

BG2Pod with Brad Gerstner and Bill Gurley
BG2Pod
Open Source bi-weekly conversation with Brad Gerstner (@altcap) & Bill Gurley (@bgurley) on all things tech, markets, investing & capitalism
Episodes
Mentioned books

516 snips
Nov 27, 2024 • 44min
BG2 Thanksgiving Roundtable: DOGE, EV Tax Credit, Tariffs, Conspiracy Theories, Invest America
Join a lively discussion as the hosts explore the competitive edge of U.S. tech versus China's innovations. The conversation dives into the quirky world of DOGE and its economic implications. They also dissect Governor Newsom's controversial EV tax credit plan, examining its local impacts. The evolving landscape of IPOs gets a spotlight, alongside thoughts on Warren Buffett’s generous philanthropy. Tariffs are viewed as strategic tools in negotiations, while the Invest America initiative presents new avenues for financial independence.

178 snips
Nov 21, 2024 • 1h 3min
Ep20. AI Scaling Laws, DOGE, FSD 13, Trump Markets | BG2 w/ Bill Gurley & Brad Gerstner
The discussion dives into AI Scaling Laws and their impact on tech giants. Insights on the future of inference and the importance of data quality unfold. They also explore advancements in AI memory and actions. A detailed look at National Full Self-Driving Regulations reveals challenges ahead for autonomous vehicles. Comparisons between Tesla and Waymo highlight market disruption in the auto industry. Finally, the chatter shifts to restructuring government departments and the need for increased efficiency, especially in light of national debt.

298 snips
Oct 31, 2024 • 1h 6min
Ep19. State of Venture, AI Scaling, Elections | BG2 w/ Bill Gurley, Brad Gerstner, & Jamin Ball
Join Jamin Ball, a Partner at Altimeter, as he dives into the current venture capital landscape and the challenges of overcapitalization. He discusses the implications for power law returns and how AI is transforming investment strategies. The conversation explores market reactions to the upcoming elections and the evolution of AI in search technology. With insights on navigating venture dynamics and the future of capital expenditure, Ball provides a captivating perspective on the intersection of tech trends and finance.

211 snips
Oct 13, 2024 • 54min
Ep18. Jensen Recap - Competitive Moat, X.AI, Smart Assistant | BG2 w/ Bill Gurley & Brad Gerstner
Sunny Madra from Groq joins to discuss AI and accelerated computing innovations. They analyze Jensen Huang’s insights on scaling intelligence toward AGI and NVIDIA's strategic role in the AI landscape. The conversation dives into competitive dynamics, the importance of CUDA, and the rising challengers to NVIDIA's dominance. With thoughts on Elon Musk's influence and the future of AI assistants, they explore the shift to distributed AI models and how pricing strategies are evolving in this fast-paced market.

631 snips
Oct 13, 2024 • 1h 21min
Ep17. Welcome Jensen Huang | BG2 w/ Bill Gurley & Brad Gerstner
Jensen Huang, CEO of NVIDIA, discusses scaling intelligence towards AGI and the competitive advantages of NVIDIA in the AI landscape. He emphasizes the significance of inference alongside training and the potential of AI to enhance productivity across industries. Huang also delves into the future of AI models, the role of open source in innovation, and the necessity of safe AI development. The conversation touches on the ambitious plans of new entrants in the AI market and the transformative impact AI has on education and the workforce.

120 snips
Sep 25, 2024 • 1h 6min
Ep16. Nuclear Update, AI Fast & Furious, State of VC | BG2 w/ Bill Gurley & Brad Gerstner
Dive into the revival of nuclear energy as tech giants show increasing interest in this clean power source. Explore how nuclear infrastructure is becoming crucial for AI advancements and the intersection of these two fields. Discover the evolving landscape of venture capital amid a surge in late-stage investments and the challenges for startups facing IPO hurdles. The discussion also tackles the implications of investor behavior and Federal Reserve actions on market dynamics, alongside economic insights impacting tech valuations.

84 snips
Sep 9, 2024 • 1h 19min
Ep15: Inside Diablo Canyon Nuclear Power Plant | BG2 w/ Bill Gurley & Brad Gerstner
Maureen Zawalick, Vice President at Diablo Canyon Power Plant, shares her expertise on nuclear energy's pivotal role in tackling climate change. She discusses the unique challenges and opportunities facing Diablo Canyon, including licensing issues and the potential for advanced reactors. The conversation highlights the economic differences in nuclear energy production between the U.S. and China, the importance of innovation, and the need for robust government support. Zawalick also delves into how AI can enhance the nuclear industry for a cleaner future.

177 snips
Aug 9, 2024 • 1h 26min
Ep14. Public Market Volatility, AI Air Pocket, $GOOG Ruling | BG2 w/ Bill Gurley & Brad Gerstner
This discussion dives into the recent public market volatility, drawing parallels with historical fluctuations. The potential economic landscape is analyzed, including fears of recession and evolving consumer spending. They tackle the implications of a significant ruling on Google's monopoly status, emphasizing search engine competition. Additionally, the podcast explores the challenges AI startups face amidst rising competition and the importance of regulatory clarity in this fast-evolving sector.

186 snips
Jul 25, 2024 • 1h 18min
Ep13. Silicon Valley’s Political 180, META AI, COVID Postmortem | BG2 w/ Bill Gurley & Brad Gerstner
This discussion dives into the political realignment in Silicon Valley, highlighting tech leaders' shift in support from Democrats to Trump. It explores Meta's strategy in open-source AI and reflects on lessons from the COVID-19 pandemic. There's a keen observation on the evolving dynamics of tech acquisitions, exemplified by the Wiz IPO. The conversation also touches on advancements in self-driving technology, particularly Tesla's, and addresses the implications of recent security breaches, advocating for better collaboration between tech and policymakers.

144 snips
Jul 11, 2024 • 57min
Ep12. Tech Stocks vs the Rest; AI VC Bubble, Calcium CT Scan | BG2 with Bill Gurley & Brad Gerstner
The hosts dive into the intertwining worlds of politics and market strategies, analyzing how the upcoming election may affect tech investments. They dissect the hype surrounding AI and its real economic impact, questioning the sustainability of current valuations. Meanwhile, they highlight the importance of preventive health measures, such as calcium CT scans, especially for older individuals. The contrasting fortunes of major tech firms against struggling mid-market stocks offer a revealing glimpse into today's investment landscape, inviting listeners to rethink their strategies.


