🇧🇷 Elon Musk's X is now banned in Brazil

🧬 Scientists build DNA-based computer that can play chess and solve sudoku puzzles

• Scientists created a computer from DNA that can solve basic chess and sudoku puzzles, marking a significant advancement towards practical DNA computing systems.

• Using synthetic cellulose material increased the stability and storage capacity of DNA strands, enabling these DNA computers to store about 1,000 terabytes per cubic centimeter.

• The researchers utilized an enzyme to transcribe DNA into RNA, preventing the destruction of the original data and allowing the system to solve simplified chess and sudoku problems on a 3x3 grid.

🇧🇷 Elon Musk's X is now banned in Brazil

• A judge in Brazil has ordered the suspension of social media platform X after Elon Musk failed to appoint a new legal representative for the country.

• Brazilian Supreme Court Justice Alexandre de Moraes instructed the National Telecommunications Agency to restrict access to X within 24 hours and directed Apple and Google to remove the app from their stores within five days.

• Brazil will impose daily fines of $50,000 Brazilian real (~$8,900 USD) on individuals attempting to access X via VPN, and Musk claims this action undermines free speech and democracy.

🤖 Amazon acqui-hires Covariant for robotics models and AI talent

• Amazon is hiring three co-founders from AI startup Covariant, including CEO Peter Chen, and securing a non-exclusive license to the company's AI models.

• Amazon's hiring arrangement includes about a quarter of Covariant's employees moving to its Fulfillment Technologies & Robotics team, with Covariant continuing to operate independently.

• This deal is similar to one Amazon made in June with Adept, involving founder hiring and AI model licensing, and follows a trend among tech giants to acquire AI talent through strategic hires.

💼 OpenAI may expand 'capped for-profit' to attract big investor

• OpenAI is reportedly looking to modify its corporate structure to appeal more to large investors, preparing for another funding round with an estimated valuation surpassing $100 billion.

• Talks are underway for OpenAI to remove profit caps, which would provide investors with full profit access, per sources cited by the Financial Times.

• The planned funding round may see significant investments from Thrive Capital, Microsoft, Apple, and Nvidia, positioning OpenAI to attract substantial financial backing.

🚖 Uber revives robotaxi plans with new partnerships

• Uber is reigniting its robotaxi ambitions by forming strategic partnerships with former competitors working on autonomous vehicles.

• CEO Dara Khosrowshahi announced new alliances with Wayve, Cruise, and Waymo, alongside plans to integrate 100,000 electric vehicles from Chinese company BYD onto Uber's platform.

• The renewed focus on robotaxis comes as interest in the technology grows, with Tesla set to reveal a robotaxi model later this year, posing potential competition for Uber.