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Welcome to the cutting edge ⚔️ 

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Today’s Slate

• Harvey, once backed by OpenAI, now uses Claude and Gemini for legal AI workflows

• TikTok’s “AI Alive” animates your photos with just a prompt

• Apple’s custom AR chips hint at a post-iPhone future

• Walgreens leans on robots to fill 16M prescriptions a month

• Elizabeth Holmes’ husband launches a new blood-testing startup

• Google signs a 1.8 GW nuclear deal to power its AI ambitions

• The. Future. Is. Here.

Artificial Intelligence

At a glance

• Harvey, a top legal AI startup, is now using Anthropic’s Claude and Google’s Gemini models—moving beyond its original exclusive use of OpenAI’s tech.

• Big win for OpenAI’s rivals: Harvey was one of the first companies backed by the OpenAI Startup Fund and is now valued at $3B.

• Why the switch? Harvey’s internal benchmark, BigLaw, showed that different models excel at different legal tasks. For example, Gemini 2.5 Pro is great at legal drafting, while OpenAI’s o3 model handles pre-trial tasks better.

• Multi-model future: Harvey plans to fine-tune multiple foundation models for specific legal workflows, rather than building its own from scratch.

• Cloud matters: Anthropic’s models are accessed via Amazon, while Google’s are integrated through its own cloud infrastructure.

Our Vision

Harvey’s pivot signals a new phase in enterprise AI: one where companies mix and match models based on performance, not loyalty. This move also underscores the growing maturity of Anthropic and Google’s offerings, especially in high-stakes domains like law. As AI agents become more specialized, expect more companies to adopt a “best model for the job” approach—reshaping the competitive landscape for foundation models.

At a glance

• TikTok’s new “AI Alive” feature turns still photos into short, animated video clips using a single text prompt.

• How it works: Users upload a photo, describe the desired motion or scene, and the tool generates a video that animates the subject—like blinking, smiling, or even dancing.

• Built-in virality: The tool is already fueling a wave of surreal, sometimes uncanny content across TikTok and Instagram.

• Creative potential: From nostalgic family portraits to meme-worthy pet animations, creators are exploring new ways to remix static memories.

• Tech behind it: ByteDance hasn’t disclosed the exact model, but it likely builds on recent advances in diffusion-based video generation.

Our Vision

TikTok’s AI Alive is more than a gimmick—it’s a glimpse into the future of spatial computing, where static media becomes dynamic and interactive. As generative video tools become more accessible, we’re entering an era where anyone can direct micro-cinematic moments with just a photo and a prompt. The line between memory and media is blurring, and TikTok is once again leading the charge.

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Spatial Computing

At a glance

• Apple is developing a custom chip specifically for its upcoming smart glasses, optimized for real-time spatial computing.

• Why it matters: Unlike the Vision Pro, which relies on a Mac-grade M-series chip, the glasses will need ultra-efficient silicon to handle AR tasks without overheating or draining battery.

• Designed for wearables: The chip is expected to support low-latency rendering, eye tracking, and environmental awareness—all in a lightweight form factor.

• Hints from supply chain: Apple has reportedly been testing prototypes with Taiwanese partners and may debut the glasses as early as 2026.

• Strategic shift: This move signals Apple’s long-term vision of AR glasses as a mainstream product—eventually replacing the iPhone.

Our vision
Apple’s custom AR chip could be the key to unlocking truly wearable spatial computing. By designing silicon from the ground up for glasses—not just shrinking down existing processors—Apple is betting that the future of computing is not in your pocket, but on your face. If successful, this could mark the beginning of a post-smartphone era.

At a glance

• Apple is developing a new family of chips aimed at powering smart glasses, next-gen Macs, and AI servers.

• Glasses-first design: One chip is inspired by the Apple Watch’s low-power architecture, optimized for lightweight wearables with camera-based environmental scanning.

• AI integration: These chips are expected to support on-device AI, enabling real-time assistance without relying on cloud processing.

• Mass production timeline: Apple is working with TSMC to bring these chips to market by late 2026 or 2027.

• Competitive edge: CEO Tim Cook is reportedly determined to outpace Meta in the smart glasses race, where Meta has already sold over 2 million Ray-Ban Metas.

Our Vision

Apple’s chip strategy reveals a broader ambition: to own the full stack of spatial computing. By designing silicon tailored to smart glasses and AI workloads, Apple is positioning itself to lead in a post-phone world. These chips won’t just power devices—they’ll define how we interact with digital layers overlaid on the physical world.

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Biotech

At a glance

• Billy Evans, husband of Theranos founder Elizabeth Holmes, is reportedly raising funds for a new blood-testing startup called Haemanthus.

• Déjà vu? The company’s mission—affordable, rapid blood diagnostics—echoes Theranos’ original pitch, though Evans claims it will be “radically transparent.”

• Holmes is not officially involved, but sources say she’s contributing ideas and research from prison.

• Skepticism runs high: Investors and scientists are wary, given the Theranos legacy and Holmes’ ongoing sentence for fraud.

• New team, new tech: Haemanthus is said to be working with academic partners and focusing on open-source methodologies.

Our Vision

The launch of Haemanthus is a bold, controversial move that reopens old wounds in biotech. While the promise of affordable diagnostics remains compelling, the shadow of Theranos looms large. If Evans and his team can deliver real science with real transparency, Haemanthus could be a redemption arc—or a repeat of history. Either way, it’s a story the industry can’t ignore.

At a glance

• Walgreens is expanding its use of robots to fill prescriptions at micro-fulfillment centers, aiming to serve over 5,000 stores by year’s end.

• Efficiency boost: These centers currently handle 40% of prescription volume at supported locations—about 16 million prescriptions monthly.

• Freeing up pharmacists: Automation reduces routine tasks, allowing pharmacy staff to focus on clinical services like vaccinations and testing.

• Strategic shift: The move comes as Walgreens prepares to go private in a $10B deal with Sycamore Partners.

• Industry trend: CVS and Amazon are also investing in automation as retail pharmacies face pressure from online competition and labor shortages.

Our Vision

Walgreens’ renewed push into robotics is more than a cost-cutting measure—it’s a redefinition of the pharmacy experience. By automating the back end, the company is betting that pharmacists can become frontline healthcare providers. If successful, this model could reshape how we think about retail health, blending automation with human care in a way that’s both scalable and personal.

Something Extra

At a glance

• Google has signed a deal with Elementl Power to develop 1.8 gigawatts of advanced nuclear capacity across three U.S. sites.

• Why now? Google’s AI ambitions are driving massive energy demands—$75B in data center expansion is planned for this year alone.

• Small Modular Reactors (SMRs) are the focus: Elementl hasn’t chosen a specific tech yet, but Kairos Power is a likely partner.

• Grid-connected and flexible: The reactors will be tied to the grid with options for Google to buy power directly.

• Still early days: No SMR has been built in the U.S. yet, and past projects have faced delays and cost overruns.

Our Vision

Google’s nuclear play is a bold step toward decarbonizing AI infrastructure. As data centers become the new factories of the digital age, clean, reliable power is no longer optional—it’s strategic. If SMRs can deliver on their promise, they could become the backbone of a greener, AI-powered internet.

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