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

In today’s edition we are tackling the following:

🥷🏿 US Treasury says China accessed government documents in major cyberattack.
🩺 Researchers say they trained robots on videos to perform surgical tasks.
📊 Why great AI products are all about the data.
🌱 Poland’s state fund seeks to boost local demand for green bonds.
🇺🇸 Jimmy Carter, the longest-living US President, has died at 100.

TECH

• Netflix’s big game is just getting started

  • Netflix doubled its annual revenue growth in 2024 and added the most subscribers since 2020.

  • Its NFL Christmas game streams attracted over 24 million U.S. viewers per game, setting a new record for live streaming.

  • Netflix achieved its most profitable quarter ever and plans to expand live-streaming offerings.

• Researchers say they trained robots with videos to perform surgical tasks with the skill of human doctors

  • Robots are being trained to perform surgical tasks using advanced AI, to enhance precision and reduce human error.

  • These robots leverage simulated environments to practice and perfect complex surgical techniques before real-world applications.

  • The technology emphasizes collaboration between robots and human surgeons, with robots assisting in intricate tasks.

• Is your iPhone sharing photos data with Apple by default?

  • The iOS 18 improves photo-based searches for landmarks, plants, and more.

  • The system sends photo data to Apple's servers to perform these searches.

  • Users have the option to opt out of this feature if they are concerned about data sharing.

BUSINESS

• US Treasury says China accessed government documents in ‘major’ cyberattack

  • The U.S. Treasury confirmed a "major cybersecurity incident" in December, attributed to Chinese state-sponsored hackers.

  • Hackers gained remote access to employee workstations via a compromised vendor key, accessing unclassified documents.

  • Treasury says there's no evidence of ongoing access, while China denies involvement, citing a lack of presented evidence.

• Bench to be acquired after abruptly shutting down

  • Bench, the accounting startup that abruptly shut down, will be acquired by Employer.com for an undisclosed price.

  • Employer.com will restore Bench's platform, let customers access their data, and offer continued services under new ownership.

  • While some Bench employees are being rehired to ensure continuity, uncertainty remains about full staffing and long-term service stability.

• Defense, Novo and Nestle: 2024 highs and lows in European stocks

  • European defense companies saw significant gains in 2024, fueled by increased geopolitical tensions and elevated defense spending.

  • Nestlé performed well, supported by strong demand for its premium and health-focused products, despite broader market challenges.

  • Novo Nordisk experienced a standout year, driven by robust demand for its diabetes and obesity treatments, solidifying its leadership.

CONTENT

• Why great AI products are all about the data

  • Shaun Clowes is the chief product officer at Confluent and former CPO at MuleSoft and at Metromile.

  • He was also the first head of growth at Atlassian, where he led product for Jira Agile.

  • The conversation explores improving PMs, the importance of data in AI products, and evolving views on being data-driven.

• This Physicist Says We’re Using Maths Entirely Wrong

  • Intuitionist mathematics views math as a human mental construct, not a discovery of eternal truths.

  • Physicist Nicolas Gisin argues this perspective explains why quantum mechanics feels so strange.

  • According to Gisin, the intuitive nature of math aligns with the puzzling behavior of quantum systems.

• AI Will Kill Us All — Liron Shapira on The Flares

  • Liron Shapira, a California-based entrepreneur and advocate of the rationalist movement, is deeply influenced by LessWrong and Eliezer Yudkowsky.

  • As the creator of the Doom Debates podcast, he explores existential risks from superintelligent AI.

  • Grounded in Bayesian reasoning, Liron estimates a 50% chance AI will cause humanity’s extinction by 2040.

WORLD

• Poland’s state fund seeks to boost local demand for green bonds

  • Poland’s state fund aims to stimulate local demand for green bonds to finance environmentally sustainable projects.

  • The initiative seeks to strengthen Poland’s green finance market.

  • The strategy includes increasing awareness and accessibility of green bonds to attract investors and local market participation.

• South Korea to inspect Boeing aircraft as it struggles to find cause of plane crash that killed 179

  • South Korea will inspect all 101 Boeing 737-800 aircraft in the country and review safety standards at Jeju Air after a crash killed 179 people.

  • The crash involved suspected hydraulic and landing gear failures, with investigators also examining the role of the airport's concrete barrier.

  • The government declared a seven-day mourning period as families await identification and return of victims' remains.

• Weak rupee makes Indian stocks a tough sell

  • The Indian rupee's depreciation has reduced the attractiveness of Indian equities for foreign investors, raising concerns about outflows.

  • Weakening global demand and ongoing inflationary pressures have further impacted investor sentiment toward India's stock market.

  • Despite challenges, domestic investors remain active, providing some support to the market amid growing volatility.

AND MORE…

• Jimmy Carter, the longest-living US President, has died at 100

  • Jimmy Carter, the 39th President of the United States and former peanut farmer, has passed away at the age of 100.

  • Known for his humanitarian efforts and commitment to peace, Carter's legacy extended far beyond his single term in the White House.

  • After leaving office, he became a global advocate for democracy, human rights, and public health through the Carter Center.

• Elon Musk’s political influence wears down global resistance to Starlink

  • Elon Musk is using his political influence and ties to Trump to overcome global resistance to Starlink, negotiating with South Africa to ease ownership rules.

  • Governments are softening regulations to welcome Starlink, drawn by its economic benefits and advanced technology despite security concerns.

  • While Starlink dominates the market, regions like Taiwan and Argentina remain cautious, balancing Musk’s investments with regulatory concerns.

• Bitcoin rally fueled by Trump loses steam as year draws to close

  • Bitcoin's rally, partly fueled by optimism surrounding former President Trump's policies, is losing momentum as 2024 comes to a close.

  • Market sentiment is being impacted by uncertainties around cryptocurrency regulations and broader economic pressures.

  • Analysts suggest profit-taking and investor caution are key factors in the cryptocurrency's recent performance dip.