Sharp Tech with Ben Thompson (Preview) xAI Buys X, The Bitter Lesson for Everyone, Everywhere, Google’s Only Hope in AI
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Mar 31, 2025 Elon Musk's recent merger of xAI with X sparks discussions about valuation and the future of AI. The challenges of transforming Twitter into an AI-driven platform highlight its financial struggles. Listen in as they evaluate the effectiveness of targeted advertisements amid ongoing instability. The podcast contrasts Grok's usability issues with OpenAI's smoother experience, while critiquing Google's slow deployment of its Gemini 2.5 technology. The implications for the future of AI products and advertising strategies are critically examined.
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X's Real-Time Data Value
- Elon Musk's XAI acquisition of X values XAI at $80 billion and X at $33 billion, less debt.
- This structure reflects X's potential long-term value in real-time data, despite prior unprofitability.
Monetization vs. Influence
- Twitter/X's monetization potential has always been less than its influence.
- Acquiring X allows XAI to leverage this valuable real-time data without ongoing costs.
Low-Quality Ads on X
- Ben Thompson notes the low quality of ads on X, suggesting a less thriving platform than claimed.
- He mentions atrocious crypto and Apple token ads, contrasting with his "burner" account's ad-free experience.