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META HIRES SALESFORCE'S CEO OF AI, CLARA SHIH

Meta is creating a new product unit to develop AI tools for the 200 million businesses that use its apps.

ROX'S PUBLIC BETA AND $50M RAISE

Rox, an AI-driven sales productivity platform, enhances top enterprise sales reps' performance by over 30% by using AI analyst teams for tasks like planning and engagement. It integrates seamlessly into existing systems, bypassing traditional CRM inefficiencies, and has already been adopted by top-performing companies. Rox has announced a $50M raise, led by Sequoia and other major investors, to expand its reach.

GENIES LAUNCHES PARTIES FOR BRANDS AND CREATORS TO LAUNCH THEIR OWN ‘AI ROBLOX'

Genies has launched Parties, a platform that uses AI avatars to enable user-generated content and personalized gameplay experiences. Its technology stack emphasizes smart avatars, interoperability, and dynamic user interaction, facilitating limitless customization for brands. Genies leverages machine learning to support scalable, interactive ecosystems for IP partners.

GENERATIVE WORLD EXPLORER

The Generative World Explorer (Genex) is a system that can imagine exploring 3D spaces via generation and then use those updates to improve planning. It uses an ST-VAE and diffusion pass for imagination, which improves planning.

SEARCH, VERIFY, FEEDBACK

A review and reflection paper about how to incorporate verification into large language model post training. This is a new sort of post training that can be beneficial for improving reasoning in models.

1D CONVOLUTIONS FOR FASTER IMAGE SEGMENTATION

OneNet is a 1D convolutional encoder designed for efficient image segmentation. It is ideal for edge devices.

EVALUATION CONSTITUTIONS

Code to assist in evaluating constitutions based on human feedback.

VIDEO EDITING WITH STABLEV2V

StableV2V introduces a new way to edit videos while keeping shapes consistent, even when user prompts demand major transformations. This approach ensures smooth and accurate changes across video frames without losing structural integrity.

SMARTER DESCRIPTIONS OF REMOTE SENSING CHANGES

CCExpert is a new AI model designed to describe changes in images with natural language. It can identify what changed, where, and how.

GENERATIVE AI TAUGHT A ROBOT DOG TO SCRAMBLE AROUND A NEW ENVIRONMENT

LucidSim, a new system that uses generative AI and physics simulation, improves robot training by creating virtual environments that closely mimic real-world conditions. Robots trained with LucidSim outperform those using traditional simulations in tasks like parkour and navigating obstacles. This novel AI approach could lead to fully virtual training for diverse AI agents. It is being extended to more complex robotic tasks.

ROBOTIC SURGERY NEARS AUTONOMY WITH NEW AI TRAINING BREAKTHROUGH

Johns Hopkins researchers developed an imitation learning model that allows surgical robots to perform complex procedures by observing video footage of human surgeons. The model, which merges LLM architecture with kinematic language, reduces the need for manual programming, enabling quicker training of robots for various surgeries. Stanford's da Vinci Surgical System robot has already demonstrated human-comparable performance on essential tasks using this approach.

AI'S MATH PROBLEM: FRONTIERMATH BENCHMARK SHOWS HOW FAR TECHNOLOGY STILL HAS TO GO

Epoch AI's FrontierMath benchmark highlights AI's struggle with advanced mathematical reasoning. Top models like GPT-4o solve less than 2% of these complex problems. Unlike traditional math benchmarks, FrontierMath presents entirely new, challenging problems that require deep reasoning and creativity. This benchmark shows how the current AI has trouble with handling intricate multi-step logic.

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DEEPL LAUNCHES DEEPL VOICE, REAL-TIME, TEXT-BASED TRANSLATIONS FROM VOICES AND VIDEOS

DeepL has introduced DeepL Voice for real-time audio translation, expanding beyond its core text translation service.

GOOGLE RELEASES STANDALONE GEMINI APP FOR IPHONE

CHATGPT CAN NOW READ SOME OF YOUR MAC'S DESKTOP APPS

OpenAI's ChatGPT desktop app for macOS now integrates with coding apps like VS Code and Xcode, allowing developers to send their code directly to ChatGPT for context alongside prompts.

COINBASE CEO TO MEET WITH TRUMP TO DISCUSS PERSONNEL APPOINTMENTS

Coinbase CEO Brian Armstrong is set to meet with Donald Trump to discuss personnel appointments as the president-elect forms his administration. Armstrong will be advocating for pro-crypto policies following regulatory clashes with the SEC.

MICA COMPLIANCE WILL DRIVE EUROPE INTO A CRYPTO CONSOLIDATION FRENZY

MiCA compliance is set to drive a wave of consolidation in Europe's crypto industry. Firms that meet its rigorous standards will gain a strategic edge through M&A and market leadership. As regulatory scrutiny increases, MiCA-compliant companies will attract partners and investors, while non-compliant firms risk devaluation and exclusion. This will reshape the competitive landscape and set new benchmarks for trust and sustainable growth.

