The Comunicano for Monday February 10th 2025
It's All About The Eagles
You have seen the future being built around you, and yet you do not ask—who is making it possible? They told you the world was connected. That you were never alone. That the reach of your civilization extended to every corner of the earth. Yet, step beyond the city limits, into the deserts, the forests, the oceans where no towers stand, and you will find the truth—your technology has failed you. But now, at last, the creators have stepped forward to rectify this failure.
Behold the satellites that now whisper between the heavens and your pockets, binding the unconnected world in an unbroken thread of signal and speech. T-Mobile and Starlink, forging a new age where even the most remote soul can summon the entirety of human knowledge with a touch. The lifeblood of commerce, of emergency, of freedom itself—no longer dictated by the reach of crude steel towers planted in the ground. This is not charity. This is the triumph of men who dared to solve the problems your rulers could not.
And yet, while some seek to bridge the gaps in your reality, others are remaking it entirely. The mind of man, once bound by the limits of its own frailty, now finds its thoughts extended in artificial forms. OpenAI, DeepSeek, Anthropic—names that few whisper yet, but will one day be spoken in the same breath as Edison, Tesla, and Jobs. The cost of intelligence falls, and with it, the cost of ignorance. Each passing month renders the impossible routine, the miraculous mundane. The labor of thousands, distilled into the instant flicker of an algorithm.
But there are those who tremble at such progress. Governments that claim to fear the dangers of knowledge, not for their people, but for themselves. South Korea recoils from DeepSeek, fearing the unseen hand that shapes information. Regulators seek to impose a leash on OpenAI, whispering of "public policy" as though intelligence itself should ask permission before it is allowed to exist.
And in the background, a familiar pattern. The old world, built on flesh and sinew, contracts in pain as the new world emerges. Layoffs ripple through the industry, as those who refuse to evolve find themselves discarded by necessity. The marketplace does not pause for sentiment. The machine does not mourn those who refuse to oil its gears.
And so, as you watch Tesla’s Cybertruck falter, as you read of AI's rise, of satellites closing the gaps that once left you stranded, ask yourself this—where will you stand when the world reshapes itself? Will you cling to the dying past, to the illusions of limits and scarcity? Or will you claim your place in the world being built before you?
You call it disruption. I call it creation.
This is THE COMUNICANO And by reading it, you’ll never be left behind.
Andy Abramson
Satellite Watch
Telecoms Embrace Satellite Tech to Eliminate Coverage Gaps (Financial Times)—Mobile operators are increasingly turning to satellite technology to address persistent 'not spots'—areas lacking cellular coverage. This move aims to provide seamless connectivity, especially in remote regions. The race to integrate satellite-connected phones into the broader market is intensifying, though some industry experts question the optimistic projections from operators. As the demand for ubiquitous coverage grows, the collaboration between mobile networks and satellite providers is poised to reshape the telecommunications landscape.
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T-Mobile and Starlink Launch Satellite-to-Cell Beta Service (GeekWire)—T-Mobile has officially launched the public beta of its satellite-to-cell texting service in partnership with SpaceX's Starlink. Announced during the Super Bowl, this service aims to eliminate mobile dead zones by covering over 500,000 square miles previously unreachable by traditional cell towers. The beta is free until July and is available to users across all carriers, including Verizon and AT&T. Initially supporting text messaging, the service plans to expand to picture messages, data, and voice calls in the future. Compatible with most smartphones from the past four years, it ensures seamless connectivity by automatically switching to the satellite network when out of range of cell towers.
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T-Mobile Opens Starlink Beta to All Carriers (T-Mobile Newsroom)—T-Mobile has announced that its Starlink-powered satellite-to-cell service is now in public beta and open to all users, regardless of their current carrier. The service utilizes specially configured satellites with Direct-to-Cell capabilities to deliver text messages to and from locations that traditional cell towers can't reach. The beta is free until July, after which it will be included at no extra cost in T-Mobile's Go5G Next plan. Customers on other plans can add the service for $15 per month, while users from other carriers can access it for $20 per month. The service also supports Wireless Emergency Alerts nationwide.
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T-Mobile's Starlink Beta Free Through July for All Users (9to5Mac)—T-Mobile's Starlink-powered direct-to-cell satellite messaging service is now open for anyone in the U.S. to try for free until July, including those who aren't T-Mobile customers. Initially limited to text messaging, the company plans to introduce apps and multimedia support by the official release this summer. After the testing period ends, it will cost $15 per month for T-Mobile users and $20 per month for non-T-Mobile customers.
