Solutions with Henry Blodget

Amy Kurzweil, graphic novelist and writer of Artificial: A Love Story, reflects on building a chatbot from her grandfather's archive. She discusses the eerie, time-travel feeling of conversing with a selective digital twin. Topics include archival absences, how modern generative AI reshapes grief and memory, ethical boundaries for immersive avatars, and why handcrafted art still matters.

David Deming, Harvard economist who studies technology and the future of work. He explains why a full AI jobs apocalypse is unlikely. He compares past tech shifts to today. He highlights rapid generative AI adoption and which roles are most exposed. He discusses policy, education, and how social skills and deep expertise matter in an AI world.

Jonathan Hurst, robotics researcher and co-founder of Agility Robotics known for the humanoid Digit. He discusses why humanoids aim to work in human spaces, the engineering challenge of general-purpose robots, the importance of legged locomotion over wheels, design choices that favor safety and predictability, and practical warehouse use cases as early commercial wins.

Robert Wachter, Chair of Medicine at UCSF and best-selling author on healthcare and technology. He tackles how AI could scale expert care, the rise of digital twin doctors, and how clinicians are already using AI tools. He also explores risks like de-skilling, the promise of AI scribes and summaries, and whether patients should consult ChatGPT for health questions.

Steven Rattner, investor and former Treasury counselor who led the 2008–09 auto rescue, shares views on U.S.–China competition. He discusses China’s rapid gains in biotech, AI, and EV manufacturing. Rattner lays out ideas for a coherent industrial policy, a national development corporation, streamlined permitting, stronger executive action, and rebuilding America’s engineering ecosystem.

Michael Mager, co-founder and CEO of Precision Neuroscience, leads development of safe, minimally invasive brain-computer implants. He explains how thin-film surface arrays work, contrasts non-penetrating vs penetrating designs, and describes wireless, rechargeable fully implanted systems. He discusses clinical use cases, temporary implants for bedside demos, training for paralyzed users, and timelines for permanent implants and regulation.

Jeff Selingo, journalist and author on higher education, warns colleges are mishandling AI. He discusses shrinking entry-level roles, the rising value of internships and project work, and the need to redesign college around work-integrated learning. He also highlights which institutions are most vulnerable and calls for transparency and better alignment between academics and employers.

Bill Gurley, veteran venture capitalist behind early bets like Uber and Zillow and author of Running Down a Dream. He recounts pivoting from engineering to finance and the curiosity that drove his career. He explains spotting exceptional founders, why Uber’s network effects mattered, and why AI may become a winner-take-all battleground. Practical career wisdom and big tech strategy collide in lively conversation.

Paul Kedrosky, venture capitalist and tech-cycle analyst, predicts an imminent AI crash that reshapes infrastructure and markets. He explores parallels to past booms, why frontier model firms may lose while builders sometimes win, collapsing token economics, fragile data‑center finance, and long‑term hopes for cheap cognition. Short, sharp takes on who and what could survive the turmoil.

In this discussion, economist Eswar Prasad, a professor at Cornell and author of The Doom Loop, dives into the complexities of globalization and its consequences. He explains the 'doom loop'—a negative cycle driven by economic disparities and rising populism. Prasad critiques solutions like tariffs and emphasizes the need for strong social safety nets and institutional reforms. He offers a hopeful vision for escaping this cycle through civic engagement and cooperation, arguing that a balanced global economy can promote stability despite current tensions.