Caracal Daily | December 20
Caracal Daily is geopolitical business news + intelligence for comms pros.
Geopolitics is disrupting every business and industry. Caracal is here to help.
Always Be Communicating.
Happy Friday.
Here’s today’s Caracal Daily:
*** Globalization + Geopolitics ***
Stop pushing Zelenskyy into peace talks, warns EU’s top diplomat: FT reports Kaja Kallas says western capitals need to make good on promises of security guarantees to Ukraine.
Volodymyr Zelensky, said that security guarantees from Europe “won’t be sufficient” to protect his country from Russia, and emphasised the importance of also having American support and NATO membership.
AP: Putin boasts of gains in Ukraine at annual news conference meant to reinforce his authority
BBC: I should have invaded Ukraine earlier, Putin tells Russians in TV marathon
Russia is ready for a missile ‘duel’ with West, says Putin: The Times reports the president made the challenge during his annual end-of-year press conference, which was again combined with a public question-and-answer session.
Its Syrian bases in doubt, Russia sends cargo flights to Libya: NYT reports a Libyan officer said the stepped-up flights from Russia and Syria delivered military gear.
Ars Tech: Russian space chief says country will fly on space station until 2030
+ "Space is an area of activity where there is never a 100 percent guaranteed result."
California campaign manager arrested and charged as Chinese agent: WP reports a federal criminal complaint alleges that Yaoning “Mike” Sun sent reports to Beijing while managing the campaign of a city council candidate who won election in 2022.
Swedish police board Chinese ship to observe cables probe: DW reports Chinese authorities invited Swedish officers to observe an investigation into the Chinese vessel's possible role in the severing of two Baltic Sea cables. Sweden insists it is leveling 'no accusations' at Beijing.
Revealed: Prince Andrew board member advised Chinese Communist Party: The Times reports board members of Pitch@Palace China included a former adviser to the Communist Party and the founder of a tech firm accused of helping to persecute the Uighurs.
Reeves to take UK bankers to China as she seeks closer business ties: FT reports the UK Chancellor Rachel Reeves has been accused by the Tories of ignoring security concerns about Beijing.
Labour’s review of UK-China relations on hold until after chancellor visits Beijing: Despite calls for more scrutiny in light of Prince Andrew spy allegations, Starmer’s instinct is not to do anything to hamper growth. Guardian
Keir Starmer takes his chance to be the Usain Bolt of boredom: Christmas has come early for the prime minister: an opportunity to list his achievements to the titans of the Commons liaison committee. He didn’t waste a second. The Times
Peter Mandelson picked by Starmer as ambassador to US: The Times reports key appointment will send Labour veteran to Washington at start of Donald Trump presidency.
Emmanuel Macron's permanent duality: 'The Two Emmanuel Macrons' (Part 2/4). 'Liberal,' 'reformist,' 'patriot,' 'progressive,' 'slightly authoritarian side,' with a 'right-wing ethos'... The French president has always kept his ideological beliefs blurry. Le Monde
Macron vows to rebuild Mayotte after cyclone devastation: DW reports French President Emmanuel Macron was met with angry residents of Mayotte, who urged him to help with critical issues plaguing the island in Chido's aftermath.
Europe has a leadership vacuum. How will it handle Trump? With Germany and France both in political turmoil, the new administration of Donald J. Trump will begin at a time of instability for the continent. NYT
Israel vs. Turkey: The intensifying Middle East power struggle: The collapse of the Syrian regime destroyed Iran’s ‘axis of resistance,’ and brought Turkish-backed Islamists to Israel’s doorstep instead. WSJ
Israel said it had struck Houthi “military targets” in Yemen, including ports and energy infrastructure.
Israel’s expanded perch on Syrian border puts Damascus in its sights: WSJ reports Israeli soldiers have also entered rural areas beyond a buffer zone, seeking to disarm Syrian residents there.
