From TikTok to Nvidia, the tech war is getting uglier: ByteDance's current dilemma is a taste of what's to come as more firms will get pinched from both the US and Chinese sides. Catherine Thorbecke

China launches antitrust investigation into Nvidia: Nikkei reports Beijing alleges the chipmaker also violated terms of Mellanox acquisition approval.

'The Paris AI summit will act against the risks and for the benefits of AI': Anne Bouverot is tasked by the Elysée Palace with organizing an AI summit in February, bringing together companies, NGOs, and 100 heads of state. Le Monde

US aim to lead on AI threatened by land shortage: Power-hungry high-tech industries are driving demand for sites with ready access to the power grid. FT

+ In a 2024 survey by the Site Selector's Guild, nearly two-thirds of the people involved in securing US industrial sites cited their scarcity as the top factor impeding new projects. 

+ President-elect Donald Trump said his administration would help expedite permits for any person or company that invested at least $1 billion in the US.

Who is David Sacks, Trump’s pick for AI and crypto czar? The tech investor made his money through early bets on Uber and other startups. He built his reputation as a conservative provocateur. WSJ

The PayPal Mafia is taking over America’s government: America’s right-wing tech bros are celebrating Donald Trump’s victory. Economist

‘Friendlier climate toward new technology’ expected under Trump, venture capitalist says. What that means for AI, crypto CNBC

Eric Trump promises the ‘most pro-crypto president’ in history: NYT reports speaking at a Middle East conference, President-elect Donald J. Trump’s son said his family had embraced cryptocurrency because some banks stopped doing business with them after Jan. 6.

AP: Elon Musk signifies he’ll go beyond supporting Trump to serve as his political enforcer

+ Elon Musk said his political action committee would “play a significant role in primaries.”

Don’t assume AI is always the answer, says US Space Force data and AI chief: Generative AI technology is exciting and full of sci-fi potential, but it’s good old GPS and weather data that keeps Chandra Donelson up at night. Fortune

An AI companion suggested he kill his parents. Now his mom is suing. WP reports a new Texas lawsuit against Character dot ai, alleging its chatbots poisoned a son against his family, is part of a push to increase oversight of AI companions.

Years of Reddit posts have made the company an AI darling: WSJ reports the social-media veteran is profiting from feeding artificial-intelligence companies’ insatiable appetite for conversational text.

OpenAI’s video generator, Sora, aims to kickstart the AI video era: WP reports the artificial intelligence video creation tool can be used to make commercials, films — and maybe deepfakes.

In 2025, AI will elevate the CIO role. Here’s why: In 2025, internal pressures within enterprises will accelerate the move to mandatory AI governance. FC

Fortune: Motorola Solutions CTO says AI-powered ‘smart’ surveillance cameras will make the world safer

Gentrace makes it easier for businesses to test AI-powered software: The company’s new framework lets even non-coders tweak parameters and find ways to optimize AI performance. FC

CNBC: Alphabet shares jump 6% after Google touts ‘breakthrough’ quantum chip

Catholic church in Switzerland finds an opportunity for a spirited debate about AI: NPR reports an art installation by a Catholic church in Switzerland allowed visitors to step into a confessional and have a conversation with a digital Jesus that gave AI generated answers.

Enjoy the ride + plan accordingly.

-Marc