TikTok On The Brink, ChatGPT Does Your Tasks, Unemployed MBAs
Jan 17, 2025
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Ranjan Roy, a contributor to Margins who focuses on technology and business, joins to discuss the Supreme Court's TikTok ban and the implications for tech giants like Apple and Google. He dives into TikTok's connections to the Chinese government and rising competition from Little Red Book. The conversation also explores new advancements in ChatGPT, including its ability to manage tasks, and raises questions about the future of MBAs in an increasingly AI-driven job market, pondering whether AI could replace them altogether.
The Supreme Court's upholding of the TikTok ban creates significant uncertainty for major tech companies regarding compliance and enforcement actions.
A notable percentage of recent MBA graduates are struggling to find jobs due to evolving workplace demands and increasing capabilities of AI.
Deep dives
Supreme Court's Impact on TikTok
The Supreme Court has officially upheld the ban on TikTok, significantly threatening its operation in the United States. Starting January 19th, major tech companies like Apple and Google will be required to remove the app from their stores, which could lead to an enormous loss of access for around half of American users. Legislative actions are complicated by a lack of enforcement intentions from both President Biden and incoming President Trump, creating uncertainty about how strictly these laws will be applied. This legislative ambiguity has led to speculation about whether major tech firms will comply with the ruling, particularly considering the potential financial penalties involved.
Political Dynamics Behind the Ban
There are intriguing political dynamics at play regarding the TikTok ban, particularly involving Trump and Biden's positions on enforcement. Despite a unanimous Supreme Court decision labeling the ban as non-violating of First Amendment rights, both administrations appear reluctant to fully implement the ban. The TikTok situation highlights the challenges of regulating technology firms in a politically charged environment, especially as younger voters, who predominantly use TikTok, express less allegiance to traditional party lines. Polls suggest that a significant shift in political perspectives among young people could be influencing politicians’ hesitance to enforce strict regulations against the app.
Rise of the Little Red Book
As American users react to the potential TikTok ban, many have migrated to a new Chinese social media platform known as Little Red Book, or Red Note. This surge in popularity is evidenced by the hashtag 'TikTok refugee' garnering millions of views, highlighting the cultural and social ramifications of the ban. The app's algorithm appears to effectively encourage users to switch, leading some to argue that this transition demonstrates the power of algorithmic influence on social behavior. However, this raises concerns about the implications of engaging with another Chinese platform that could also pose national security risks.
The Impact of AI on Employment for MBAs
A concerning trend is emerging among MBA graduates, with a notable percentage struggling to find jobs in a seemingly stable economy. Specifically, 23% of recent Harvard MBA graduates reported being job-seeking three months post-graduation, a significant increase from previous years. Experts suggest that the evolving workplace and AI's capacity to perform traditional tasks previously reserved for highly educated individuals are crucial factors in this employment struggle. As the business landscape shifts, elite MBA programs may need to reevaluate their curricula to ensure graduates possess the relevant technological skills required in today's job market.
Ranjan Roy from Margins is back for our weekly discussion of the latest tech news. We cover 1) Supreme Court upholds TikTok ban 2) Will Apple and Google comply even if the White House doesn't enforce? 3) What does TikTok's behavior tell us about its ties to China's government? 4) How TikTok might stick around 5) Will Elon Musk buy TikTok 6) TikTok CEO Shou Chew is going to sit at the dias during Trump's inauguration 7) Chinese app Little Red Book, or RedNote takes off 8) Does China want Americans on RedNote? 9) DJI removes some restrictions for drones 10) ChatGPT can handle to-dos and set reminders now 11) Are we going to fall in love with AI assistants 12) Why MBAs can't get jobs 13) Is AI going to replace MBAs.
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