The Information's TITV How AI “Thinks”, Amazon vs Trade Desk AdTech, xAI's Talent Pool, and Robotics | Aug 15, 2025
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Aug 15, 2025 
Lin Qiao, CEO of Fireworks AI, shares insights on how her company enhances AI products for developers, focusing on quality and speed. Jake Loosararian, CEO of Gecko Robotics, reveals how his robots monitor physical asset health across various sectors. They discuss the evolving rivalry in ad tech, particularly between Amazon and The Trade Desk, examining its implications for market dynamics. The conversation also touches on Elon Musk's xAI, exploring its talent strategy and innovative challenge to industry giants.
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Trade Desk's Role And Walmart Split
- The Trade Desk automates ad buys across web, apps, and streaming and became a challenger to Google and Amazon.
- Its exclusivity with Walmart ended, opening Walmart to work with other ad tech vendors and increasing competition.
Avoid Knee-Jerk Reactions To Headlines
- Investors should assess the earnings pattern and management credibility after surprising weak quarters rather than overreacting to single headlines.
- Expect any revenue loss from Walmart to be gradual and modest rather than immediate and catastrophic.
Amazon's Competitive Leverage In Ad Tech
- Amazon operates a DSP that competes with Trade Desk and can apply aggressive pricing because it's a diversified, profitable company.
- Amazon's resources let it exert pricing pressure even if it won't win every partner like Walmart due to retail rivalry.