Who Profits from AI?
"Econ 102" with Noah Smith and Erik Torenberg
Intro
This chapter explores the impact of artificial intelligence on the economy, specifically regarding profit distribution and business operations. The hosts reflect on previous discussions and examine the future landscape of businesses in an AI-driven world.
In this episode of Econ 102, Noah Smith and explore how AI is reshaping the economy, jobs, business profitability, industry competition, and financing, while drawing historical parallels and offering insights into its broader societal impact.
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- AI Bubble Prediction: The speaker forecasts an AI crash similar to the 2001 dot-com bust, but believes AI will ultimately succeed long-term
- Employment Evolution, Not Elimination: Research shows unemployment rising in jobs that use AI less, contradicting fears that AI directly replaces workers
- Data Center Financing Risks: How financing methods for AI infrastructure could create systemic risks similar to the 2008 financial crisis if private credit becomes the main vehicle
- Bond Market Shift: Companies like Meta are increasingly issuing their own bonds rather than using opaque private credit markets, a healthier approach to AI infrastructure financing
- Multiple Winners in AI: How the massive size of AI markets is enabling multiple successful companies in each category despite traditional concerns about moats
- Venture Capital's AI Approach: a16z has been investing heavily in AI companies but feels they've been "too conservative" given the multiple winners emerging across categories
Quotes:
"We tend to think that the markets are just so much bigger, and so even if there's no traditional moats protecting it from other entrants, that there can be multiple winners in a category.” - Erik Torenberg
LINKS:
- The a16z podcast: https://open.spotify.com/show/5bC65RDvs3oxnLyqqvkUYX
- Noahpinion newsletter: https://noahpinion.substack.com/
- Erik Torenberg's Substack: https://eriktorenberg.substack.com/
Got questions for Noah and Erik to answer on air? Send them to Econ102@Turpentine.co
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