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

In today’s edition we are tackling the following:

🛰️ Starlink plans lower satellite orbits to reduce debris and collision risks.
🧪 DeepSeek research shows cheaper methods for training increasingly large AI models.
🚗 Tesla’s European sales slide as Chinese EV competition intensifies across markets.
📱 Meta’s Reels revenue jumps as short-form video reshapes advertising strategy.
🎙️ OpenAI accelerates audio AI ahead of consumer devices

TECHNOLOGY

• Starlink plans to lower satellite orbit to enhance safety in 2026 (Reuters)
  _{^{More: The Verge, Tech in Asia}}

  • SpaceX plans to lower Starlink satellites to reduce collision risks and orbital debris concerns.

  • The new orbit enhances atmospheric drag, allowing faster natural deorbiting of defunct satellites over time.

  • Regulatory approval is pending as SpaceX aims to implement changes throughout the year ahead.

• OpenAI ramps audio AI efforts ahead device (The Information)
  ^{_{More: TechCrunch, SiliconANGLE}}

  • OpenAI is accelerating development of audio-focused AI models for upcoming consumer hardware and applications.

  • The company aims to compete with voice assistants by integrating advanced conversational capabilities natively.

  • New device launches could broaden OpenAI's market reach beyond software into physical product ecosystems.

• DeepSeek kicks off 2026 with paper signalling push to train bigger models for less (SCMP)
  _{^{More: Bloomberg, SiliconANGLE}}

  • Chinese AI startup DeepSeek published research demonstrating cost-efficient training methods for large language models.

  • The approach challenges assumptions that frontier AI requires massive compute budgets from Western competitors.

  • DeepSeek's advances signal growing technical sophistication in China's domestic artificial intelligence research community.

BUSINESS

• How Nokia went from iPhone victim to $1bn Nvidia deal (Financial Times)
  _{^{More: Bloomberg, Reuters, CNBC}}

  • Nokia secured a $1 billion investment from Nvidia, marking its transformation from phone maker to AI infrastructure provider.

  • The partnership focuses on 5G and 6G network technologies, with Nvidia acquiring a 2.9% stake in Nokia.

  • Nokia's shares surged 20% following the announcement, reaching their highest level in nearly a decade.

• Tesla closes out brutal year in Europe with steep sales declines (Bloomberg)
  _{^{More: Reuters Autos, Financial Times, Wall Street Journal}}

  • Tesla's European sales dropped significantly as competition from Chinese EV makers intensified throughout the year.

  • Market share declined amid growing consumer preference for locally manufactured electric vehicle alternatives and brands.

  • The company faces mounting pressure to refresh its aging product lineup in the region.

• Meta Reels revenue surges as short-form video drives advertising growth (Wall Street Journal)

  • Meta's Reels platform generated substantial revenue growth, helping offset declines in traditional feed advertising formats.

  • Short-form video content now represents a critical component of Meta's overall advertising business strategy.

  • The success positions Meta competitively against TikTok in the lucrative social media advertising market.

• Explore the essential startup reading database*

  • Learning from the best is how you become the best. We've curated a list of top-notch articles, blogs, and readings that are pivotal for startup founders.

  • And here's the kicker: we've organized it all in a user-friendly Notion database for easy access and tracking. Double win!

  • As aspiring leaders and innovators, this list serves as a bridge to absorbing the knowledge that has propelled others to success.

MARKETS

WORLD

• Fire at Swiss ski resort prompts evacuations and rescue operations (New York Times)
  ^{_{More: Reuters Europe, Associated Press}}

  • A fire broke out at a Swiss ski resort, forcing evacuations and emergency response efforts.

  • Authorities are investigating the cause as rescue teams ensure all guests and staff are safe.

  • The incident disrupts peak winter tourism season operations at the popular Alpine destination facility.

• Trump says US ready to rescue Iranian protesters if attacked (Bloomberg)
  _{^{More: Reuters Middle East, Wall Street Journal, BBC News}}

  • Trump stated the US would intervene to protect Iranian demonstrators facing government crackdowns or violence.

  • The comments signal a potential shift in US policy toward more direct involvement in Iranian affairs.

  • Critics warn such rhetoric could escalate tensions with Tehran and complicate diplomatic regional dynamics.

• Zelenskiy asks intelligence chief to replace Yermak as top aide (Bloomberg)
  _{^{More: Reuters Europe}}

  • Ukrainian President Zelenskiy requested his intelligence chief replace longtime chief of staff Andriy Yermak officially.

