This Week in Google (Audio) – Episode 803: "Dadscrolling - Stargate, SkyTok, Chromebook Facial Control"

Release Date: January 23, 2025

Hosts: Leo Laporte, Jeff Jarvis, Paris Martineau

1. Introduction to Episode Topics

In Episode 803 of "This Week in Google" (TWiT), hosts Leo Laporte, Jeff Jarvis, and Paris Martineau explore significant developments in Big Tech, focusing primarily on the ambitious Stargate AI project, Elon Musk's criticisms of its funding, and the broader implications for AI advancement in the United States. Additionally, they touch upon the evolving landscape of social media platforms like Blue Sky and its competition with established giants like Twitter.

2. The Stargate Project: Announcement and Ambitions [00:03 – 04:09]

The episode opens with the introduction of the Stargate project, a monumental initiative announced by President Trump aiming to invest half a trillion dollars over four years to develop Artificial General Intelligence (AGI) in the U.S.

Leo Laporte [00:03]:
"A half trillion dollar spend to create AGI in four years. Wow."

The project boasts collaborations with major tech players, including OpenAI, SoftBank, Oracle, MGX, Microsoft, and Nvidia, positioning it as a strategic move to secure American leadership in AI.

3. Funding and Skepticism: Elon Musk's Critique [04:09 – 11:23]

Jeff Jarvis expresses skepticism regarding the feasibility of the Stargate project's funding, highlighting concerns about the financial stability of the involved partners.

Jeff Jarvis [04:09]:
"I think it's hysterical that Elon Musk is now subtweeting this with 'They don't have the money.'"

Elon Musk criticizes the project's financial claims, questioning whether the consortium genuinely possesses the necessary resources to support such an ambitious endeavor.

4. Company Involvement: Oracle, SoftBank, MGX, OpenAI, Microsoft [07:22 – 17:15]

The discussion delves into the financial contributions and stability of the key companies involved:

• SoftBank: Contributing $30 billion but heavily leveraged with $150 billion in debt.
• MGX: Primary investor with a $100 billion fund, though its full availability remains uncertain.
• Oracle: Facing financial troubles and speculated to rely on the Stargate project as a lifeline.
• OpenAI & Microsoft: Exploring new partnerships amidst resource constraints, with OpenAI transitioning away from being solely a Microsoft joint.

Paris Martineau [02:09 – 02:26]:
"We have some incredible art on. Yeah, yeah, you should think about."

5. Political Aspects: Trump Administration and Comparison to Foxconn Plant [08:17 – 17:15]

Laporte draws parallels between the Stargate project and the failed Foxconn plant in Wisconsin, which promised significant job creation but ultimately delivered little.

Jeff Jarvis [15:11]:
"They committed billions, but never spent any money on it, except for building this, the Orb."

Both projects are critiqued for their political motivations and lack of accountability, raising concerns about the efficacy of such large-scale tech investments under political administration.

6. AI Safety and AGI: Differing Perspectives [17:15 – 22:17]

The hosts debate the balance between advancing AI and ensuring its safety:

Leo Laporte [19:43]:
"I want to give him the benefit of the doubt, and I hope that he does go forward and create better and better AIs."

Jeff Jarvis [10:31]:
"And by the way, I'm going to get the guy on the show. I'm going to book that guy so you can hear his."

Laporte maintains an optimistic view on AI development, advocating for continued investment, while Jarvis remains critical, emphasizing the potential risks and the skepticism around the project's promises.

7. Social Media Discussion: Blue Sky Project and Competition with Twitter [23:29 – 74:00]

The conversation shifts to social media, focusing on Blue Sky—a decentralized platform aiming to rival Twitter. The hosts discuss the challenges of federated networks and the cultural influence of major tech companies:

Jeff Jarvis [77:37]:
"But, but we. We're not."

Paris Martineau [75:00]:
"I have to say, it's a bit of a procedural thing to pick your battles."

They critique Blue Sky's current implementation, noting its lack of integrated features compared to Twitter and the difficulty in achieving true decentralization without federation.

8. Influence of Social Media and Culture: Black Twitter and Diversity of Influences [75:00 – 103:00]

Jeff Jarvis references a Bloomberg study analyzing the influence of podcasters in the "manosphere," highlighting how a small number of content creators can significantly impact political discourse and societal attitudes.

Jeff Jarvis [105:59]:
"Populism, left-wing populism and right-wing populism are not linked to the spread of misinformation."

The hosts debate the extent of these influencers' impact, with Laporte emphasizing the fragmentation of media consumption and Jarvis pointing out the concentrated influence of extremist content.

9. Personal Anecdotes and Humor: Time Travel TV Shows, Regis Philbin Stories [103:00 – 132:05]

Throughout the episode, the hosts share light-hearted stories and nostalgic references to classic time travel TV shows like "Stargate" and "Time Tunnel." Leo reminisces about teaching Regis Philbin to tweet, injecting humor into the technical discussions:

Leo Laporte [116:14]:
"Parmesan cheese, salt, pepper and pasta. That's all you need."

10. Closing Discussion: Rebranding to "Intelligent Machines" and Future Directions [132:12 – End]

As Paris Martineau prepares to leave for a club in Bushwick, the hosts contemplate rebranding the show from "This Week in Google" to "Intelligent Machines." However, they decide to retain the original name, preserving the show's legacy.

Leo Laporte [154:15]:
"Thank you, guys. Have fun tonight."

Notable Quotes:

• Leo Laporte [00:03]:
  "Is it just a bit of puffery to boost up the new president or is there actually something going on?"

• Jeff Jarvis [04:09]:
  "I think it's hysterical that Elon Musk is now subtweeting this with 'They don't have the money.'"

• Paris Martineau [14:35]:
  "This is a moonshot."

• Jeff Jarvis [105:59]:
  "Populism, left-wing populism and right-wing populism are not linked to the spread of misinformation."

Conclusion:

In this episode, "This Week in Google" navigates the complexities of the Stargate AI project, scrutinizing its financial backing and political motivations while debating the future trajectory of AI in the U.S. The hosts also explore the nuanced influence of social media platforms and content creators on culture and political discourse. Through a blend of insightful analysis and personal anecdotes, the show provides a comprehensive overview of the intersecting realms of technology, politics, and society.

Note: This summary excludes advertisements and non-content sections, focusing solely on the substantive discussions and key insights shared by the hosts.