+ @60Minutes: Sunday on 60 Minutes: For the first time, recently retired Mossad agents who led the pager and walkie talkie plot against Hezbollah tell Lesley Stahl how they executed the operation, sharing never-before-known details of the 10-year undercover op.
More than twice as many US troops are in Syria than previously disclosed: NYT reports a Pentagon press officer said the increase was unrelated to the fall of President Bashar al-Assad to rebel forces in early December.
US diplomats prepare to meet Syrian rebel leader in Damascus: FT reports Al-Jolani, who remains under western sanctions, will host state department’s top Middle East official.
Everyone wants to meet Syria’s new rulers: But a flurry of diplomatic meetings in Damascus points to the obstacles ahead. Economist
Latin Americans are worryingly relaxed about authoritarianism: The Latinobarómetro poll shows a region that is happier with its democracies, but at ease with illiberalism. Economist
Bloomberg: Brazil congress further dilutes Lula’s spending cut package
+ Lower house votes to weaken another piece of austerity plan
+ Fiscal impact of changes unclear as bills move to Senate
Milei says Trump backs Argentina’s free-market makeover: Argentine leader is coming off strong first year in office after implementing painful spending cuts to reduce world’s highest inflation rate. WSJ
Argentina takes steps to speed up Milei’s dollarization strategy: Bloomberg reports the government plans to take two key steps — launch the first dual-currency debit card, so that Argentines can make dollar payments despite ongoing exchange rate controls, and allow banks to provide dollar loans in sectors that are currently excluded from such financing.
Bloomberg: ‘The only people that win is China’: Ontario premier makes trade plea to Trump
+ Doug Ford says Canada can help supply critical minerals to US
+ Newfoundland’s Furey calls for tactful and strategic approach
Trump tells EU to buy US oil and gas or face tariffs: FT repores the US president-elect warns bloc’s member states face tariffs unless they make big purchases.
WP: White House says Biden will visit Pope Francis, Meloni in final international trip of his presidency
+ White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said Thursday that Biden will also meet with Italy’s Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni and President Sergio Mattarella during the Jan. 9-12 trip.
The Economist’s country of the year for 2024: The winner toppled a tyrant and seems headed for something better. Economist
*** US Politics + Elections ***
How the White House functioned with a diminished Biden in charge: Aides kept meetings short and controlled access, top advisers acted as go-betweens, and public interactions became more scripted. The administration denied Biden has declined. WSJ
‘It’s kind of sad’: How Biden’s aides sought to obscure his decline: The Times reports in 2021, a national security briefing was scrapped because Joe Biden was having ‘a bad day’. The White House did not admit it — but those days started to stack up.
WP: Government shutdown looms as House rejects Trump-backed GOP funding bill
WSJ: House rejects GOP plan backed by Trump as government barrels toward shutdown
NYT: House votes down Trump-endorsed bill to keep government open past Friday
FT: US government shutdown looms after House rejects Trump-backed funding bill
Elon Musk fueled backlash to spending plan with false and misleading claims: Politico reports the billionaire stirred Republicans into a frenzy with 100-plus posts on X.
CNN: Trump and Musk unleash a new kind of chaos on Washington
+ Trump got caught flat-footed as Musk’s opposition spread like wildfire, igniting the Right — and thus had to chime in with his own concerns.
The day Trump and Musk took control of American politics: When they opposed a bill to keep the government funded, Republicans in Congress U-turned to appease them. Now the US is at risk of shutdown. The Times
The Hill: Bernie Sanders blasts ‘President Elon Musk’ for derailing spending deal
+ “Is Elon Musk the new dictator of the Republican Party?” -- Rep. Jamie Raskin (D-MD), quoted by the New York Times.
Shutdown threatens ‘chaos’ for Trump’s transition and inauguration: Politico reports transition “landing teams” were already delayed and may now lose access to the staffers briefing them.
Johnson’s spending nightmare points to grueling GOP problems next year: Politico reports Donald Trump is opening the door to a government shutdown. At least one conservative is now saying they won’t back Johnson for speaker. It doesn’t stop there.
