Google is Nano Banana, Apple AI plans & The Great H1B Visa Debate | E2170

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Aug 27, 2025

Colin Russ, an operations leadership professional with a strong focus on industrial manufacturing, shares his insights on the complex H-1B visa debate, revealing the struggles of job seekers and the impact on American workers. The discussion touches on the surge of AI-powered note-taking apps and the ethical concerns surrounding AI technology, especially after a tragic incident linked to ChatGPT. Join them as they also speculate on Apple’s potential acquisition of an AI company to stay competitive in the tech landscape.

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INSIGHT

Assume Every Call Is Recorded

Always assume your calls and chats are being recorded and archived by third-party tools and services.
That permanent record will drive privacy risks, leaks, and future lawsuits if you act casually in internal meetings.

ANECDOTE

Board Meeting Recording Pitfall

Jason described board meetings being recorded unexpectedly and how verbatim transcripts can harm strategic confidentiality.
He recalled instructing minutes to be general rather than detailed to avoid exposing sensitive discussions.

INSIGHT

Image Models Move From Style To Precision

Google’s Gemini 2.5 Flash Image excels at precise in-image edits rather than just generating stylized images.
That capability enables targeted ad and creative workflows like swapping a bag or outfit realistically.

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Today’s show:

On a brand-new TWiST, Jason and Alex are asking why there are SO MANY note-taking AI apps?

Plus another death has been linked to ChatGPT… is it too easy to get past chatbot guardrails? Why Donald Trump Jr. is joining Polymarket…. How the US Navy could catch up with its international rivals… AND should Apple just buy a big AI company to help them catch up?

All that PLUS a visit from Colin Russ, whose viral H1B Visa thread might just inspire Jason to reach out to his good friend, Vice President JD Vance. Check out the full episode!

Timestamps:

(0:00) Intro, Jason’s checking out Notion’s new AI note taking app… is it time to cancel Granola?

(06:57) How Google Gemini’s new 2.5 Flash Image tool (formerly known as “nano-banana”) could change advertising

(10:28) Lemon.io - Get 15% off your first 4 weeks of developer time at https://Lemon.io/twist

(11:40) Show Continues…

(17:50) Another death linked to ChatGPT… is it too easy to get around AI chatbot guardrails?

(19:26) Vouched - Trust for agents that’s built for builders like you. Check it out at http://vouched.id/twist

(20:34) Show Continues…

(28:10) Donald Trump Jr. invests in Polymarket and joins the board…

(29:45) Northwest Registered Agent - Form your entire business identity in just 10 clicks and 10 minutes. Get more privacy, more options, and more done—visit https://www.northwestregisteredagent.com/twist today!

(30:49) Show Continues…

(33:30) How Jason thinks the US Navy could catch up with China and other rivals, with help from startups

(40:01) Do Jason and Alex think Apple might REALLY buy a big, expensive AI company? Would that be admitting defeat?

(45:57) Colin Russ (@ThaaatColin) tells us about his viral X thread and why he’s worried about H1B visa fraud

(55:32) Jason’s solution for the H1B system, and a message for VP Vance.

(01:08:25) Jason responds to Kara Swisher, who accused him sucking up to power

(01:19:07) Jason responds to his old pal Sam Harris, who thinks he’s loyal to the wrong people

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Follow Lon:

X: https://x.com/lons

Follow Alex:

X: https://x.com/alex

LinkedIn: ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/alexwilhelm

Follow Jason:

X: https://twitter.com/Jason

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jasoncalacanis

Thank you to our partners:

(10:28) Lemon.io - Get 15% off your first 4 weeks of developer time at https://Lemon.io/twist

(19:26) Vouched - Trust for agents that’s built for builders like you. Check it out at http://vouched.id/twist

Great TWIST interviews: Will Guidara, Eoghan McCabe, Steve Huffman, Brian Chesky, Bob Moesta, Aaron Levie, Sophia Amoruso, Reid Hoffman, Frank Slootman, Billy McFarland

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