AI trained in space, Google glasses & more (December 10, 2025)

Good morning,

Today brings orbital AI breakthroughs, a McDonald’s ad gone off the rails, Google’s push to make everything agent ready, and China testing the limits of GPU bans. A packed news cycle with big implications across infrastructure, apps, and global competition.

Let’s dive in.

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🚀 Frontier Breakthroughs

🛰️ Starcloud trains first AI model in space

Starcloud successfully trained the first AI model in orbit, using satellite based data centers that avoid Earthbound energy and cooling constraints. Running compute in space allows colder environments and frictionless scaling without traditional infrastructure limits. Nvidia’s involvement signals that orbital compute may become a serious competitive frontier for model training.

🥽 Google’s new glasses: Project Aura

Project Aura glasses will unify Android XR across headsets and smart glasses, creating a single spatial computing layer. The framework emphasizes multimodal AI and natural interaction across devices. Google sees Aura as a key step in competing with Apple Vision and defining the next era of spatial AI hardware.

👀 McDonald’s Netherlands AI ad sparks backlash

McDonald’s pulled its controversial AI ad after viewers said the animated characters looked disturbingly unnatural. The campaign spread fast on social media as people questioned how it was approved. It has reignited the conversation about brand safety when using AI generated creative.

🏢 The AI Power Shift

🔧 Google rolls out managed MCP servers

Google launched managed MCP servers across tools like Maps and BigQuery, giving AI agents standardized plug and play access. This removes complex integrations that previously slowed down agent deployment. Google believes MCP will become foundational as companies adopt agentic workflows across operations.

🇨🇳 China’s DeepSeek used banned Nvidia GPUs

DeepSeek reportedly trained its newest model using restricted Nvidia H20 chips, despite US export limitations. The GPUs were allegedly acquired through unapproved parallel channels. The incident highlights how competitive pressure is pushing China’s labs to bypass restrictions, raising geopolitical and enforcement concerns.

📱 ChatGPT becomes the most downloaded app of 2025

ChatGPT topped both the Google Play and Apple App Store charts, officially making it the most downloaded app of the year in the United States. The rapid rise shows how deeply mobile AI has integrated into daily life. It also reflects a major shift as AI apps begin displacing many single purpose apps on consumers’ phones.

🛠️ Tools of the Day

→ Incredible, AI powered storytelling and presentation creation.
→ Vybe 4, a personalized AI companion aimed at emotional and mental wellness.
→ Yolk, the AI Sales Coach, real time coaching that helps reps improve calls and close rates.

💬 Prompt of the Day

Look at my schedule, habits, and current responsibilities. Suggest smarter ways to reorganize my life to maximize momentum, reduce friction, and free up mental space.

⚡ Quick Hits

→ Amazon invests 35 billion dollars into India expansion.
→ Navy partners with Palantir on new shipbuilding AI.
→ New bill aims to accelerate federal AI hiring.
→ OpenAI hires Slack CEO as Chief Revenue Officer.
→ Figma adds AI object removal and image fill tools.
→ OpenAI testing new Image 2 models publicly.
→ Oboe raises 16 million dollars for AI course creation.
→ Unconventional AI confirms a massive 475 million dollar seed.

🧠 TLDR

Space based model training becomes real, Google pushes deeper into the agent ecosystem, China keeps sidestepping GPU bans, ChatGPT rules mobile, and XR takes another big step forward. The AI landscape is accelerating across infrastructure, consumer apps, and global competition.

See you tomorrow,
David