  • The leadership change reflects internal pressures and strategic recalibration amid the ongoing war with Russia.

  • Yermak's departure marks a significant shift in Ukraine's top political and military decision-making structure.

FUTURISM

• How AI automation can fulfill Thomas Piketty's predictions on rising economic inequality (Philip Trammell)

  • AI-driven automation could accelerate wealth concentration as capital returns outpace labor income growth significantly.

  • Progressive taxation on capital may mitigate inequality spirals predicted in Piketty's economic framework and research.

  • The analysis suggests past critiques of Piketty may prove less relevant in automated economies.

• Ukraine has become a live-fire test range for AI drones raising Kremlin alarms (New York Times)

  • Ukraine is deploying semi-autonomous AI drones like Bumblebee, backed by Eric Schmidt-led venture funding.

  • Russian defenses pushed Ukraine toward developing increasingly sophisticated autonomous weapons systems in active combat.

  • The development raises ethical concerns about AI's role in warfare and future military engagement.

• Scientists successfully graft human ear onto rat's foot in breakthrough experiment (Futurism)

  • Researchers grafted a human ear structure onto a rat's foot, demonstrating tissue engineering capabilities.

  • The experiment advances regenerative medicine and could lead to breakthroughs in organ transplantation techniques.

  • Scientists aim to refine methods for growing complex human tissues for medical applications eventually.

CONTENT

• The Talk Show Ep. 438: Year-End Tech Roundtable (Daring Fireball)

  • John Gruber hosts a year-end conversation reflecting on Apple, platform power shifts, and the technology stories defining 2025.

  • The panel debates regulation pressure, AI platform incentives, and how product strategy changed across Big Tech this year.

  • The episode frames 2025 as a consolidation year where ecosystems, not devices, increasingly determine competitive advantage.

• We Replaced Our Sales Team With 20 AI Agents (Lenny’s Podcast)

  • Lenny interviews operators who replaced traditional sales roles with autonomous AI agents across prospecting and follow-ups.

  • The discussion covers tooling, failure modes, and how human oversight reshaped incentives and sales experimentation velocity.

  • The case study suggests AI-first sales models trade predictability for speed, forcing new metrics around trust and performance.

• Hard Fork: AI, Media, and Power in 2025 (The New York Times)

  • Kevin Roose and Casey Newton break down the latest AI platform moves reshaping media, labor, and consumer software.

  • The hosts examine OpenAI, Big Tech partnerships, and mounting tensions between publishers and model training practices.

  • The episode argues AI’s next phase will be defined less by capability gains and more by governance and distribution control.

EXTRAS

• Tech analyst Dan Wang reflects on Chinese Communist Party vs. Silicon Valley dynamics (Dan Wang)

  • Dan Wang compares Silicon Valley and the CCP as serious, self-serious institutions shaping technology futures.

  • His analysis explores how China and the US approach AI development and manufacturing differently.

  • The piece examines competitive dynamics between two major powers building tomorrow's technological infrastructure today.

• New Orleans attack suspect had history of mental health issues officials reveal (BBC)

  • Authorities disclosed the New Orleans attack suspect struggled with documented mental health challenges previously.

  • Investigators are examining whether warning signs were missed before the violent incident occurred recently.

  • The case renews debate over mental health screening and public safety prevention measures nationwide.

• How Arizona is cultivating talent for a US chip revival effort (Nikkei Asia)

  • Arizona is developing workforce training programs to support the domestic semiconductor manufacturing resurgence underway.

  • Educational institutions partner with chipmakers to create pipelines for skilled engineers and technicians needed.

  • The state positions itself as a crucial hub for America's chip independence strategy.

AND MORE

• Dozens killed and more than 100 injured in New Year’s Eve bar fire at Swiss ski resort.

• Venezuelan president Nicolás Maduro signals willingness to hold serious talks with the U.S. on drug trafficking.

• Stock markets in the United Arab Emirates open 2026 mixed amid Saudi-UAE tensions.

• Thailand to hold general election on February 8 after parliament dissolution in December.

• Hire elite LATAM engineers in days, not months. Save $80k per hire—fast, affordable, and headache-free. ⚡

• Tesla reports sharper-than-expected drop in fourth-quarter sales.

• LG introduces world’s lightest 17-inch laptop with latest RTX graphics.

• Britain’s FTSE 100 index marks symbolic 10,000 level at 2026 start.

• Bulgaria formally becomes 21st eurozone member as euro adoption kicks in.