TechCheck

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.

A contentious GOP bill is stirring debate around state-level AI regulations. Lawmakers are voicing concerns over a provision that could hinder local governance, reflecting the clash between rapid AI advancements and the need for safety. The discussion delves into the balance of fast-paced innovation against cautious oversight, examining the implications for the future of technology policy. With federal control looming, the podcast highlights the power shift and its effects on both innovation and tech companies.

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. 

Meta's Mark Zuckerberg and Anduril's Palmer Luckey are now teaming up to make virtual reality headsets for defense military training. But the new venture represents a reconciliation between two tech CEOs who had a complicated last decade and speaks to the new alignments taking shape between Silicon Valley and politics. 

China may have been the big headline out of Nvidia's quarter, with 28 mentions on the earnings call, but right behind was inference at 27. It represents the next wave of AI, models that generate responses after getting trained, and could unlock a major new growth engine for Nvidia. 

Meta is reportedly shaking up its AI team after months of delays on its latest Llama 4 Behemoth AI model. We look at how Meta is not alone in having model issues, and the reignited debate around slowing AI progress.