The rise of “workslop,” Alibaba’s insane new deepfake model, Tether’s MASSIVE valuation, and more | E2183

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Sep 25, 2025

Curious about "workslop"? A new study shows AI outputs can actually be dragging productivity down. Alibaba's deepfake model is turning heads with its uncanny ability to mimic celebrities, stirring debates on trust online. YouTube's surprising move to reinstate banned creators after pressure hints at shifting content moderation practices. Plus, Tether's ambitious fundraising plans could reshape the stablecoin market. And should startups embrace paid pilot schemes to avoid endless free trials? Tune in for these insights and more!

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INSIGHT

Algorithms As Editorial Decisions

California's SB771 would attach financial liability to algorithmic promotion that violates civil-rights rules.
The bill forces a debate over algorithmic editorial responsibility versus free speech and platform choice.

INSIGHT

Legislation Splits Advocacy Coalitions

Civil-rights groups split on SB771 because harms and protections differ across communities.
Ambiguous legal standards risk empowering one group to suppress another's speech.

INSIGHT

Platforms Shift To Community Moderation

YouTube reversed creator bans amid political pressure and now leans on community-based corrections.
Platforms may shift from centralized fact-checking to crowd-sourced community notes to manage misinformation.

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Today’s show:

What is “workslop”? And is it already slowing you down at the office?

On a new This Week in Startups, we’ve got full co-host quorum with JCal, Alex, AND Lon tackling a meaty docket of news at the cross-section of tech, startups, and pop culture.

For starters: A new Harvard/Stanford study suggests that AI isn’t massively improving workplace efficiency because SOME workers aren’t using it properly. Are low-quality, lazily-assembled AI outputs costing US enterprises millions in lost productivity? It’s certainly possible based on these results.

PLUS, why YouTube invited back all those banned creators… a deep-dive into CA’s new social media law that’s dividing tech and civil rights advocacy groups… what we can learn from Stripe’s mega-share buyback… a look at what Polymarket’s sharps think will happen with the US TikTok deal… and much more.

Timestamps:

(0:00) Intro. What will South Park have to say about prediction markets?

(06:06) Alibaba’s new AI model will turn you into any celebrity… can you still believe what you see?

(09:49) Vanta - Get $1000 off your SOC 2 at https://www.vanta.com/twist

(11:03) Show Continues…

(19:42) AWS Activate - AWS Activate helps startups bring their ideas to life. Apply to AWS Activate today to learn more. Visit https://www.aws.amazon.com/startups/credits

(21:02) Is CA’s new proposed law a boon for civil rights, or a weapon against free speech?

(29:47) Northwest Registered Agent - Form your entire business identity in just 10 clicks and 10 minutes. Get more privacy, more options, and more done—visit https://www.northwestregisteredagent.com/twist today!(32:21) Why YouTube invited banned creators back

(41:24) What is Workslop? And is it costing companies MILLIONS?

(48:42) PolyMarket asks… when will the US TikTok deal go down?

(52:27) Would Jason invest in Tether?

(01:01:29) Why Stripe is buying back so many shares… and what the future may hold.

(01:12:16) Another Reddit Rapid Response: should startups do pilot programs?

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