Jun 25, 2025 4 min read Daily Rundown

⛵ Nerds! Level Up

AI Levels Retail, PNG Adds HDR, Axiom 4 Launches

Good Morning, Tech Enthusiasts!

If the smallest businesses, the oldest files, and the farthest frontiers can all level-up overnight, what’s keeping your upgrade on the launchpad?

RETAIL

Small Businesses Adopt AI to Transform Retail Operations

AI is enabling small businesses to compete with larger corporations through accessible applications that require minimal budgets. The technology allows retailers to implement AI personalization at scale, creating behavioral customer segments that improve conversion rates and satisfaction. What previously required dedicated teams can now be accomplished by one person, leveling the competitive playing field.

Small businesses use AI to streamline repetitive tasks like generating product descriptions, managing customer service through chatbots, and providing staff with instant product information via AI-powered apps. Shopify's "declarative commerce" allows business owners to express goals rather than execute technical tasks manually. This shift from commands to intent could become a major inflection point in retail strategy.

Success requires maintaining brand authenticity and customer trust through clear guidelines and transparency about AI usage. Companies like Zalando demonstrate that openness about AI involvement builds trust while solving real customer problems. With proper data policies, AI offers small businesses opportunities to boost loyalty and create seamless experiences without vast technical budgets.

⛵Key Takeaway: This AI democratization in retail represents a trillion-dollar market opportunity as millions of small businesses gain enterprise-level capabilities at accessible price points, creating massive demand for AI service providers while potentially reshaping the entire retail competitive landscape in favor of agile, AI-enabled smaller players.

TOGETHER WITH BOX

60% of companies expect to be transformed by AI within two years. But many organizations aren’t even close to putting AI at the forefront of their business strategies.

Box's new white paper, Becoming an AI-First Company, helps break down the ever-evolving landscape so businesses can move at the speed of AI. Download the new white paper now for Box's key recommendations.

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TECH

PNG Image Format Gets First Major Update in 20 Years with HDR and Animation Support

The W3C released PNG Third Edition, the first major update in over two decades, adding proper HDR support using only 4 bytes plus standard chunk overhead for significantly expanded color gamut. The update was backed by major tech companies including Adobe, Apple, Google, BBC, and Comcast, driven initially by subtitle applications needing HDR support.

The specification officially recognizes Animated PNGs (APNGs) originally proposed by Mozilla and now widely supported, plus adds official Exif data support for metadata like copyright and camera information. Major software already supports the new specification including Chrome, Safari, Firefox, Photoshop, and DaVinci Resolve.

The PNG Working Group has begun development on Fourth Edition focusing on HDR/SDR interoperability while researching compression improvements for Fifth Edition. The modernization effort demonstrates renewed industry commitment to maintaining PNG's competitiveness after 20 years of stagnation.

⛵Key Takeaway: PNG's modernization creates significant commercial opportunities for software vendors and content creators by enabling HDR workflows and advanced features, positioning the format to capture market share in streaming media, professional photography, and broadcast applications requiring enhanced color reproduction.

TOGETHER WITH SKYWORK

Meet Skywork - Copilot for Slides is Here

This month, Skywork Super Agents are excited to introduce Skywork Slides, a tool specifically designed for professionals who frequently create presentations. The built-in Slides Agent module leverages AI to effortlessly generate presentations with clear structures, rigorous logic, and visually appealing designs, addressing common pain points and delivering a truly efficient experience.

🔍 Deep-researched
🔗 Source-cited
📈 Chart-ready

It launches 1-click export to Google Slides. Skywork makes your mission possible.

Try it free 👉

SPACE

SpaceX Launches Historic Axiom Mission 4 with International Crew to ISS

SpaceX and Axiom Space successfully launched Axiom Mission 4 on June 25, 2025, from Kennedy Space Center after multiple delays including a postponement due to a Falcon 9 liquid oxygen leak. The mission marks the debut flight of SpaceX's fifth Crew Dragon capsule to the International Space Station.

The four-person crew includes commander Peggy Whitson, pilot Shubhanshu Shukla from India, and mission specialists from Poland and Hungary. This represents a historic return to human spaceflight for India, Poland, and Hungary after over 40 years.

During their two-week ISS stay, the crew will conduct nearly 60 scientific studies from 31 countries, focusing on research, education, and technology demonstrations in microgravity.

⛵Key Takeaway: This mission showcases Axiom Space's growing role in commercial spaceflight, creating new revenue opportunities through international government partnerships and positioning the company as a leader in the expanding private space station market.

FINANCING BRIEF

AI Medical Scribe Abridge Raises $300M at $5.3B Valuation in Major Healthcare AI Deal.
Xero Acquires US Fintech Melio for $2.5 Billion to Accelerate American Expansion.
Chronicle Studios Banks $12M on AI-Powered YouTube Franchise Discovery.
Polymarket Nears $1 Billion Valuation with $200M Funding Round.
Bay Area Tech Giants Cut 500+ Jobs as Industry Struggles Continue.

TOGETHER WITH US

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