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

In today’s edition we are tackling the following:

🔓 Allianz Life says ‘majority’ of customers’ personal data stolen in cyberattack.
💪 Google proves it’s still strong despite hype around ChatGPT competition.
🌐 Tariff simulator shows global exports to U.S. drop after Trump EU trade.
📜 DOGE has built an AI tool to slash federal regulations.
📈 Samsung signs $16.5B chip deal boosting foundry business and shares rise.

TECHNOLOGY

• Allianz Life says ‘majority’ of customers’ personal data stolen in cyberattack

  • Allianz Life confirms a July data breach exposed personal data of most customers and employees.

  • Hackers accessed a third-party CRM system using social engineering techniques to steal sensitive information.

  • The breach is part of a broader wave of attacks linked to the Scattered Spider hacker group.

• Google proves it’s still strong despite hype around ChatGPT competition

  • AI Overviews boosted Google Search usage by over 10 percent, especially among younger demographics globally.

  • Gemini now has 450 million monthly users, with prompts up 50 percent from last quarter.

  • Despite talent poaching and regulatory risks, Google remains strong and confident in the AI race.

• Tesla veteran says reviewing real products is key to staying innovative

  • GM now ranks second in US EV sales with 17 electric models after years of slow growth.

  • Former Tesla exec Jon McNeil credits reviewing real products weekly as key to innovation.

  • Elon Musk adopted Steve Jobs’ advice to focus on building a perfect, beautiful product.

BUSINESS

• Tariff simulator shows global exports to U.S. drop after Trump EU trade

  • OEC Tariff Simulator projects a 46% drop in global U.S. imports by 2027 from the EU deal.

  • U.S. exports worldwide are forecasted to increase 12% in 2027, reaching approximately $1.59 trillion.

  • IKEA leads U.S. imports from the EU at 28%, followed by wine, tire, and food companies.

• DOGE has built an AI tool to slash federal regulations

  • The Department of Government Efficiency is using an AI tool to review and cut federal regulations by half.

  • The tool has already reviewed HUD regulations and authored all deregulations at the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau.

  • While no plan is officially approved, the White House praised the DOGE team’s AI-driven efforts.

• Samsung signs $16.5B chip deal boosting foundry business and shares rise

  • Samsung signed a $16.5 billion chip supply deal effective July 2024 to December 2033.

  • The counterparty remains undisclosed to protect trade secrets; speculation includes Qualcomm or Tesla.

  • Samsung aims to mass-produce 2nm chips, boosting foundry growth and investor confidence with rising shares.

MARKETS

WORLD

• Japan expects only 1-2% of $550B US fund as investment

  • Japan expects only 1-2% of the $550 billion US fund as direct investment.

  • Most of the fund will come in the form of loans rather than actual investment.

  • Japan will save about ¥10 trillion through reduced tariffs under the new US deal.

• A U.K. law requiring online age checks took effect Friday

  • A U.K. law now requires porn sites to verify users' ages under the Online Safety Act.

  • Major sites like Reddit and X also began age checks using selfies or government IDs.

  • Critics warn age checks may harm privacy and lead to data breaches or evasion attempts.

• North Korea rejects new South Korean leader’s effort to ease tensions

  • North Korea rejected dialogue attempts from new South Korean President Lee Jae Myung's administration.

  • Kim Yo Jong criticized Lee’s “blind trust” in the US and ongoing joint military drills.

  • Pyongyang’s response signals continued hardline stance despite South Korea’s new leadership.

CONTENT

• Karri Saarinen reviews YC sites focusing on building strong lasting brand quality

  • Emphasis on authenticity and clear messaging is key to building strong, lasting brand identity online.

  • Branding should be specific and focused while allowing room for design evolution over time.

  • Several YC startup websites including Sprites AI and UnReal Milk are reviewed for branding effectiveness.

• Madhavan Ramanujam shares pricing lessons from 400 companies and 50 unicorns

  • Madhavan Ramanujam shares proven pricing strategies used by 250+ companies including 30 unicorns.

  • AI firms can capture 25–50% of created value if pricing is structured strategically.

  • He advises outcome-based pricing and early monetization to avoid common underpricing mistakes in AI products.

• David Jolly explains leaving Republicans and focusing on Florida’s growing affordability crisis

  • David Jolly, former GOP Congressman, is running for Florida governor as a Democrat.

  • He focuses on tackling Florida’s affordability crisis, healthcare access, and immigration reform policies.

  • Jolly discusses flipping Trump voters and navigating culture war issues in a red state.

FUTURISM

• Tesla investors are growing wary of Elon Musk’s futuristic promises

  • Tesla stock has dropped over 20% this year despite Nasdaq hitting record highs.

  • Investors remain skeptical as Elon Musk emphasizes robotaxi future amid weak earnings performance.

  • Analysts say long-term robotaxi potential exists but Tesla must improve current profit and loss dynamics.

• China proposes new global AI organization and framework to govern AI development

  • China proposes forming a global AI cooperation body to rival US-led influence in AI development.

  • Premier Li Qiang urges equitable AI access, especially for developing countries in the Global South.

  • Li stresses the need for unified global AI governance amid fragmented regulations and chip supply issues.

• Meta names OpenAI’s Shengjia Zhao as chief scientist of AI Superintelligence Lab

  • Meta appoints ChatGPT co-creator Shengjia Zhao as chief scientist of Superintelligence Labs.

  • Zhao will collaborate with Mark Zuckerberg and Alexandr Wang, Meta’s new chief AI officer.

  • Meta's $14 billion investment in Scale AI underscores its aggressive AI hiring and expansion strategy.

EXTRAS

• Apple beta season is here with DDR in 2025 and more

  • Apple released public betas for iOS 26 and other platforms featuring the new Liquid Glass design.

  • Early testers are starting to appreciate Liquid Glass after initial concerns and Apple’s design adjustments.

  • Newsletter also highlights retro-style PCs and how to play Dance Dance Revolution at home today.

• India bans streaming apps you’ve never heard of but millions watch

  • India ordered the blocking of 25 streaming platforms for allegedly promoting obscene content without safeguards.

  • Services like Ullu and ALTT, popular for adult content, are among those targeted in the crackdown.

  • These platforms have 105 million downloads and $5.7 million in revenue from low-cost in-app purchases.

• Huawei shows off AI computing system to rival Nvidia's top product

  • Huawei debuted its CloudMatrix 384 AI system, viewed as a direct rival to Nvidia's top offering.

  • The system uses 384 910C chips and outperforms Nvidia’s GB200 NVL72 on several performance metrics.

  • Despite US restrictions, Huawei is emerging as China’s strongest domestic AI chip supplier and innovator.

AND MORE

• You can get Apple products tax-free in ten US states.

• ‘Wizard of Oz’ blown up by AI for giant Sphere screen.

• MAGA influencers blame Democrats for Epstein files Republicans echo online conspiracy claims.

• 150k+ readers from Google, TikTok, OpenAI and Deel love Open Source CEO deep dive business content.*

• Apple store in Michigan will permanently close its doors next month.

• India resumes issuing visas to Chinese nationals after a 5-year freeze.

• The end of The Late Show highlights pressure on traditional TV time slots.

• Athyna connects you with professionals who deliver, not just interview well.*

• Developers struggle to build a cozy Lord of the Rings game.

• Marvel’s ‘Fantastic Four: First Steps’ opens to $118 million domestically.