TBPN "Diet" – The AI Power Backlash, NYMag’s David Ellison Profile, Google’s Personal Intelligence

Hosts: John Coogan & Jordi Hays
Date: January 15, 2026
Summary by TBPN Podcast Summarizer

Main Theme

This episode revolves around the growing backlash against AI data centers, political and economic implications for Big Tech (especially Microsoft & Google), the ongoing “AI power narrative” in American politics, cultural stories like the rise of David Ellison in Hollywood, and evolving personal AI integrations (with a deep dive on Google’s new “personal intelligence” for Gemini). The hosts combine sharp tech insight and irreverent banter, making the discussion both informative and entertaining.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. AI Data Centers & The Power Backlash

[00:02 - 09:34]

• Microsoft & Trump Administration Reactions:
  Microsoft faces heat due to AI data centers raising electricity prices. Trump posts on Truth Social, demanding tech companies “make major changes” so Americans don’t “pick up the tab for their power consumption.”

  • “They will make major changes beginning this week to ensure that Americans don't, quote, pick up the tab for their power consumption in the form of paying higher utility bills.” (A, 00:56)

• Early AI Backlash Narratives:

  • Initial public pushback centered on rising power bills, with skepticism over other narratives (like water usage, quickly debunked).
  • Hosts agree the power bill critique is “the one that stuck the most” (A, 02:42).
  • Local opposition to new data centers leads to $64B in projects being delayed or canceled.

• Public Sentiment and Bipartisan Issue:

  • Locals feel few direct benefits from having centers in their neighborhoods, making opposition bipartisan: “55% Republican, 45% Democrat.”
  • “It's the easiest nimby argument to make.” (A, 06:10)

• Tech’s Response:

  • Microsoft steps up, promising to overpay for electricity so costs aren’t passed on.
  • Google and Amazon have existing similar programs, but Microsoft gets PR edge as “first mover with the big announcement.”

  Notable Quote:
  “Microsoft is unique in the timing and in the volume of the announcement. Like, it's a whole story.” (A, 06:52)

2. Free Markets, Infrastructure, and the Power Debate

[09:34 - 10:14]

• Heated discussion on whether tech subsiding rates is a market-positive or negative:

  • Some argue free markets should let prices rise, creating natural incentives for new power generation, but hosts note “political realities” make this impractical.
  • Even with Microsoft’s huge spend, the extra costs are “less than 1% of operating income” (A, 08:46).

  Memorable Moment:
  “Satya is simply the goat. He's my goat.” (B, 09:08)

3. Data Center Land Wars, Community Impact, AI Nimby-ism

[10:22 - 12:00]

• Example of TSMC buying up land, and Big Tech offering sky-high sums for farmland in Michigan to build data centers.
  • “A friend of mine was offered 70,000 an acre for her farm by a Data Center Company. 11.2 million total. This is what Big Tech is doing in Michigan.” (B, 10:52)
• University of Michigan students campaign against local buildouts: “Stop the Data Center” posters on campus.

4. Spam, Phishing, and the Economics of AI

[12:00 - 13:31]

• Brief tangent on modern spam texts and phishing (“Let's get steak tonight”).
• Discussion shifts to Apple and Goldman Sachs’ unraveling credit card partnership—JP Morgan takes over, marking a notable move in Big Tech/finance collaboration.

5. AI Super Bowl Ads: Messaging, Culture, and the Battle for Public Perception

[14:31 - 17:09]

• OpenAI’s Super Bowl Ad:

  • Spots highlight AI as the next big leap in human innovation (fire, the wheel, flight, internet, now AI).
  • Hosts note the need to reach the "Clydesdale crowd”—mainstream America still undecided about AI.
  • Cumulative TV ad spend on AI: $333M on linear TV, $426M on digital in 2025.
  • Anthropic’s more “friendly, partner” messaging for Claude chatbot.

  Notable Quote:
  “I need a Super bowl ad for the Clydesdale crowd ... the people who are maybe on the fence about this year.” (A, 15:31)

6. Google Gemini’s “Personal Intelligence”: AI as Personal Assistant

[17:16 - 18:57]

• Google launches “personal intelligence” for Gemini, letting users connect Gmail, Photos, Search, and YouTube for tailored answers.

  • Beta feature is “off by default” to allay privacy concerns.
  • Hosts are both excited and wary about the complexity this adds to managing multiple AI assistants.

