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

In today’s edition we are tackling the following:

🎥 OpenAI’s Sora video generator leaks amid accusations of ‘art washing.’
⚖️ Disney settles $150M class-action lawsuit over gender pay inequities.
📱 Apple warns 2 billion users of phishing scams targeting Apple IDs.
🛡️ Starbucks resorts to pen and paper after ransomware attack.
📊 Google proposes EU search changes to address antitrust concerns.

TECH

• OpenAI’s Sora Video Generator Appears to Have Leaked

  • Group has leaked access to Sora, OpenAI’s video generator, in protest of what they’re calling ‘art washing’ on OpenAI’s part.

  • Leaked screenshots reveal features allowing highly customizable and detailed image creation.

  • Raises concerns about controlling access to experimental AI tools during testing phases.

• Google Proposes Changes to Search Results in Europe

  • Google offered changes to its search engine to address EU antitrust regulators' concerns.

  • Updates aim to improve visibility for rivals in shopping and travel search results.

  • This proposal follows years of regulatory scrutiny over Google's dominance in Europe.

• New Warning for 2 Billion Apple Users: 'Your Apple ID Is Suspended'

  • Scammers are sending convincing phishing emails claiming Apple IDs are suspended to steal credentials.

  • Apple warns users to avoid clicking suspicious links and verify sender details directly with the company.

  • Another scam targets iCloud accounts, urging victims to address storage issues or claim free upgrades.

BUSINESS

• Disney Settles Gender Pay Gap Class-Action Lawsuit

  • Disney agreed to a $150 million settlement in a class-action lawsuit over gender pay inequities.

  • Female employees claimed systemic underpayment compared to male counterparts in similar roles.

  • The settlement includes back pay and a commitment to improving pay equity policies.

• California Proposes EV Credit Excluding Tesla Buyers

  • A new California EV buyer credit plan excludes Tesla, citing the company’s lack of unionized labor.

  • The proposal aligns with state efforts to prioritize automakers meeting labor and sustainability standards.

  • Critics argue the exclusion unfairly targets Tesla despite its leadership in EV production.

• Starbucks Resorts to Pen and Paper After Ransomware Attack

  • A ransomware attack forced Starbucks to process worker payments manually using pen and paper.

  • The company is working with cybersecurity firms to restore systems and secure data.

  • No customer data was compromised, but disruptions continue at affected locations.

CONTENT

• Can This AI Chip Startup Beat NVIDIA?

  • Positron, led by Thomas Sohmers, developed working AI chip hardware in just 18 months.

  • Claims better performance and efficiency than NVIDIA, with compatibility for AI tools like HuggingFace.

  • Leverages FPGAs for rapid iteration and aims to disrupt NVIDIA’s dominance in AI hardware.

• Ives: This Tech Market Will Be on Fire as the AI Revolution Hits Its Next Phase

  • Dan Ives predicts strong growth for AI-focused software companies despite NVIDIA's earnings stumble.

  • Upgraded firms like Snowflake and Elastic as key beneficiaries of the AI revolution’s next phase.

  • Highlights the tech sector’s resilience and potential amid evolving AI opportunities.

• How to Start a Dev Tools Company | Y Combinator

  • Nicolas Dessaigne shares insights on finding the right idea and building the ideal team.

  • Explores strategies for go-to-market, monetization, and the role of sales and marketing.

  • Stresses the importance of user feedback and support for long-term success.

WORLD

• TikTok CEO Grilled by EU Parliament Over Election Concerns

  • TikTok’s CEO faced tough questions about the platform’s role in spreading election disinformation.

  • Romania's pro-Russia candidate shockingly won, raising alarms over NATO’s stability.

  • Lawmakers push for increased transparency and stricter oversight of social media platforms.

• Biden Announces Cease-Fire Plan Between Israel and Hezbollah

  • President Biden revealed a U.S.-brokered deal to end 14 months of Israel-Hezbollah conflict.

  • Terms include Hezbollah retreating north of the Litani River and Israeli forces withdrawing.

  • Biden emphasized Israel’s right to self-defense if Hezbollah violates the agreement.

• Imran Khan Supporters Pushed Back by Security Forces

  • Protesters clashed with security forces in Islamabad, demanding Khan's release and new elections.

  • Six people were killed, and 50 injured as police cleared the heavily barricaded Democracy Square.

  • Khan urged supporters to continue despite government crackdowns and public gathering bans.

AND MORE…

• Anthropic’s Claude AI Introduces Custom Style Presets

  • Claude AI now lets users tailor responses with three presets: Formal, Concise, and Explanatory.

  • Custom styles can mimic personal communication by uploading sample text and instructions.

  • Competes with similar features in ChatGPT, Google’s Gemini, and Apple Intelligence.

• Biden Proposes Medicare and Medicaid Coverage for Weight-Loss Drugs

  • Biden plans to make weight-loss drugs like Wegovy accessible via Medicare and Medicaid.

  • The proposal could help 7.5 million patients but may cost up to $35 billion over a decade.

  • RFK Jr. opposes the move, suggesting funds be spent on healthier food options instead.

• Bitcoin Tumbles After Failing to Break $100,000

  • Bitcoin dropped 7% to $91,400 after nearing the $100,000 milestone last week.

  • Experts note ‘psychological barriers’ like round numbers often cause pullbacks.

  • Optimism persists as Bitcoin remains 30% higher since Trump’s election victory.