Biden drafting plan for construction of AI data centers on federal lands: WP reports worried the United States could fall behind in artificial intelligence, the White House wants to encourage data centers and dedicated power plants.
+ Five Democratic senators, including Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI) and Elizabeth Warren (D-MA), wrote to President Joe Biden asking him to reconsider potential executive action that would fast-track data center construction by loosening environmental rules, according to a letter seen first by Politico.
Rubio could be to Trump what Talleyrand was to Napoleon: America’s prospective secretary of state is not in the league of a Henry Kissinger, say. He has another option, though. Andreas Kluth
In rare move, Republican senators call for Hegseth’s FBI report: Politico reports the Senate Armed Services Committee usually limits who can view these types of background checks. Lawmakers want to see this one.
Bloomberg: Elon Musk taps loyalists to boost staffing for DOGE effort
NYT: Trump picks Herschel Walker to be ambassador to the Bahamas
FT person of the year: Donald Trump: After the most dramatic comeback in modern US history, the president-elect promises a new era of sweeping deregulation and a profound shift to the cultural right.
‘The black swan election’: Trump’s campaign chiefs tell their inside story: LaCivita and Fabrizio explain what their inside numbers showed, where Harris messed up and why Trump wanted Vance. Politico
Experts praise long-awaited AI report from Congress: 'A thoughtful and forward-thinking framework' Fox News
+ Some experts posited that the report could spur more action on AI from state lawmakers
+ The Center for AI Policy, a nonpartisan research organization based in the nation's capital, issued a press release that commended lawmakers for their work on the report. But the group echoed Behzadan's remarks about the need for more detail.
"The body of the report does not contain enough detail about how or when these frameworks will be created," the group said after the report's release. It also expressed concern over the report's lack of emphasis on "catastrophic risks" posed by AI.
"Congress has deliberated on AI for two years now, and it is time to start moving forward with decisive action," the press release stated.
+ Center for AI Policy in the News
America needs an infrastructure revolution: In an age of severe fiscal constraints, the old government-led investment model is no longer viable. Sadek Wahba
Neil Cavuto is leaving Fox News.
*** Disruption + Innovation ***
Bloomberg: FedEx jumps on plan to spin off $30 billion freight unit
+ Cargo unit to be spun off as public company within 18 months
+ Split announced as parcel company trims 2025 profit outlook
DoorDash has launched drone delivery in Austin.
New research shows AI strategically lying: For years, computer scientists have worried that advanced artificial intelligence might be difficult to control. A smart enough AI might pretend to comply with the constraints placed upon it by its human creators, only to reveal its dangerous capabilities at a later point. Time
Big bets on AI point to venture capital industry’s shift: The strategy of focusing money on larger deals comes at time of extreme indigestion for start-up investors. Richard Waters
AI giants seek new tactics now that ‘low-hanging fruit’ is gone: Progress on the most advanced new AI systems has been slower than expected. Bloomberg
Is the tech industry already on the cusp of an AI slowdown? Companies like OpenAI and Google are running out of the data used to train artificial intelligence systems. Can new methods continue years of rapid progress? NYT
AI in 2030: At the DealBook Summit, ten experts in artificial intelligence discussed the greatest opportunities and risks posed by the technology. DealBook
The edgelord AI that turned a shock meme into millions in crypto: Truth Terminal started as a techno-modernist art project meant to invite discussion about the applications and potential dangers of autonomous AI agents. Then it took on a life of its own. Wired
Beyond fair use: Better paths forward for artists in the AI era: If you asked many artist advocates what we should do to protect musicians from the potential harms of AI music generation, you’re likely to run into a common theme in the responses: artists must consent to and be compensated for the use of their works in training AI models. Tristan Williams
+ Center for AI Policy in the News
It’s the end of the internet as we know it—and I feel fine: Maybe this was the last year of the usable web. If so, blame corporate greed. Scott Nover
Michael Dell spent 40 years preparing for an AI boom no one expected: The man who founded Dell in a Texas dorm room has transformed his company. It’s not just about PCs anymore. Christopher Mims
Why the TikTok era spells trouble for the establishment: Populism is the winner in the shift from traditional to social media and from text to video and audio. John Burn-Murdoch
Vast Space LLC, the aerospace startup founded by former crypto tycoon Jed McCaleb, has hired SpaceX to launch two private astronaut missions to the International Space Station, part of its plans to commercialize Earth’s orbit.
