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

In today’s edition we are tackling the following:

📉 Nvidia’s market cap drops $600 billion due to slower AI demand.
🤖 Meta AI personalizes recommendations using Facebook and Instagram data.
💰 Musk’s X struggles under $13 billion debt amid stagnant growth.
🇮🇱 Israel allows Palestinians to return to northern Gaza under fragile ceasefire.
🎵 Spotify partners with Universal for superfan subscriptions.

TECH

• DeepSeek Launches Janus-Pro Image Model Family

  • DeepSeek unveiled Janus-Pro, a new family of compact multimodal AI models designed to analyze and generate images.

  • The Janus-Pro-7B model surpasses OpenAI's DALL-E 3 in benchmarks like GenEval and DPG-Bench, highlighting its competitive edge.

  • Released under an MIT license, these models are openly available on Hugging Face for both commercial and non-commercial use.

• Meta AI Enhances Personalization Using Facebook and Instagram Data

  • Meta AI can now access user data from Facebook and Instagram to provide tailored recommendations and responses.

  • The chatbot introduces a memory feature to recall user preferences, such as dietary restrictions or hobbies, for personalized suggestions.

  • Critics raise privacy concerns as Meta confirms users cannot opt out of data usage for personalized chatbot interactions.

• iOS 18.3 Launch Brings Notification Summaries and Apple Intelligence

  • Apple launched iOS 18.3 with notification summaries as a core feature to declutter user experiences.

  • Apple Intelligence now powers default device actions, offering proactive recommendations and smarter responses.

  • Users report enhanced utility and streamlined workflows in early feedback from the release.

BUSINESS

• Elon Musk’s X Faces Mounting Debt Amid Stagnant Growth

  • Musk’s social media platform, X, struggles under $13 billion in debt, with high interest payments exacerbating its financial strain.

  • Despite attempts to boost revenue with new features and subscriptions, X's user growth and ad revenue remain flat.

  • Analysts question the platform's sustainability as it continues to face challenges from competitors and growing operational costs.

• Nvidia Loses $600 Billion in Market Cap, Marking Record Decline

  • Nvidia’s valuation plummeted due to concerns over slowing AI demand and rising competition from rival chipmakers.

  • Analysts cite overreliance on generative AI growth, with demand failing to meet Nvidia’s aggressive projections.

  • Investors remain cautious as the company pivots strategies to regain market confidence amidst increased industry scrutiny.

• Starbucks Revamps Policies to Win Back Customers

  • Starbucks is reinstating condiment bars and handwritten names on cups in the US and Canada, aiming to restore its coffeehouse charm.

  • Free refills are now available for all paying customers, a perk previously reserved for loyalty members.

  • The chain is ending its open-door policy, restricting restroom use and seating to paying customers.

CONTENT

• I Sat Down With the Guy Who Studies Billionaires

  • Greg Isenberg interviews David Senra, creator of the podcast Founders, who shares lessons from reading 300+ biographies of entrepreneurs.

  • Senra highlights his unique monetization model, deep founder relationships, and insights from meeting legends like Charlie Munger.

  • Discussion includes learning from history, work-life balance sacrifices, and a new startup idea: ‘Founders for Kids,’ and more.

• Marc Andreessen on Trump, Power, Tech, AI, Immigration, and Future

  • Marc Andreessen joins Lex Fridman to discuss the role of technology in shaping America’s future.

  • The conversation touches on the impact of immigration, societal censorship, and the evolving power dynamics in the tech industry.

  • Andreessen shares insights on success, journalism, and the promises of AI, including its potential to reshape global economies and innovation.

• Sam Harris on the LA Fires, Government, and Wealth Inequality

  • Sam Harris talks with Rick Caruso about the Los Angeles fires, exploring how mismanagement and DEI policies eroded trust in government.

  • Caruso discusses private firefighting, the ethics of wealth, philanthropy, and rebuilding Los Angeles amid public cynicism.

  • They also touch on wealth inequality and Caruso's philanthropic initiatives to address systemic issues in urban governance.

WORLD

• Israel Allows Displaced Palestinians to Return to Northern Gaza

  • Israel permitted hundreds of thousands of Palestinians to return to northern Gaza for the first time since the early weeks of war.

  • Over 200,000 displaced individuals moved north under a fragile ceasefire, with families reuniting amidst scenes of singing and tears.

  • The truce also includes a hostage exchange, with dozens of hostages and hundreds of Palestinian prisoners set to be released in stages.

• EU Ministers Agree on Roadmap to Ease Syria Sanctions

  • European Union foreign ministers agreed on January 27, 2025, to ease sanctions on Syria after Bashar al-Assad’s removal in December.

  • The roadmap will gradually lift sanctions, focusing on oil exports while ensuring the new Syrian government respects human rights.

  • Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad Hassan al-Shibani welcomed the decision, calling it a step toward supporting the country’s development.

• Rebels Capture Goma in the Democratic Republic of the Congo

  • Rwanda-backed M23 rebels have declared control of Goma, the capital of North Kivu province, following weeks of conflict in the region.

  • Goma is a crucial hub for North Kivu, known for its mineral wealth, and its capture has raised concerns about regional stability.

  • The UN and international bodies demand the M23 rebels halt their offensive as accusations of Rwandan support fuel tensions.

AND MORE…

• Tesla and BMW Sue EU Over Chinese EV Tariffs

  • Tesla and BMW filed lawsuits against the EU, alleging unfair tariffs on Chinese-manufactured electric vehicles.

  • Both automakers claim the tariffs disrupt supply chains and create an uneven playing field for global competition.

  • The lawsuits come amid rising trade tensions and growing scrutiny of Chinese subsidies for EV production.

• Spotify and Universal Music Ink Direct Superfan Subscription Deal

  • Spotify has signed a groundbreaking direct agreement with Universal Music Publishing to offer ‘superfan subscriptions.'

  • The deal allows artists to monetize fans with early releases, personalized experiences, and premium content.

  • This marks a significant shift as streaming platforms create revenue streams beyond traditional subscriptions.

• DeepSeek’s Efficient AI Could Stall the Nuclear Renaissance

  • DeepSeek’s advanced AI models may reduce nuclear energy demand by optimizing grids and boosting renewables’ efficiency.

  • The Janus-Pro models outperform competitors in energy prediction and system optimization, reshaping consumption patterns.

  • Critics argue delaying nuclear could slow decarbonization goals, while proponents praise AI-driven environmental progress.