The Comunicano for Tuesday June 17th 2025

You know, we used to say that technology was about making tools. But what we’re seeing now—this isn’t just toolmaking. This is tool thinking.

Look around. AI is no longer about prediction. It’s about cognition. The buzzword is “neuro-symbolic,” but here’s the truth: we’re teaching machines to reason, not just recognize patterns. IBM and Microsoft are already proving it. It's not science fiction anymore—it’s science legacy. And it’s only the beginning.

Meanwhile, Adobe’s Firefly turns your phone into a creative studio. We used to dream of having pro tools in your pocket. It’s beautiful. It democratizes imagination. Meta is doing the same for ads, letting a kid in their bedroom produce like Madison Avenue. The wall between creator and consumer? It’s gone.

But not all revolutions are peaceful. OpenAI just took a $200 million Pentagon deal. That’s not chump change. It’s a contract with history. And Spotify’s Daniel Ek? He’s putting nearly $700 million into Helsing, because the battlefield is the new platform. Scary? Maybe. But inevitable. The same way the internet was inevitable. The same way streaming just overtook cable. You blink, and the old world is gone.

And here’s where it really gets weird: social media is now where most Americans get their news. Not newspapers, not TV—TikTok, YouTube, Rogan. People don’t want anchors; they want personalities. Trust is shifting from institutions to individuals. That’s not a bug. That’s evolution.

So what do we do?

We build with intention. We don’t just ship features—we ship values. We don’t chase hype—we pursue clarity. Prime Day becomes a four-day spectacle, and that's fine, but the real headline? The future is faster, flatter, and more fragmented.

Technology used to be about making things easier. Now it’s about making sense. And in a world full of noise, the best thing we can offer isn’t more content. It’s context.

So yeah—this isn’t just a moment. It’s a signal. Let’s not just catch the next wave. Let’s create it. And, what’s created, you’ll find, right here, in THE COMUNICANO!!!

Andy Abramson

AI Watch

Neuro-Symbolic AI: The Next Cognitive Computing Frontier (Unaligned)—The AI industry is hitting the limits of pure neural networks, and the solution looks backward to move forward. Neuro-symbolic AI combines deep learning's pattern recognition with symbolic logic's reasoning power—essentially teaching machines to think like humans rather than just predict like algorithms. IBM's early work with visual question answering and Microsoft's conversational AI initiatives prove this isn't academic theory. It's the missing link between today's impressive but brittle AI and tomorrow's truly intelligent systems. For investors and strategists, this represents the next wave: AI that explains its reasoning, transfers knowledge across domains, and works with less data. Read more here

Adobe Launches Firefly AI App for iOS and Android (The Verge)—Adobe has launched its Firefly AI app for iPhone and Android, bringing pro grade creative tools to mobile devices. The app features text to image, image to video, and Generative Fill straight from Photoshop. Users can also access models from OpenAI, Google, Pika, Runway and others, offering wide flexibility. Everything syncs to Creative Cloud, so work started on mobile can be finished on desktop. Adobe promises legal clarity via its own trained model, but also supports experimental content from partners. Free tier users can try basic features, while credits and subscriptions unlock premium models and video tools. Read more here

MilTech Watch

OpenAI Lands $200M Defense Contract: The Military-Industrial AI Complex Takes Shape (Reuters)—The ChatGPT maker just scored its first Pentagon contract, marking a watershed moment in Silicon Valley's courtship of national security dollars. This isn't just about OpenAI flexing—it's about the fundamental shift where AI becomes weaponized infrastructure. The one-year deal positions OpenAI to prototype "frontier AI capabilities" for both warfighting and administrative functions, from cybersecurity to healthcare logistics. With rivals like Anthropic already partnering with Palantir for defense work, we're witnessing the birth of a new military-industrial complex where algorithm supremacy equals national advantage. The $200M represents pocket change for OpenAI's $10B annual run rate, but the strategic positioning is invaluable. Read more here

