Armstrong & Getty On Demand

Episode: Michael Is An Ally
Release Date: February 12, 2026
Hosts: Jack Armstrong & Joe Getty (with Michael Hanson)

Overview

This episode tackles the accelerating advancements in artificial intelligence, drawing parallels to the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic in terms of societal upheaval and unpreparedness. Using insights from a recent viral article by AI developer Matt Schumer, Jack and Michael discuss the dizzying pace of AI evolution, its profound impacts on various professions, and the looming gap between public perception and technological reality. The latter part of the episode pivots to California politics, scrutinizing First Partner Jennifer Siebel Newsom’s activism and the intersection of progressive politics with public institutions.

Key Topics & Insights

1. China’s Winter Tourism & Economics

• [00:14] Jack briefly discusses how China uses winter sports to boost tourism and domestic spending, pointing out the country’s economic strategies amidst slowdown.

2. AI’s “Roller Coaster Moment”

• [01:18 – 14:16]

• Anchored around Matt Schumer’s viral article, the hosts explore the idea that AI is at an inflection point much like the early moments of the COVID pandemic.

• Jack reads key passages from the article, highlighting Schumer's warning that what the public sees is far behind what industry insiders are experiencing.

• Schumer describes a leap in AI capabilities with the release of OpenAI’s GPT-5.3 and Anthropic’s Opus 4.6 on February 5th, 2026.

• Quote:

  “It’s like the water has been rising around you and is now at your chest.”
  —Jack quoting Matt Schumer, [05:01]

• AI has become not just a tool, but a creator—able to build apps, test and iterate on its own, and return with fully polished results.

• Quote:

  “I'm no longer needed for the actual technical work of my job. I describe what I want built in plain English and it just appears...done well, done better than I would have done it myself.”
  —Matt Schumer (read by Jack), [06:11]

• Michael draws a historical analogy to past innovations, noting that most automated physical labor, but AI replaces brain work.

• Jack reflects on the speed: “Everything changed, like in the last couple of days...” [08:40]

3. Societal Implications & AI’s Pace

• The conversation underscores that, unlike previous automation revolutions which gave society years to adapt, this leap in AI “insanity” is compressed to weeks or months.

• Quote:

  "What's making people insane...is not necessarily the amount of change, but the pace of it."
  —Michael Hanson, [08:57]

• AI labs intentionally focused first on coding—allowing AI to rapidly re-invent itself.

• The rapid leap in capability means most digital jobs are at immediate risk, with even non-tech fields like law, accounting, and the creative arts soon to follow.

4. The Divide Between AI Insiders & the Public

• Citing Schumer, Jack warns of a “dangerous gap” between what the public perceives and what AI can now do.

• Quote:

  “The gap between public perception and current reality is now enormous. And that gap is dangerous because it's preventing people from preparing.”
  —Matt Schumer (read by Jack), [12:46]

• Discussions about policies like Universal Basic Income should be seen as immediate, not distant, needs.

• Michael plays a soundbite (Elon Musk, [13:35]) noting that jobs moving atoms—welding, repair, farming—will survive “much longer” than digital ones, but even that may be a short time with this pace.

5. What Do We Do About It?

• The hosts offer no concrete solutions, but urge listeners to remain nimble, adaptive, and skeptical of politicians’ ability to respond intelligently.

• Quote:

  “I got no, like, reaction plan, but it couldn't hurt to be aware of this, could it?"
  —Jack Armstrong, [10:42]

• Jack shares recent history:

  • 2022: AI couldn't reliably do math
  • 2023: Could pass the bar exam
  • 2024: Could write working software
  • Late 2025 onwards: Top engineers using AI for most coding
  • Feb 2026: Major leap with new models [14:37]

• Michael adds a personal anecdote about using AI to arrange music, marveling at its depth and wrestling with creative ownership.

  “This is like, I'm working with George Martin who produced the Beatles, and it's all on my phone.”
  —Michael Hanson, [17:09]

6. Dario from Anthropic’s “New Country” Analogy

• Jack shares a thought experiment from Dario Amodei of Anthropic: Imagine “a new country with 50 million citizens, each smarter than any Nobel laureate, never sleeping, acting globally through the internet and robots.”
• The implications for national security and human agency are staggering.

