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👋 Good Morning. Tesla's Cybertruck trade-ins are flopping, China’s tech giants are dodging U.S. chip bans with homemade silicon, and AI-fueled cheating is throwing schools into panic mode. Plus: Spain gets caught backing hackers, and a new anti-revenge porn law has free speech advocates worried.

TL;DR: Tech's latest headlines read like a dystopian startup pitch — shocking, sleek, and strangely plausible.

What’s Merging Today:
• 🛻 Tesla’s Cybertruck resale values plummet
• 🇨🇳 Tencent & Baidu sidestep U.S. chip curbs
• 🎓 AI cheating shakes up college campuses
• 🛡️ New anti-revenge porn law backlash
• 🕵️ Spain’s state-sponsored hacking group

MERGE MINDBLOWERS

• 🪐 There’s a planet made entirely of burning ice.
  Gliese 436 b is a planet where the temperature is over 800°F, but its surface is covered in "hot ice" due to extreme gravity keeping the water molecules locked in solid form.

• 🎩 Napoleon was once attacked by a horde of bunnies.
  He organized a rabbit hunt for his men, but the bunnies were domesticated and charged toward him expecting food — he had to flee.

• 🧬 Humans glow in the dark — a little.
  We emit bioluminescence in visible light, but it's 1,000 times weaker than the human eye can detect.

• 📡 Whales have regional accents.
  Sperm whales in different oceans have distinct vocal “dialects” — kind of like aquatic gang signs — used to form clans.

• 🥚 The world’s largest omelet took over 430,000 eggs to make.
  It was cooked in Portugal in a custom 10-meter frying pan, weighed 14,225 pounds, and required a forklift to flip.

TODAY IN AI

AI cheating surge leaves schools scrambling

The latest wave of AI adoption isn't hitting startups or Fortune 500s — it’s infiltrating college campuses. A new Axios report reveals that up to 90% of students are using AI tools like ChatGPT for coursework, essay writing, test prep, and even take-home exams.

What’s making it worse? Most schools still don’t have clear policies or tech strong enough to detect AI-generated content. And when detection tools are used, they often mislabel non-native English or neurodivergent writing as AI — sparking backlash and false accusations.

💬 Why it matters: The educational system is being redefined in real-time, and no one’s steering the ship — students, teachers, and universities are all flying blind.

🐦 Tweet of the Day:

TODAY IN TECH

Tesla’s Cybertruck trade-in’s are brutal

Tesla has officially opened its trade-in program for Cybertruck owners — and early adopters are stunned. Some are receiving offers at less than 60% of what they paid just months ago. Trade-in values are averaging under $50K on a vehicle that often cost $80K+ with add-ons.

Dealers cite production delays, design changes, and a glut of used EVs flooding the market. Combine that with recent quality-control complaints, and resale confidence is tanking.

📉 Why it matters: Tesla’s brand has thrived on hype, but this trade-in backlash could cool enthusiasm and dent resale trust for future rollouts.

TODAY IN BUSINESS

Tencent & Baidu build their own AI chips

UnitedHealth shares dropped after the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) announced plans to audit all 550 Medicare Advantage plans annually, a significant increase from the previous 60.

📉 The crackdown follows claims of overbilling and algorithmic fraud.

Also in the headlines: Tinder CEO Faye Iosotaluno announced her resignation, effective July. Less than two years in the seat.

Why it matters: AI in healthcare is about to meet regulators head-on.

MERGE TOOLS

Top AI Tools This Week

• 📥 MailSweeper
  Let AI handle your inbox clutter. Auto-filters the fluff so you can focus.

• 📚 Keymate.AI
  Chat with your documents like it’s 2030. Integrated with ChatGPT, it gives you instant answers from your own files.

• 📅 Skywork
  Your AI-powered work assistant that actually understands your workflow — and simplifies it.

• 📬 Beehiiv
  A comprehensive newsletter platform built for growth. Offers tools for content creation, audience segmentation, and monetization. Exclusive Offer: 30-day trial + 20% OFF for 3 months.

• 📰 The Sample
  Discover your next favorite writer. The Sample curates articles from hundreds of blogs and newsletters, sending you personalized recommendations based on your interests.

• 🔗 SeoJuice
  Supercharge your SEO game. This tool auto-links your internal content using smart keyword insights.

🛠️ Want More? Check out our Top 50 AI Tools.

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WHAT ELSE IS MERGING

• 🛡️ New Anti-Revenge Porn Law Raises Alarm
Critics say the law, while well-intentioned, could blur the lines of free speech and lead to overreach.

• 🕵️ Spain Linked to Notorious Hacker Group
A hacking group with ties to the Spanish government has been implicated in global cyber espionage — not a great look for the EU.

• 🤯 New AI Glossary Simplifies the Chaos
Hallucinations, fine-tuning, embeddings... if those still sound like sci-fi, this glossary breaks it all down for normies.

• 🛰️ L3Harris Enhances Canada's Surveillance Capabilities
L3Harris Technologies has secured a contract to supply 16 advanced WESCAM MX-20 surveillance systems to the Canadian Commercial Corporation. These systems are designed to bolster Canada's national security by providing high-resolution imaging for intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance missions.

• 🚗 Nissan Unveils Next-Gen Hybrid Technology
Nissan Motor Co. has introduced an updated version of its hybrid vehicle technology, aiming to strengthen its position in the eco-friendly automotive market. The new system promises improved fuel efficiency and performance, reflecting Nissan's commitment to sustainable transportation solutions.

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IN PARTNERSHIP WITH MINDSTREAM

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Until next time,

Matt & The Morning Merge team.