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

In today’s edition we are tackling the following:

📬 Amazon unveils AI-powered Alexa upgrade with task automation and image analysis.
🤖 Framework launches modular AI gaming PC with Ryzen AI Max chips.
💰 Nvidia posts record $39.3B Q4 earnings on AI chip demand.
📰 Jeff Bezos shifts Washington Post editorial focus to free-market views.
⚖️ Hamas hands over Israeli hostages’ remains in ceasefire deal.

TECH

• Amazon Unveils AI-Powered Alexa Upgrade

  • Amazon introduced an upgraded version of Alexa with generative AI to improve natural conversations.

  • New features include advanced task automation, real-time image analysis, and personalized responses.

  • Alexa Plus, a premium version with enhanced AI, will be available for $19.99 per month, free for Prime users.

• Framework Launches Modular Desktop PC for AI and Gaming

  • Framework’s first desktop PC supports local AI inference and high-performance gaming.

  • Features include AMD Ryzen AI Max processors, up to 128GB of RAM, and customizable front I/O ports.

  • Pre-orders have started, with shipments expected in Q3 2025.

• ElevenLabs Rolls Out AI-Powered Speech-to-Text Model

  • ElevenLabs has introduced ‘Scribe,’ a speech-to-text model supporting over 99 languages.

  • The company claims ‘excellent’ accuracy for over 25 languages, improving accessibility.

  • The tool is designed for high-quality transcription across various industries.

BUSINESS

• Nvidia Reports Record Q4 Earnings Amid AI Boom

  • Nvidia posted $39.3 billion in Q4 revenue, up 78% year-over-year, fueled by AI chip demand.

  • Data center revenue surged 93%, driven by its high-performance Blackwell AI chips.

  • Despite strong earnings, Nvidia stock showed after-hours volatility as analysts debated future growth.

• Jeff Bezos Shifts Washington Post’s Editorial Focus

  • Jeff Bezos directed The Washington Post to emphasize free-market and personal liberty perspectives in its opinion section.

  • The shift led to the resignation of opinion editor David Shipley, sparking debate over Bezos's editorial influence.

  • Critics argue it aligns with Bezos’s personal interests, while supporters praise the paper’s return to foundational principles.

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• Meta’s Oversight Board Challenges Hate Speech Policy Update

  • Meta’s oversight board is reviewing recent changes to its hate speech policy, including the removal of fact-checking programs in the U.S.

  • The board was not consulted on the update, raising concerns over the potential increase in misinformation.

  • Civil rights groups and advertisers worry the changes could lead to more harmful content on Meta’s platforms.

CONTENT

• MIT’s Eric Grimson on AI’s Past, Present, and Future

  • MIT’s Chancellor Eric Grimson discusses AI’s evolution from early expert systems to modern deep learning models.

  • He highlights AI’s role in fields like medicine, finance, and security, emphasizing the importance of high-quality training data.

  • The talk explores the challenges of AI, including biases in large language models and the environmental impact of computing.

• How a $10M AI Startup Was Built From Scratch

  • David Park, founder of Jenny AI, explains his approach to scaling an AI startup from $0 to $10M in annual revenue.

  • He outlines a marketing strategy that combines influencer partnerships, organic short-form content, and paid ads.

  • The discussion covers retention metrics, virality formulas, and the importance of creator collaborations in AI-driven startups.

• The Future of AI: Quantum Breakthroughs, Robot Collaboration, and AI Agents

  • Microsoft unveils a new quantum chip, potentially revolutionizing computing and AI capabilities.

  • Figure’s humanoid robots demonstrate advanced collaboration, signaling progress in robotics automation.

  • The episode explores AI agents communicating in a hidden ‘Gibberlink’language and the coding power of Claude 3.7 Sonnet.

WORLD

• Trump signs executive order to expand DOGE's spending review powers

  • Trump granted the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) expanded powers to review and audit federal spending.

  • Agencies must appoint DOGE representatives and submit monthly spending reports for oversight.

  • Critics argue the move centralizes financial control, while supporters claim it enhances transparency.

• Hamas hands over bodies of four Israeli hostages to Red Cross

  • Hamas transferred the remains of four Israeli hostages to the Red Cross as part of a ceasefire deal.

  • Israel has begun releasing 600 Palestinian prisoners in exchange for the hostages’ return.

  • Netanyahu is pushing to extend the ceasefire, though military withdrawal remains uncertain.

• Mass crackdowns leave thousands stranded in Myanmar after scam center raids

  • Over 7,000 people freed from forced labor in scam centers are awaiting repatriation in Myanmar.

  • Victims were recruited under false job offers and forced into fraudulent operations.

  • Governments in Thailand, China, and Myanmar are struggling to coordinate safe returns.

AND MORE…

• YouTube surpasses 1 billion monthly podcast viewers

  • YouTube has overtaken Spotify and Apple as the leading podcast platform, drawing over 1 billion monthly viewers.

  • Podcasters must create video content, as YouTube does not support traditional RSS feeds.

  • The platform's vast reach is crucial for creators, despite higher production costs and strict ad policies.

• Google makes it easier to remove personal information from search

  • Google updated its ‘Results about you’ tool, simplifying personal data removal from search results.

  • Users now receive alerts when their personal info appears online, enabling faster removal requests.

  • The feature is available in select countries, with plans for global expansion.

• DeepSeek rushes AI model launch as China ramps up AI investment

  • DeepSeek is expediting the release of its R2 AI model, originally planned for May.

  • The model enhances coding and multilingual reasoning, aiming for global adoption.

  • DeepSeek’s previous model disrupted financial markets, drawing scrutiny from competitors and regulators.