- Ad Astra
- Posts
- DeepSeek Updates R1 Reasoning Model
DeepSeek Updates R1 Reasoning Model
Google Photos adds new AI-powered tools, Odyssey’s new AI model can stream, and China’s Honor develops humanoid robots.
Welcome back to your daily dossier talking AI, robotics, crypto and the future of tech. ✨
In today’s edition we are tackling the following:
🚀 DeepSeek updates its R1 reasoning model now available freely on Hugging Face.
🖼️ Google Photos adds new AI-powered tools for enhanced image editing experience.
🌐 Odyssey’s new AI model can stream immersive, interactive 3D worlds live.
🤖 China’s Honor develops humanoid robots as part of $10B AI plan.
💰 GameStop buys $500M worth of bitcoin to bolster financial strategy.

Success starts with the best hires.
At Athyna, we connect you with the innovators and change-makers who drive real growth—because exceptional people build exceptional companies.
From engineering and product to design and operations, we’ve got you covered. Get AI-matched with vetted talent from companies like Google, AWS, Uber, Accenture, and more.
*This is sponsored content

AI
DeepSeek updates its R1 reasoning model now available freely on Hugging Face
DeepSeek released an updated R1 AI model on Hugging Face under a permissive MIT license.
The model is a minor upgrade with 685 billion parameters, unsuitable for consumer-grade hardware.
U.S. regulators have flagged DeepSeek as a potential national security risk due to its advanced AI.
Google Photos adds new AI-powered tools for enhanced image editing experience
Google Photos updates editor with AI tools for quick, eye-catching photo edits and specific part suggestions.
New AI features like Reimagine and Auto frame debut on Android, coming to iOS later this year.
Sharing albums is easier with QR codes, allowing quick access and collaboration for group events.
Odyssey’s new AI model can stream immersive and interactive 3D worlds live
Odyssey’s AI model streams interactive, navigable 3D video by predicting visual states in real time.
The tech promises new forms of entertainment, though creatives worry about job loss and automation.
Odyssey pledges collaboration, not replacement, and plans rapid model improvements using real-world video data.
ROBOTICS
China’s Honor develops humanoid robots as part of $10B AI plan
HONOR, spun off from Huawei, plans humanoid robots in $10 billion AI expansion.
China leads humanoid robotics with startups and events like the recent robot half-marathon.
HONOR aims to diversify like Xiaomi, integrating AI services across devices and industries.
Your founder superpower is hidden in your DNA*
Every great founder operates differently. Stop forcing someone else's playbook.
Our proven DNA test decodes your authentic entrepreneurial style and gives you a structured framework to leverage your natural strengths.
No more scattered focus. No more wasted energy.
Mid-air transformation enables robot to smoothly transition between flying and rolling modes
Caltech engineers created ATMO, a flying robot that transforms midair to drive smoothly on rough terrain.
ATMO uses four thrusters for flight, which become wheels when switching to ground-driving mode.
This midair morphing ability improves agility, benefiting delivery systems and robotic exploration missions.
MassRobotics announces 2025 robotics medal winners and rising stars list
MassRobotics honored female robotics leaders with $50,000 Robotics Medal and $5,000 Rising Star awards.
Dr. Maja Matarić won Robotics Medal for pioneering socially assistive and distributed robot research.
Dr. Tania Morimoto received Rising Star for innovations in soft medical robots and human-machine interfaces.
CRYPTO
JD Vance tells Bitcoin conference stablecoins support and not threaten the U.S. dollar
U.S. Vice President JD Vance spoke at Bitcoin 2025, highlighting crypto’s economic potential.
Vance promoted the GENIUS Act, stablecoin legislation aimed at strengthening the U.S. economy.
He emphasized stablecoins could boost, not weaken, the global influence of the U.S. dollar.
GameStop buys $500M worth of bitcoin to bolster financial strategy
GameStop bought 4,710 bitcoin, worth over $500 million, to strengthen its financial position.
The move follows a shift in U.S. crypto policy under Trump, boosting bitcoin’s price above $110,000.
Critics warn of corruption risks as Trump’s personal crypto ties raise ethical and legal concerns.
Here’s the team behind Freysa AI raising $30M from Coinbase Ventures
Freysa AI raised $30 million from Coinbase Ventures, Selini Capital, and other investors, The Block confirmed.
The project is backed by Eternis AI, co-founded by Varadaraj, Tiwari, Li, and Malinauskas.
Freysa AI’s goal is to provide every person with a personal AI twin for enhanced assistance.

The new growth channel for CEOs is LinkedIn.
Not getting the LinkedIn results you’re expecting? Playbookz turns your LinkedIn presence into a revenue machine. One client received 400+ qualified leads from a single post, while another landed a $40 billion company in their inbox.
All you have to do is talk to Playbookz for 60 minutes a month—they handle the rest. Thought leadership, lead gen, and personal brand growth, done-for-you.
Guarantee: 20k+ reach in 28 days or you don’t pay.
*This is sponsored content

How I use Google Veo3 to create viral videos with PJ Accetturo
Filmmaker PJ Accetturo shares how he creates viral AI-generated commercials using Google’s Veo 3.
He breaks down his step-by-step process, including scripting with ChatGPT, video generation, and editing.
PJ highlights how his pharmaceutical ad parody went viral and offers insights on monetizing AI content creation.
Rahm Emanuel explains "The Death of the American Dream"
Rahm Emanuel discusses Democratic Party challenges, including Biden’s health and growing cultural and political divides.
Topics include GOP tax cuts, antisemitism, education issues, and difficulties confronting today’s young men.
Emanuel reflects on future leadership and addresses speculation about a potential 2028 presidential run.
Rick Rubin says vibe coding is the punk rock of software
Rick Rubin’s The Way of Code blends Taoist philosophy, AI, and “vibe coding” into a creative manifesto.
The conversation explores AI as a new artistic medium, remix culture, and staying authentic as creators.
Topics span punk rock, Johnny Cash, and how tech intersects with music, art, and self-expression.
AND MORE…
AMD acquires silicon photonics startup Enosemi to boost its AI goals
AMD acquired Enosemi to accelerate co-packaged optics innovation for next-generation AI systems and data movement.
Enosemi develops photonic integrated circuits for faster, energy-efficient data transmission using silicon photonics technology.
Founded in 2023, Enosemi had 16 employees and previously raised $150,000 in venture capital funding.
Security startup Horizon3.ai is raising $100M in a new funding round
Horizon3.ai is raising $100 million, having secured $73 million in its latest funding round.
The startup, valued near $750 million, generates about $30 million in annual recurring revenue.
Horizon3.ai recently earned FedRAMP authorization and reported 101% year-on-year revenue growth.
Vietnam’s AI ambitions depend on one $8.8B technology company
FPT Corp., founded 40 years ago by Truong Gia Binh, is Vietnam’s largest tech company.
The company serves 130 Fortune Global 500 clients and partners with Nvidia on AI and semiconductors.
FPT faces challenges competing with Indian and Malaysian firms and navigating new US tariffs.

P.S. Want to collaborate?
Here are some ways.
Share today’s news with someone who would dig it. It really helps us to grow.
Let’s partner up. Looking for some ad inventory? Cool, we’ve got some.
Deeper integrations. If it’s some longer form storytelling you are after, reply to this email and we can get the ball rolling.

How was today's email? |