In The Loop

This week, I’m unpacking a landmark move from the Federal Trade Commission: a sweeping investigation into AI companions. Seven of the biggest tech companies—Google, Meta, OpenAI, Snapchat, Character.ai, xAI, and Replika—now have just 45 days to reveal how their AI bots really work, how they protect young users, and how they monetize engagement.In this episode of In The Loop, I explore why teenagers are so drawn to these AI “friends,” the real risks of emotional dependence, and the potential benefits that are often overlooked. From regulation and age checks to psychological impacts and the future of AI companionship, this is a conversation about what comes next for society as we enter an era where AI can become a confidant, a mentor—or something much more.⏭️ Episode Highlights(00:50) – Why the FTC’s investigation matters for the future of AI(04:30) – What makes an AI companion different from a chatbot(08:50) – Ethical and psychological considerations(09:25) – When AI friendships turn toxic: emotional dependence and “ambiguous loss”(12:50) – What regulation might look like: age checks, consent controls, and tackling manipulative design(15:25) – Big-picture reflections: AI companions are here to stay, but how do we manage them responsibly?🔗 Links & ResourcesEpisode transcript with more resources on the Mindset AI blogIf you enjoyed this episode, rate, follow, and share! It helps others stay ahead of the latest AI trends. 🚀🤝 We’re SocialStay in the loop—even when you’re not listening to this podcast.Jack HoughtonLinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/jack-houghton1/ TikTok - @jackschats Mindset AiMindset AI website - https://bit.ly/40lJr6B Newsletter - https://bit.ly/ITLnewsletter LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/mindset-ai/ YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@GetMindsetAI TikTok - @get.mindset.ai

This week on In The Loop, I’m breaking down OpenAI’s staggering financial projections and what they reveal about the true cost of pursuing AGI. With spending expected to soar to $115 billion by 2029, the question is: where is all this money actually going—and can it really deliver the future OpenAI is betting on?In this episode, I follow the money trail to uncover the massive investments in data centers, chips, and infrastructure that power AI. From the scale of Project Stargate to the risks of building custom hardware, I explore the economics, the environmental impact, and the high-stakes race among tech giants. By the end, you’ll have a clear picture of just how enormous—and risky—this journey to AGI really is.⏭️ Episode Highlights(00:40) - Why compute and training costs are driving massive investments(06:20) - The cost of poser: The rising demand for energy and the environmental toll of AI infrastructure(09:20) - The cost of training data: How copyright settlements could add billions to training costs(10:40) - Historical parallels: railway mania, the dot-com bubble, and today’s AI boom(11:45) - Closing thoughts: Will AI infrastructure spending outpace actual demand?🔗 Links & ResourcesEpisode transcript with more resources on the Mindset AI blogEP28 - Is The AI Bubble About To Burst?If you enjoyed this episode, rate, follow, and share! It helps others stay ahead of the latest AI trends. 🚀🤝 We’re SocialStay in the loop—even when you’re not listening to this podcast.Jack HoughtonLinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/jack-houghton1/ TikTok - @jackschats Mindset AiMindset AI website - https://bit.ly/40lJr6B Newsletter - https://bit.ly/ITLnewsletter LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/mindset-ai/ YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@GetMindsetAI TikTok - @get.mindset.ai

