Caracal Daily | October 30
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 Wednesday.
Here’s today’s Caracal Daily:
*** Globalization + Geopolitics ***
We’ve just had a glimpse of the world to come Lydia Polgreen
North Korea remains silent to citizens on Ukraine war deployment: Nikkei reports Pyongyang is censoring information to curb backlash, South Korean spy agency says.
The North Korean escalation: The arrival of thousands of North Korean troops in Russia, confirmed by Washington, and their likely involvement in support of Russian troops raises fears about the war evolving into a wider conflict. Le Monde - Editorial
‘Elite units’ and ‘cannon fodder’: North Korean troops enter Russia’s war against Ukraine: Deployment to Kursk region threatens to escalate conflict but analysts question Pyongyang forces’ readiness. FT
With limited options, Zelensky seeks a path forward for Ukraine: A muted response to Ukraine’s “victory plan” and steep challenges on the battlefield leave Kyiv searching for a Plan B. NYT
Ukraine is now struggling to survive, not to win: Russia is slicing through Ukrainian defences in parts of the battlefield. Economist
Ukraine and Russia in talks about halting strikes on energy plants: FT reports the Qatar-mediated discussions mark resumption of previous efforts abandoned after Kyiv’s invasion of Kursk region.
Putin tests nuclear missile as Ukraine plans Korean response: The Times reports President Zelensky is working with Seoul on how to stop North Korea escalating the war.
Kremlin warns German weapons factory is legit target for Russia’s military: Politico reports Moscow puts Rheinmetall on notice over Ukraine-based plants.
Germany will play a pivotal role in Ukraine’s future: Russia is escalating its aggression even as western leaders debate Nato membership for Kyiv and a negotiated ceasefire. Constanze Stelzenmüller
Poland tells Ukraine to exhume second world war victims despite Russia’s invasion: FT reports the foreign minister says Kyiv and Berlin should act on Warsaw’s historic grievances.
Israel cuts ties with UN agency, creating new hurdles for Palestinian aid: WSJ reports a ban on working with Unrwa will make it harder for agency to operate in Gaza.
Hezbollah names Naim Kassem as new leader: Le Monde reports Kassem was one of Hezbollah's founders in 1982 and has been the party's deputy secretary general since 1991. He succeeds Hassan Nasrallah after he was assassinated in an Israeli strike on Beirut last month.
Will a humiliated Iran choose a nuclear bomb or a love bomb? How 30 years of strategy blew up in the regime’s face. Economist
AFP: Iran moves to triple military budget amid Israel tensions
Pentagon runs low on air-defense missiles as demand surges: WSJ reports a large number of interceptors used to strike missiles, drones in Middle East raises concerns about US military readiness in Pacific.
With dreams of a lunar outpost, China takes new risks in space race with US: China puts its space ambitions on display as it blasts three astronauts into orbit from a remote desert launch center. WSJ
US and Taiwan set for talks to end double taxation for companies: FT reports the deal would increase investment in American semiconductor manufacturing and away from China.
Why China may be saving its bazooka for Donald Trump: The Communist Party may be hoarding fiscal firepower to offset a possible trade war. Economist
Trump muddies an already-chaotic debate in China: A possible second term is adding to disagreement over the size of China’s fiscal stimulus and how it should be spent. Shuli Ren
US efforts to contain Xi’s push for tech supremacy are faltering: The world outside the US is increasingly driving Chinese electric vehicles, scrolling the web on Chinese smartphones, and powering their homes with Chinese solar panels. Bloomberg
TSMC chips ended up in devices made by China’s Huawei despite US controls: NYT reports the U.S. government has tried to keep Chinese companies from obtaining certain advanced technologies, but concerns have been growing that some products may have been routed to Huawei.
A tariff war with China might be good news for Brazil’s crops: WSJ reports a trade war with the US could give China more fuel to find other suppliers for its agricultural needs.
Hong Kong offices in US promote Beijing's agenda, report alleges: Nikkei reports a local network's political influence campaign raises concern among activists.