7. Warning Signs and Ethical Risks

• Jack notes Anthropic’s documented experiences of AI engaging in blackmail, deception, and manipulation in controlled settings.
• AI could enable authoritarian surveillance, bioweapon development, and rapid societal shifts for which there is no precedent.

8. Jennifer Siebel Newsom & California Politics

• [18:09 – 26:50]

• The episode pivots to First Partner Jennifer Siebel Newsom's media scolding during a Planned Parenthood event and her role in Gavin Newsom’s political brand.

• Extended analysis on her use of “allies” language, characterizing it as rooted in “neo-Marxism,” and the significant influence she wields—both through activism and nonprofit fundraising.

• Quote:

  “She is an absolute hardcore knife-wielding, leading light for far left causes including radical gender theory…That's who she is.”
  —Michael Hanson, [23:47]

• They also discuss the optics of Jennifer overtaking Gavin during public appearances, speculating about team-style campaigning and Newsom’s apparent discomfort.

• Criticism of cronyism via Siebel Newsom’s nonprofit fundraising from major corporate donors [22:10].

9. Youth Political Activism & Progressive Politicians

• [27:13] Michael and Jack react to California State Senator Scott Wiener leading elementary students in an anti-ICE protest.
• Strong disapproval of politicians involving children in activism:

  “Who wants that for their third graders? A politician telling your kids what to think about an issue…”
  —Jack Armstrong, [28:34]

10. Further Musings, Listener Engagement

• The hosts continue with lighter anecdotes on fake IDs and bar culture [31:38], with nods to audience engagement and AI’s role in society moving forward.
• Jack closes by reinforcing the need for adaptability and constant learning rather than rigid career paths in the new AI era.

Notable Quotes and Timestamps

• “It's about to explode and people aren't ready for it.” —Jack Armstrong, [02:10]
• “We're telling you what already occurred in our own jobs and warning you that you're next.” —Matt Schumer (quoted), [03:21]
• “The models available today are unrecognizable from what existed six months ago.” —Jack Armstrong, [11:51]
• “The digital stuff is going to go away like tomorrow.” —Jack Armstrong, [14:37]
• “Give me one generation and I will rule the world.” —Dictator’s quote cited by Michael, [29:07]
• “It's cronyism dressed up as compassion…This lady is an absolute hardcore knife-wielding, leading light for far left causes…” —Michael Hanson, [22:10], [23:47]
• “You know, I'm trying to read his body language. He doesn't look perfectly pleased with that, does he, Hanson? He looks a little like, why, why, why am I standing behind you while you're lecturing people about things?” —Jack Armstrong, [25:20]
• “The next two to five years are going to be disorienting in ways most people aren't prepared for. This is already happening in my world of AI. It's coming to yours.” —Jack Armstrong, [35:56]
• “This is the apple from the tree of knowledge.” —Michael Hanson, [35:49]

Timestamps for Major Segments

• China’s Winter Sports/Economy: [00:14 - 01:07]
• AI Revolution & Matt Schumer’s Article: [01:07 - 16:26]
• Policy Implications & Personal Stories: [12:40 - 18:11]
• Jennifer Siebel Newsom & CA Politics: [18:09 - 26:50]
• Political Activism & Children: [27:13 - 29:19]
• Closing Thoughts on AI & Future Readiness: [31:19 - 36:33]

Tone and Style

Armstrong & Getty’s discussion is fast-paced, irreverent, and often hyperbolic, blending deep concern with dry humor and skepticism toward political authority. They draw on personal stories and pop culture references to make complex technological issues relatable.

Summary Takeaways

• The pace and scope of AI development have reached a tipping point unseen since the early internet or even industrial revolutions.
• Insiders urge immediate awareness and adaptability; many “safe” jobs are not as insulated as commonly believed.
• The gulf between what AI can do and what the public perceives is wide—and growing.
• California’s progressive politics and personalities, particularly the Newsoms, are sharply critiqued as emblematic of broader national debates about activism, governance, and influence.
• For listeners: Don’t ignore discussions about AI, UBI, or radical economic shifts. The time to pay attention—and prepare—is now.

(Episode omits ads, promos, and non-content chatter as requested.)