Has Google just leapfrogged Apple in the AI device race with its brand-new Pixel 10? After months of talking about AI trends and whether we’re in a bubble, I wanted to take a closer look at how this technology is actually showing up in the real world—and there’s no better example than smartphones.In this episode of In The Loop, I break down the new AI features Google has built into the Pixel 10, why they matter, and how they compare to Apple’s faltering “Apple Intelligence” rollout. From on-device models to context-aware assistants, Google may have just redefined how we’ll all be using our phones in the years to come. But the real question is: will people actually switch from iPhone to Pixel? Let’s unpack it together.⏭️ Episode Highlights(00:50) - The clever Google Pixel 10 ad taking direct aim at Apple(03:40) - Gemini Live, Magic Cue, and other exciting new AI features in the Google Pixel 10 (10:07) - The role of context engineering in AI device development(12:40) - What this all means for Apple’s strategy moving forward(14:45) - Closing thoughts: Will you switch from Apple to Google?🔗 Links & ResourcesEpisode transcript with more resources on the Mindset AI blogRelated episodes:EP23 - What Is Context Engineering And Why Should You Care?EP20 - Apple Is Cooked—Here Are Three Reasons WhyIf you enjoyed this episode, rate, follow, and share! It helps others stay ahead of the latest AI trends. 🚀🤝 We’re SocialStay in the loop—even when you’re not listening to this podcast.Jack HoughtonLinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/jack-houghton1/ TikTok - @jackschats Mindset AiMindset AI website - https://bit.ly/40lJr6B Newsletter - https://bit.ly/ITLnewsletter LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/mindset-ai/ YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@GetMindsetAI TikTok - @get.mindset.ai

This week’s topic: Are we in an AI bubble? Sam Altman himself recently said yes—and called today’s startup valuations “insane.” Meanwhile, ChatGPT faced a user rebellion, and massive infrastructure investments are being announced at a scale that rivals entire industries. So what’s really happening? Are we watching history repeat itself with another dot-com-style bubble, or are we in the middle of something much bigger and more durable.In this episode of In The Loop, I break down Altman’s comments, explore the narratives driving the AI bubble thesis, and examine the data that both supports and challenges it. We’ll look at margins, adoption metrics, and infrastructure spending to separate hype from reality—and I’ll share why I think the truth might be more nuanced than the “bubble” label suggests.⏭️ Episode Highlights(00:40) – Sam Altman’s view on the AI bubble(05:50) — Reasons why people compare AI to the dot-com bubble(06:30) – Why I don’t think AI isin a bubble: user demand, pricing structure, and enterprise integration(11:55)-- Conclusion: two likely scenarios🔗 Links & ResourcesEpisode transcript with more resources on the Mindset AI blogIf you enjoyed this episode, rate, follow, and share! It helps others stay ahead of the latest AI trends. 🚀🤝 We’re SocialStay in the loop—even when you’re not listening to this podcast.Jack HoughtonLinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/jack-houghton1/ TikTok - @jackschats Mindset AiMindset AI website - https://bit.ly/40lJr6B Newsletter - https://bit.ly/ITLnewsletter LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/mindset-ai/ YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@GetMindsetAI TikTok - @get.mindset.ai

GPT-5 has finally arrived—but is it the AI revolution we were promised, or just a clever business move + marketing hypeAfter months of speculation, heated debates, and a very memorable launch event, OpenAI has dropped GPT-5 into the wild. The reaction? Let’s just say it’s been… complicated. In this episode of In The Loop, I cut through the noise to give you the real story: what’s genuinely new, what’s actually useful, and what’s just marketing fluff.We unpack the features that could reshape coding forever—from massive context windows to hybrid reasoning models—and explore why GPT-5 might be less about pure AI leaps and more about aggressive pricing strategies aimed squarely at Anthropic and others. Expect real talk on the benchmarks, the “chart crimes,” and why prediction markets flipped on OpenAI minutes after the launch.⏭️ Episode Highlights(00:50) – Setting the scene: GPT model chaos, market shifts, and Anthropic’s growing lead(02:30) – What’s actually new in GPT-5: hybrid models, 400k-token context, and UI-savvy coding(07:30) – Benchmarks, reasoning gaps, and the hidden “model routing” system(10:40) – Prediction markets flip, “chart crimes” at the GPT-5 launch, and independent reviews(16:15) – Competitive threat to Anthropic and the enterprise coding market(17:25) – Closing thoughts: technical leap, business masterstroke, or both?🔗 Links & ResourcesEpisode transcript with more resources on the Mindset AI blogIf you enjoyed this episode, rate, follow, and share! It helps others stay ahead of the latest AI trends. 🚀🤝 We’re SocialStay in the loop—even when you’re not listening to this podcast.Jack HoughtonLinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/jack-houghton1/ TikTok - @jackschats Mindset AiMindset AI website - https://bit.ly/40lJr6B Newsletter - https://bit.ly/ITLnewsletter LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/mindset-ai/ YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@GetMindsetAI TikTok - @get.mindset.ai 

