Good morning readers. Lebron James makes history yet again, surpassing 40,000 career points in a dazzling display for the Los Angeles Lakers against the Denver Nuggets over the weekend. Despite battling a left ankle injury, James' relentless drive led him to this historic achievement, further cementing his status as an NBA legend. With eyes set on future goals, including playing alongside his sons in the league, James continues to defy expectations, solidifying his legacy as one of basketball's greatest.

This had us thinking: is there anyone or anything else that’s lasted as long as Lebron and been this good in the process? Here’s what we came up with:

1. The Rolling Stones

2. Coke’s iconic fizz

3. The Simpsons

What’s your list? Drop a note by voting for today’s edition. We read every comment.

Let’s jump into today’s storylines.

In today’s digest:

• Elon Musk starts his war on AI

• Headline Hustle: Hamas arrives in Cairo for ceasefire talks with a potential deal on the table, Supreme Court set to rule on Trump's ballot eligibility, Lawyers that struck down Elon’s pay package ask for $6 billion in Tesla stock

• Marc Harrison's mission to redefine healthcare

• The Week Ahead: What to Expect

• Pulse Points: What’s Trending

AI

In the world of AI, it’s Musk against everyone else

It looks like Elon Musk has a hard time letting things go these days. Last week, the modern day Iron Man sued OpenAI and its co-founders for violating the company’s founding agreement by becoming to profit focused.

But it’s not just OpenAI he’s got a problem with. It’s with everyone else in the world of AI.

The issue

By taking legal action against Sam Altman and openly criticizing the practices of major players like Google and Microsoft, Musk has signaled a deep concern over the direction AI development is taking. Musk's lawsuit against Altman and OpenAI alleges a betrayal of their original not-for-profit ethos, accusing them of veering towards profit-making at the expense of ethical AI development. His criticisms extend to Google's AI chatbot Gemini and Microsoft's data policies, highlighting issues of bias, privacy, and the ethical use of AI.

At the core of the AI wars is a fundamental disagreement over the principles guiding AI development. Musk's actions reflect a broader concern about the ethical ramifications of AI, its potential for bias, and the safeguarding of personal data.

• The transition of OpenAI from a not-for-profit to a profit-making entity, partly through its partnership with Microsoft, illustrates the financial pressures and incentives driving the evolution of AI technologies.

• Musk's founding of xAI and his vocal criticisms highlight (to him) a commitment to an ethical framework for AI development, contrasting with the approaches of other industry leaders.

Why this matters. The implications of Musk's AI wars extend far beyond personal vendettas or corporate rivalries. They touch on fundamental questions about how AI should be developed, deployed, and governed. Musk's critique brings issues of algorithmic bias, data privacy, and the concentration of AI power into sharp focus, prompting a broader debate on AI governance and regulation.

Looking ahead…this lawsuit might stir up more attention on how OpenAI does business, but it probably won't make them change much. According to one legal pro talking to The Guardian, Elon Musk might not have much legal ground to stand on. However, other legal challenges like copyright battles with publishers and antitrust investigations could still chip away at OpenAI's influence.

IN THE KNOW

Headline Hustle

🛬 Hamas arrives in Cairo for ceasefire talks with ‘deal on the table’. In Cairo, a critical phase unfolds as Hamas engages in talks aiming for a six-week Gaza ceasefire, with a potential deal already endorsed by Israel, awaiting Hamas' approval. Despite the optimism, official confirmations remain scarce, and hurdles like the disclosure of hostages persist. Amidst the backdrop of a devastating five-month conflict, marked by severe casualties and humanitarian crises, the proposed ceasefire offers a glimmer of hope for relief and the return of hostages, albeit without resolving all underlying issues. The urgency is amplified by recent violence and the approaching Ramadan, highlighting the dire need for a resolution.

🗳️ Supreme Court set to rule on Trump's ballot eligibility in Colorado. The Supreme Court is poised to announce rulings, with a spotlight on the pivotal decision regarding Colorado's bid to remove ex-President Donald Trump from the primary ballot. This decision, expected on Monday, follows hearings questioning Trump's eligibility post-January 6, 2021, Capitol attack. While Colorado awaits, Maine and Illinois also grapple with similar challenges. This unexpected announcement day underscores the case's urgency. The verdict could reverberate beyond Colorado, influencing nationwide efforts to exclude Trump from ballots.

