The Comunicano for Monday March 10th 2025
Monday Morning Warmup
Well now, folks, pull up a chair. Let’s talk about the world as it turns today. It’s a strange thing, the way stories unfold—sometimes they write themselves, sometimes they’re written for us. And today, we’ve got a little of both.
Let’s start with the headlines that have a heartbeat. TikTok, the digital darling of a generation, is once again at the center of a geopolitical tug-of-war. The Trump administration is playing matchmaker, trying to find an American home for the app before time runs out. Four bidders, fifty billion dollars at stake, and the question lingers—who gets to control the narrative of a billion users’ scrolling thumbs?
And speaking of control, let’s talk about China. A country tightening its grip on the digital frontier, its citizens' every click, every call, every glance at a screen feeding a vast, unseen machine. They say it’s about stopping scams, but it makes you wonder—when does protection turn into possession? Over in Wuhan, a little AI company called Monica is rewriting the rulebook on artificial intelligence. Manus, they call it. A machine so sharp it can book your flight, sort your schedule, maybe even write this monologue if you let it. But as it grows, so do the questions. Who’s behind it? Who’s watching? And what happens when it watches back?
Of course, AI isn’t just China’s game. Microsoft is pulling away from OpenAI, staking its claim in a future where the machines they helped build no longer need their creators. And Google? They’re teaching Gemini to whisper in our calendars, making sure we never miss another meeting, never lose a minute. Convenient, sure. But does it make life richer—or just more efficient?
Meanwhile, the housing market is still trying to remember what normal looks like. Prices soaring, interest rates tightening like a noose, and cash buyers snatching up homes before a single "For Sale" sign can hit the lawn. The American Dream? It’s gotten a lot more expensive.
And then, there’s the Army. Once, they fought battles on foreign soil. Now, they fight words in training manuals. CamoGPT, they call it—an AI scrubbing diversity, equity, inclusion out of their materials like an editor with a red pen and an agenda. The message? Some conversations are over before they even start.
And finally, we look to the future—the one quantum computing is knocking on. When machines can crack today’s encryption like a child breaking open a piggy bank, what happens to secrets? To privacy? To trust? The race is on—not just to build the future, but to secure it.
So here we are, another day, another step forward, another glance back. The world keeps spinning, the stories keep changing, and we keep chasing after them, hoping to make sense of it all.
And maybe, just maybe, that’s the most human thing of all. Which is why you’re reading The Comunicano!!!
Andy Abramson
TikTok Watch
Trump Administration Engages Multiple Parties in TikTok Acquisition Talks (Reuters)—President Donald Trump announced that his administration is in discussions with four distinct groups regarding the sale of TikTok, the popular social media platform owned by China's ByteDance. This development follows a law enacted on January 19 requiring ByteDance to divest TikTok's U.S. operations on national security grounds or face a ban. Upon taking office on January 20, President Trump signed an executive order delaying the law's enforcement by 75 days to facilitate a sale. While aboard Air Force One, Trump expressed optimism about reaching a deal soon, stating, "We're dealing with four different groups, and a lot of people want it... all four are good." Potential buyers include former Los Angeles Dodgers owner Frank McCourt, with analysts estimating TikTok's value could reach up to $50 billion. Read more here
Telecom Watch
China Intensifies Surveillance to Combat Online Scams (Bloomberg)—In a bid to tackle the escalating issue of online fraud, the Chinese government has significantly enhanced its surveillance infrastructure under President Xi Jinping's leadership. The Cyberspace Administration of China (CAC) has been pivotal in enforcing stringent internet regulations, targeting activities such as hacking, telecom fraud, and violations of citizens' privacy. Initiatives like the National Citizen Identity Information Center (NCIIC) have been established to maintain a comprehensive database of over 1.3 billion citizens, facilitating real-time monitoring and identification. Additionally, the implementation of the National Anti-Fraud Center App requires citizens to register with personal details and facial scans, aiming to prevent telecommunications fraud and overseas scams. While these measures have led to the apprehension of numerous suspects and the dismantling of fraudulent networks, they have also raised concerns regarding privacy and the extent of state surveillance. Read more here
China Watch
DeepSeek's Founder Resists Investor Pressure to Maintain Autonomy (The Wall Street Journal)—Liang Wenfeng, founder of Chinese AI company DeepSeek, has declined investment offers to preserve the company's independence and scientific focus. Despite service disruptions and global data security concerns, Liang fears external investments, especially those linked to the Chinese government, could compromise DeepSeek's autonomy and global acceptance. Originally a hedge fund named High-Flyer, DeepSeek shifted to AI development in 2023, releasing free-to-use models that rival Western counterparts. The company is exploring collaborations with tech giants like Tencent and Alibaba but remains committed to research over immediate commercialization. Read more here