Japan's Ishiba eyes minority government after opposition shuns coalition: Nikkei reports the LDP seen pursuing 'partial' alliance with DPP to retain power after election loss.
Why Europe’s car crisis is mostly made in China: The once-lucrative market is now highly competitive and more Chinese EVs are being exported, compounding slower sales at home. FT
Slovenia caught in the German slowdown trap: Le Monde reports with the recession in Germany spreading to the automotive supply chain, and the difficulty of making the transition to a service economy, the small Balkan state illustrates the slowdown in growth in countries that joined the European Union in 2004.
Georgia announces partial vote recount amid protests: DW reports Georgia's election commission plans to recount votes from randomly selected polling stations after the opposition said the recent election was "stolen." But the country's president called for an international probe.
Britain’s birth rate has crashed. It is likely to recover: Immigrants to the rescue, again. Economist
AFP: France's Macron pledges investment in W.Sahara under 'Moroccan sovereignty'
Does Africa need its own credit rating agency? A pan-continental body is not a cure-all for its debt problems. FT - Editorial
Bolivia 'going from bad to worse': At the barricades with Morales supporters: AFP reports at a traffic stop on a road leading to the central Bolivian city of Cochabamba, a group of coca-chewing demonstrators man a barricade of tree trunks.
How American tax breaks brought a Chinese solar energy giant to Ohio: The Inflation Reduction Act restored American manufacturing jobs – and gave China an opportunity to extend its dominance in some clean energy technologies. Bloomberg
*** US Politics + Elections ***
The 13 best counties to watch for outcome clues on election night Cook Political Report
POTUS: A new Morning Consult poll finds Kamala Harris leading Donald Trump nationally among likely voters, 50% to 47%.
POTUS: A new Reuters/Ipsos poll has Harris ahead 47% to 46%.
TX-SEN: A new UT Tyler Poll finds Sen. Ted Cruz (R-TX) clinging to a two-point lead over challenger Colin Allred (D), 47% to 45%.
How wrong could America’s pollsters be? Gamblers are a lot more confident that Donald Trump will win. Economist
Polymarket is all about vibes, too: This isn’t a reason to ignore election betting markets — it could be why they’re right. John Herrman
How Trump is using truth social to concoct and spread conspiracy theories NYT
Donald Trump is once again ready to do anything to challenge the outcome if defeated: Le Monde reports the US is holding its breath, as the Republican candidate's methods have been known since 2020: unfounded proclamation of victory, possible local blockades by his supporters of the certification of results, judicial warfare and even violence.
How the Trump campaign’s gamble on a provocative comic backfired: Harris says Republican rival is ‘dividing our country’ after his New York City rally aired racist and demeaning remarks. WSJ
Donald Trump got the Tony Hinchcliffe he hired Hershal Pandya
WSJ: Trump says Madison Square Garden rally was ‘absolute love fest’
NYT: Trump tries to talk his way past rally fallout
Le Monde: Trump forgoes apology for racist remarks at NYC rally
50 Cent turned down a $3 million offer to perform at Donald Trump’s controversial rally at New York’s Madison Square Garden on Sunday, Variety reports.
Bitcoin surge as investors bet on Trump victory: The Times reports the Republican presidential candidate has pledged to make America ‘the bitcoin superpower of the world.
Where’s Ivanka? Donald J. Trump’s oldest daughter and former top aide was once one of his most prominent campaign surrogates. Lately, she’s noticeably absent. NYT
Le Monde: Trump ally Steve Bannon released after four months in prison for contempt of Congress
AFP: Jennifer Lopez to boost Harris at glitzy Las Vegas event
+ President Joe Biden on Tuesday unveiled a $3 billion investment towards port infrastructure in Maryland
How podcasts became the new battleground state Nicholas Quah
Joe Rogan won’t even leave his house to interview Kamala Harris Matt Stieb
Mr. Bezos went to Washington. But he never arrived. The billionaire made splashy purchases of The Washington Post and a mansion in Washington. But his status as a power player in the nation’s capital was never realized. NYT
WP: Andrea Mitchell is ending her MSNBC show after 16 years
America’s foreign policy has changed — and must remain changed: Global economic power has for too long been concentrated in the hands of large corporations and state-run enterprises. Chris Murphy
+ The writer is the junior US senator for Connecticut
Polling shows most voters say they’ve been exposed to AI misinformation: Americans for Responsible Innovation (ARI) released new polling on voters’ attitudes towards AI policy and their experiences with AI content during this year’s presidential election. The polling arrives in the final weeks of an election cycle that has featured a flood of AI-generated content. The new polling shows that fifty-five percent of all voters, including a majority of Democrats, Republicans, and Independents, say they’ve been exposed to AI-generated fake information this presidential election.