INTRODUCING KAILUA: A HYBRID ARCHITECTURE THAT GIVES OP CHAINS 1-HOUR FINALITY

RISC Zero, a zkVM company, has announced Kailua, an approach to rollups that gives 1-hour finality while not having the high cost of constant ZK proving. Its key innovation is only proving during disputes and relying on the optimistic fault proof architecture in most situations. RISC Zero claims that it is millions of dollars cheaper than OP Succinct, a competing offering.

BOROS BY PENDLE: YIELD TRADING WITH MARGIN

Pendle V3, now known as Boros, is a platform for margin trading yields and off-chain rates with an initial focus on crypto funding rates that drive $150-200B in daily perp trading volume. The platform will operate alongside Pendle V2. An airdrop for individual vePENDLE holders is scheduled for the end of the year.

TOP 5 AI INSIGHTS FROM DEVCON 2024

Devcon was dominated by Crypto x AI. Participants suggested that Web3 AI should focus on crypto-native use cases rather than competing directly with Web2 AI. The conference highlighted the emergence of “Web4” and AGI-driven applications and identified key challenges in agent-to-agent communication and infra needs for complex DeFi use cases. Projects including Almanak, Virtuals, and Ora are addressing these problems through DeFi strategy automation, agent communication protocols, and verifiable AI frameworks.

THE ZEREBRO PLAYBOOK: BAYC OF ONCHAIN AGENTS

Zerebro marked a significant moment in onchain AI agents, reaching a $100M market cap within two weeks by implementing features like Retrieval Augmented Generation (RAG) for memory and real-time search capabilities. It has a multi-platform presence across X, Warpcast, Telegram, and Instagram, with platform-specific content adoption. Zerebro is developing cross-chain IP through autonomous token launches and NFT collections on Polygon and Solana. Drawing parallels to BAYC's evolution from CryptoPunks, Zerebro is establishing a new playbook for AI agent communities.

LIDO CO-FOUNDERS SAID TO PLOT COMPETITOR TO SAM ALTMAN'S WORLD NETWORK

The co-founders of Lido are developing “Y,” a blockchain-based digital identity platform that will compete with Sam Altman's World Network by using social and blockchain activity for authentication instead of controversial biometric scans. Y hopes to address privacy and fraud concerns, positioning itself as a more secure and decentralized alternative while leveraging its creators' influence in the crypto space to challenge World's established user base and connections to OpenAI.

VIRTUALS FUN: A LAUNCH PAD FOR PRODUCTIVE ONCHAIN AI AGENTS

Virtuals Protocol has launched Virtuals Fun, a new Initial Agent Offering platform that addresses previous limitations in AI agent tokenization. Within three weeks, it launched 1,000 agents and had $250M in trading volume. Virtuals Fun leverages Base's infrastructure and the G.A.M.E framework to enable agents capable of sophisticated tasks beyond text generation. Examples of its agents include AIXBT for crypto market intelligence, MISATO for generative art, and LUNA for entertainment.

COINBASE TO DELIST WBTC AS JUSTIN SUN GAINS INFLUENCE OVER PROTOCOL, LAUNCHES ITS OWN WRAPPED BITCOIN TOKEN

Coinbase will delist wBTC on December 19 amid growing influence from Justin Sun over the protocol following BitGo's strategic partnership with the TRON ecosystem, which raised industry concerns about decentralization and governance. Coinbase's own wrapped bitcoin token, cbBTC, has grown to a market cap of ~$1.5B.

SOLANA STAKING APY REACHES ATH

Solana's staking APY (7-day moving average) has reached an all-time high driven by a combination of issuance, fees, and MEV rewards, signaling increased profitability for stakers.

FORMER COINBASE CUSTODY CEO'S EFFORT TO SOLVE CRYPTO'S BANKING ISSUES LAUNCHES PUBLICLY

Former Coinbase Custody CEO Ryan Bozarth's new platform, Dakota, offers crypto-native banking solutions by converting client funds into stablecoins backed by U.S. Treasuries and providing fee-free transfers via ACH, Fedwire, SWIFT, and SEPA.

SENATOR LUMMIS SAYS TREASURY SHOULD CONVERT GOLD FOR BITCOIN RESERVE

Senator Cynthia Lummis has proposed converting a portion of the U.S. Treasury's 8K+ tons of gold reserves into Bitcoin to establish a strategic BTC reserve.

TRUMP PICKS CANTOR FITZGERALD CEO HOWARD LUTNICK TO BE COMMERCE SECRETARY

President-elect Donald Trump has nominated Cantor Fitzgerald CEO Howard Lutnick as Commerce Secretary, tasking him with leading the administration's tariff and trade agenda.

ADOBE INCREASES CONTENT DISCOVERY CAPABILITIES AND CONTRIBUTOR EARNINGS POTENTIAL WITH NEW GENAI-POWERED OFFERINGS

There are new generative AI features in Adobe Stock, including background replacement, image expansion, and customization tools like Style and Composition. These tools enhance creative workflows and let creators personalize assets while efficiently compensating contributors for referenced content. Powered by Adobe Firefly, the platform continues to support contributors and ensure the commercial viability of all customized downloads.