Manus: China's Latest AI Sensation (ChinaTalk)—Launched on March 6, 2025, Manus is hailed as the world's first general-purpose AI agent, developed by the Chinese startup Monica. Initially an AI-powered browser plugin in 2022, Manus has evolved into a full-fledged AI agent capable of performing tasks such as rebooking airline flights, surpassing the functionalities of existing AI tools like Anthropic's Computer Use and OpenAI's Operator.-Despite its impressive capabilities, Manus has experienced slowing response times, suggesting challenges in scaling to meet demand. Notably, Monica operates from Wuhan, diverging from China's primary tech hubs like Beijing and Shanghai. In early 2024, ByteDance attempted to acquire Monica for $30 million, but founder Xiao Hong declined, preserving the company's distinct market position. By late 2024, Monica's valuation approached $100 million. The AI models powering Manus remain undisclosed; however, indications suggest reliance on Anthropic's Claude models, raising potential legal concerns regarding its operation in China. Read more here
Manus AI: Why Everyone Should Worry (Luiza's Newsletter)—Manus AI's emergence has sparked discussions about its legal and ethical implications. While the company behind Manus, Butterfly Effect PTE. LTD, is registered in Singapore, reports indicate that the development team is based in China, raising questions about data privacy and compliance with international regulations. As a fully autonomous agent, Manus can execute tasks such as report writing, data analysis, and content generation without human intervention. This autonomy introduces concerns about accountability, decision-making transparency, and potential biases in processes like resume screening. Experts emphasize the need for robust frameworks to maintain human oversight and ensure AI agents operate within ethical boundaries. The advent of Manus underscores China's rapid advancements in AI technology, prompting global discussions on the future of autonomous AI agents and the necessity for comprehensive governance structures to address emerging challenges. Read more here
Google Watch
Google Introduces Gemini AI Integration in Calendar to Enhance Scheduling (TechCrunch) Google is testing a new Gemini side panel within Google Calendar to help users manage their schedules more efficiently. This AI-powered feature allows users to interact conversationally with their calendar, enabling tasks such as checking upcoming events, creating new appointments, and retrieving event details. For example, users can ask, "When is my first meeting tomorrow?" or instruct, "Add a weekly workout every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday at 6 AM." Currently, this feature is available to participants in Google's Workspace Labs program. Read more here
AI Watch
Microsoft Develops In-House AI Models to Compete with OpenAI (Reuters)—Microsoft is developing its own artificial intelligence reasoning models, known internally as 'MAI,' to reduce reliance on OpenAI's technology. These models perform comparably to leading AI systems and are being tested as potential replacements in Microsoft's Copilot tools. The company plans to offer these models to external developers, aiming to diversify its AI portfolio and reduce costs associated with using OpenAI's GPT-4. Read more here
Building Your Own AI Assistant: A Comprehensive Guide (Harvard Business Review)—Creating a personalized AI assistant involves understanding natural language processing, machine learning algorithms, and user-centric design principles. Key steps include defining the assistant's purpose, curating relevant datasets, and implementing iterative testing to refine performance. This approach ensures the development of an AI assistant that effectively addresses specific user needs. Read more here
Hospitality Watch
Apaleo's Agent Hub: Pioneering AI Integration in Hospitality (PhocusWire)—Apaleo has launched Agent Hub, a marketplace designed to foster collaboration between hoteliers and tech developers in creating AI-driven solutions. This initiative aims to streamline hotel operations by integrating AI agents capable of managing bookings and personalizing guest experiences. By embracing such technology, the hospitality industry can enhance efficiency and meet evolving traveler expectations. Read more here
Mobile Watch
BT Reverses Course: Retains BT Brand Alongside EE in Consumer Market (Mobile World Live)—BT Group has decided to maintain both the BT and EE brands in its consumer segment, reversing earlier plans to prioritize EE exclusively. This strategic shift addresses concerns about potentially alienating long-standing BT customers, particularly older demographics. The decision underscores BT's commitment to preserving its brand heritage while navigating a competitive telecommunications landscape. Read more here
Housing Watch
Pandemic's Lasting Impact: U.S. Housing Market Transformed Over Five Years (Axios)—The COVID-19 pandemic has significantly reshaped the U.S. housing market over the past five years, leading to notable challenges for prospective homebuyers and advantages for existing homeowners.
