TechCheck

Meta's bold investment in Scale AI for $14.3 billion highlights the fierce competition for AI talent. The departure of CEO Alexandr Wang to Meta signifies the growing importance of leadership in the sector. The discussion dives into financial motivations and regulatory challenges faced by big tech companies. Additionally, it sheds light on AI startups that refuse acquisition offers, showcasing their potential for growth in a rapidly evolving landscape.

AI has gone primetime, with a completely AI-generated ad from the prediction platform Kalshi airing last night during the NBA finals. The company says it was created from idea to live in less than 72 hours and cost them less than $2,000 to make. It shows just how fast AI is moving up the value chain and raises new questions around public trust and AI media consumption. 

A source confirming to CNBC that Meta is spending $15B to obtain a 49% stake in AI startup Scale AI. We dig into why Meta is going big on the deal, and the flurry of AI valuation headlines making news this week. 

Apple's researchers raise alarms about AI reasoning models, revealing that accuracy drops significantly as tasks become more complex. They advocate for a balanced approach to AI development, questioning the industry's focus on scaling. Meanwhile, OpenAI celebrates a major milestone with $10 billion in annual recurring revenue, largely thanks to ChatGPT. The discussion also delves into the company's future ambitions and its current financial standing amidst challenges.

Join Kate Rooney, a CNBC correspondent specializing in technology and business, as she delves into Amazon's transformative journey with AI and robotics. Discover how Morgan Stanley highlights Amazon as an underappreciated Gen AI winner. The conversation reveals the significant savings automation can generate for Amazon's operations, the technological advancements behind these shifts, and the implications for employment in the rapidly evolving e-commerce landscape.

Tekedra Mawakana, Co-CEO of Waymo, leads the charge in autonomous rides at Alphabet’s self-driving unit. She reveals that Waymo has achieved a milestone of 10 million driverless rides, showcasing rapid user adoption. The conversation dives into scaling this service with a focus on safety and community engagement. Tekedra discusses partnerships with Hyundai and Toyota, exploring the shift from car ownership to ride-sharing. She emphasizes how crucial consumer trust and regulatory frameworks are for advancing autonomous vehicle technology.

Dario Amodei discusses the urgent need for AI regulation amidst growing cyber security threats. He highlights a proposed 10-year ban on state AI laws and the risks of 'Vibe Hacking.' The conversation unveils the political divides over AI governance and the challenges of a lack of federal guidelines. State leaders advocate for uniform regulations while cleverly transitioning into a nod to insurance for small businesses. It’s a dynamic look at the intersection of technology, policy, and the future of security.

Shocking new footage reveals a fatal accident involving a Tesla on full self-driving mode, sparking intense debate over the safety of camera-based systems. As Tesla prepares to launch its robotaxi service, concerns about the limitations of their technology arise. The discussion delves into the contrasting approaches of Tesla's FSD versus LIDAR systems from competitors like Waymo. With investor and regulatory scrutiny increasing, the episode highlights the critical need for reliability and public trust in autonomous vehicles.

The Senate is getting their turn at the GOP’s massive reconciliation bill, but now state lawmakers are speaking out against a provision buried inside that would tie their hands on AI regulation. We dig into how the controversial rule is reigniting debate on the future of AI. 

Startup Perplexity is close to a deal with Samsung that would make their assistant the default on upcoming devices. We look at what the deal means as AI companies battle to reach more users and become the default chatbot.