Welcome back, AI Enthusiasts!
In today’s AI summary rundown:
Record-Length Blackout:
The Iranian government imposed a nationwide internet shutdown beginning January 8, 2026, cutting access almost entirely and marking the longest internet blackout in the country’s history amid escalating protests.Suppression of Dissent:
Experts like Mahsa Alimardani say internet shutdowns are used to prevent protest coordination, hinder documentation by citizen journalists, and reduce visibility of state violence.Partial and Unstable Connectivity:
Connectivity has returned sporadically in some areas around 30–40 percent in parts but access remains highly inconsistent, with many social media and messaging platforms still blocked.Use of Satellite Internet and VPNs:
Some Iranians used VPNs and Starlink satellite connections to try to bypass censorship, but governments actively disrupt these tools and jamming efforts often limit their effectiveness.Broader Impact on Information Flow:
The blackout has severely restricted the flow of accurate information both inside and outside Iran, enabling authorities to spread disinformation and manipulate public perception while documenting voices struggling to be heard.
Read time is 4 min..
AI Insights
Nvidia’s CEO Denies He’s Unhappy With OpenAI, Reaffirms Major Investment Plans
Denial of Discontent:
Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang dismissed claims that he was unhappy with OpenAI or frustrated with the relationship, calling such reports “nonsense.”Investment Commitment:
Huang said Nvidia intends to make a “huge” investment in OpenAI, probably the largest in the company’s history, and that it will participate in OpenAI’s current funding round.Clarifying the $100 Billion Figure:
A previously discussed plan to invest up to $100 billion was described as non-binding and not finalized and Huang confirmed the final amount will be determined by OpenAI’s fundraising needs.Context of Partnership:
The announcement follows earlier reporting that internal doubts at Nvidia had stalled the initial mega-deal, but Huang stressed that the companies are still aligned.Competitive Landscape:
Discussions around the investment highlight broader competition in AI hardware and software, with other tech giants like Amazon also looking to invest in OpenAI as it seeks to raise up to $100 billion in funding.
AI Training: AI Tutorial of the Day
Turn a Viral Meme Into an Evolutionary Algorithm
One experiment worth trying on thareja.ai is asking AI to treat internet memes like evolving organisms instead of jokes.
Memes survive, mutate, and die based on attention. That’s basically an evolutionary algorithm hiding in plain sight.
Start a New Chat
Open thareja.ai and begin with a fresh conversation.
This keeps the model focused on evolutionary framing instead of cultural commentary.
Switch Your AI Model
Click the ( + ) icon next to Automatic.
Select Claude.
Why Claude?
Claude is strong at:
System-level reasoning
Explaining processes step by step
Mapping abstract ideas to structured frameworks
Perfect for evolutionary logic.
Try This Prompt & Observe the Output
Prompt used:
“Explain how a viral meme evolves over time as if it were an evolutionary algorithm. Describe mutation, selection pressure, fitness scoring, and extinction using real meme behavior.”
Model used:
Claude
AI Response (Excerpt)
“A meme begins as a random variation. Each share acts as reproduction. Engagement metrics serve as fitness scores. Mutations occur through remixing, caption changes, or context shifts. Platforms apply selection pressure through algorithms. Memes that fail to adapt lose visibility and go extinct, while successful variants dominate the population until audience fatigue resets the environment.”
Why This Experiment Works
Makes algorithmic thinking intuitive
Shows how culture follows optimization rules
Turns humor into a serious systems lesson
Claude keeps the explanation clean, logical, and grounded.
Happy Promoting!
Exclusive Member Deal - 20% OFF
Superpower AI Bundle Access 50+ Major LLMs
One Subscription. $20/mo $16/mo with code SUPERPOWER20
AI-Generated Image of the Day
Prompt: Visualize a serene and beautifully designed fish pond. Imagine colorful Koi fish swimming around, lily pads floating on the surface, and perhaps a small wooden bridge crossing over it. The sun is gently reflecting off the water's surface, creating a mesmerizing play of light and shadow.
Tip: the more specific the better
Experience the power of seamless model switching with thareja.ai. Our feature, Nano Banana, generates vibrant, eye-catching visuals, enhancing your content and immediately grabbing viewer attention. Make your posts stand out effortlessly with Nano Banana.
Meme of the Day
Question of the Day
Which of the following is a key ethical concern in AI development?
That’s it for today’s news in the world of AI!
If you have anything interesting to share, please reach out to us by sending us a DM on Twitter: @dthareja or email me at [email protected]. How was today's newsletter?
Feedback helps us improve!
Thanks for reading. Until next time!
p.s. if you want to sign up for this newsletter or share it with a friend or colleague, you can find us here.