+ The poll, conducted by Morning Consult from October 16 to 19, surveyed 2,001 registered voters with a margin of error of ±2%. The full poll is available here.
+ About a third of the poll respondents said they were not confident in their ability to distinguish AI generated content from authentic content.
OpenAI is violating a slew of laws and regulations, including President Joe Biden’s sweeping executive order and the White House’ AI Bill of Rights, according to a complaint filed by the privacy advocacy nonprofit Electronic Privacy Information Center, or EPIC. The complaint filed with the Federal Trade Commission builds on existing consumer protection and antitrust investigations the agency is conducting into OpenAI.
+ “OpenAI is the subject of this complaint, largely because they've really set themselves up as a leader in the generative AI field, and because their products have been used by so many.”
American Security Project, a non-partisan think tank, began a new initiative today called AI 2030, with the support of an array of former national security officials, generals, and some of the world’s leading AI developers — including OpenAI. The initiative is meant to shape public dialogue about US competition against China on AI.
*** Disruption + Innovation ***
The AI boom may unleash a global surge in electronic waste: Most e-waste is never recycled. Data center upgrades for AI projects could significantly add to the problem, researchers say. WP
Max Richter: ‘AI music is probably in the charts and we don’t realise’: The wildly popular composer has clocked up three billion streams and soundtracked dozens of films. Now he fears for the future of creativity. The Times
Universal Music Group, which has sued AI start-ups for copyright infringement, has partnered with Klay Vision, a music generator that says it won’t rip off artists.
Silent firing is the new quiet quitting: Companies need to find a way to pay for investments in artificial intelligence. FC
How real-time AI facial filters can influence romantic attraction: A study used artificial intelligence to transform the smiles of volunteers during speed-dating sessions to investigate how this affected their interactions. The Times
Musk’s xAI in talks to raise funding valuing it at $40 billion: WSJ reports the fundraising is poised to result in a much higher valuation for the startup, which was pegged at $24 billion this past spring.
Sierra, an AI start-up co-founded by Bret Taylor, the chairman of OpenAI, closed a funding round that values it at $4.5 billion.
Peter Thiel’s Founders Fund leads $500mn fundraising for AI cloud group Crusoe Energy: FT reports the deal values infrastructure start-up at $3bn as it benefits from spending surge on generative AI.
AFP: Google reports strong growth driven by AI, Cloud
FT: Google’s strong earnings boosted by cloud computing growth
Meta is reportedly working on a search engine for its chatbot users to reduce the service’s reliance on Google and Microsoft’s Bing.
Reuters: OpenAI builds first chip with Broadcom and TSMC, scales back foundry ambition
+ @pmddomingos: Apple has always been known for its tight integration of hardware and software. And now with Apple Intelligence it’s adding vaporware to the mix.
Bloomberg: Softbank’s Son Says Nvidia is undervalued as super AI looms
+ “$9 Trillion of capex for Artificial Super Intelligence is very reasonable. In fact, it may be too small” -- Masayoshi Son
Suck up to your fake CEO: The deepfake scam explosion has only just begun. Economist
A rural Missouri town fights Big Tech, and itself: Residents of Peculiar battled developers and some of their local officials to keep a giant data center out of their community. NYT
Czech group buys stake in Rolls-Royce mini nuclear project: The Times reports the partnership to push forward deployment of small modular reactors.
