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

In today’s edition we are tackling the following:

📱 Facebook prioritizes personal posts over viral media to boost user engagement.
🗺️ Google Maps will detect screenshots and auto-pin locations using Gemini AI.
🚗 Tesla rises as Trump’s 25% auto tariff hits foreign and Detroit-based carmakers.
📉 Markets fall globally on tariff news, but China’s indices post unexpected gains.
📈 Signal downloads spike in the U.S. and Yemen amid privacy leaks.

TECH

• OpenAI's Viral Studio Ghibli Moment Highlights AI Copyright Concerns

  • ChatGPT’s new image tool sparked a flood of Ghibli-style portraits, raising debate over artistic mimicry and consent.

  • Legal experts say visual style isn’t protected, but training on copyrighted works may still face legal challenges.

  • The incident amplifies growing scrutiny over AI-generated content and the boundaries of fair creative use.

• Facebook Returns to Its Roots With Friends and Family Content

  • Facebook is shifting its feed algorithm to emphasize posts from friends and family over public or creator content.

  • The change follows internal data showing personal posts boost user engagement more than viral media clips.

  • Meta says the update reflects its goal of fostering genuine connection amid growing pressure to retain users.

• Google Maps Can Soon Scan Your Screenshots to Plan Your Vacation

  • Google Maps will let users save locations from screenshots by detecting embedded text using Gemini AI tools.

  • The feature can auto-detect places in travel photos and pin them directly to your saved map list.

  • Launching on iOS in the US first, Google says Android rollout and global expansion will follow soon.

BUSINESS

• Stocks fall on Trump's auto tariffs, China bucks the trend

  • Global markets dipped after Trump imposed 25% tariffs on vehicle imports, sending ripples through Asia and Europe.

  • Japanese and Korean automaker stocks dropped sharply, signaling widespread concern over U.S. trade policy shifts.

  • China’s markets defied the trend, with the CSI 300 and Hang Seng indices posting solid gains for the day.

• Signal downloads spike in the U.S. and Yemen amid government scandal

  • Signal saw a 45% spike in U.S. downloads following reports of compromised government communications data.

  • In Yemen, Signal jumped 42% in app rankings, driven by escalating concerns over digital privacy and security.

  • The surge highlights a growing demand for encrypted messaging amid global political and surveillance concerns.

• Tesla gains as Trump's auto tariffs hit Detroit automakers

  • Tesla is seen as the key beneficiary of new tariffs, thanks to its fully domestic manufacturing footprint.

  • Detroit automakers face margin pressure as their overseas supply chains become significantly more expensive.

  • Analysts expect higher car prices across the board, potentially shifting consumer demand toward tariff-free EVs.

CONTENT

• 11x in Trouble and China's AI Acceleration | E2103

  • 11x faces backlash for allegedly faking logos and misrepresenting revenue, raising concerns about early-stage ethics.

  • Hosts explore China’s dual-front surge in AI and EVs, highlighting DeepSeek’s model and Xiaomi’s Porsche-like EV.

  • Wiz’s ‘4-persona framework’ is unpacked, credited for helping the startup surpass $100M ARR faster than peers.

• How to Win in the AI Era

  • Captions CEO Gaurav Misra shares how weekly releases keep users engaged and products ahead in the AI race.

  • He explains why cutting scope—not extending timelines—is key to balancing speed with consistent product quality.

  • Taking on technical debt strategically helps startups ship fast and outrun slower, larger competitors.

• OpenAI Just BROKE THE INTERNET with a New Image Model...

  • GPT-4o’s new image generation shocked users with realistic outputs and Ghibli-style art flooding social media.

  • Matthew Berman breaks down how OpenAI’s tool works, shows examples and explains its real-world limitations today.

  • Ethical questions around copyright and content training are raised as the tech quickly gains viral traction.

WORLD

• Trump Withdraws Rep. Elise Stefanik's Nomination for UN Ambassador

  • Trump reversed Stefanik’s nomination to preserve the GOP’s razor-thin House majority heading into key legislation.

  • The decision follows internal concerns about losing a pivotal Republican vote during closely contested votes.

  • Stefanik remains in Congress for now, signaling her continued influence within House Republican leadership.

• Tourist Submarine Sinks Off Egypt's Red Sea Coast, Killing Six

  • A sightseeing submarine sank near Hurghada, killing six Russian nationals while 39 other passengers were rescued.

  • The incident occurred during a routine coral reef tour before the vessel reportedly suffered a sudden malfunction.

  • Authorities have opened an investigation, though the exact cause of the sinking remains undetermined so far.

• Germany Got $1 Trillion ‘For Free,’ Deutsche Bank Chairman Says

  • Deutsche Bank’s chairman says Germany accessed €1 trillion in funding thanks to favorable bond market conditions.

  • The windfall followed a historic economic stimulus package targeting energy, defense, and industrial investment.

  • He urged policymakers to seize the opportunity to implement long-term reforms during this window of capital access.

AND MORE…

• Unlock exponential growth: the playbook modern leaders swear by*

  • Is this the greatest sales book you haven't read?...yet! Data-backed strategies from Fortune 500 growth architects.

  • Frameworks that scale startups to enterprises in 24 months.

  • Battle-tested tactics for market domination and sustainable profit margins.

• Instagram now lets you speed up reels just like on TikTok

  • Instagram added a playback speed control, letting users watch reels at 2x by long-pressing either side of the screen.

  • The feature is part of Meta’s ongoing effort to mirror TikTok’s most popular short-form video capabilities.

  • Users can now skim through longer videos faster, aiming to boost engagement and time spent on the app.

• Putin says US push for Greenland rooted in history, vows to uphold Russian interest in the Arctic

  • Putin responded to renewed U.S. Arctic ambitions by referencing Trump’s past attempt to buy Greenland in 2019.

  • He pledged to reinforce Russia’s Arctic military presence, citing NATO’s growing influence in the northern region.

  • While not opposing cooperation, he warned that Russia will firmly protect what it views as sovereign Arctic territory.

• With the Switch 2 coming, Nintendo is working on Virtual Game Cards for cross-device portability

  • Nintendo is launching Virtual Game Cards, letting users transfer games easily between devices under the same account.

  • The system allows players to ‘eject’ games and play them on another console via linked accounts or family plans.

  • Players can also lend games locally for up to two weeks, expanding Switch 2’s flexibility and accessibility.