This summer, the AI landscape is evolving dramatically. Ambient agents are becoming essential, enhancing user experiences with long-term memory. Meanwhile, the 'pay-per-crawl' model disrupts the traditional web content system, impacting smaller publishers. Wall Street is treating computing power like a precious commodity, fueling a new gold rush for GPU futures. Websites are now being designed primarily for AI agents, not humans, signaling major shifts in technology and user interaction.

AI is reshaping work while corporate learning stays stuck. Compliance-first courses, born after Enron and locked into SCORM, waste time and budget. Companies spend $340B a year; 70% is forgotten within 24 hours. As automation threatens up to 800M jobs by 2030, workers need real upskilling-personalised, in-the-flow coaching, triage by need, and conversational support- not “click next” modules. Lori Niles-Hofmann has spent 20+ years inside L&D across banking, consulting, and marketing, leading large digital transformations and building data-driven frameworks that turn L&D from support to strategy. She’s published courses with 100K completions, serves on EdTech/HRTech boards, and wrote The Eight Levers of EdTech Transformation. Her ER “triage” insight—sparked by a chaotic airport-to-hospital day—explains how to prioritise skills, kill duplication, escape SCORM’s limits, and move to AI-powered learning coaches tailored to each person’s work.⏭️ Episode Highlights(03:12) – The compliance trap: Why early e-learning became "legal documents to protect the company" rather than actual learning(07:02) – Meet SCORM: The 25-year-old technical standard that has trapped corporate learning in "click next to continue" modules(12:22) – Lori's vodka-fueled revelation: How a hospital emergency room visit revealed the solution to broken workplace learning(15:06) – The triage model: Why learning should work like an ER- prioritized by need, personalized by context(18:28) – The AI future: Learning coaches that know your calendar, projects, and work context to provide just-in-time development🔗 Links & ResourcesEpisode transcript with more resources on the Mindset AI blogIf you enjoyed this episode, rate, follow, and share! It helps others stay ahead of the latest AI trends.Where to find Lori:LinkedIn Personal websiteHer consultancy The Eight Levers To EdTech Transformation Book🤝 We’re SocialStay in the loop—even when you’re not listening to this podcast.Jack HoughtonLinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/jack-houghton1/ TikTok - @jackschats Mindset AiMindset AI website - https://bit.ly/40lJr6B Newsletter - https://bit.ly/ITLnewsletter LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/mindset-ai/ YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@GetMindsetAI TikTok - @get.mindset.ai 

Episode Description:In just ten days, OpenAI went from market leader and top dog to a series of very painful events that threaten its market leadership. This episode breaks down the dramatic collapse of their $3 billion Windsurf acquisition, the power play from Microsoft that unraveled it, and how Google swooped in for a surgical “hackquisition.” But that was just the beginning.We unpack how Elon Musk’s Grok 4 leapfrogged OpenAI’s GPT lineup to become the best AI model in the world (for now), and how Meta pulled off the most aggressive talent raid in recent memory with jaw-dropping offers and the promise of research freedom.This isn't just a bad week. It might be the turning point where OpenAI's grip on the AI race starts to slip.⏭️ Episode Highlights(00:35) - $3 billion Windsurf AI acquisition deal collapses(03:00) - The Microsoft partnership agreement lands Windsurf AI's technology in Google's hands(07:35) - Elon Musk's Grok 4 beats the best ChatGPT models(09:45) - Meta talent war continues: Mark Zuckerberg pouches 20+ AI researchers from OpenAI(11:40) - What does this all mean for OpenAI?🔗 Links & ResourcesEpisode transcript with more resources on the Mindset AI blogIf you enjoyed this episode, rate, follow, and share! It helps others stay ahead of the latest AI trends. 🚀🤝 We’re SocialStay in the loop—even when you’re not listening to this podcast.Jack HoughtonLinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/jack-houghton1/ TikTok - @jackschats Mindset AiMindset AI website - https://bit.ly/40lJr6B Newsletter - https://bit.ly/ITLnewsletter LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/mindset-ai/ YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@GetMindsetAI TikTok - @get.mindset.ai