Spotify's Daniel Ek Doubles Down on Defense Tech with $692M Helsing Bet (Sifted)—Europe's music streaming king is orchestrating a different kind of disruption. Ek's Prima Materia led a massive €600M round for Munich-based Helsing, catapulting the defense AI startup to a $13.8B valuation. This isn't diversification—it's recognition that autonomous warfare is the next platform war. Helsing's evolution from AI software to strike drones and battlefield management systems mirrors the trajectory of every successful tech company: start with intelligence, scale to infrastructure. Ek's bet signals that European tech titans are finally awakening to the reality that defense innovation drives civilian breakthroughs, not the other way around. Read more here

Media Watch

Streaming Beats Cable and Broadcast as Viewership Habits Shift (New York Times)—For the first time, streaming services now command more weekly watch time in the US than traditional cable and broadcast television combined. Nielsen data shows streaming, including platforms like Netflix and YouTube, now tops usage across households, with broadcast and cable losing ground among all age groups. The change reflects that viewers demand flexibility in terms of demand titles, and bingeable series are reshaping habits. Cable networks are responding by cutting original programming and rerunning older shows, while media companies restructure around streaming investments. Analysts say this marks a pivotal moment when old-line TV must either adapt or risk obsolescence. This aligns with recent industry moves—Comcast, Warner, Paramount and others are spinning off cable assets as audiences migrate to streaming Read more here

Social Media Overtakes TV as Americans’ Top News Source (Nieman Lab)—Social media and video apps have for the first time surpassed television as the leading source of news for Americans. A recent Reuters Institute analysis shows 54 percent of US adults now say social platforms are their main news source, compared to 50 percent for TV. This shift is driven especially by younger audiences, who prefer personality-led, video-first news. Influencers like Joe Rogan are central to this change. While the trend accelerates news access, it also raises fresh concerns around misinformation, echo chambers, and the diminishing reach of traditional news outlets. Read more here

Rise of Personality-Driven and Digital News (Reuters)—US news consumers are turning to podcaster Joe Rogan and away from traditional sources, report shows According to the Reuters Institute Digital News Report, following the January 2025 presidential inauguration, more Americans cited social and video networks not TV or websites as their primary news source. Especially under 35s are driving this change, with podcasters notably Joe Rogan, influencers, and AI chatbots drawing large audiences. Roughly one in five Americans saw Rogan-led news during that week. However, these digital personalities are also seen as major vectors of misinformation, and 70 percent of Americans remain worried about their ability to discern truth online. Read more here

Comprehensive Analysis: 2025 Digital News Report—Digital News Report 2025 (Reuters Institute)—The Reuters Institute annual survey of nearly 100000 people across more than 48 countries maps a transforming news landscape social media and video platforms have overtaken TV in major markets, especially among younger audiences. Personality-led formats dominate, AI chatbots are emerging as news sources, and text remains globally preferred but digital video is catching up fast. Trust levels hold steady at around 40 percent, yet concerns about misinformation and news avoidance remain high about 40 percent globally. The full report examines political, generational, and regional differences, alongside insights into news deserts, the growing role of AI, and the rise of news influencers. Read more here

Amazon Watch

Amazon Confirms Prime Day 2025 Will Stretch Over Four Days (aboutamazon)
Amazon has formally announced that Prime Day 2025 runs from July 8 at 12 01 a m PDT through July 11 spanning a record four days. This year introduces Todays Big Deals, with new themed flash sales launching daily at midnight Pacific Time, featuring major brands such as Samsung, Kiehls and Levis. Shoppers can access early deals before July, covering products from pantry staples to luxury items. LeBron James headlines the campaign. Exclusive access to Prime members is still required though a free trial is available. Amazon also highlights tools like wishlist alerts and Alexa notifications to help users track deals. Read more here

