Quiet Progress in Nuclear Talks

  • The U.S. and Iran resumed indirect nuclear negotiations in Oman, with both sides reporting cautious optimism.

  • Talks focused on curbing Iran’s nuclear program in exchange for gradual sanction relief and economic incentives.

  • Despite progress, officials warned that significant gaps remain, particularly on uranium enrichment and inspection terms.

AND MORE…

• DoorDash Seeks Dismissal of Uber’s Antitrust Lawsuit

  • DoorDash asked a California court to toss Uber’s lawsuit accusing it of locking restaurants into anti-competitive agreements.

  • It called Uber’s claims a ‘cynical scare tactic’ and said merchants simply prefer DoorDash’s platform and services.

  • A hearing on the motion is set for July 11, with Uber maintaining that DoorDash’s practices hurt restaurants and consumers.

• Gmail App Adds Gemini Image Generator and Workspace

  • Google is rolling out Gemini’s AI image generator into Gmail’s sidebar for Workspace users on Android and iOS.

  • Gmail for Android tablets and foldables now lets users drag and resize panels in landscape mode for better multitasking.

  • Gmail on iOS is getting a Material Design 3 refresh with softer buttons, a rounded search bar, and new Calendar features.

• Chinese AI Startup Manus Reportedly Gets Funding From Benchmark at $500M Valuation

  • Manus AI raised $75M to expand its AI agent tools into new markets including the U.S., Japan, and the Middle East.

  • The company recently launched a general AI agent demo and introduced paid plans priced between $39 and $199 monthly.

  • Benchmark’s investment reflects growing global competition to develop flexible and commercial-ready AI agent ecosystems.