Bloomberg: Amazon delays RTO mandate for thousands of workers due to space
+ Company is struggling to find space in at least seven cities
+ Start dates are being pushed back as much as four months
New Nike Chief Executive Officer Elliott Hill pledged to reignite growth by refocusing on sports and revamping the company’s products. But first, he has to undo all the the things his predecessor did wrong.
*** Culture ***
James May: ‘I don’t think you realize quite what a catch I am’: The TV presenter, 61, talks about motoring, middle age, and the perils of running a pub. The Times
The 10 best documentaries of 2024: From rock-star stalking to early reality-TV superstars, assassination conspiracies to colonial reclamations — these were are favorites in a year of bold, groundbreaking docs. Rolling Stone
Can Keith McNally re-create the magic of Minetta Tavern in DC? The New York restaurateur is expanding his empire to Union Market District. WP
*** Sport ***
Liam Lawson will race for Red Bull in 2025.
Ohio State is back in the playoff. Ohio State fans are completely furious. Buckeyes coach Ryan Day has his team in the national title hunt again. By most measures, he’s one of the most successful coaches in school history. But by one particular measure, he’s most definitely not. WSJ
TA: Netflix to feature 10 SEC football programs in ‘Drive to Survive’-style docuseries on 2024 season
AP: Lindsey Vonn hits back at critics who think she’s crazy to return to ski racing at age 40
-Marc
Marc A. Ross | Chief Communications Strategist @ Caracal
Caracal Daily | December 13
Caracal Daily | December 13
Caracal Daily is geopolitical business news + intelligence for comms pros.
Geopolitics is disrupting every business and industry. Caracal is here to help.
Always Be Communicating.
Happy Thursday.
Here’s today’s Caracal Daily:
*** Ross Rant ***
The United States AI regulatory environment for 2025
Based on three policy presentations I attended this week from the Center for Security and Emerging Technology (CSET), Cooley LLP, and the Federalist Society, I expect significant shifts in the United States AI regulatory environment by 2025.
Key themes will emerge around national competitiveness, reduced regulatory burden, and strategic technology competition with China.
You can read the full memo here.
*** Globalization + Geopolitics ***
How Assad's army collapsed in Syria: Demoralized conscripts, absent allies Reuters
How the new Syria might succeed or fail: Much will go wrong. But for now, celebrate a tyrant’s fall. Economist
Assad’s fall humiliated Putin and could dent his global ambitions: Bashar al-Assad’s fall nine years after Russia saved his regime is a stunning blow to Vladimir Putin’s goal of forging Russia into a world power to compete with the United States. WP
In the face of Syria's new leadership, West hesitates, Turkey and Qatar seek contact, Russia aims to limit the damage: Le Monde reports while the fall of Bashar al-Assad has been widely welcomed, Western powers remain cautious, awaiting clarity on HTS' intentions. Meanwhile, Ankara is expressing satisfaction, Doha is offering to reopen its embassy in Damascus and the Kremlin is striving to safeguard its interests in Syria.
With Bashar al-Assad's fall, Iran's line of external defense has been breached: Shocked by the debacle of its regional proxies, the Iranian theocracy is at a turning point, and may be tempted to progress faster on nuclear weapons, or, conversely, to seek negotiations. Alain Frachon
+ The head of Iran’s Revolutionary Guards said that the country must adapt to the new “realities” in Syria following the ousting of its ally, Bashar al-Assad.
