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

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

💼 Anthropic and Goldman Sachs build an AI tool for enterprise accounting
🍎 Apple scales back plans for AI-powered health coaching across devices
🚀 Elon Musk explores a potential merger between xAI and SpaceX businesses
🧭 EU orders TikTok to disable infinite scroll and addictive recommendation algorithm
💊 Novo Nordisk advances oral Ozempic pill, intensifying weight loss competition

TECHNOLOGY

• Amazon shares slide as $200B outlay fans fears over AI returns (Business Times) 

  _{^{More: Bloomberg, CNBC, Reuters}}

  • Amazon's stock fell after announcing capital expenditure exceeding $200B for infrastructure.

  • Investors questioned returns on massive artificial intelligence investments amid broader market concerns about profitability.

  • Cloud computing expansion and data center buildout drove spending forecasts higher than expected.

• Anthropic and Goldman Sachs develop an AI model for accounting (CNBC) 

  _{^{More: Bloomberg, Invezz, Finimize}}

  • Goldman Sachs partnered with Anthropic to create specialized artificial intelligence for accounting processes.

  • The model aims to automate financial reconciliation and streamline compliance tasks for enterprises.

  • Partnership demonstrates growing enterprise adoption of large language models in the financial services sector.

• Apple reportedly scales back plans for AI-powered health coach (9to5Mac) 

  _{^{More: Bloomberg, Engadget, MacRumors}}

  • Apple reduced the development scope for artificial intelligence health coaching features originally planned for devices.

  • Company shifted focus toward more achievable health tracking improvements rather than a comprehensive coaching system.

  • Decision reflects challenges in developing reliable medical-grade artificial intelligence for consumer health applications.

BUSINESS

• OpenAI in talks with Abu Dhabi's G42 to create specialized ChatGPT version for UAE (Semafor) 

  _{^{More: Seeking Alpha, MarketScreener}}

  • OpenAI negotiates with G42 to develop a customized ChatGPT version tailored for the United Arab Emirates.

  • Partnership would create a region-specific model addressing local language, culture, and regulatory requirements carefully.

  • Deal represents OpenAI's expansion strategy into Middle Eastern markets through strategic technology partnerships.

• Elon Musk explores a potential merger between xAI and SpaceX (WSJ) 

  • Elon Musk considers combining the artificial intelligence company xAI with aerospace manufacturer SpaceX strategically.

  • A potential merger would integrate AI capabilities with satellite networks and space infrastructure development.

  • The move raises questions about corporate governance and conflicts, given Musk's multiple business interests.

• Global chip sales expected to hit $1T this year (Reuters) 

  • Semiconductor industry sales projected to reach $1T, driven by artificial intelligence demand.

  • Growth accelerated by data center expansion, automotive chips, and consumer electronics manufacturing requirements.

  • Milestone reflects semiconductor industry's central role in global technology infrastructure and economy.

• 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.

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

MARKETS

WORLD

• EU orders TikTok to disable addictive features, including infinite scroll (TechCrunch) 

  _{^{More: Irish Times, Euronews, BleepingComputer}}

  • The European Union mandated that TikTok remove infinite scroll and recommendation algorithms deemed addictive to users.

  • Regulatory action targets features designed to maximize engagement time, particularly among younger audiences.

  • Decision sets precedent for social media regulation focused on mental health and user protection.

• Talks with US set to continue after 'good beginning', Iran's foreign minister says (BBC) 

  _{^{More: Al Jazeera, NPR, ABC News}}

  • Iran's foreign minister described initial diplomatic discussions with the U.S. as positive.

  • Talks focused on nuclear program restrictions, sanctions relief, and regional security concerns gradually.

  • Dialogue represents a potential thaw in relations after years of heightened tensions between countries.

• Trump removes video with racist clip depicting Obamas as apes (BBC) _{^{More: CNN, CBS News, NBC News}}

  • President Trump deleted a social media video containing racist imagery depicting Barack and Michelle Obama.

  • Republican Senator Tim Scott condemned the post as the most racist content from White House administration.

  • White House attributed the incident to staff error after the initial defense sparked bipartisan criticism.

FUTURISM

• Novo Nordisk develops oral version of Ozempic weight loss drug (Futurism) 

  _{^{More: CNBC, BioPharma Dive}}

  • Novo Nordisk advances development of pill-form Ozempic, offering an alternative to injectable weight loss medication.

  • Oral formulation addresses patient preference concerns and could expand market accessibility significantly for treatment.

