GeekWire

Uber + Expedia? Ballmer on 60 Minutes; 1980s Silicon Valley revisited; What's next for AI

Oct 19, 2024

Peter Lee, President of Microsoft Research, dives into the exciting future of AI, sharing the top three technical challenges that lie ahead. He discusses the transformative impact of generative AI on research and everyday life. The conversation also touches on the potential merger between Uber and Expedia, revealing strategic implications and the rise of 'super apps.' Additionally, insights about Steve Ballmer's evolution post-Microsoft offer a nostalgic look into leadership in tech. A fascinating blend of innovation and history!

36:16

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Episode guests

Peter Lee

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Episode notes

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Quick takeaways

The potential acquisition of Expedia by Uber raises significant implications for both companies, potentially creating a comprehensive travel-related super app under CEO Dara Khosrowshahi's leadership.

Peter Lee discusses the transformative prospects of AI across various fields, emphasizing the need for innovative infrastructure to support its rapid advancements and applications.

Deep dives

Uber's Potential Acquisition of Expedia

Uber has shown interest in possibly acquiring Expedia, an idea that has sparked significant discussion due to the implications it could have for both companies. This potential merger would unite two major consumer brands under the leadership of Dara Khosrowshahi, who previously served as Expedia's CEO before taking the reins at Uber. The combination of Uber's transportation services and Expedia's travel offerings could create a powerful 'super app' capable of addressing multiple aspects of consumer needs related to travel and lodging. However, there are concerns that such a merger could distract Uber from its core focus and complicate operational integration, raising questions about how effective this pairing could be.

Intro

2min

Exploring Potential Mergers in Tech

2min

Tech Industry Mergers: Trends and Implications

11min

Navigating Tech Talks and Financial Wisdom

3min

Steve Ballmer: From Tech to Team Management

6min

Exploring Microsoft's AI Legacy

9min

Exploring the Positive Potential of Agentic AI

3min

The Future of Product Development and AI Infrastructure Challenges

4min

This week, we imagine the possibility of Uber buying Expedia Group, based on a report by the Financial Times this week that the ride-hailing company has considered a bid for the online travel giant. It would be notable in part because Uber CEO Dara Khosrowshahi was Expedia Group’s CEO from 2005 to 2017 and remains on the company’s board.

In the second segment, we enjoy highlights from the "60 Minutes" profile of former Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer, and a separate appearance by University of Washington historian and author Margaret O'Mara on an episode of the podcast "60 Minutes: A Second Look" about the rise of Silicon Valley in the early 1980s.

And finally, we talk about our new Geekwire project, Microsoft @ 50, and get a window into what's next in AI from Peter Lee, the Microsoft Research president. He shares the top three technical challenges and opportunities on his mind when it comes to the future of artificial intelligence. This is bonus content from an interview for the first story in the series, published this week, tracing the evolution of AI inside Microsoft.

With GeekWire co-founders Todd Bishop and John Cook.

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GeekWire

Uber + Expedia? Ballmer on 60 Minutes; 1980s Silicon Valley revisited; What's next for AI

Episode guests

Podcast summary created with Snipd AI

Quick takeaways

Deep dives

Uber's Potential Acquisition of Expedia

Challenges in the M&A Landscape

AI's Future Directions in Research

Infrastructure Challenges in AI Development

Remember Everything You Learn from Podcasts