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4 min read

Week 1, 2025

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Overview

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  1. OpenAI shifts to public benefit corp.
  2. Microsoft-OpenAI define AGI.
  3. Apple backs Google in search antitrust case.
  4. xAI secures NVIDIA, AMD investment.
  5. Trump requests TikTok ban delay.
  6. Netflix's NFL Christmas stream draws 24M viewers
  7. OpenAI considers building humanoids.
  8. TSMC starts Kumamoto plant operations.
  9. Broadcom reaches $1 trillion market value.
  10. Bitcoin mining hits 50% renewable milestone.

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Key developments

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  1. Microsoft and OpenAI's relationship is growing tense.
    • OpenAI's transition to a for-profit structure has sparked difficult negotiations with Microsoft.
    • The $13 billion investment, currently worth 20% of future revenue, would convert to actual equity after restructuring.
    • While equity stakes matter, cloud services are the real sticking point.
    • Microsoft is currently OpenAI's exclusive cloud provider and AI model reseller.
    • OpenAI wants to work with Google and Amazon to expand revenue, but Microsoft's veto power blocks this.
    • Recent repeated ChatGPT outages, which some blame on Microsoft's data centers, have added tension.
    • As OpenAI seeks independence, Microsoft is looking to reduce dependency by exploring alternative AI models for Copilot.
    • Meanwhile, OpenAI has officially announced plans to reorganize as a Public Benefit Corporation (PBC).

  1. Microsoft and OpenAI's secret AGI definition revealed.
    • The investment agreement defines AGI not by human-level intelligence, but by an economic metric - an AI system generating over $100 billion in profit.
    • Under this definition, even their latest models wouldn't qualify as AGI despite their capabilities, mainly due to high computing costs.
    • While Microsoft would lose access to OpenAI's technology once AGI is achieved, this profit threshold seems unlikely to be met anytime soon.
    • OpenAI is considering removing this seemingly obsolete clause, though everything could change with ongoing negotiations.

  1. Apple is defending Google against a U.S. antitrust lawsuit over their default search engine deal.
    • Apple claims Google offers the best user experience and denies plans to build their own search engine.
    • Their support isn't surprising - the deal earned Apple $20 billion in 2022 alone.

  1. xAI has revealed investors from its recent $6 billion funding round.
    • Notable from the list were Nvidia and AMD as key backers.
    • This seems strategic for the chip makers - as big tech companies develop their own AI chips, they're strengthening ties with emerging AI startups.

  1. TikTok looks likely to survive in the US.
    • Trump has asked the Supreme Court to delay TikTok ban.
    • Recently meeting with TikTok's CEO, Trump stated he would resolve the issue politically once he takes office.
    • Though Trump tried to ban TikTok during his first term, he's shifted to a more favorable position, actively using the platform to reach young voters in the recent election.
    • Trump currently has about 14.7 million TikTok followers.

  1. Netflix's live sports streaming has made a dramatic turnaround.
    • Its first NFL Christmas game broadcast, which cost $150 million for exclusive rights, attracted 24 million viewers with high-quality, stable performance - a significant improvement from their glitchy Tyson-Jake Paul boxing match (6 million viewers) last month.
    • And it sold out its ad inventory.
    • With WWE weekly broadcasts starting next year, Netflix is solidifying its position in sports streaming, making it more attractive to major advertisers.

  1. The AI race is shifting to humanoid robots.
    • OpenAI is considering building its own humanoid, while Nvidia plans to launch a compact computer for humanoids early next year.
    • As AI model competition plateaus, tech giants are expanding into physical AI.
    • Google is developing 'Apollo', Tesla has 'Optimus', and Amazon is testing 'Digit' for logistics - marking a broader industry shift toward embodied AI.

  1. TSMC's new Kumamoto factory is now operational.
    • It was built in just 19 months thanks to massive government support - including $7.3 billion in subsidies plus tax and regulatory benefits.
    • The plant will produce 12-28nm chips, marking Japan's return to advanced semiconductor manufacturing below 40nm, which they had previously abandoned.
    • The chips are expected to supply Sony, which has manufacturing sites in Kumamoto.
    • With a second factory planned to break ground this year, Japan could emerge as a key advanced chip manufacturing hub amid US-China tensions.

  1. Broadcom hits $1 trillion valuation, becoming second most valuable chip company.
    • After announcing custom AI chip development deals with Google, Meta, and ByteDance, Broadcom has surpassed TSMC in market value, emerging as a key Nvidia competitor.
    • The company owns 21,000 patents - the industry's largest IP portfolio, built through aggressive acquisitions.
    • However, their revenue remains heavily dependent on a small number of customers, which could be a risk factor.

  1. Bitcoin mining reaches sustainability milestone as renewable energy use tops 50%.
    • This meets Elon Musk's 2021 condition for Tesla to resume accepting Bitcoin payments, which they had briefly implemented before suspending due to energy consumption concerns.
    • Tesla currently holds approximately 11,509 BTC.

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Other

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AI — Tech

OpenAI speeds from O1 to O3 in 3 months.
ChatGPT down again after just two weeks.
OpenAI considers building humanoids.
Google uses Claude to enhance Gemini.

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AI — Business

OpenAI converts to profit-enabled PBC.
OpenAI-Microsoft partnership talks hit snags.
Microsoft adds 3rd-party models to Copilot.
Microsoft faces Copilot forced-sales controversy.
xAI reveals $6B investor list.

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Chips / Infrastructure

Nvidia plans major Taiwan HQ.
TSMC's Kumamoto plant starts operations.
Broadcom hits $1 trillion market value.
Google sees surge in TPU chip demand.
Netflix sues VMware for patent infringement.

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Devices / Hardware

Apple plans iPad 11 for early 2025.
Apple drops Lightning ports in EU.

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Content / Entertainment

Netflix's NFL Christmas stream draws huge audience.

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Social Media

TikTok ban likely delayed.
X raises ad-free plan price 40%.

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EV / Autonomous

Tesla replaces Cybertruck battery.
BYD faces forced labor claims in Brazil.

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Space

SpaceX plans 'Musk town' in Texas.

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Etc

Musk supports far-right party in German op-ed.
Trump appoints multiple Musk allies.

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