  Memorable Moment:
  “Get ready to be sick of switching between LLMs.” (B, 18:22)

7. David Ellison’s Hollywood Power Play (NYMag Profile)

[18:57 - 26:06]

• How David Ellison (son of Oracle’s Larry Ellison) rose from failed actor/producer (“Flyboys”) to billionaire media mogul, using family money to buy Paramount and eye Warner Bros. next.

  • Host riff: “If you're a fan of hyperscale and data center build out ... you got to be a Flyboys guy.” (A, 21:47)

• Ellison’s business strategy: Big money, no indie films, “just explosions.”

• Commentary on how tech money now dominates Hollywood, compared to 20 years ago.

  Notable Quote:
  “Hollywood wasn't prepared for the overwhelming economic force of a Silicon Valley billionaire throwing around his wealth and ambition ... this was an opportunity to reverse that, to make Hollywood treat money with respect.” (A, paraphrasing NYMag, 25:10)

8. AI Copyright & Likeness Rights – Matthew McConaughey’s Legal Move

[26:33 - 28:00]

• McConaughey trademarks his image, voice, and even specific clips (“Alright, alright, alright”) to combat AI deepfakes.
  • “Maybe we'll have to get a trademark on ... so we will get paid when someone generates a deep fake of us.” (A, 27:22)
• Broad discussion of AI and intellectual property—implication: stars will need to formalize rights to their digital selves.

9. Privacy, Targeted Ads, and Social Status Algorithms

[28:06 - 29:24]

• Irreverent commentary on Apple’s privacy stance; claim that targeted ads can improve the web if users opt-in.
• Example: Hermes screens luxury customers’ addresses and social feeds for exclusivity before allowing purchases—hosts joke OpenAI should do the same for device buyers.

Notable Quotes

| Timestamp | Quote | Speaker | |-----------|-------|---------| | 00:56 | “They will make major changes beginning this week to ensure that Americans don't... pick up the tab for their power consumption in the form of paying higher utility bills.” | A (John Coogan) | | 02:42 | “The power bill narrative is the one that I think stuck the most. The water debate was sort of debunked pretty quickly.” | A | | 06:10 | “It's the easiest nimby, nimby argument to make.” | A | | 08:46 | “We're talking about a billion dollars of extra cost. That's less than 1% of their operating income.” | A | | 09:08 | “Satya is simply the goat. He's my goat.” | B (Jordi Hays) | | 15:31 | “I need a Super Bowl ad for the Clydesdale crowd... the people who are maybe on the fence about this year.” | A | | 18:22 | “Get ready to be sick of switching between LLMs.” | B | | 25:10 | “Hollywood wasn't prepared for the overwhelming economic force of a Silicon Valley billionaire throwing around his wealth and ambition... this was an opportunity to reverse that, to make Hollywood treat money with respect.” | A (reading NYMag) | | 27:22 | “Maybe we'll have to get a trademark on ... so we will get paid when someone generates a deep fake of us.” | A |

Memorable Moments

• Playing and riffing on the “four cats on a boat” viral AI-generated video as proof that higher energy bills are “worth it for the content” (02:09).
• Hands-on rewatch and critique of “Flyboys,” poking fun at David Ellison’s acting past (20:28–21:54).
• Satirical brainstorming session about “AI device exclusivity”—joking about Hermès-level social filtering for OpenAI device buyers (28:56–29:24).

Timestamps for Important Segments

• 00:02 – 06:52: Microsoft, Trump, and the Data Center Backlash
• 06:52 – 10:14: Technocrats vs. Free Markets/Infrastructure Debate
• 10:22 – 12:00: Land Acquisitions & Local Community Reactions
• 14:31 – 17:09: AI Super Bowl Ads & Public Messaging
• 17:16 – 18:57: Google Gemini and Personal Intelligence
• 18:57 – 26:06: David Ellison’s Hollywood Ascendancy
• 26:33 – 28:00: Copyright, Celebrity, and AI Deepfakes
• 28:06 – 29:24: Ads, Privacy, and Social Status Algorithms

Closing Thoughts

This episode is a brisk and entertaining tour of American anxieties and ambitions where AI, power infrastructure, and culture converge. Coogan and Hays keep big tech accessible, poking fun and offering analysis that’s sharp, skeptical, and relatable. If you missed the episode, you’ll walk away understanding why AI data centers are the new “not in my backyard” controversy, how Big Tech is managing political and cultural power, and who’s vying to own your digital future.