Hello and welcome back to Equity, a podcast about the business of startups. We’re here every Friday to unpack the numbers and nuance behind the headlines.
This Week’s Stories
Today, we’ll be diving into the week’s biggest startup and tech news. Mary Ann and Alex were lucky enough to have Kirsten on board for the roundup, which means we get to tackle an even wider array of stories than usual.
Former FTX CEO SBF Trial Updates
We start with some updates from the trial of former FTX CEO Sam Bankman-Fried (SBF). Our own Jacquie has been covering this story closely, and we’ll be discussing more on that later. For now, let’s just say it’s a developing story that everyone in the crypto space should be keeping an eye on.
Deals of the Week
Mary Ann was very interested in I Own My Data, a company that’s working towards giving individuals more control over their personal data. Alex, on the other hand, wanted to talk more about AgentSync‘s latest venture round. These are both fascinating stories that we’ll be exploring in more detail.
Carta’s CEO Tries to Address Criticism
Carta’s CEO tried to address criticism around his company’s missteps, but unfortunately, it only seemed to make things worse. We’ll be discussing how companies can handle criticism and what they can learn from this situation.
Cruise Hits a Roadblock with Self-Driving Program
Cruise, the self-driving car company, hit a roadblock in its development program. We’ll be diving into what went wrong and how it can be avoided in the future.
Earnings Recap: Alphabet and Microsoft
To close out the episode, we’ll be discussing earnings from Alphabet and Microsoft, as well as what these numbers might mean for startup-related AI software demand.
The Future of Tech
As we’ve been exploring on this podcast, AI is going to have a massive impact on the tech industry. It’s already changing the way companies operate, but it’s also creating new opportunities and challenges.
The Rise of the Broligarchs
We recently discussed the concept of "Founder Mode" in the startup world. This refers to the ability of entrepreneurs to build successful companies that can scale quickly. But what does this mean for Big Tech? Will they be able to adapt to the changing landscape, or will they become irrelevant?
AI Companies: Are They Just Defense Tech Now?
As AI becomes more prevalent, we’re seeing a shift in the types of companies being formed around it. Gone are the days of pure-play tech startups; now we’re seeing AI companies that have defense and security at their core.
The Impact on Big Tech
So what does all this mean for Big Tech? Will they be able to adapt and thrive, or will they become relics of the past?
The Benefits of AI for Big Tech
On one hand, AI is providing Big Tech with a wealth of new opportunities. With its ability to analyze vast amounts of data, AI can help companies make better decisions, improve customer experiences, and create new revenue streams.
But at What Cost?
On the other hand, there are concerns about the impact of AI on employment and society as a whole. As machines become more capable, will humans be able to compete? Or will they become obsolete?
Conclusion
That’s all for today’s episode. We hope you’ve enjoyed our discussion on the impact of AI on Big Tech. Join us next time when we’ll be exploring even more stories from the world of startups and tech.
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Links to Our Previous Episodes
If you want to catch up on any of our previous episodes, check out the links below:
- Fundraising: Are AI companies just defense tech now? (Dec 20, 2024)
- Building Physical Tech is Back in Fashion Thanks to AI and Robotics: Rebecca Bellan discusses how physical tech startups are making a comeback thanks to advancements in AI and robotics. (Dec 18, 2024)
Our Previous Episodes
We’ve been exploring the world of startups and tech for several months now, and we’ve got some great episodes to share with you.
- Building Physical Tech is Back in Fashion: How AI and Robotics Are Changing the Industry
- Fundraising: The New Rules for Raising Money in a Post-2020 World
We hope you enjoy our podcast, and don’t forget to subscribe for more exciting stories from the world of startups and tech.
