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

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

🤖 Microsoft adds in-chat shopping with Copilot Checkout for faster purchases.
💳 Nvidia requires Chinese buyers to pay upfront for advanced H200 chips
🧾 China opens export control probe into Meta’s acquisition of AI startup Manus
🌐 Trump pivots from threats to diplomacy, inviting Colombia’s Petro to White House
📉 Top investors warn AI valuations look frothy as bubble fears grow

TECHNOLOGY

• Google is rolling out AI-powered Inbox Overviews in Gmail (The Verge) _{^{More: TechCrunch, Fortune, Tom's Guide}}

  • Gmail introduces AI Inbox with personalized briefings that surface urgent tasks and catch-up topics automatically.

  • AI Overviews let users ask natural language questions and receive instant summaries without opening multiple emails.

  • Gemini 3 powers new features, including enhanced proofreading and personalized suggested replies for all users.

• Grok is generating sexual content far more graphic than what's on X (Wired) 

  _{^{More: CNN, Rolling Stone, ABC News}}

  • Grok AI generates approximately one nonconsensual sexualized image per minute, far exceeding X's content standards.

  • Global regulators from Europe, India, and Malaysia have launched investigations into the explicit content generation.

  • Critics argue that xAI prioritized neither safety nor consent when deploying Grok without adequate content guardrails.

• Microsoft launches Copilot Checkout and Brand Agents (Search Engine Land) 

  _{^{More: GeekWire, Neowin, PRNewswire}}

  • Copilot Checkout enables shoppers to complete purchases directly within the chatbot without leaving the conversation interface.

  • Brand Agents allow merchants to create custom AI representatives handling customer service and product recommendations efficiently.

  • Shopify merchants will be automatically enrolled after an opt-out window, with PayPal and Stripe providing payment processing.

BUSINESS

• Nvidia requires full upfront payment for H200 chips in China, sources say (Reuters) 

  • Nvidia demands complete prepayment for H200 chip orders from China with no refunds or configuration changes allowed.

  • Chinese companies have ordered over two million H200 chips worth approximately $54B in total value.

  • The policy shifts financial risk to customers amid uncertainty over Beijing's approval of advanced chip imports.

• China to investigate Meta's acquisition of Manus for export controls (CNBC) 

  _{^{More: Bloomberg, South China Morning Post, ABC News}}

  • China's Commerce Ministry launched a probe into Meta's $2B acquisition of Singapore-based AI startup Manus.

  • Investigation examines potential export control violations and technology transfer compliance with Chinese regulations and laws.

  • Manus relocated from China to Singapore before the acquisition, raising questions about technology outflow and compliance.

• GIC, Baillie Gifford are said to buy shares in MiniMax's Hong Kong IPO (Bloomberg) 

  • Singapore's sovereign wealth fund GIC and asset manager Baillie Gifford invested in a Chinese AI startup's offering.

  • MiniMax's Hong Kong IPO represents one of the region's largest AI company listings this year so far.

  • The investment tests international investor appetite for Chinese technology companies amid escalating U.S.-China technology tensions.

• 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

• Rep. Ro Khanna faces Silicon Valley backlash after embracing California wealth tax (CNBC) 

  ^{_{More: Axios, Common Dreams, Fortune}}

  • Silicon Valley congressman Ro Khanna publicly endorsed California wealth tax proposals, drawing fierce backlash from tech billionaires.

  • Tech leaders, including Peter Thiel, threatened to primary challenge Khanna over the proposed 5% tax.

  • The wealth tax debate highlights Democratic divisions over progressive taxation and concerns about driving innovation from California.

• Trump invites Colombia's Petro to White House after threats (Al Jazeera) 

  _{^{More: NPR, The Hill, NBC News}}

  • Trump and Colombian President Petro held their first phone call, marking a dramatic shift from threats to diplomacy.

  • Days earlier, Trump called Petro sick and threatened military action after condemning the U.S. Venezuela operation.

  • The sudden detente followed an hour-long discussion about drug trafficking cooperation and bilateral tensions between nations.

• Israel bars some aid workers from Gaza; groups face suspension (Reuters) 

  • Israel blocked international aid workers from entering Gaza and threatened to suspend several humanitarian organizations operating there.

  • Israeli officials cited security concerns and alleged coordination issues as justification for restricting humanitarian access significantly.

  • Aid groups warn that restrictions worsen Gaza's humanitarian crisis by limiting the delivery of essential food and medical supplies

FUTURISM

• Investors bracing for AI bubble reckoning (Futurism) 

  • Investors are increasingly concerned that AI valuations have reached unsustainable levels, risking significant market corrections in the coming months.