Surge in Home Prices: Low borrowing costs and the rise of remote work fueled a homebuying spree, propelling the median U.S. home price to $418,000 in January 2025—a 45% increase from $289,000 five years prior.
Elevated Mortgage Rates: After historic lows in 2021, mortgage rates have climbed to nearly 7%, making affordability a significant hurdle and slowing buyer activity.
Tightened Inventory: Homeowners with low-rate mortgages are hesitant to sell, constricting supply. However, there's a gradual adjustment as buyers acclimate to higher rates.
Fluctuations in Homebuilding: Initially, home construction surged to meet demand but has since decelerated due to rising interest rates and construction costs. Builders express concerns over potential tariffs that could further escalate prices.
Dominance of Cash Buyers: Investors and wealthier individuals have maintained a strong presence in the market, with cash purchases remaining historically high despite a general market slowdown.
These trends collectively depict a housing market where elevated costs and limited availability have made homeownership increasingly elusive for many Americans. Read more here
DEI Watch
US Army Employs 'CamoGPT' to Eliminate DEI Content from Training Materials (Wired)—The United States Army is utilizing 'CamoGPT,' a generative AI tool developed by the Army's Artificial Intelligence Integration Center, to identify and remove references to diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility (DEIA) from training materials. This action aligns with a recent executive order directing the elimination of policies perceived as promoting divisive theories on race and gender. 'CamoGPT,' based on Meta's Llama 3.3 model, enables rapid scanning and modification of documents to comply with the directive, reflecting a broader Department of Defense initiative to revise DEIA content. Read more here
Security Watch
Quantum Computing Breakthroughs Challenge Current Encryption Standards (GeekWire)—Recent advancements by tech giants in quantum computing have intensified discussions about the future of data encryption. In December 2024, Google unveiled "Willow," a quantum processor capable of performing computations in under five minutes that would take today's fastest supercomputers an unfathomable amount of time. Following this, Microsoft introduced "Majorana 1" in February 2025, a quantum chip utilizing topological qubits for enhanced stability and scalability. Shortly after, Amazon announced "Ocelot," a chip designed to reduce error correction by up to 90 percent, accelerating the development of practical quantum applications. These rapid developments have set a new countdown ticking on current encryption methods. Quantum computers have the potential to break existing encryption algorithms, making today's internet privacy measures obsolete. This has spurred efforts in developing post-quantum cryptography (PQC), aiming to create encryption that can withstand quantum attacks. The race is now on between advancing quantum computing capabilities and establishing robust PQC to ensure future data security. Read more here
Creator Watch
Make Something Heavy (Working Theorys)—In the essay Make Something Heavy, Anu explores the intrinsic value we associate with physical weight, linking it to perceptions of quality, durability, and significance. She observes that while tangible items like gold or solid wood furniture convey a sense of permanence, the digital realm often emphasizes rapid, lightweight content that lacks lasting impact. Anu argues that this focus on ephemeral creation can leave creators feeling unfulfilled, as they yearn to produce substantial works—a "heavy thing"—that endure over time. She encourages creators to balance quick, iterative projects with more deliberate, meaningful endeavors that contribute to a lasting legacy. Read more here
Sales Watch
Building a High-Performance Sales Culture Without Burnout (Dear Stage 2)—Scaling a sales team requires balancing high performance with a supportive environment to prevent burnout. One of the key strategies is hiring leaders who set the right tone. Managers should value team success and invest in coaching rather than relying solely on pressure-driven tactics. Structured interview scorecards and thorough reference checks can help assess leadership style and cultural fit. To set sales reps up for success, companies should provide attainable quotas, well-designed compensation plans, and clear career growth opportunities.
Goals should be challenging yet achievable to maintain motivation and prevent frustration. Performance should also be an ongoing conversation, not just measured by revenue. Focusing on leading indicators like prospecting activity and pipeline creation allows teams to build confidence through incremental successes.
Finally, fostering a culture where failure is seen as a learning opportunity encourages risk-taking and continuous improvement. When sales teams feel supported, they are more likely to push boundaries and innovate without fear of repercussions. By implementing these practices, companies can build a sustainable sales culture that drives results while maintaining team well-being. Read more here