‘We need time’: Syrians in Europe resist calls to return home: FT reports refugees in Germany and elsewhere are in ‘wait and see’ mode after fall of Assad regime.
Hamas concedes on Israeli troops in Gaza, raising hopes for hostage deal: WSJ reports militants also hand over list of hostages they would release under a pact.
Amnesty International accuses Israel of 'genocide' in Gaza: Le Monde reports the London-based rights organization said its findings were based on satellite images documenting devastation, fieldwork, and ground reports from Gazans as well as 'dehumanizing and genocidal statements by Israeli government and military officials.'
A Uyghur man escaped China’s Xinjiang. Cambodia deported him back. WP
+ @EamonJavers: DOJ announces the indictment of 14 North Korean nationals in a long running scheme to plant remote IT workers inside US companies to obtain cash for the regime and conduct cyber attacks in the US. American corporate WFH policies are the weak link the North Koreans are attacking here.
Romania + Bulgaria will become full members of the European Union’s Schengen area from January 1, 2025.
The EU is making it simpler for individuals to sue the manufacturers of artificial intelligence systems that harm them, under expanded product liability protections. The EU’s Product Liability Directive, a roadmap for the Union’s 27 member states to enact their own legislation, was updated this week to include AI. It ensures there is a business to sue in Europe, and clarifies that liability falls on the manufacturer who controls and is responsible for updating tech products.
NATO members are discussing increasing the alliance’s target for defense spending from 2% to 3%.
UK must raise defence spending to counter Russia, says NATO chief: Mark Rutte says it is ‘time to shift to a wartime mindset’ amid calls by military chiefs for the UK to increase its spending on defence to 3% of GDP. The Times
For Donald Trump, Europe's security is not about politics or morals, but about providing a service that deserves compensation: After the US president-elect threatened to withdraw from NATO, Europe is still divided over its strategic autonomy and what kind of support they should give their own arms industry in the face of America's behemoths. Jean-Michel Bezat
Trump to Europe: Overseeing a Ukraine cease-fire would be your job: WSJ reports President-elect Trump tells French and Ukrainian leaders he would want European troops to be present in Ukraine.
Spotlight on the shadow war: Inside Russia’s attacks on NATO territory: Since the outset of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, Russian sabotage campaigns across North America and Europe have accelerated. Calculated campaigns of hybrid warfare show that Russia’s antagonistic foreign policy knows no bounds. In conjunction with its war in Ukraine, Russia is simultaneously executing a shadow war on NATO to destabilize, distress, and deter the transatlantic alliance from its staunch support of Ukrainian sovereignty. CSCE
The European Central Bank cut interest rates by a quarter of a percentage point, from 3.25% to 3%. It was the bank’s fourth such cut this year.
‘Chinese spy’ with close links to Prince Andrew banned from UK: The Times reports the businessman was invited to the Duke of York’s birthday party and was authorized to act on his behalf to seek investors in China.
Argentines no longer love the dollar, thanks to Milei: Argentines have preferred the US dollar over the Argentine peso for decades – Milei may have achieved what once looked unachievable. BAT
Canada is examining the use of export taxes on major commodities it exports to the US — including uranium, oil and potash — if incoming President Donald Trump carries out his threat to impose broad tariffs.
Bloomberg: Canada weighs export taxes on uranium, oil if Trump starts trade war
+ Move would be a last resort to put economic pressure on US
+ Some US refiners rely heavily on cheap Canadian crude
Justin Trudeau renews a complicated relationship with Donald Trump: Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's late dad, Pierre, famously likened his country's relationship with the US to being in bed with an elephant. Todd Spangler
+ Ontario may bar American-made alcohol in addition to restricting electricity exports to Michigan, New York, and Minnesota if Trump imposes tariffs on all Canadian products.