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Sky Skimmers: The Race to Send Satellites into Very Low Earth Orbits (BBC Future)—-The aerospace industry is increasingly focusing on deploying satellites into very low Earth orbits (VLEO), ranging from 200 to 450 kilometers above Earth. Operating in VLEO offers advantages such as reduced latency and higher-resolution imaging due to proximity to the planet's surface. However, challenges include increased atmospheric drag, which can shorten satellite lifespans, and the need for advanced materials and propulsion systems to maintain stable orbits. Innovations like aerodynamic satellite designs and ion thrusters are being developed to overcome these hurdles. Companies and space agencies are investing in VLEO technology to enhance Earth observation, communication networks, and scientific research. As the race to utilize VLEO intensifies, it promises to revolutionize satellite operations and capabilities.
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OpenAI Watch
Sam Altman's Insights on AI's Economic Impact (Sam Altman's Blog)—In his recent blog post, Sam Altman, CEO of OpenAI, shares three key observations about the economics of artificial intelligence:
Scaling Intelligence: The intelligence of an AI model is proportional to the logarithm of the resources used in its training and operation. This means that continuous and predictable improvements can be achieved by investing more in training compute, data, and inference compute.
Rapid Cost Reduction: The cost to use a given level of AI decreases by approximately tenfold every 12 months. For instance, the price per token for GPT-4 dropped about 150 times from early 2023 to mid-2024. This decline is significantly faster than Moore's Law, which observed a doubling of transistors on a microchip approximately every 18 months.
Super-Exponential Socioeconomic Value: The socioeconomic benefits derived from incremental increases in AI intelligence grow at a super-exponential rate. Consequently, there is no foreseeable reason for the current trend of exponentially increasing investment in AI to slow down in the near future.
Altman emphasizes that the societal impacts will be profound if these trends persist. He envisions a future where AI agents function as virtual co-workers across various fields, potentially transforming industries and daily life. While the world may not change overnight, the long-term effects on society and the economy are expected to be substantial. Adaptability, resilience, and the ability to navigate an ever-changing landscape will become invaluable traits. Altman also highlights the importance of ensuring that the benefits of AI are broadly distributed and that public policy plays a crucial role in integrating AGI into society responsibly.
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OpenAI's Debut Super Bowl Advertisement (Fast Company)—OpenAI launched its first Super Bowl ad, aiming to establish an iconic brand presence and showcase its advancements in artificial intelligence.
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DeepSeek Watch
Alibaba's Qwen AI Models Enable Low-Cost DeepSeek Alternatives (South China Morning Post)—Researchers from Stanford University and the University of Washington have developed the S1 reasoning model using Alibaba's open-source Qwen2.5-32b-Instruct AI model. This collaboration demonstrates how Alibaba's technology is driving down AI training costs. The S1 model was trained for under $50 and outperformed OpenAI's o1-preview in mathematics and programming tasks. This development highlights China's progress in AI, narrowing the gap with leading U.S. players.
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DeepSeek Ends Promotional Pricing Amid Surging Popularity (South China Morning Post)—Chinese AI start-up DeepSeek has announced the end of its promotional pricing for access to its V3 model via API due to a surge in demand. The new pricing for DeepSeek-chat is set at $0.27 per million token inputs and $1.10 per million token outputs, up from the previous rates of $0.14 and $0.27, respectively. Despite the increase, these rates remain significantly lower than those of competitors like OpenAI's GPT-4o.
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Demystifying DeepSeek: Four Key Questions Answered (South China Morning Post)—DeepSeek, China's rapidly growing AI start-up, has gained attention for its advanced models and competitive pricing. Key questions surrounding the company include its technological capabilities, funding sources, market positioning, and long-term sustainability. DeepSeek's latest models have demonstrated performance on par with Western alternatives, challenging OpenAI and Anthropic. However, questions remain about its ability to sustain aggressive pricing, given the high computational costs of AI training and inference. The start-up's rapid rise has fueled speculation about future expansion and strategic partnerships.
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South Korea's Spy Agency Accuses DeepSeek of Excessive Data Collection (Reuters)—South Korea's National Intelligence Service (NIS) has raised concerns about the Chinese AI application DeepSeek, alleging that it excessively collects personal data and utilizes all user inputs for training purposes. The NIS highlighted that, unlike other generative AI services, DeepSeek records keyboard input patterns that can identify individuals and transmits this data to servers associated with Chinese companies. Additionally, the agency noted discrepancies in DeepSeek's responses to culturally sensitive questions, providing different answers based on the language used. In response, several South Korean government ministries have restricted access to the app, citing security concerns.
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Anthropic Watch
Anthropic Launches Economic Index to Track AI's Impact on Labor Markets (Axios)—Anthropic has introduced the Anthropic Economic Index, an initiative designed to monitor and analyze the effects of AI adoption across various industries. By examining anonymized data from millions of interactions on their AI platform, Claude.ai, the index offers insights into how AI is being utilized in real-world tasks. Initial findings indicate that AI usage is prevalent in software development and technical writing, with approximately 36% of occupations incorporating AI in at least a quarter of their tasks. The data also suggests that AI is more commonly used to augment human capabilities (57%) rather than automate tasks (43%). This initiative aims to inform policymakers and researchers about AI's evolving role in the economy.
