How Corrupt Is Your Country?

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Hello and happy Sunday! The week is behind us, and it's time to break down the biggest stories shaping business, AI, and global developments:

• Meta’s Next Big Bet: AI-powered humanoid robots could be Zuckerberg’s next major move.

• Duolingo’s Viral Stunt Sends Stock Soaring: The "death" of its mascot fueled record highs.

• Nvidia Fuels WeRide’s 100% Rally: The AI chip giant backs another self-driving contender.

• Corruption Index 2024: The U.S. hits its lowest ranking in over a decade.

• TikTok Returns to U.S. App Stores: Instantly reclaiming its spot as the No. 1 free app.

Meta’s Next Big Bet? AI-Powered Humanoid Robots

Meta is making a big leap into AI-powered humanoid robots, following in Tesla’s footsteps. According to Bloomberg, Meta is partnering with outside robotics companies to develop humanoid robots initially designed for household tasks. 🤖 🧹

However, Meta’s ambitions extend beyond just building robots. The company aims to develop AI, sensors, and software that could be used by various manufacturers—positioning itself as a key player in the robotics industry.

Meanwhile, Tesla is pushing ahead with its Optimus robots, with Elon Musk claiming the company will produce several thousand units this year, even if it falls short of its ambitious 10,000-unit goal.

Meta’s robotics venture will operate under Reality Labs, the division that lost nearly $18 billion last year. Whether this move will turn things around remains to be seen, but one thing is clear: Zuckerberg is betting big on AI and automation.

Investors Mourn Duolingo’s Owl but Celebrate All-Time High

Shares of Duolingo ($DUOL) soared past $432 on Friday, marking an all-time high as investors latched onto the language-learning app’s recent surge. The stock is up 30% this month, driven in part by the unexpected death announcement of its iconic green owl, Duo🪦😞—a marketing gimmick that took the internet by storm.

Beyond the viral stunt, optimism around Duolingo has been growing, especially as users flock to learn Chinese amid a potential TikTok ban and the rise of RedNote as an alternative platform.

Despite the stock’s rally, Wall Street’s expectations for Duolingo’s Q4 earnings (set for February 27) remain unchanged. Analysts predict $0.48 per share, an 85% increase year-over-year, with projected sales of $205 million, reflecting a strong 36% growth rate.

Nvidia Fuels WeRide Rally as Shares Nearly Double

WeRide (WRD) shares skyrocketed nearly 100% in early Friday trading after Nvidia (NVDA) disclosed a $25 million stake in the Chinese self-driving company. 😮 🚀 The AI chip giant revealed its 1.7 million-share position in a recent filing, the same one that sent SoundHound AI (SOUN) tumbling after Nvidia exited its investment in the voice AI company.

Founded in 2017, WeRide focuses on robotaxis and autonomous driving and recently became the only company with autonomous driving licenses across China, the UAE, Singapore, and the U.S. Its ADRs had barely moved since listing on Nasdaq in October—until Friday’s explosion.

From Denmark to South Sudan: A Look at Global Corruption in 2024

Transparency International’s 2024 Corruption Perceptions Index reveals a bleak global picture, with two-thirds of countries scoring below 50 on the scale of 0 (highly corrupt) to 100 (very clean). 😢 The average score is just 43, highlighting the persistent difficulty in curbing public sector corruption.

At the top of the rankings, Denmark (90), Finland (88), and Singapore (84) are the world’s least corrupt nations. Meanwhile, South Sudan (8), Somalia (9), and Venezuela (10) rank as the world’s most corruption-stricken countries.

The United States saw its score drop to 65, the lowest since 2012, continuing a downward trend since 2015. Transparency International warns that corruption isn’t just a barrier to economic progress but a key driver of authoritarianism, human rights violations, and climate inaction.

From Denmark to South Sudan: A Look at Global Corruption in 2024

After nearly a month off U.S. app stores, TikTok is back—and it’s already the top free app on Apple’s App Store, Bloomberg reports. 🏆 The short-form video giant returned after written assurances from U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi ensured Apple and Google wouldn’t face legal trouble for reinstating it.

Though not yet ranking on Google Play, TikTok’s swift return to the top of the App Store signals massive pent-up demand. The delay came after President Trump granted TikTok a 75-day window to find a U.S. buyer, allowing existing users to continue accessing the app but preventing new downloads.