How US firms battled a government crackdown to keep tech sales to China: An intense struggle has unfolded in Washington between companies and officials over where to draw the line on selling technology to China. NYT
Bloomberg: New Jerseyd drone mystery sparks FBI probe, resident hysteria
+ White House downplays risks as lawfully operated aircrafts
+ Federal government is sending drone detecting technology
“As big as bicycles or an SUV”: Mysterious drone swarms over New Jersey now occupy the FBI: Handelsblatt reports they fly low, often at night, and fool police helicopters: the phenomenon in the US state on the east coast brings back memories of spy balloons. The White House is alarmed.
How America created the enemy it feared most: The United States killed its own allies, sabotaging itself in a part of Afghanistan where it never needed to be. NYT
*** US Politics + Elections ***
Biden announces largest single-day act of clemency in modern history: WSJ reports the president will commute the sentences of around 1,500 people while he considers more clemency actions before he leaves office, including possible pre-emptive pardons.
Harris campaign remains in denial: Her former chief of staff still insists that the vice president ran a ‘flawless campaign.’ Karl Rove
WP: Trump pledges to pardon Jan. 6 rioters within hours of taking office
Donald Trump’s perfect 1980s day: For a man who rose to fame in the gilded yuppie era of New York City, today’s ringing the bell to open the stock exchange, and being named Person of the Year by Time, must have a certain appeal. NYT
Those battlin' Republicans are back at it: Instead of building on the coalition that carried Donald Trump back to the White House and the GOP to full control of Congress, the party is doing what it did in 2016, driving out anyone who fails a purity test. Nolan Finley
Donald Trump is planning a ‘brutal’ war on leakers and the press: Trump 2.0 will feature more media subpoenas, communications seizures, whistleblower prosecutions, and legal threats against news outlets. Rolling Stone
Power, intimidation, and the resurrection of Trump’s support for Hegseth: NYT reports the president-elect became convinced that letting Pete Hegseth fail would set off a feeding frenzy among senators. What followed was a MAGA swarm that helped salvage his bid, at least for now.
RFK Jr.’s daughter-in-law meets with Trump’s chosen CIA director about possible job: WP reports the president-elect has voiced support for Amaryllis Fox Kennedy, a former CIA operative, getting a senior role at the agency or in another national security post.
Patel’s warm Senate welcome reflects the GOP’s turn against the FBI: NYT reports Senate Republicans have largely embraced President-elect Donald J. Trump’s pick to run the bureau, demonstrating that his anti-FBI stance is now party orthodoxy.
Andrew Ferguson, whom Trump named Tuesday his FTC chair pick, wants to zero in on alleged censorship by Big Tech and promote innovation in the AI market—offering competing enforcement priorities for the agency’s tech policy.
+ In a statement Tuesday night, Ferguson vowed to “end Big Tech’s vendetta against competition and free speech.”
What Trump’s new antitrust enforcers mean for business: Expect easier dealmaking. Unless you are in Silicon Valley. Economist
The MAGA culture war comes for Silicon Valley: A powerful industry gets a fresh set of Washington antagonists — with a polarizing agenda. Politico
Trump vows to crush Big Tech, even as it warms to him: President-elect Donald Trump has vowed to rein in Big Tech, a longtime enemy, in his second term in office, while simultaneously building relationships with the biggest moguls in the business. Wash Exam
Meta has donated $1 million to President-elect Donald Trump’s inaugural fund.
Reuters: Trump says he will meet with Amazon's Bezos next week
A wish list from CEOs for the Trump administration: The Wall Street Journal’s CEO Council has plenty of advice for the incoming president. Here are their requests for the economy, healthcare, technology, and energy. WSJ
Republicans watch for Trump to break impasse on 2025 plans: The president-elect can sway GOP decisions by keeping the border and taxes in one bill or splitting them into two. WSJ
The Financial Technology Association is urging President-elect Trump and the new Congress to “curb regulatory overreach” on the use of artificial intelligence in the financial sector and to “refine regulatory frameworks” for AI governance in a package of “first hundred days” recommendations.