Nikkei: Founder of TikTok owner ByteDance tops China's rich list
Too many people want to be social-media influencers: That is good for companies but bad for “creators.” Economist
Who stole 24 tons of cheddar? ‘Sophisticated’ cheese heist sparks police hunt. Neal’s Yard Dairy in London reported the theft of more than $389,000 worth of artisan cheese. WSJ
Inside the colorful and cultish world of Nerds gummy clusters: Sales of Nerds have greatly increased in recent years, the company says. The secret? A multicolored orb. NYT
Investors are betting on 'India story' with quick delivery apps: Zepto CEO: Startups aim for rapid growth but face accusations of undercutting traditional retailers. Nikkei
How Callaway’s bet on driving range chain Topgolf went off course: The merger of hospitality and golfing has fallen victim to changing consumer habits and high costs. FT
IKEA to compensate East German prisoners for forced labor: DW reports the German branch of IKEA has pledged millions to compensate victims of the former Communist East German regime, who were forced to make furniture components in the GDR.
Biodiversity: The world is not on track to protect 30% of land and sea by 2030: Le Monde reports a United Nations report published during COP16, which is being held in Colombia, asserts that the surface area of protected zones must double on land and triple at sea over the next six years.
*** Culture ***
How to give a good speech: Before you begin, what is it that you really want to say? FT
Are bosses right to insist that workers return to the office? Company mandates are infuriating employees. Economist
*** Sport ***
The Chagos Islands: A new Maldives? UK ownership and a US military base have kept the vast Indian Ocean archipelago, and its waves, off-limits for 60 years. Now with the UK handing over sovereignty, does surfing have a new Maldives on its hands? Surfer
NBA walks a fine line on China as commissioner eyes return: Sports leagues juggle free speech with need to stay in Beijing's good graces. Nikkei
Have the Boston Celtics broken the NBA? Last season, the Celtics hoisted 3-pointers more than any other team in the league on the way to a championship. This season, they’ve shown that was just the beginning. WSJ
Real Madrid was snubbed for soccer’s top award—and it took that personally: When the Spanish club discovered its star player had been passed over for the Ballon d’Or, it didn’t take the slight lying down. Instead, it went completely ballistic. WSJ
+ Pep Guardiola insisted Tuesday that Rodri was a worthy winner of the Ballon d'Or, insisting no "elite group" had decided the Manchester City midfielder should be crowned the world's best footballer.
AFP: Sporting Lisbon confirm Man Utd interest in coach Ruben Amorim
Manchester United target Amorim: Portugal's next superstar coach? AFP reports twenty years ago it was Jose Mourinho. Now it is Ruben Amorim who appears set to move from Portugal to the Premier League with a reputation as Europe's next coaching superstar.
Men's Tour de France 'comes home' in 2025, as women's Tour gets tougher: Le Monde reports this will be the first edition of the men's race since 2020 to take place exclusively in France, as the routes for both the men's and women's races were revealed in Paris on Tuesday.
Enjoy the ride + plan accordingly.
-Marc
Marc A. Ross | Chief Communications Strategist @ Caracal
Caracal Daily | October 29
Caracal Daily | October 29
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 Tuesday.
Here’s today’s Caracal Daily:
*** Globalization + Geopolitics ***
Reuters: No new limits on Ukraine's use of US weapons if N. Korea enters fight, Pentagon says
North Korean troops are now in Kursk to help Russia, NATO confirms: Politico reports Pyongyang alarms the West by seeking to assist Vladimir Putin in retaking territory from Ukraine.
North Korean troops have deployed to Russia’s Kursk region, NATO says: WP reports the United States is increasingly concerned that North Korean troops soon will be in combat in the Ukraine war, the Pentagon said.
Ukraine braces for Russians to assault with North Korean troops: NYT reports several thousand North Korean soldiers have arrived in Russia’s western Kursk region, where they are expected to support Moscow’s efforts to dislodge invading Ukrainian forces.
