This Week in Tech (Audio) TWiT 1062: The Architects of AI - Can Small Models Outrun the Data Center Boom?
Dec 15, 2025
Ian Thompson, a UK-born tech journalist and skeptic, shares his insights alongside Jason Hiner, an AI-focused editor, and Owen Thomas, a business journalist analyzing AI's economic impact. They dive deep into whether we are in an AI bubble or a healthy evolution and discuss the rise of smaller AI models challenging data center dominance. The conversation also touches on AI’s role in medicine, the geopolitical AI arms race, and the ethical considerations surrounding social media regulations and privacy in the age of AI.
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AI As A Cultural And Strategic Force
- Time's 'Architects of AI' cover reflects influence over a single standout person and highlights AI's outsized cultural impact this year.
- The panel agreed many leaders are either architects, funders, or momentum drivers rather than pure technical pioneers.
A Correction Is Likely For Some Players
- Iain Thompson warns many AI engineers and investors face a market correction even if long-term winners remain.
- He expects winners will emerge but stockholders and some startups may lose heavily in a downturn.
Small Models Are Eating Inference Demand
- Jason Hiner argues smaller, task-specific models are the emerging winner for many workloads.
- These models require far less recent hardware and cheaper inference than frontier training models.