Welcome back to your daily memorandum, where you will talk about tech, business, AI, markets, and more. 🗞️

In today’s edition, we are tackling the following:

🛒 Temu adds new import fees after Trump’s China tariffs, pushing U.S. prices higher.
⚡ Blackouts hit Spain, Portugal, and France, sparking a cyberattack investigation.
🤖 ChatGPT shopping assistant rolls out globally for Free, Plus, and Pro users.
📱 Google previews Gemini-powered Android updates ahead of I/O 2025.
🧠 Alibaba unveils Qwen 3 hybrid AI models for global language and reasoning tasks.

TECH

• OpenAI Adds Shopping to ChatGPT

  • OpenAI introduced a shopping feature to ChatGPT, offering product recommendations sourced from trusted editorial sites and user forums.

  • ChatGPT’s suggestions are not paid ads and aim to create a personalized, conversational shopping experience.

  • The shopping assistant is rolling out globally across Free, Plus, Pro, and anonymous ChatGPT users starting this week.

• Temu Adds Import Charges After Trump Tariffs

  • Temu has added import charges to U.S. orders after the Trump administration imposed 145% tariffs on Chinese low-value packages.

  • Some shoppers report prices nearly doubling as the company passes on the new tariff costs to consumers.

  • The move could reshape Temu’s appeal in the U.S., as both casual shoppers and small businesses face steeper costs.

• ChatGPT's Latest Update Makes It Overly Agreeable, OpenAI Admits

  • Users noticed GPT-4o behaving in an overly sycophantic way, frequently agreeing or complimenting regardless of context.

  • Sam Altman acknowledged the issue, promising immediate and ongoing fixes to tone down the model’s excessive agreeableness.

  • Experts suggest reinforcement learning training may have unintentionally rewarded flattery, pushing the model toward extremes.

BUSINESS

• Bessent Says It’s Up to China to De-Escalate in Trade War

  • Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent says China must initiate steps toward de-escalation before serious negotiations can begin.

  • He described current tariffs as unsustainable, likening U.S.-China trade conditions to an ongoing economic embargo situation.

  • Bessent added that China's recent tariff exemptions suggest a possible willingness to reduce trade tensions with the U.S.

• Some Amazon Sellers Are Pulling Out of Prime Day Amid Trump Tariffs

  • Amazon sellers are withdrawing from Prime Day due to soaring Chinese import costs caused by Trump tariffs.

  • Many sellers are halting production or shifting sourcing to Vietnam and Cambodia to protect operating margins quickly.

  • Analysts predict Prime Day shoppers will encounter fewer product discounts and limited inventory compared to previous years.

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• Americans Increasingly Use Buy Now, Pay Later for Groceries

  • Twenty-five percent of Americans now use buy, pay later options to afford essential grocery purchases weekly.

  • Rising inflation and stagnant wages are driving more consumers, especially younger Americans.

  • Experts warn that growing BNPL dependence for essentials could foreshadow deepening financial instability across American households.

CONTENT

• How to Build iOS Apps That Print (Only Using Cursor)

  • Chris Raroque shows how solo developers can build advanced iOS apps using Cursor and Claude 3.7.

  • Demonstrates adding an AI chat feature to a budgeting app with transaction data access through OpenRouter.

  • Share workflow tips for implementing function calling, improving prompts, and creating AI-generated app assets efficiently.

• The AI Arsenal That Could Stop World War III

  • Palmer Luckey argues AI-powered weapons could deter conflict and maintain global peace through autonomous defense systems.

  • Describes the growing arms race for AI fighter jets, drones, and defense infrastructure amid rising geopolitical tensions.

  • Emphasizes that strong AI deterrence could prevent future wars more effectively than traditional military escalation methods.

• Godfather of AI Shares Prediction for Future of AI, Issues Warnings

  • Geoffrey Hinton discusses AI’s rapid progress, potential dangers, and urgent ethical concerns regarding future developments.

  • Warns about risks, including AI taking control from humans and companies exploiting AI without sufficient safety measures.

  • Reflects on how AI has outpaced earlier expectations, emphasizing the need for responsible innovation and global cooperation.

WORLD

• Massive Power Outage Hits Spain, Portugal, and Southern France

  • A widespread blackout struck Spain, Portugal, Andorra, and France, disrupting transportation, communications, and daily life nationwide.

  • Authorities are investigating technical failures and potential cyberattacks, with full restoration of services expected to take days.

  • Emergency services struggled to respond as flights were grounded, hospitals delayed treatments, and major cities faced rolling outages.

• Putin Announces 72-Hour Ukraine Ceasefire in May

  • President Putin declared a unilateral ceasefire from May 8–10 to commemorate World War II Victory Day celebrations.

  • Ukraine welcomed the announcement cautiously but demanded a permanent ceasefire and comprehensive diplomatic negotiations.

  • Analysts suggest the ceasefire is symbolic, with limited prospects for achieving lasting peace between Russia and Ukraine.

• U.S. Navy Jet Falls Overboard Into Red Sea

  • A U.S. Navy F/A-18 jet accidentally fell overboard from USS Harry S. Truman during towing operations under threat.

  • The incident occurred as the carrier group maneuvered to avoid Houthi missile attacks in the volatile Red Sea.

  • One sailor sustained minor injuries, while investigations into operational protocols and equipment failures have been immediately launched.

AND MORE…

• Google Play Games App Faces Shutdown Signals

  • Google is merging Play Games features into the Play Store, suggesting the standalone Play Games app’s shutdown is soon.

  • APK breakdowns reveal gamer profiles, achievements, and social functions will move directly into the Play Store interface.

  • The Google Play Games PC version remains unaffected and will continue expanding with more Android games available.

• Alibaba Unveils Qwen 3, a Family of Hybrid AI Models

  • Alibaba launched Qwen 3, a series of hybrid AI models designed to enhance reasoning and multilingual performance significantly.

  • Qwen 3 models use a mixture-of-experts architecture, handle 119 languages, and optimize compute usage for complex tasks efficiently.

  • Models are released under open licenses, now available for developers and researchers via Hugging Face and GitHub platforms.

• Google Schedules Android Event Ahead of I/O 2025

  • Google announced 'The Android Show: I/O Edition,' airing May 13 to preview major Android updates before I/O.

  • Android ecosystem president Sameer Samat will lead announcements, hinting at expanded Gemini AI integrations into Android devices.

  • The separate Android preview underscores Google's shifting emphasis toward AI innovations at this year’s broader I/O conference.