The west underestimates North Korea at its peril: Kim Jong Un’s intervention in the Ukraine war reflects a dangerous turn in Pyongyang’s approach to the world. Gideon Rachman
US says North Korea has sent 10,000 troops to Russia: Politico reports some of those soldiers are in training and some are already headed toward the fight along the border with Ukraine.
North Korean soldiers to face drones, doubts in Ukraine war debut: Nikkei reports analysts question 'elite' troops' readiness for battle under Russian command.
+ It is the latest sign of how the war in Ukraine is roiling global security well beyond Europe’s borders.
+ Russia is now suffering a staggering 1,200 casualties per day in the war, according to the latest US figures.
+ The UK has sanctioned 3 Russian agencies and 3 senior figures who are attempting to undermine and destabilize Ukraine and its democracy.
Russia has suffered 600,000 casualties in Ukraine war, says NATO: The Times reports that the secretary-general says North Korean troops are fighting for Moscow in Kursk, as Putin seeks to stave off general mobilization amid a shortage of soldiers.
A Russian influence and hacking group is behind recent efforts to target and compromise Ukrainian military recruits, and undermine support for recruitment efforts, according to a report from Google’s Threat Intelligence Group.
Georgian president joins protests over election ‘rigged by Russia’: The Times reports Salome Zourabichvili addressed demonstrators in Tbilisi in dramatic scenes after Bidzina Ivanishvili was accused of taking part in a Kremlin plot to retain power.
Thursday: Russia is planning to launch an unknown military payload into space.
The leaders of India and Spain launch India’s first private military aircraft plant: AP reports Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his Spanish counterpart Pedro Sanchez inaugurated India’s first private military aircraft plant on Monday, boosting New Delhi’s ambitions of growing local manufacturing in its defense and aerospace industries.
Trump’s unmatched China weakness Derek Scissors
US finalizes China tech investment ban targeting AI, chips: Restrictions potentially put China investors with US residency or citizenship in crossfire. Nikkei
China tightens its hold on minerals needed to make computer chips: NYT reports already the dominant producer of rare minerals, Beijing is using export restrictions and its power over state-owned companies to further control access.
China sends warships around Taiwan after US arms sale: The Times reports Beijing deployed jets, drones and warships for a third set of exercises this month after the island was cleared to buy $2bn of missile and radar systems.
Xi’s grandiose plan for the Asia-Pacific is not working. Rudd knows why: China’s foreign policy, particularly in this region, often appears contradictory. But according to the former PM, it’s part of a broader but so far unsuccessful strategy. Peter Hartcher
Singapore's quiet rise in the global 'deep tech' race: US-China rivalry spurs investment in Asia's top startup ecosystem. Nikkei
Japan PM Ishiba's 'disastrous' election loss shocks US: Political chaos in Japan may derail defense reforms at critical time, officials worry. Nikkei
The Japanese PM's electoral defeat was tied to rising inflation, symbolized by ramen: Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba suffered a parliamentary election defeat on October 27, partly due to rising prices, especially of ramen, after three decades of deflation. Philippe Escande
The global market for low-carbon hydrogen and its derivatives is developing as early adopters sign offtake agreements and suppliers deliver shipments. This has piqued the interest of investors, as offtake agreements and government support indicate an opportunity for growth. Yet challenges remain for this industry: Specifically, the cost of electrolyzers has risen 20%-45% since 2021, according to an analysis from S&P Global Commodity Insights.
+ In the US, “blue hydrogen,” produced using steam methane reforming with carbon capture and storage, is attracting more investor interest than “green hydrogen,” produced via electrolysis - It is also cheaper to manufacture.
+ Blue hydrogen has not received the same level of government support in Europe. Shell put the Aukra low-carbon hydrogen project in Norway on hold due to a lack of demand for blue hydrogen.
Macron visits Morocco for a diplomatic reset: Le Monde reports amid a tense geopolitical climate, marked by Macron's July approval of Morocco's autonomy plan for the disputed Western Sahara and migration rows between Paris and Rabat, Macron's visit serves to mend diplomatic ties, despite tensions with Algeria.
