Decoder with Nilay Patel

As CEO of Verizon's consumer division, Sowmyanarayan Sampath oversees the biggest part of the company, which does business with roughly a third of the entire country. He's a longtime Verge reader, so we  talked very directly about whether the huge 5G investment had actually paid off, and whether – whether the “race” we were supposedly in with China was actually worth it, and what kinds of new apps and services actually come to light.And while Verizon fought tooth and nail against regulations like net neutrality, the current Trump administration isn’t nearly as hands-off when it comes to things like  holding up deals because of DEI policies — something that’s happening to Verizon right now. So I had to ask Sampath if he was going to push back on that kind of government overreach as hard as Verizon has in the past.Links:  The US government makes a $42 million bet on OpenRAN | The Verge FCC scrutinizes Verizon’s $9.6 billion Frontier deal over DEI | USA Today Verizon offers a three-year price lock — but there’s a catch | The Verge T-Mobile updates its DEI policy to get Lumos deal approved | Fierce Network We don’t need net neutrality; we need competition (2014) | Ars Technica Wireless and cable industries sue to kill net neutrality (2015) | The Verge Everything Verizon says in this terrible video against net neutrality (2017) | The Verge Report: Most Americans have no real choice in internet providers | ILSR T-Mobile’s merger promises couldn’t make a carrier out of Dish | The Verge Credits:Decoder is a production of The Verge and part of the Vox Media Podcast Network.Our producers are Kate Cox and Nick Statt. Our editor is Ursa Wright. The Decoder music is by Breakmaster Cylinder. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Ryan Petersen, Founder and CEO of Flexport, shares insights on how Trump's trade policies are reshaping global logistics. He discusses the complexities of tariffs and their impact on the supply chain, emphasizing the need for businesses to adapt quickly to changing regulations. Petersen highlights a shift in manufacturing patterns towards countries like Vietnam and illustrates the vital role of technology in navigating these turbulent times. With tariffs affecting pricing and customs processes, he argues for a more agile approach to global trade management.

In this engaging conversation, Vlad Tenev, Co-founder and CEO of Robinhood, discusses the company's evolution from democratizing stock trading to offering bank accounts and wealth management services. He dives into the controversial realm of prediction markets, contrasting them with traditional gambling and emphasizing their potential role in shaping the future of finance. Tenev also tackles the complexities of regulatory challenges and the balance between data and intuition in investment decision-making, highlighting the need for innovative approaches in a rapidly changing financial landscape.

Rohit Chopra, former head of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, dives into the challenges facing consumer protection in a rapidly evolving financial landscape. He discusses how the rise of Dogecoin has complicated regulatory oversight and raises critical questions about the future of the CFPB. Chopra shares insights on the tension between tech influences and consumer rights, the implications of deregulation, and the widening gap in enforcement between large corporations and smaller entities. His reflections on leadership changes highlight the precarious state of financial protection today.

Daniel Dines, co-founder and CEO of UiPath, shares insights from his journey back to leadership in the realm of robotic process automation. He discusses the challenges of transitioning between CEOs and the pivotal role of AI in reshaping strategies. Dines emphasizes a customer-centric approach and the importance of interdepartmental collaboration during corporate transformations. The podcast also explores the integration of human cognition with automation, addressing how AI can enhance traditional business processes while maintaining essential human elements.

Brian Merchant, a journalist and the author of "Blood in the Machine," joins the discussion about the tumultuous relationship between AI and art. They dive into the viral AI-generated Studio Ghibli memes and their cultural implications. The conversation covers ethical concerns artists face, the challenges of creativity in a digital world, and how AI reshapes traditional art markets. Merchant critiques the power dynamics favoring tech corporations and highlights the ongoing debate over value, authenticity, and the future of human creativity.

Matt Bromberg, CEO of Unity, brings fresh insights after taking the helm during a turbulent time. He discusses Unity's transformation from being ‘at war’ with its customers to embracing open dialogue and restoring trust by scrapping a controversial runtime fee. Bromberg explores the future of gaming and the importance of live services, while delving into the challenges and potential of augmented reality technology. He emphasizes a culture shift within Unity aimed at fostering better relationships with developers amidst the rapidly evolving gaming landscape.

Science journalist Lauren Leffer joins the discussion, bringing her expertise on bird flu and its implications. They explore the 'forever war' against this virus, drawing alarming parallels with the COVID-19 pandemic. Topics include the escalating pressures on egg prices, the challenges farmers face in reporting sick animals, and the complexities of vaccine hesitancy amid public trust issues. The conversation highlights the need for better collaboration between health authorities and farmers to enhance biosecurity and manage this unpredictable outbreak.

Kakul Srivastava, CEO of Splice, shares insights on the intersection of technology and music creation. She discusses how Splice empowers musicians with innovative tools while emphasizing the importance of human creativity amid AI advancements. Kakul explains the tension between copyright issues and innovation, highlighting the challenges artists face with automated solutions. The conversation also covers the emotional connections music fosters and the necessity of maintaining artistic integrity as AI reshapes the industry.

Ed Niedermeyer, author of "Ludicrous" and host of the Atomicast, dives deep into the Tesla Takedown protest movement. He discusses how public dissatisfaction with Elon Musk is impacting Tesla, with falling stock prices and registrations. The conversation critiques the gap between Tesla’s hype and reality, highlighting its identity crisis amid protests. Niedermeyer also explores how these movements affect investor perceptions and the challenges Tesla faces in maintaining its position in the electric vehicle market.