Prime Day 2025 Dates Announced With Four Day Run (The Verge)—Amazon’s flagship shopping event, Prime Day 2025, will run from Tuesday July 8 at 3 a m EDT through Friday July 11 at the same time transforming the traditional two day sale into a four day marathon. The Verge highlights early access to smart home gear such as Blink Mini 2 bundles and Ring doorbell deals, plus standalone promos on eero routers and Fire tablets. Amazon promises to stagger daily Big Deals to keep engagement high, though they have not confirmed the timing pattern. The event remains exclusively for Prime members including trial subscribers, with Amazon offering a six month free plan for 18 to 24 year olds. Read more here

Meta Watch

Meta Unleashes AI Driven Ad Magic With Image to Video Converter (OpenTools)—Meta has launched a new AI powered tool that lets advertisers turn up to 20 still images into multi scene video ads complete with transitions, animations, and music. Designed for Facebook and Instagram, the tool streamlines the creative process, helping brands and agencies quickly produce dynamic, mobile first content without deep production resources. Meta positions this as part of its push toward full automation in advertising, joining other AI features like Advantage Plus. This move targets small to midsize businesses eager to scale campaigns while saving time and money. Read more here

Metas Advantage Plus Gains Gen AI Tools for Advertisers and Agencies (Adweek)—At Cannes Lions, Meta announced new generative AI features within its Advantage Plus ad suite. Brands can upload images to auto create animated video ads with overlays, music, transitions, and text highlights. There are new tools for consistent branding logos, colors, fonts plus voice features for prompts or ad FAQs. Virtual Try On, creative sticker CTAs and expanded Stories Reels placements are also in test. Meta notes that existing Advantage Plus sales campaigns have seen a 22 percent average return on ad spend, and its GEM recommendation model boosts conversions by up to 5 percent. These additions aim to make ad scaling faster, smarter and more engaging. Read more here

Dating Watch

Tinder's Social Pivot: Double Dating as Gen Z Strategy (TechCrunch)—The swipe-right dynasty is adapting to survive the attention economy wars. Tinder's new Double Date feature isn't just product innovation—it's demographic salvation. With 90% of early adopters under 29 and women 3x more likely to engage with pairs versus solo profiles, CEO Spencer Rascoff is executing a masterclass in platform evolution. This move acknowledges what every consumer platform fears: users want community, not transactions. While competitors like Bumble chase events and Hinge builds communities, Tinder is betting that reducing dating anxiety through group dynamics will revive its flagging Gen Z engagement. It's social commerce meets romantic matchmaking. Read more here

Weight Watch

The New Obesity Revolution: SANA Pill Burns Fat, Preserves Muscle (Wired)—While everyone obsesses over Ozempic, Eolo Pharma is quietly revolutionizing weight loss with a different approach entirely. Their SANA pill targets creatine-dependent thermogenesis—essentially turning your body into a fat-burning furnace without appetite suppression or muscle loss. Early human trials showed significant weight reduction in just two weeks while preserving lean tissue, solving the major drawback of GLP-1 drugs. This isn't incremental improvement; it's a fundamentally different mechanism that could reshape the $50B obesity drug market. Phase 2 trials launch this year, and if results hold, we're looking at the next generation of metabolic medicine. Read more here

Auto Watch

2026 Chevrolet Corvette ZR1X Revealed Hybrid Powerhouse Hits 1250 HP (Car and Driver)—Chevrolet has unveiled the 2026 Corvette ZR1X, a twin turbo hybrid supercar producing 1250 horsepower via a rear mounted LT7 V8 and an electric front axle. This piece highlights a major shift Corvette not only boosts power but taps hybrid AWD traction while keeping its sleek identity. The setup delivers sub two second 0 to 60 times and a 233 mile per hour top speed. Subtle exterior cues and an X badge distinguish it. Tech upgrades include active aero, high spec brakes and wider front tires. Pricing lands near 200000, with deliveries starting late 2025. Read more here