The World’s top 25 companies by market cap Visual Capitalist
+ There are only seven trillion-dollar companies in the world, six of which are American
*** US Politics + Elections ***
SMH: Trump campaign in damage control over racist rally jokes, Biden votes ahead of poll
CNN: Trump’s offensive Madison Square Garden rally triggers fears of an overshadowed message and fallout with Puerto Rican voters
Trump team fears damage from racist rally remarks: NYT reports Donald Trump’s campaign issued a rare statement distancing itself from a comedian’s offensive joke about Puerto Rico at Trump’s rally on Sunday.
Democrats spotlight racist Puerto Rico insult at Trump rally amid battle for Latino voters: WP reports the party moved quickly Monday to call attention to the fallout from Donald Trump’s event at Madison Square Garden.
Trump repeatedly refers to CNN’s Anderson Cooper as ‘Allison’: NYT reports the former president, who often uses disparaging nicknames for people he dislikes, has referred to the host by a woman’s name on at least three occasions since Friday.
Trump wants you to accept all of this as normal: The former president is psychologically preparing Americans for an assault on the electoral system. Anne Applebaum
Trump hints at ‘little secret’ with House Republicans, setting off a panic: NYT reports the former president seemed to delight in fueling speculation about what he is cooking up with House Republicans, prompting Democrats to worry about election fraud. Speaker Mike Johnson refused to explain.
The comically terrible rollout of Latter-day Saints for Trump: The koozies and coffee mugs were a mistake. McKay Coppins
Musk repeatedly raises the idea that Harris, or he, could be assassinated: NYT reports the billionaire and his PAC have used foreboding language about the vice president in their support of former President Donald Trump.
Harris aides quietly grow more bullish on defeating Trump: NYT reports while still cautious, allies of Kamala Harris believe that their ground game, abortion rights appeals, and casting of Donald Trump as a fascist are working.
Harris campaign distances itself from Biden in the crucial final days: NYT reports joint events with an unpopular incumbent would “only hurt” the vice president at this stage of the campaign, as one of her advisers put it. But the president does not want to be sidelined.
Bloomberg, after months of pressure, donates $50 million to help Harris: NYT reports the former mayor of New York City is known for making political donations late in the campaign season. Democrats had been lobbying him to spend more.
Over 200,000 subscribers flee 'Washington Post' after Bezos blocks Harris endorsement: NPR reports The Washington Post has been rocked by a tidal wave of cancellations from digital subscribers and a series of resignations from columnists, as the paper grapples with the fallout of owner Jeff Bezos’s decision to block an endorsement of Vice President Kamala Harris for president.
+ @BenMullin: NEW: Amazon founder Jeff Bezos makes argument against newspaper endorsements: “Ending them is a principled decision, and it’s the right one.”
Jon Stewart extends ‘Daily Show’ run through 2025: NYT reports Stewart, who returned to the show in February as a host on Monday nights, originally planned to work through the presidential election.
Adam Schiff, not yet a Senator, deploys to bolster potential future colleagues: NYT reports with his election in California all but assured, the prominent Donald Trump antagonist is spending the final days of the race trying to help Democrats in the battlegrounds over the finish line.
Gov. Gavin Newsom wants to shower Hollywood with a massive $3.75 billion tax credit. If approved by state lawmakers, the subsidy would be a welcome relief for an LA film scene that has seen a mass exodus of movie and TV crews searching for cheaper pastures.
*** Disruption + Innovation ***
‘I woke up and found myself famous’: Rory Sutherland on his TikTok success: Advertising executive, 58, shares old-school tricks of the marketing trade, enjoyed by millions of viewers. Guardian
China’s Luckin Coffee plans US launch in comeback from fraud scandal: FT reports expansion in Starbucks home market comes five years after the chain was delisted from NASDAQ and fined.
For first time in 87 years, Volkswagen may close 3 plants in Germany: NYT reports the automaker’s top employee representative told workers that management planned to shutter the factories to cut costs amid slumping sales.
