Sharp Tech with Ben Thompson

Ben and Andrew begin with Gemini 3, what to make of its terrific benchmark results, and why TPUs provide Google a sustainable cost advantage in AI. From there: Google’s opportunity in the enterprise space, Apple’s white label deal, and questions about both OpenAI’s future growth and challenges that loom if ChatGPT can’t incorporate advertising. At the end: Thoughts on what Gemini means for Nvidia, Anthropic’s market in AI, why Amazon and OpenAI are losers of the Anthropic-Nvidia-Microsoft announcement, and a correction regarding Charter cellular coverage. To email the show: email@sharptech.fm @SharpTechPodcast Channel — YouTube @Stratechery Channel — YouTube New Bing, and an Interview with Kevin Scott and Sam Altman About the Microsoft-OpenAI Partnership — Stratechery Update Gemini 3, Winners and Losers, Integration and the Enterprise — Stratechery Update ChatGPT Group Chats, Meta and the Encryption Trade-off, Network Effects and Ad Models — Stratechery Update An Interview with Eric Seufert About Advertising and AI — Stratechery Interview ChatGPT Gets a Computer — Stratechery Get all episodes of Sharp Tech, Sharp China, Stratechery Updates and Interviews, Greatest of All Talk, Asianometry and the Dithering Podcast as part of Stratechery Plus for $15/month or $150/year.

Discover how SpaceX's massive spectrum purchases could reshape both satellite and earth-based internet strategies. Explore the disruption Apple created in the carrier landscape, turning cellular providers into commodities. Dive into the intriguing dynamics of why Apple didn't enter the wireless carrier business and how it secured iPhone sales through strategic carrier partnerships. Lastly, reflect on Yann LeCun's departure from Meta and what it means for innovation in big tech and AI's future.

The podcast kicks off with a discussion on OpenAI's financing and the concept of a federal 'backstop'. Insights into the bubble dynamics of AI investment and the implications of debt versus equity financing are explored. Apple’s decision to use Gemini for Siri prompts debates on industry transparency. The hosts delve into the potential risks of systemic firms like OpenAI, raising questions about their need for IPOs. Lastly, thoughts on Amazon's grocery ambitions and updates on YouTube TV's conflicts round out a lively conversation.

In a riveting discussion, Ben delves into Substrate's bold attempt to challenge chipmaking giants TSMC and ASML. He explores how bubble economies can fuel radical innovation, making high-stakes projects more viable. The podcast also touches on the recent OpenAI-Microsoft deal and the potential of humanoid robots. Additionally, insights into Taylor Sheridan's departure from Paramount and the complexities surrounding Sora and Nexperia add layers to the conversation, making it a thoughtful exploration of tech's evolving landscape.

The hosts kick off with a celebration of the NBA's return, criticizing ESPN's outdated broadcasts. Then, they dive deep into the recent AWS outage, exploring the complexities of US-East-1, the role of DNS in failures, and the challenges of maintaining network resilience. They discuss the trade-offs between efficiency and innovation, using Twitter as a cautionary tale. The conversation wraps up with insights on F1's new deal with Apple TV, and Ben shares his karaoke favorites and his experience learning Chinese.

The hosts dive into the complex reasons behind America's decline in rare earth mining, spotlighting the strategic decisions that paved the way for China's dominance. They dissect the implications of Spotify and Netflix's partnership, debating its potential impact on YouTube's podcast ecosystem. The conversation shifts to the future of robo-taxis, comparing the strategies of Tesla, Uber, and Waymo, and pondering the evolving landscape of autonomous vehicles. Along the way, they touch on AI's surprising embrace of unconventional content.

Dive into OpenAI's ambitious strategy and its evolving relationship with major tech players. There's discussion on whether OpenAI belongs in the tech elite alongside titans and the nature of the current AI hype. The hosts also explore the importance of infrastructure investments, partnerships with NVIDIA and AMD, and the implications for ChatGPT's API. Plus, they tackle copyright concerns and the dynamics of profitability in the AI landscape. Lastly, insights on China's rare earth policies add an intriguing global perspective.

OpenAI's Sora 2 sparks discussion, likened to the breakthrough of GPT-3.5. The hosts dive into the impact of finished video products on audience engagement. They explore why storytelling enhances content, while gauging public reactions vs. insider expectations. The backlash around Meta's Vibes leads to debates on its narrative substance. There's also a fascinating look at how AI video creation challenges Meta's dominance. Plus, a surprising endorsement for the iPhone Air adds a personal twist!

In a surprising twist, Ben has to reconsider his skepticism about Meta's AI capabilities after exploring their new app. The duo dives into an engaging feed of addictive, AI-generated short videos that blends clarity with entertainment. They discuss the benefits of labeling AI content, making for a more enjoyable user experience. Exploring the potential of integrating this tech into Instagram, they debate whether Meta should keep it as a standalone or merge it. Plus, insights into the monetization opportunities and future experiments keep the conversation lively!

The hosts dive into the battle between video and text as dominant media forms. They discuss how YouTube is becoming a key player in AI-driven content creation, highlighting its monetization opportunities. The conversation shifts to Nvidia’s role in the AI bubble and various companies' strategies in this emerging landscape. They reflect on Apple's focus on hardware improvements while examining how visual media has historically outpaced text. Intriguingly, they explore the implications of advanced AI in automating creator monetization on platforms like YouTube.