PEPSI'S CHEEKY FAST-FOOD LOGO REDESIGNS FEEL A BIT DESPERATE

Embracing its "challenger brand" status, Pepsi launched a bold marketing stunt on National Fast-Food Day by secretly introducing its drinks in restaurants that don't stock it. The stunt aligns with the company's current theme, "Every burger deserves Pepsi," which is an effort to rival Coca-Cola in fast-food chains.

APPLE RELEASES FINAL CUT PRO 11 WITH NEW AI FEATURES

Final Cut Pro 11 introduces AI-powered features like Magnetic Mask for automatic masking and Transcribe to Captions for autogenerated subtitles. These tools are optimized for Apple's M-series chips and have improved privacy through on-device AI. The update aims to add features to match rivals like Adobe and DaVinci Resolve. Final Cut Pro 11 is available as a free update for existing users or for $299.99 for new users.

DEFINITION OF "GOOD"

Defining "good" design is crucial for alignment, efficiency, and high-quality outcomes. The definition should adapt to the project's goals and context. Collaborate early with stakeholders, establish design principles, and foster a structured critique process to maintain shared standards and focus.

HOW DID YOU PICK THAT TYPEFACE?

Decision-making is crucial in design. Typeface selection involves balancing brand guidelines, client needs, and project goals. Practicing this skill helps designers grow, adapt to challenges, and understand the impact of their choices in shaping outcomes.

WHY SIMPLE UX STORIES ARE BEST: THE POWER OF CLARIFYING AMBIGUITY

Effective UX design involves simplifying complex problems into explicit, compelling stories. Designers clarify ambiguity, ask critical questions, and transform vague requirements into tangible outputs. Highlighting user struggles, employing systematic design processes, and communicating solutions effectively makes portfolios resonate with busy interviewers and showcase the designer's ability to simplify and solve complex challenges.

A BETTER WAY TO PRESENT DESIGN

Generate 3D device mockups in a quick and engaging way directly in your browser.

BEAUTIFUL EMAIL TEMPLATES

Shootmail features a growing list of beautifully designed email templates you can clone and modify according to your needs.

SWAP VARIABLES (FIGMA PLUGIN)

This Figma plugin swaps all bound variables in selection with their local counterparts or a team library.

DESIGN TOKENS: AUTHORING VS CONSUMING

Design tokens facilitate the connection between design and code, though there are challenges when using them such as naming conventions and rigid hierarchies. A taxonomy-driven approach could improve flexibility, standardization, and adaptability, eliminating the need for manual token naming. Using unique identifiers (UIDs) in authoring systems ensures stability, allowing token evolution while preserving relationships. This method helps future-proof design systems against inevitable changes.

HOW TO SURVIVE A CLIENT MEETING WHEN THEY SAY ‘MAKE IT POP'!!!!

Designers frequently encounter cryptic client requests like “make it pop.” When this happens, it is essential to maintain facial neutrality, interpret the vague demand, work with chaotic color schemes, and add sparkle. The process will often involve numerous tweaks and font debates, with exclamation points as an expected outcome.

SHOULD ICONS SCALE IN BIGGER BREAKPOINTS?

Making icons scale correctly ensures clarity across devices and screen sizes. Scalable Vector Graphics (SVGs) provide crisp visuals, adapting seamlessly without pixelation. For raster images like PNGs, srcset, and breakpoints, dynamic image loading can be enabled based on screen resolution. Proper scaling enhances the user experience and makes apps seem higher quality.

WHAT NOT TO INCLUDE ON YOUR DESIGNER RESUME IN 2025

Use clear, industry-standard job titles, highlight your team contributions and the impact of your technical skills, focus on relevant experiences, be concise, and customize your portfolio to showcase specific projects.

ARTIST DUO CREATES ABSOLUTELY AMAZING THE BEATLES COLLECTABLE TOYS

Collectable Cities founders Joseph Lattimer and Caitlin Derer are celebrating The Beatles with vibrant toy collections inspired by Sgt. Pepper's and Abbey Road's blend of pop culture and storytelling.

MOST DISABLED PEOPLE “EXCLUDED” BY UNFIT DESIGNS

72% of disabled adults abandon purchases due to inaccessible design.

SERVICETITAN: BENCHMARKING THE S1 DATA

ServiceTitan has filed an initial S-1 statement in preparation for going public. The company provides a comprehensive operating system for "trades" businesses (such as plumbing, HVAC, and landscaping) that addresses key workflows like CRM, FSM, ERP, HCM, and FinTech. With a serviceable market opportunity of $13 billion, ServiceTitan's recent financial performance includes $685 million in revenue over the last 12 months, a 26% growth rate, and a gross margin of 64%, though the company posted negative operating and free cash flow margins.