Newcomer Podcast

Tom Dotan, former Wall Street Journal co-host, joins the crew to dissect the chaos of tariff announcements and their impact on the market. He humorously reflects on the confusion created by misleading headlines on platforms like Twitter. Ryan Petersen, CEO of Flexport, shares insights on how these tariffs affect global trade and supply chains. The conversation touches on Silicon Valley's relationship with Trump's policies, the implications for AI development, and the evolving views on trade and labor amid political turmoil.

Kareem Amin, CEO and co-founder of Clay, discusses how his company empowers non-engineers with programming capabilities. He shares insights into the evolving role of AI in marketing, emphasizing data aggregation and user experience. The conversation also touches on the challenges of adopting new technologies and the importance of aligning software solutions with customer needs. Additionally, there’s a gripping backdrop of corporate espionage and a debate on OpenAI's ambitious valuation, adding layers of intrigue to the tech landscape.

Dive into the buzz of vibe coding and discover the highs and lows of new tools like Lovable. Explore the quirky world of AI-generated Studio Ghibli memes while unraveling copyright conundrums. Uncover the controversy surrounding a sales AI startup's dubious customer claims and its impact on the tech landscape. Plus, get the scoop on Waymo's exciting expansion into Washington, D.C., and the safety showdown between autonomous vehicles and human drivers. It's a fascinating blend of tech, creativity, and market intrigue!

Paul Klein, Founder and CEO of BrowserBase, shares his insights on leveraging headless browsers for AI applications. He discusses the explosive growth of their technology and its role in optimizing web interactions. Klein also reveals the innovative features of StageHand, which revolutionize web automation. The conversation touches on the exciting ramifications of Google's significant acquisition of Wiz and the broader landscape of tech mergers. Listeners are treated to a peek into the future of bots and automation on the internet.

We’re recording this episode on the ground from two different tech conferences, the flashy new HumanX summit in Las Vegas and the now-veteran status South By Southwest in Austin. We cover how the attendees diverge, with more consumer-tech making a showing at SXSW and the new guard of AI business leaders heading over to HumanX (with a few exceptions.) At both summits, though, coding assistants are far and beyond the breakout use case of generative AI applications.We also briefly touch on the threat to free speech in America under the Trump administration following the arrest of the Columbia student protestor Mahmoud Khalil. Next up, we talk about Anthropic’s major revenue growth and how Claude itself is one of the strongest coding assistants on the market, notching it up in the model maker race. We close with, yes — another coding assistant — Anysphere, the makers of Cursor, and its rumored funding round at a $10 billion valuation.Produced by ⁠Christopher Gates⁠

Venture capitalists are riled up over Trump’s proposal for a strategic crypto reserve, which raises eyebrows around altcoins and potential enrichment schemes. CoreWeave's impending IPO draws attention as it prepares for a significant entry into the generative AI market, leveraging big tech clients like Microsoft. Meanwhile, Anthropic's recent funding round rockets its valuation to $61.5 billion, prompting discussions on the arrival of AGI and competitive dynamics in AI. The podcast also contrasts consumer versus enterprise strategies among top AI companies.

This week, the hosts cover the ripples of Microsoft's data center cancellations on the AI landscape. They discuss Nvidia's earnings and the cautious pace of tech adoption amidst heavy investments in AI. Jeff Bezos’ influence on the Washington Post’s editorial line raises eyebrows about media integrity. They also contrast journalism ethics with the chaotic influencer culture. The spotlight on UK startup Lovable showcases its impressive growth, sparking excitement over AI investments. Finally, they invite listener questions for upcoming engagement.

The hosts dive into HP's acquisition of Humane and its poignant implications for former Apple engineers. They explore the pros and cons of voice AI and whether it's time to ditch screens. The conversation shifts to exciting new ventures like Thinking Machine Labs, launched by an ex-OpenAI CTO amid industry upheaval. They also dissect the funding frenzy among AI startups, including Saronic's and Together AI’s major financial boosts, reflecting a booming interest in both AI and defense tech.

Discover the dramatic tale of Elon Musk's audacious bid to acquire OpenAI for a staggering $97.4 billion and the fallout from Sam Altman's swift rejection. Dive into the shifting talent dynamics at OpenAI and the venture capital landscape with insights on Lightspeed's impressive performance. Explore the AI Action Summit's pivot from safety concerns to a race for technological supremacy. Plus, get the scoop on Harvey's booming legal tech innovations and Mercury's exciting fundraising prospects with Sequoia.

Elon Musk's influence sends ripples through Washington, stirring debate on transparency and the ethics of government staff disclosures. The hiring of a right-wing personality raises eyebrows, linking investment choices to controversial public safety issues. Meanwhile, the metaverse and augmented reality take center stage, revealing challenges for giants like Meta and Apple. Finally, the intricacies of mega fund investments come to light, highlighting the turbulent tech market and how firms navigate these complexities.