Senate Foreign Relations Chair Cardin unveils massive bill to counter China’s AI influence: Inside AI Policy reports Sen. Ben Cardin (D-MD), the retiring chairman of the Foreign Relations Committee, has unveiled a massive bill for countering China’s economic and military influence, including provisions for combatting AI-generated disinformation. The 328-page bill was released with about two weeks left for the current Congress, amid expectations by industry sources that the exiting Senate Democratic majority might try to push through an anti-China package as part of a federal spending bill or in stand-alone provisions.
Lessons from a shocking CEO murder: America’s toxic discourse means companies cannot be complacent about executive security. FT - Editorial
Luigi Mangione’s manifesto reveals his hatred of insurance companies: The man accused of killing Brian Thompson gets American health care wrong. Economist
*** Disruption + Innovation ***
Exxon is building a plant that will sell energy to data centers.
Exxon's AI power play aims to beat nuclear: The oil major is betting Big Tech’s need for speed will open up a bigger market for gas-fired plants. Liam Denning
Why was a murder suspect’s Instagram taken down, but not his Goodreads? Luigi Mangione’s social media accounts attracted swift attention after he was arrested in the killing of UnitedHealthcare’s chief executive. When do companies scrub a digital trail? NYT
Was Henry Kissinger an AI “doomer”? A posthumous postscript on a hair-raising topic. Economist
AI is the frenemy of freedom: An optimistic view of the technology sees the possibility of it offering humans ‘superagency’ rather than as a threat. John Thornhill
+ The philosopher Isaiah Berlin’s views on freedom, in which different types of liberty are often incompatible, could become increasingly relevant to questions about AI and human agency.
What are the risks of artificial intelligence? A comprehensive living database of over 700 AI risks categorized by their cause and risk domain. AI Risk Repository
Chatbot apps pose dangers for teens: Axios reports platforms and apps that allow users to create and chat with AI-powered bots can addict teenagers, encourage self-harm, and expose minors to adult content, according to experts.
+ Parents in Texas filed a federal product liability lawsuit on Monday against companion app Character_AI and its founders, who have left the company.
+ In October, a Florida mom also sued Character_AI, blaming the company for her 14-year-old son's suicide.
+ The platforms, which are extremely popular with teens, often send emails intended to re-engage users, and their bots will not typically break character even when a user is in distress.
Data is still an AI pain point: You need clean, modernized data to use generative AI.
+ "Our big challenge is the unstructured data, and figure out how to categorize, cleanse it, and bring it in, in a form that can be useful... That’s the next frontier for us." -- Soumya Seetharam, SVP + CIO @ Corning
+ "Data cleanliness is a big deal. … Most companies have lots of information, but it’s not connected. Different departments have different kinds of information floating around. I think you’re going to see a lot of really unglamorous work that’s going to have to happen before we really unlock the power of these machine intelligences." -- Rita McGrath, Professor @ Columbia Business School
Slack CEO: How to roll out artificial intelligence internally: Slack CEO Denise Dresser lists five types of AI users you need to know in your organization and offers guidance on how to engage them. MIT Management
Big Tech's $62 billion AI spending fuels pick-and shovel bets: Investments by Alphabet, Amazon.com and others may take years to pay off. Skeptics worry about a bubble. Bloomberg
Why AI could eat quantum computing’s lunch: Rapid advances in applying artificial intelligence to simulations in physics and chemistry have some people questioning whether we will even need quantum computers at all. Edd Gent
New magnetic flow has potential to revolutionise electronic devices: ‘Altermagnetism’ discovery could deliver ‘thousand-fold increase’ in memory and speed of computing components. FT
Google plans new smart glasses and VR headsets in Samsung partnership: FT reports the collaboration aims to take on Meta and Apple in hopes of gaining an edge in ‘next generation of computing.’
Artemis Accords celebrate 50 signatories: Payload reports more than a quarter of the world’s countries are now part of the Artemis Accords after Panama and Austria signed on in a pair of ceremonies on Wednesday at NASA HQ in Washington.