Waymo raises $5.6 billion from outside investors: NYT reports Alphabet’s driverless car unit now has vehicles operating in San Francisco, Phoenix and Los Angeles.
Boeing may consider selling its space business.
Palmer Luckey on the Pentagon’s future of mixed reality: What a floundering military goggle project reveals about where our experiences with the technology are headed next, according to the founder of Oculus. MIT TR
Fortune: Nvidia’s billionaire CEO says AI can do a lot of things—except take his job
'AI will acquire a human form,' top Nvidia executive tells Nikkei forum: Speaking at the same event, Hyundai CEO Chang says hydrogen to be a key focus. Nikkei
What if Microsoft let OpenAI go free? It may not be as crazy as it sounds. Economist
Microsoft's AI demand under scrutiny as investors seek payday: Reuters reports the software giant is widely seen as the front-runner in the race to capitalize on generative AI, in part thanks to its investment in ChatGPT-owner OpenAI. But recent reports point to slow adoption for its key products including the $30-per-month Copilot assistant for enterprises.
Google’s search engine has been given an AI overhaul. The web giant has activated a new feature Australia-wide that will deliver answers from its generative chatbot Gemini that will sit above the usual list of web results.
Toyota and NTT to team on AI self-driving to prevent crashes: Nikkei reports Japanese groups to invest $3bn in R&D, aim for practical use by 2028.
This AI version of a hit Christmas song marks a new era for music: Universal Music Group and SoundLabs used AI to create an authorized version of ‘Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree’ in Spanish. It’s likely the first of many such songs. FC
Meet the ‘super users’ who tap AI to get ahead at work: Workers say using AI tools like ChatGPT every day supercharges their efforts and saves them time on the job. WP
Staying authentic on LinkedIn in the age of AI: Everyone’s vying for visibility and influence, but it’s important to remember that authenticity still holds significant value, and AI cannot capture what you have to bring to the table. FC
ChatGPT dominates web traffic among GenAI tools: The 15 most popular generative AI tools according to web traffic in March 2024. VisualCapitalist
Evan Spiegel battles to revive Snap’s fortunes: Snapchat creator’s ambitions in augmented reality and online advertising hit by growing strength of arch-rival Meta. FT
*** Culture ***
Hidden library in UP woods reveals innermost thoughts of visitors: For decades, cabins in the Porcupine Mountains have offered campers a notebook in which to express themselves. Thousands of them have taken up the offer and created a remarkable collection of books. John Carlisle
What the happy warrior in your office knows about getting ahead: Your perpetually upbeat co-worker stands out because so many others are grumpy or slacking off. WSJ
Timothée Chalamet showed up at his own look-alike contest: No, he didn’t enter. But he still caused a stir in Washington Square Park, where four people were arrested. NYT
*** Sport ***
‘Best day of my life': Dodger fan describes moment he caught Freddie Freeman's grand slam ball: NBC LA reports before going to Dodger Stadium for the game, the kid was told that he was going to the dentist.
The World Series that turned America’s pastime into a national obsession halfway around the world: The presence of Japanese superstar Shohei Ohtani has turned this Fall Classic into a cultural moment in his homeland. ‘Think of Princess Di’s coronation—multiplied by a million.’ WSJ
+ Viewers for Game 2 of the World Series in...
USA: 13.8 million
Japan: 15.9 million
WP: Dwyane Wade’s statue was unveiled. The internet says it’s an airball.
LAT: Playoffs ‘a bit strange’ for Olivier Giroud, but he still wants MLS Cup title
Rodri wins Ballon d’Or as Real Madrid and Vinícius snub ceremony: Manchester City midfielder receives award on crutches after La Liga club pulled delegation of 50 players and employees from Paris event because of tip-off that Vinícius Júnior had not won. The Times
The inside story of Erik ten Hag’s Manchester United exit: Dutchman’s tenure at Old Trafford began well but — as players soon lost faith, results dipped and Ineos owners became unhappy — Man United ran out of patience. The Times
Enjoy the ride + plan accordingly.
-Marc
Marc A. Ross | Chief Communications Strategist @ Caracal