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Introducing the Anthropic Economic Index (Anthropic News)—Anthropic has unveiled the Anthropic Economic Index, aiming to understand AI's effects on labor markets and the broader economy. The inaugural report analyzes anonymized data from millions of conversations on Claude.ai, providing a detailed view of AI's integration into various professional tasks. Key findings reveal that AI usage is concentrated in software development and technical writing, with over a third of occupations utilizing AI in at least 25% of their tasks. The study also found that AI is primarily used to augment human work (57%) rather than automate it (43%). Anthropic has open-sourced the dataset to encourage further research and invites experts to contribute insights to the ongoing analysis.
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Dating Watch
AI's Role in Revolutionizing Dating Apps (WIRED)—Artificial intelligence is increasingly shaping the landscape of dating apps. Grindr plans to introduce machine-learning features in 2025, including a "wingman" chatbot to offer personalized advice and date suggestions. Bumble is developing AI-powered profile creation and messaging tools, while Tinder aims to implement AI-assisted matching later this year. Newcomers like Iris Dating focus on AI-driven matchmaking and advice. User reactions are mixed: some appreciate the enhanced matching and safety features, others are indifferent, and a few oppose AI's involvement in dating. The integration of AI could either enhance user experiences or potentially undermine the authenticity of connections.
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WorkPlace Watch
Phishing Tests in the Workplace Are Becoming More Aggressive (The Wall Street Journal). Organizations are intensifying phishing simulations to bolster cybersecurity defenses. However, these increasingly deceptive tests, such as fake emails about health crises or enticing offers, have led to confusion and frustration among employees. Some studies suggest that overly aggressive phishing tests may be counterproductive, potentially increasing susceptibility by instilling a false sense of security. Experts advocate for a balanced approach that combines education with empathy, cautioning against punitive measures that could erode trust within the workplace.
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Tech Industry Faces Continued Layoffs Amid Economic Challenges (The Washington Post)—The technology sector is experiencing ongoing layoffs as companies adjust to economic pressures and the integration of artificial intelligence. Notable firms implementing workforce reductions include Boeing, planning to cut 400 roles related to NASA's Artemis program; Meta, conducting performance-based layoffs; Microsoft, focusing on underperforming employees; and Workday, reducing its workforce by approximately 8.5% to prioritize AI investments. These measures reflect broader efforts within the industry to streamline operations and remain competitive in a rapidly evolving market.
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eCommerce Watch
Shopify's AI Innovations Attracting Merchants (Reuters)—Shopify is enhancing its e-commerce platform with artificial intelligence tools under the "Shopify Magic" suite. These AI-driven features automate tasks such as generating product descriptions, setting discounts, and providing sales insights. Merchants like Klatch Coffee have migrated to Shopify, citing the efficiency and customization offered by these tools. The platform's subscription plans, ranging from $39 to $2,000 per month, make these features accessible to a wide range of businesses. This strategy has contributed to a resurgence in store registrations, with a 20% increase observed in the July-September quarter. Shopify's revenue is projected to rise by 27.3% for the holiday quarter, outpacing the broader e-commerce market's growth.
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Tesla Watch
Tesla Cybertruck Crash Raises Concerns Over Full Self-Driving System (Electrek)—A Tesla Cybertruck owner in Florida reported a collision while using Tesla's Full Self-Driving (FSD) system version 13.2.4. The incident occurred when the vehicle failed to merge from a right lane that was ending, resulting in the truck hitting a curb and subsequently crashing into a light post. The driver, who was unharmed, acknowledged not intervening in time and emphasized the importance of remaining attentive while using FSD features. This event has sparked discussions about driver complacency and the current limitations of Tesla's FSD technology.
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Ad Watch
Top 5 Super Bowl 2025 Commercials (Fast Company)—Fast Company has highlighted the standout commercials from Super Bowl 2025, featuring innovative and memorable ads from various brands.
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Nike's Return to Super Bowl Advertising After 27 Years (Fast Company)—After a 27-year hiatus, Nike made a notable return to Super Bowl advertising with a campaign that emphasizes its renewed connection to athletes.
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Peyton and Eli Manning in FanDuel's Super Bowl Spot (Fast Company)—FanDuel featured Peyton and Eli Manning in its Super Bowl 2025 commercial, continuing its "Kick of Destiny" campaign series.
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Matthew McConaughey Stars in Uber Eats's Super Bowl Ad (Fast Company)—Matthew McConaughey, along with Charli XCX and Martha Stewart, starred in Uber Eats's Super Bowl commercial, bringing humor and star power to the campaign.
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