The Comunicano for Moday May 12th 2025
Monday Already
Today, I have come to speak not to your fear—but to your reason. Because the world around you is crumbling under the weight of its own contradictions. Tariffs, loopholes, backroom deals—these are not strategies. They are symptoms. Of a culture that no longer believes in the morality of production, only in the manipulation of outcomes.
When a Chinese factory smuggles steel through Vietnam and calls it freedom, and Washington pretends that paperwork equals protection, you know you’re not witnessing trade—you’re witnessing theater. "Export-washing," they call it.
But you cannot wash away the truth. A product either has value, or it does not. A nation either produces, or it parasites.
You think this is about China and the U.S.? It’s not. It’s about the philosophical bankruptcy of a system that rewards obstruction over creation. And while politicians posture over semiconductors and search engines, the real builders—those who engineer chips, not deals—are buried beneath regulation, scrutiny, and suspicion.
Apple may one day fold a phone, but it cannot escape a 30% tariff. Microsoft can pour billions into AI, yet must beg for permission to profit. Is this the progress you were promised?
And then there is the Church. The Vatican, once a fortress of faith, now bows to algorithms. As Pope Leo XIV greets robots with open arms, I ask: have we truly advanced, or merely surrendered to a shinier form of servitude?
This world insures against chatbot errors, but not against moral error. It subsidizes fantasy and punishes fact. You fear AI will lie to you. But what of the lies you've already accepted? That central planning can outthink the market. That safety comes from control. That your freedom is negotiable.
No. I do not accept that. I do not accept a civilization that penalizes success and glorifies compliance. I do not accept tariffs as tools of peace, nor backdoors as acts of diplomacy.
I offer no truce. Only a principle: that the mind is sacred, and reality is not subject to vote. That profit is not vice. That man was not made to obey, but to create.
As a creator, I will not trade away truth to pacify a dying system. I will build, where you have only borrowed. I will speak, while your leaders redact.
And if you still value freedom, then you already know where to find me. Right, here, writing, THE COMUNICANO!!!
Andy Abramson
(Some of) My Recent Writing
Why Voice Powered AI Services Are Game Changers (AndyAbramson.com)
Digital Identity Crisis: What Happens Now That Skype Is Gone? (AndyAbramson.com)
I Signed Up For Alerts, Not Abuse (LinkedIn)
AI Voice Agents Are Here—But Are They Ready for Your Customers? (LinkedIn)
Getting Quoted In The News
Pro Tips For Keeping Your Checked Luggage Safe When You Fly This Summer (Forbes via Elliot Confidential)
Tariff Watch
Chinese Exporters Circumvent Tariffs Amid US-China Trade Truce (The Daily Upside)—In the wake of a 90-day tariff truce between the US and China, some Chinese manufacturers are exploiting loopholes to sidestep remaining tariffs. Tactics include rerouting goods through intermediary countries like Vietnam and Morocco to obscure their origin, a practice dubbed "export-washing." These countries have become hotspots for investment, attracting over $550 billion in greenfield investments since 2017. Despite the temporary relief, both nations retain a 10% tariff, and officials emphasize the need for sustainable, long-term trade solutions. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent noted that neither side desires economic decoupling, highlighting ongoing negotiations for a lasting agreement. Read more here
Foreign-Branded Smartphone Shipments in China Plummet Nearly 50% (Reuters)—In March 2025, shipments of foreign-branded smartphones in China, including Apple's iPhones, fell by 49.6% year-on-year, totaling 1.887 million units compared to 3.747 million the previous year. This significant decline, reported by the China Academy of Information and Communications Technology (CAICT), underscores the challenges foreign mobile brands face in the Chinese market amid rising local competition and shifting consumer preferences. Read more here
Trump's Middle East Visit Spurs Semiconductor Deals (NYTimes)
During a recent trip to the Middle East, former President Donald Trump facilitated significant semiconductor agreements between US companies and regional partners. These deals aim to strengthen supply chains and reduce dependence on Chinese technology, aligning with broader efforts to bolster domestic manufacturing and strategic alliances. The initiatives reflect ongoing geopolitical shifts and the importance of technological collaboration in international relations. Read more here
Consumer Watch
FTC Delays 'Click-to-Cancel' Rule Enforcement to July (Engadget)—The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has postponed the enforcement of its "click-to-cancel" rule to July 14. The regulation is designed to ensure that cancelling subscriptions online is as easy as signing up. Aimed at curbing consumer frustration with complicated cancellation processes, the FTC's move gives businesses additional time to comply. Companies offering digital services and recurring billing must adjust their user flows accordingly or risk regulatory action. The extended timeline doesn't lessen the rule’s intent — it underscores the FTC's push for a fairer digital consumer experience. Read more here
