Shane Smith Has Questions A Different Kind of Democrat on Fixing Government ft. Matt Mahan | Shane Smith Has Questions
Apr 16, 2026
Matt Mahan, mayor of San Jose and tech-startup alum running for higher office. He talks about city wins on homelessness using prefab cabins and services. He covers housing reform, cutting red tape and fees, public safety, and AI upskilling for workers. He outlines accountability through data dashboards and pragmatic approaches to balance innovation with regulation.
AI Snips
Chapters
Transcript
Episode notes
Train Workers With AI Upskilling Programs
- Prepare workers for AI-driven change by upskilling and integrating AI tools into daily roles.
- Matt Mahan created an AI upskilling curriculum for San Jose city workers so they remain employable and more productive.
Jobs Will Shift Toward Making and Caring
- Anticipate job growth in sectors that resist full automation like construction, caregiving, and infrastructure.
- Mahan cites reshoring, massive infrastructure work, and an aging population as sources of sustained employment.
Use Prefab Shelters To Triage Homelessness
- Use fast, low-cost shelter options to reduce unsheltered homelessness quickly.
- San Jose bought prefab sleeping cabins and moved thousands indoors, cutting unsheltered homelessness by one-third in four years.