NASA is looking at launch windows in 2025 or 2026 for its ESCAPADE Mars mission, which missed its expected October ride on New Glenn.
Scientists pinpoint when humans had babies with Neanderthals: WP reports that Neanderthals interbred with modern humans 47,000 years ago, passing down DNA that still exists in many modern-day people, according to two new studies.
Chanel appointed Matthieu Blazy as its top designer, the biggest job in fashion.
Reuters: Warner Bros Discovery sets stage for potential cable deal by splitting operations
No one wants to own cable TV networks anymore Peter Kafka
BAT: JPMorgan plans to hire 1,500 workers for global hub in Argentina
HSBC reviews retail banking outside UK and Hong Kong: FT reports the bank could scale back in countries including Mexico as it seeks further cost cuts.
Bitcoin is up by 138% this year. It is a nonsense-free rally: The link between digital assets and mainstream finance is strengthening. Economist
Rio Tinto’s US$2.5-billion lithium plan is a win for Milei: BAT reports Rio Tinto Group plans to invest US$2.5 billion in a new lithium mine in Argentina – a win for President Javier Milei’s RIGI investment incentive scheme.
NYC airports prep for a record 150 million passengers in 2025.
*** Culture ***
Paris Opera shows canceled as ballet dancers walk out over pay: The Times reports performers with France’s national ballet troupe have forced five shows to close after arriving 2.5 hours late to get dressed in protest that has already cost €1.2m.
A Complete Unknown review: Timothée Chalamet’s Bob Dylan is an electric revelation Peter Bradshaw
Military history buffs are waging war against AI data centers threatening battlefields and other historical sites.
Detroit is the 10th US metropolis spotlighted with a tourist guidebook from Michelin.
How to live a psychologically rich life: A psychologically rich life, filled with a wide variety of interesting and perspective-changing experiences, is distinct from a happy or meaningful one. Is there a recipe to get all three? Rotman Insights
The obsession with the 'hot assassin' reveals a disturbing truth about celebrity culture: The folk hero status sometimes accorded to those charged with serious crimes means the victims and the violence can be forgotten. Vanessa Friedman
The anti-woke king of Hollywood lets loose: Taylor Sheridan’s shows explain how and why we got Trump again. Rick Marin
U2’s Larry Mullen Jr: My dyscalculia makes ‘counting like climbing Everest’: The Times reports the drummer tells Times Radio his disability, which causes him to struggle with numeracy, is the reason he looks ‘pained’ when he performs.
*** Sport ***
‘Beat Duke’: Bill Belichick takes a stunning leap to North Carolina college football: The six-time Super Bowl winner makes a detour for Saturdays, in-state rivalries and fantasies of the 12-team playoff. Jason Gay
Why is Bill Belichick going back to college? Because he’s a teacher first. If Belichick somehow doesn’t succeed at North Carolina, it won’t be because he’s ill-suited for the job of college football coach. Sally Jenkins
The NFL will play its first regular season game in Berlin next season as part of the league's continued international expansion.
The NFL has a new most valuable team—and it’s worth $8.3 billion: WSJ reports the sale of a minority stake in the Philadelphia Eagles values the club at a record amount for a U.S. sports franchise, underlining the soaring price tag to get into America’s most popular sport.
NBA Cup semifinalists: Bucks, Hawks, Rockets, and Thunder.
Whoopi Goldberg started the All Women’s Sports Network with George Chung, co-founder of international media holding company Jungo TV. AWSN is available in the US on the free streaming service Vizio WatchFree+.
Sha’Carri Richardson spikes off: A sprint to greatness on and off the track: How spiritual growth, a journey to self-love and a dip into her “soft life” era are fueling the superstar sprinter. Essence
Enjoy the ride + plan accordingly.
-Marc
Marc A. Ross | Chief Communications Strategist @ Caracal