OpenAI Watch
OpenAI and Microsoft Restructure Partnership Amid IPO Plans (Financial Times)—OpenAI and Microsoft are renegotiating their $13 billion partnership to clear the path for OpenAI’s eventual IPO and transition to a public benefit corporation. The move would allow OpenAI to bring in new investors while maintaining access to Microsoft’s cloud and compute capabilities. At the core of the talks: balancing investor returns with OpenAI’s broader mission. The restructured deal could include a reduction in Microsoft’s revenue share and a fresh agreement on AI model access beyond 2030 — all while preserving the optics of public-minded innovation. Read more here
OpenAI Seeks New Funding Amid Restructuring Talks with Microsoft (Reuters)—OpenAI is in talks with Microsoft to adjust their current deal to enable new funding rounds and a potential IPO. The renegotiation would give OpenAI more capital flexibility while allowing Microsoft continued access to the company's AI models. Key to the deal: adjusting Microsoft’s equity structure in OpenAI’s capped-profit model, which is increasingly under scrutiny. The outcome could set a precedent for how mission-driven AI companies interface with major corporate partners without compromising long-term goals. Read more here
AI Watch
Insurers Offer New Policies to Cover AI Chatbot Mistakes (Financial Times)—Lloyd’s of London insurers are rolling out new coverage products to protect companies against errors made by AI systems — especially chatbots. As AI tools like ChatGPT become embedded in customer service and operations, risks around misinformation, financial loss, and reputational damage grow. These new insurance policies reflect both market demand and risk evolution. Companies deploying generative AI at scale now have a financial backstop when algorithms go off-script, making AI adoption slightly less of a gamble. Read more here
Pope Leo XIV Brings AI and Innovation into the Vatican Dialogue (CNN)—Pope Leo XIV, born Cardinal Robert Prevost, has taken the reins with a forward-thinking agenda — embracing technology, including AI and robotics, as part of the Church’s global mission. In a symbolic nod to Pope Leo XIII, who addressed labor and industrial upheaval, Leo XIV aims to speak to today’s moral challenges posed by emerging tech. Vatican watchers say the new Pope may deepen the Church’s engagement with science, technology, and social justice while balancing tradition with relevance. Read more here
Global AI Safety Priorities Released in Singapore Consensus (AISafetyPriorities.org)—A new global initiative dubbed the Singapore Consensus lays out 100 research priorities for advancing safe artificial intelligence. Backed by 70+ experts from institutions including Harvard, Oxford, and Google DeepMind, the document calls for rigorous attention to robustness, interpretability, and value alignment in AI systems. The priorities reflect growing concern over unchecked AI development and aim to foster research that ensures human-centered outcomes. It’s a pragmatic blueprint for what ethical AI development should look like — and where efforts should be focused globally. Read more here
AI Model Trained on 57 Million NHS Records Sparks Privacy Concerns (New Scientist)==The UK's National Health Service has developed an AI model named Foresight, trained on de-identified medical data from 57 million patients, aiming to predict health outcomes and enhance preventative care. While the initiative promises advancements in early disease detection, experts express concerns over data privacy and the potential for re-identification, given the richness of the dataset. Although the data is anonymized, the complexity and volume raise questions about the effectiveness of de-identification measures. The project underscores the tension between leveraging big data for public health benefits and safeguarding individual privacy rights. Read more here
Apple Watch
Apple's 2027 'Product Renaissance' Unveiled (9to5Mac)—Apple is preparing a sweeping product refresh for 2027, celebrating 20 years of the iPhone with a series of bold releases. A new foldable iPhone with a titanium frame and crease-free screen is in development, along with a “mostly glass” curved iPhone that features a seamless edge-to-edge display. Also on deck are smart glasses packed with cameras, speakers, and microphones—designed to rival Meta’s Ray-Ban collab. Expect AirPods and Apple Watches with cameras, a personality-driven tabletop home robot, and a dramatically smarter Siri powered by in-house AI chips. Read more here
Apple Plans 'Mostly Glass, Curved' iPhone for 2027 (The Verge)—Apple is working on a dramatic redesign of the iPhone, targeting 2027 for the debut of a “mostly glass” model with a continuous curved body and no visible display cutouts. The look is inspired by patents for a seamless glass loop housing the entire device. Alongside this futuristic iPhone, Apple is planning its first foldable phone, AI-powered smart glasses, and camera-equipped wearables. An AI-driven tabletop robot and a revamped Siri powered by large language models are also in the pipeline, marking a new era in Apple’s ambition to lead in AI and hardware design. Read more here