  • Competition intensifies among pharmaceutical companies developing convenient GLP-1 receptor agonist delivery methods.

• Investors express concerns about the AI bubble potentially popping (Futurism) 

  _{^{More: CNBC, Motley Fool, Fortune}}

  • Financial analysts warn that artificial intelligence valuations may exceed fundamental business performance and revenue.

  • Market corrections are possible as companies struggle to demonstrate returns on massive infrastructure spending commitments.

  • Historical technology bubbles inform current skepticism about the sustainability of AI sector investment levels.

• Bitcoin crash analysis suggests cryptocurrency could reach $0 (Futurism) 

  _{^{More: Bloomberg Crypto}}

  • Cryptocurrency analysts project the Bitcoin price could collapse entirely amid regulatory pressures and adoption.

  • Market volatility increased following institutional investor withdrawals and tightening government oversight measures worldwide.

  • Predictions contrast sharply with cryptocurrency advocates maintaining a long-term value proposition despite current turbulence.

CONTENT

• Elon Musk’s Mega-Merger + Google’s Project Genie + Moltbook’s Next Act (Hard Fork)

  • Kevin Roose and Casey Newton unpack Elon Musk’s latest mega-merger and its implications across tech, media, and power.

  • The hosts test Google’s Project Genie, exploring how generative video tools could reshape creativity, gaming, and AI development.

  • Discussion turns to Moltbook’s creator economy ambitions and what sustainable success looks like for next-generation creator platforms.

• Jeff Bezos and the Unraveling of The Washington Post (Channels with Peter Kafka)

  • Peter Kafka examines Jeff Bezos’s shifting relationship with The Washington Post and recent deep staff cuts.

  • Former Post media reporter Erik Wemple explains how leadership decisions eroded newsroom trust and long-term institutional stability.

  • The episode explores what the Post’s turmoil signals for billionaire ownership, media economics, and journalism’s future.

• Elon Musk on Space GPUs, AI, Optimus, and Manufacturing (Cheeky Pint)

  • Elon Musk discusses scaling AI compute in space, arguing orbital infrastructure solves energy, cooling, and cost constraints.

  • Conversation spans Optimus humanoid robots, Starship manufacturing lessons, and China’s impact on global hardware economics.

  • Musk frames robotics as an “infinite money glitch,” outlining how automation could redefine labor, growth, and geopolitics.

EXTRAS

• Meta's Zuckerberg email reveals research targeting teen girls in New Mexico (The Verge) 

  ^{_{More: NPR, Breitbart, WinBuzzer}}

  • Internal Meta emails show Mark Zuckerberg discussing research initiatives focused on teenage girl users.

  • New Mexico lawsuit alleges company deliberately targeted minors despite public commitments to youth safety.

  • Documents raise questions about platform design decisions and user protection policies for vulnerable demographics.

• Claude Code represents an inflection point for AI development tools (SemiAnalysis) 

  ^{_{More: OfficeChai, GeekWire, Axios}}

  • Analysis positions Claude Code as a transformative moment in artificial intelligence-assisted software development.

  • The tool enables developers to delegate complex coding tasks directly through the command line interface efficiently.

  • Industry observers suggest agentic coding tools will fundamentally reshape software engineering workflows and productivity.

• AI patent eligibility shifts following machine learning case ruling (Bloomberg Law) 

  • Court decision altered patent eligibility standards for artificial intelligence and machine learning technologies significantly.

  • Ruling clarifies which AI innovations qualify for intellectual property protection under the current legal framework.

  • Decision impacts technology companies seeking to protect proprietary algorithms and machine learning methodologies.

AND MORE

• Suicide bombing at a Shiite mosque in Islamabad kills at least 31 worshippers and injures dozens.

• Iran and the U.S. hold indirect nuclear negotiations in Oman, calling talks a ‘good start.’

• U.S. stock markets rebound strongly with major indexes and Bitcoin rising.

• IOC considers moving future Winter Olympics earlier due to climate change impacts.

• Roko’s Basilisk skips buzzwords and cuts straight to what moves markets, products, and careers.*

• Winter Olympics officially open in Milan and Cortina with the Opening Ceremony underway.

• Tropical Storm Penha causes deadly flooding, displacing over 28K people in the Philippines.

• Bank of England holds interest rates steady amid mixed economic signals and market anxiety.

• Winter Olympics opening faces scrutiny over environmental impact and logistical delays in Italy.