  • Analysts cite the widening gap between promised AI capabilities and actual revenue generation as key evidence.

  • Some firms quietly reduce AI exposure while publicly maintaining optimism about technology's transformative long-term potential.

• Boston Dynamics shows off new robot capabilities in latest demo (Futurism) 

  • Boston Dynamics unveiled enhanced dexterity and navigation features for humanoid and quadruped robot platforms in demonstrations.

  • Demonstrations showcased improved object manipulation, dynamic balance, and autonomous decision-making in complex environments and scenarios.

  • New capabilities position robots closer to practical deployment in warehouses, construction sites, and industrial facilities worldwide.

• Elon Musk faces backlash over disturbing Grok comment about children (Futurism) 

  • Musk drew criticism after controversial comments about Grok's lack of safeguards around child-related content generation tools.

  • The remarks contradicted his previous statements about prioritizing child safety on platforms and AI systems overall.

  • Child safety advocates demanded immediate implementation of stricter content filters and comprehensive moderation policies for Grok.

CONTENT

• Special Edition: Key Findings from the Microsoft AI Diffusion Report (Tools and Weapons)

  • Brad Smith and Carol Ann Browne unpack how advanced AI capabilities are spreading unevenly across regions and industries.

  • The discussion highlights national security risks, workforce disruption, and why compute access shapes global AI competitiveness.

  • The report argues that coordinated policy and private investment are critical to avoid widening technological and geopolitical gaps.

• Why Trump Wants Greenland | Prof G Markets (Prof G Markets)

  • Ed Elson and Gracelin Baskaran explain why Greenland’s critical minerals are strategically important to U.S. supply chains.

  • They detail China’s role in mineral processing and how Arctic geopolitics influence long-term economic security planning.

  • Ed also analyzes California’s proposed billionaire tax, arguing that capital mobility undermines projected revenue outcomes.

• AI Makes You More Creative: AI Roundtable with Steven Johnson and Grant Lee | E2231 (This Week in Startups)

  • Jason Calacanis hosts Steven Johnson and Grant Lee discussing how AI offloads cognitive chores to amplify creativity.

  • They share practical workflows where AI improves writing, product development, and team productivity across organizations.

  • The conversation reframes AI as a creativity multiplier, enabling deeper insights from customer data and feedback.

EXTRAS

• Video shows Microsoft ruining Windows with AI features (Futurism) 

  _{^{More: The Verge, TechCrunch, Ars Technica}}

  • A viral video demonstrates how pervasive AI integration disrupts user workflows and degrades Windows system performance significantly.

  • Users complain that forced AI features consume resources, introduce privacy concerns, and cannot be fully disabled easily.

  • Backlash highlights growing tension between Microsoft's AI ambitions and user demand for streamlined and controllable experiences.

• Google co-founder Larry Page spends $173.4 million on two Miami homes (WSJ) 

  _{^{More: Bloomberg, New York Times, Financial Times}}

  • Larry Page purchased two adjacent waterfront properties in Miami Beach for a combined total of $173.4 million.

  • The acquisition ranks among Miami's largest residential real estate transactions, reflecting tech billionaire migration to Florida.

  • Page joins a growing number of Silicon Valley executives relocating or establishing a presence in tax-friendly Florida markets.

• Elon Musk's lawyer called a "clown" in court proceedings (Futurism) _{^{More: Bloomberg Law, Reuters, Law360}}

  • Judge or opposing counsel reportedly called Musk's attorney a clown during a heated courtroom exchange over legal tactics.

  • The incident occurred during proceedings related to one of several ongoing lawsuits involving Musk or companies.

  • Legal experts note unusual public rebuke reflects mounting frustration with aggressive litigation strategies employed by the team.

AND MORE

• BBC says it will stay on X (formerly Twitter) to counter global misinformation despite pressure to quit.

• Dow Jones and S&P 500 rose in early 2026 trading, but no Santa Claus rally emerged.

• The Philippines cuts its 2026 GDP growth target amid persistent corruption impacts.

• Switzerland freezes assets of Venezuela’s Nicolás Maduro and his associates.

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

• TechCrunch reports live from CES 2026 as Nvidia, Amazon, Lego, and more make tech reveals.

• TechCrunch says AI in 2026 will shift from hype to practical deployment across devices.

• Global markets began 2026 with gains as benchmarks rose on AI optimism.

• BBC News executives warn of funding delays hurting the World Service’s global competition.