Apple Considers iPhone Price Hikes Amid Tariff Pressures (WSJ)—Apple is contemplating raising prices for its upcoming iPhone lineup to offset increased costs from US tariffs on Chinese imports. Despite efforts to shift production to India, the company faces a 30% levy on Chinese-assembled devices, potentially adding $900 million in costs for the April-June quarter. Analysts warn that price increases, possibly up to $1,142 for the base model, could impact market share, especially as competitors like Samsung introduce advanced AI features. Read more here
Google-Apple Search Deal Faces Uncertainty Amid AI Advances (The Daily Upside)—Apple's Senior Vice President Eddy Cue recently suggested that AI could eventually replace traditional search engines like Google, casting doubt on the lucrative deal that makes Google the default search engine on Apple's Safari browser. This partnership generates significant revenue for both companies, but Apple's exploration of AI alternatives such as OpenAI and Anthropic indicates a potential shift. Compounding the issue, a US district court previously ruled that Google's parent company, Alphabet, holds an illegal search-engine monopoly, prompting regulators to consider enforcing the end of such partnerships. Meanwhile, Google's global market share has dipped below 90%, its lowest in a decade, as users increasingly turn to AI-driven tools. Read more here
Starlink Watch
T-Mobile Introduces Starlink Toggle Ahead of July Rollout (PhoneArena)—T-Mobile is getting ready to roll out its satellite-powered messaging service with SpaceX’s Starlink by adding a new toggle in its settings. The feature lets users turn satellite connectivity on or off, which is ideal for emergencies or coverage dead zones. This gives customers more control and helps avoid unwanted data use or fees. When the service goes live in July, it will be free for premium T-Mobile subscribers, while others—including Verizon and AT&T customers—will pay a monthly fee. The service will start with text messaging, with data and voice features coming later. Read more here
Robotaxi Watch
Tesla's 'Robotaxi' Trademark Rejected by USPTO (CarBuzz)—Tesla’s attempt to trademark the term “Robotaxi” has hit a wall. The U.S. Patent and Trademark Office rejected the application, deeming the word too generic to be owned. Tesla’s use of the term to describe its future autonomous fleet doesn’t provide the uniqueness required for trademark protection. This forces Elon Musk and company to rethink their branding as they prepare to unveil their autonomous ride-hailing service. The decision underscores how language commonly used across an industry can’t be monopolized, even by a company as dominant as Tesla. Read more here
Waymo Cofounder Highlights Safety as Key to Robotaxi Success (Business Insider)—Sebastian Thrun, a cofounder of Waymo, is doubling down on the importance of safety as the competitive robotaxi race heats up. Speaking to the long game, he sees the slower city-by-city rollout as a smart play. With lidar and radar costs falling, Thrun sees tech scaling becoming easier, but cautions against pushing too fast. Unlike Tesla, Waymo continues to use multiple sensors to ensure safety—a choice Thrun says helps build trust. His vision includes robotaxis helping reduce traffic deaths and reshape urban mobility in the long run. Read more here
Uber Expands Robotaxi Partnerships Beyond Waymo (Fast Company)—Uber’s back in the autonomous driving game, and this time it’s not putting all its chips on Waymo. The rideshare giant is broadening its robotaxi strategy by linking up with WeRide for launches in 15 cities outside the U.S. and China. The new game plan also includes alliances with Pony.ai and Momenta in markets across Europe and the Middle East. Rather than go all-in on one provider, Uber’s hedging bets and pushing forward with a portfolio of partners to stay competitive as the autonomous ride-hailing field matures.
Read more here
Robot Watch
France Plans to Deploy Robot Army by 2040 (Futurism)—France is fast-tracking its military automation efforts with an ambitious plan to integrate robotic ground units by 2028 and have them fully operational by 2040. General Bruno Baratz detailed a timeline that includes early use cases like surveillance, mine clearing, and remote maintenance. Recent war games tested these robots in rugged terrain, showing they can handle complex, real-world conditions. While the French military touts these systems as essential to future warfare, critics raise ethical concerns and point to France’s controversial military actions in former colonies. Still, the move reflects a global trend toward battlefield automation. Read more here
DataCenter Watch
India Emerges as a Key Player in Global Data Centre Expansion (Financial Times)—India is rapidly positioning itself as a major hub in the global data centre industry, driven by its cost advantages and growing digital economy. Major telecom companies, including Airtel, are investing heavily to double their data centre capacities within the next three years. This surge is fueled by increasing demand for cloud services, data storage, and processing capabilities, both domestically and internationally. India’s strategic location, combined with supportive government policies and a skilled workforce, makes it an attractive destination for data centre investments, potentially reshaping the global digital infrastructure landscape. Read more here
