Betting on AI: The Delusion Driving Big Tech

In this deep-dive episode, Corey Quinn and Ed Zitron break down the complex and often murky world of AI and the tech giants fueling today’s rapid innovation. From Nvidia’s soaring valuations to OpenAI’s shaky finances and Microsoft’s high-stakes gambles, they reveal the cracks hidden beneath all the hype. They navigate the tangled web of corporate finance, big investments, and what could happen if the AI boom falters whether it reshapes the economy or crashes spectacularly. With sharp takes on the crossroads of AI, crypto hype, SaaS economics, and enterprise software, Cory and Ed cut through the noise to separate myth from reality. They ask: Is today’s tech gold rush truly transformative, or just another bubble pumped up by money, media, and wishful thinking? If you’re into tech or investing, this episode challenges you to look past the buzzwords and understand the real forces shaping the future of technology. Highlights (00:00) Introduction and Initial Thoughts on AI (00:53) AI Skepticism and Financial Realities (03:01) Economic Analysis of AI Companies (07:44) Microsoft and OpenAI: A Complex Relationship (11:23) The Broader AI Market and Its Challenges (16:49) Comparing AI to Other Technological Innovations (34:45) The Salesforce AI Buzzword Craze (35:09) The Disconnect Between Business Press and Valuations (36:37) Google's AI Economics and TPU Insights (39:34) Meta's Midlife Crisis and AI Investments (47:11) The Nvidia GPU Dependency (58:40) OpenAI's Financial Struggles About Ed Zitron Ed Zitron is the CEO of EZPR, a national public relations agency focused on technology and business. He writes the popular tech and culture newsletter Where’s Your Ed At and is the author of two books: This Is How You Pitch: How To Kick Ass In Your First Years of PR and Fire Your Publicist. Ed has been named one of Insider’s Top 50 Best Public Relations People in Tech four times. Links: Where's your ed at https://www.ezpr.com/about-usBetter off Line Snark bot https://bsky.app/profile/aws-snarkbot.lastweekinaws.com