💰️ Lawyers that struck down Elon Musk’s pay package are asking for $6 billion in Tesla stock. Lawyers petition a Delaware judge for nearly $6 billion in Tesla stock as compensation for their successful challenge against CEO Elon Musk’s 2018 pay package. If approved, this fee would surpass previous attorney payouts, including those related to Enron. The legal team convinced the court to invalidate Musk’s $56 billion compensation, citing board failure to justify its fairness. Representing Tesla investors, they seek over 11% of Musk’s intended shares, emphasizing their alignment with shareholders' interests. This unconventional fee structure, linked to Tesla's value, underscores their commitment.

TECH

A new prescription for healthcare

Venture capitalism just got a prescription for innovation, and Dr. Marc Harrison is the one writing it.

Transitioning from a celebrated career in healthcare leadership to the world of venture capitalism, Harrison's move to General Catalyst is a groundbreaking venture aimed at redefining healthcare as we know it.

A different take on healthcare delivery

At the heart of this venture is the transformation of Summa Health from a nonprofit entity into a for-profit organization under the guidance of the Health Assurance Transformation Corporation (HATCo), led by Harrison. This bold move is not just about changing labels; it's about fundamentally rethinking how healthcare is delivered, making it more accessible and affordable through tech-enabled solutions. The plan involves introducing innovative technologies to streamline and enhance care, setting a precedent for how healthcare systems can evolve to meet contemporary challenges.

This move is driven by several critical factors.

• There's a pressing need for innovation in healthcare, where traditional models struggle to meet modern demands.

• Harrison and General Catalyst are stepping in to bridge this gap, using tech-enabled solutions to overhaul how healthcare services are delivered.

• It's a strategic alignment with the broader trend of healthcare innovation, tapping into the vast potential of technology to transform patient experiences and outcomes.

The implications of this venture are profound. Harrison's initiative promises to model a new way of healthcare delivery, focusing on patient accessibility while maintaining affordability. This transformation could set a new standard for how healthcare systems operate, potentially influencing the broader economics of healthcare. But it also poses questions about the implications for community stakeholders and the healthcare workforce, underlining the importance of transparency and engagement in this transition.

Big picture: The process of integrating tech solutions and navigating the transition to a for-profit model will be closely watched. This venture not only reflects a significant innovation in healthcare delivery but also signals a potential shift in how venture capital approaches healthcare investments.

WEEK AHEAD

What to expect

• Super Tuesday is this week: Delegates in 15 states vote for Republican and Democrat candidates in the US presidential election primary.

• Earnings season continues this week with CrowdStrike, Nio, Nordstrom and Target reporting on Tuesday. FootLocker on Wednesday. CostCo, DocuSign, Gap and MongoDB reporting on Thursday.

• A few economic events to take note of:

  • Wednesday: Bureau of Labor Statistics releases job openings and Labor Turnover Survey for January, Federal Reserve releases its Beige Book, ADP releases National Employment report for February, and Jerome Powell testifies before the House Financial Services Committee.

  • Friday: Bureau of Labor Statistics reports the February jobs report, including employment figures and the unemployment rate.

What else is happening this week:

• The Oscars are taking place next Sunday.

SNIPPETS

Pulse Points

• Japan's Nikkei 225 reached a new record high by surpassing the 40,000 mark, leading gains in Asian markets which also rose, following Wall Street's lead where the S&P 500 and the Nasdaq Composite hit new all-time highs.

• Former President Donald Trump advanced his bid for the GOP nomination by winning caucuses in Idaho and Missouri and securing all delegates at a Michigan party convention.

• Super Micro Computer is set to join the S&P 500 after its stock rallied historically, increasing its market cap beyond $50 billion and soaring over 200% since the start of 2024.

• General Motors is recalling nearly 820,000 pickup trucks due to a potential safety issue with their tailgates.

• Caitlin Clark of the Iowa Hawkeyes became NCAA Division I basketball's top scorer, surpassing "Pistol Pete" Maravich's 50-year record (3,667 career points) with a second-quarter free throw against the Ohio State Buckeyes.

Was this email forwarded to you? Feel free to sign up using the following link: https://www.pulseofprogress.info/

⚡️ Want to feature in this newsletter?

Elevate your brand's visibility to over 7,000+ decision makers by partnering with Pulse of Progress and seize the chance to connect with our rapidly expanding, highly engaged audience! Reach out for more details.