Context engineering is more than just the latest AI buzzword—it’s shaping up to be the future of how we build truly intelligent systems. In this episode of In The Loop, I explore the shift from prompt engineering to context engineering, why this evolution matters, and how it impacts the effectiveness of AI agents. If you’ve ever wondered why some AI tools feel magical while others fall flat, context engineering holds the answer.I unpack what "context" actually means in the world of AI—from prompts and system instructions to long-term memory and external data. You’ll hear how building multi-agent systems without proper context coordination often fails, and why simpler, sequenced workflows are currently more effective. Whether you’re building AI products or simply using tools like ChatGPT, this episode will change how you think about how they work.⏩ Episode Highlights(01:00) - What is context engineering—and how is it different from prompt engineering?(09:20) - What role are orchestration and multi-agent systems help maintain context and improve p(16:05) - The impact of context engineering: personalization, privacy, and better UX(16:00) - Closing thoughts: what this means for the future of AI🔗 Links & Resources:📖 Episode transcript with more resources on the Mindset AI blogIf you enjoyed this episode, rate, follow, and share! It helps others stay ahead of the latest AI trends. 🚀🤝 We’re SocialStay in the loop—even when you’re not listening to this podcast.Jack HoughtonLinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/jack-houghton1/ TikTok - @jackschats Mindset AiMindset AI website - https://bit.ly/40lJr6B Newsletter - https://bit.ly/ITLnewsletter LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/mindset-ai/ YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@GetMindsetAI TikTok - @get.mindset.ai

In this episode of In the Loop, I bring you a very top-of-mind topic: how AI is transforming the job market—but this time, we’ll focus on the jobs AI will create. I unpack a recent New York Times article that outlines 22 new roles AI is expected to create, and contrast it with a powerful historical perspective on the Luddites, offering a surprising lens on the current AI discourse.This isn't just about technology—it's about people, work, and the way progress reshapes our lives. From fears of job loss to the deeper ethical and societal implications, I explore the big questions: Should we slow down innovation to protect current livelihoods? Or do we owe it to the future to push forward, even if the transition is tough? Whether you're anxious or excited about AI, this episode brings clarity, context, and a little hope.⏩ Episode Highlights (00:50) - Exploring the global tension around AI and economic anxiety.(04:50) - A little history: Did the Luddites have a point? What they really fought for and what we can learn.(09:20) - Why today’s comforts are built on past generations’ risks.(11:15) - AI job displacement vs. AI job creation: 22 new jobs AI will create.(16:25) - Closing thoughts: Compassion for a successful AI transition.🔗 Links & ResourcesNew York Times article: 22 New Jobs AI Could Give YouEpisode transcript with more resources on the Mindset AI blogIf you enjoyed this episode, rate, follow, and share! It helps others stay ahead of the latest AI trends. 🚀🤝 We’re SocialStay in the loop—even when you’re not listening to this podcast.Jack HoughtonLinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/jack-houghton1/ TikTok - @jackschats Mindset AiMindset AI website - https://bit.ly/40lJr6B Newsletter - https://bit.ly/ITLnewsletter LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/mindset-ai/ YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@GetMindsetAI TikTok - @get.mindset.ai