Michael Kevin Spencer
Emerging tech analyst writing on robotics and embodied AI, including factory-floor and industrial robotics developments (e.g., China robotics competitiveness).
From 90s Optimism to Lawsuits over Child Addiction
When the internet was just starting in the 90s, there was a genuine optimism about the future of our digital future. This week in a In a "bellwether" trial Meta and YouTube (Google) were found liable for designing platforms to addict a child. Kaley started using YouTube at age 6. Instagram at 11. By the time she was a teenager, she was battling severe depression, body dysmorphia, and suicidal thoughts. Her story is not unique. There are 2,000 pending lawsuits in similar cases.
US Chases Humanoid Boom as China Leads
Silicon Valley are really hyping up Humanoids, because you know, China is ahead. According to Morgan Stanley, the humanoid robot market is set to exceed $5 trillion by 2050. So the U.S. is throwing capital at it. New robotics companies...
Claude Surges to #2 Gen AI Spot, Eyes 2026 B2C Lead
While Gemini has surged since 2025, could Claude become a surprise B2C winner of 2026? OpenAI has nearly hit its total addressable market with better chatbots on the market today. Got to thank the Pentagon and the Department of War....
Join Live Chat on Managing AI Anxiety Now
If you want to join our chat around AI anxiety and how to deal with it, it's here live now: https://substack.com/chat/396235/post/a3a54558-70e7-402a-a141-becce4b1daf7
College Graduates See Rising Unemployment Amid AI Boom
If Generative AI is empowering people? Why are college educated graduates having a harder time finding employment? Source: a16z via Economic Innovation Group, BLS Data. The unemployment rate for young, college-educated workers has deteriorated more so than the field, and...
China Supplies 90% of Global Humanoid Robots by 2025
Is China going to be dominant in Physical AI? 🤔 In 2025, Chinese companies shipped nearly 90% of the world’s humanoid robots.
Incumbents Lag as AI Challengers Surge Ahead
Incumbents are going to struggle to keep up in 2026. If Meta’s AI efforts are any indication? 🤔 The 🥑 model has been delayed, I repeat, the Avocado model Meta paid billions for has faltered, badly. I think Microsoft, Amazon, Meta, Apple...
Space Launches Surge: 4,500 Objects in 2025
As many of you know, I’m thinking more about the Space-Tech intersection with national defense and physical AI era we are about to be entering in. SpaceX’s IPO is symbolic. The race of rocket launches is about to accelerate wildly in...
Alibaba's RynnBrain Positions China to Lead Robotics AI
Will China be competitive in robotics and physical AI? It sure appears that way. RynnBrain is Alibaba’s foundational AI model designed specifically for embodied intelligence—the field of AI that powers robots to interact with the physical world. Developed by Alibaba’s DAMO Academy,...