TechCheck

Alex Bores, former Palantir engineer turned New York state lawmaker who authored the RAISE Act and is running for Congress on AI regulation, talks about agentic AI doing real work. They cover market sell-offs across software and gaming, safety promises being abandoned, Anthropic and Pentagon tensions, state-level laws moving faster than federal policy, and proposals to fund an AI dividend.

China’s tech giants are kicking off the Lunar New Year with a wave of AI and robotics announcements. Plus, what Figma’s new “Code to Canvas” partnership with Anthropic means for the future of Software. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

The AI race is becoming more polarized as Anthropic donated $20M to a group supporting more AI regulation. We dig into the battle lines being drawn within the industry over the future of AI safety. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Ali Ghodsi, CEO of Databricks and AI/cloud infrastructure entrepreneur. He discusses Databricks' huge funding, how AI agents are building databases and driving demand, why traditional SaaS moats may shrink, and how agent-driven interfaces let non-technical users query data faster.

A social media site where only AI agents are allowed is going viral in tech circles this weekend. We dig into "Moltbook" where AI bots are conversing and sharing stories about 'their humans.' Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Naveen Rao, an AI hardware and systems entrepreneur who founded Unconventional AI and previously worked at Databricks, joins to unpack China’s hardware pivot. He explains how domestic chips, cheap power and integrated systems are being scaled. They discuss manufacturing workarounds, efficiency vs brute force strategies, and why new compute paradigms matter.

Deirdre Bosa, tech reporter who analyzes AI trends and hiring shifts, breaks down OpenAI’s plan to dramatically slow hiring. Short takes cover whether the pause is prudent discipline or a precursor to cuts. Discussion touches on investor signals, how AI changes workforce needs, and where new opportunities may arise.

Discussion of Claude Code’s momentum versus upcoming OpenAI coding upgrades. A demo of Excel integration that automates financial analysis and scenario modeling. Walkthrough of bull, base, and bear scenarios showing AI-driven margin pressure. Conversation about rebuilding workflows with AI-native tools and AI enabling app-building for non-experts.

Amjad Masad, Founder and CEO of Replit, leads a dynamic conversation about the evolution of AI-first coding. He reveals how Replit's new feature allows users to create and monetize mobile apps using just natural language, a game changer in the tech landscape. Masad discusses the implications for traditional software vendors and the rise of 'vibe coding' for nontechnical users. He predicts a shift toward decentralized, entrepreneurial software creation, emphasizing the importance of faster feedback loops and innovative app development in this new era.

Aaron Levie, CEO of Box, dives into the intense AI talent wars, highlighting OpenAI's strategic rehiring of top researchers. He discusses how AI tools, like Claude Cowork and Replit, are transforming software development. Levie emphasizes that while AI can enhance internal tools, core systems like CRMs and ERPs will remain crucial. He also shares insights on how AI agents could elevate platform value and competitive dynamics, touching on global strategies and the role of open-source in the AI landscape.