This Week in Tech (Audio) TWiT 1060: A Shortage of Shame - Why Black Friday Numbers Aren't What You Think
Dec 1, 2025
Mike Elgan, a tech writer exploring AI and travel, Daniel Rubino, editor at Windows Central, and automotive analyst Sam Abuelsamid dive into intriguing topics. They dissect the mixed results of Black Friday sales, questioning whether AI shopping assistants genuinely enhance the consumer experience. The panel also debates the growing influence of Chinese open-source AI while addressing the data privacy concerns of connected cars. With humor and insight, they tackle the evolving tech landscape, blending critical analysis with engaging anecdotes.
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Black Friday Numbers Mask Inflation
- Black Friday sales rose in dollar terms mainly because of inflation while unit sales actually fell.
- AI traffic spiked from a low baseline but there's no proof AI drove higher consumer purchases.
Check AI Summaries, Then Shop Vendors
- Use neutral AI aggregators like Kagi or Perplexity to compare product information across retailers.
- Then check prices on individual stores to avoid vendor-biased recommendations from Amazon or Walmart.
Policy Tug-Of-War Shapes AI Access
- The U.S. AI policy debate balances innovation with risks and conflicting political incentives.
- Releasing DOE datasets to industry highlights the tension between openness and national strategy.
