Summary of "The Glenn Beck Program" – Best of the Program | Guest: Jason Calacanis | 03/12/25

Host: Glenn Beck
Guest: Jason Calacanis
Release Date: March 12, 2025
Network: Blaze Podcast Network

1. Introduction

The episode opens with Glenn Beck discussing the capabilities of the new Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra, highlighting its AI features that assist in daily tasks seamlessly (00:00). He humorously emphasizes how technology can aid in maintaining personal fitness routines effortlessly.

2. Central Bank Digital Currencies (CBDCs) and European Central Bank

Jason Calacanis introduces the topic of Central Bank Digital Currencies (CBDCs), expressing skepticism about their implications for privacy and individual freedoms. He references recent announcements by the European Central Bank (ECB) that have shifted CBDCs from conspiracy theory notions to imminent reality (00:14).

• Glenn Beck expresses frustration with long-winded explanations, stating, “I love central banks, don't you Pat? Pat?” acknowledging interruptions and moving swiftly to summarize the issue (03:12).

• Calacanis criticizes Christine Lagarde, President of the ECB, for misleading the public by downplaying the risks associated with CBDCs:
  “In 2019, Mark Carney... said, 'CBDC, you are so misguided... We're just experimenting.'” (03:50)

He argues that CBDCs pose a significant threat to privacy and freedom, equating them to tools that can enable governmental overreach similar to practices seen in China.

Jason Calacanis (07:30): “With a central bank digital currency, you don’t own that. They own it. The central bank and the government, they own that. So you have no place to go but through them.”

3. Interview with Jason Calacanis on AI and Its Impact

Moderator: Pat Gray

A. AI's Effect on Startups and Employment

Calacanis delves into the transformative impact of Artificial Intelligence (AI) on startups and the broader job market. As an angel investor, he observes that AI significantly reduces the resources needed to launch and scale businesses.

Jason Calacanis (16:20): “The same companies that took 10 people and half a million dollars to get a product to market are now being done by three people, so about 70% fewer people.”

B. Strategies to Adapt to AI Transformations

Calacanis outlines the "Add Framework"—Automate, Deprecate, Delegate—as a strategy companies adopt to integrate AI effectively. He emphasizes the necessity for individuals to develop resilience, self-reliance, and continuous learning to remain valuable in an AI-driven economy.

Jason Calacanis (22:44): “You’re going to have to completely retrain over and over and over again. That's just the way life is going to be.”

He encourages embracing AI tools like ChatGPT, Gemini, and Grok to enhance productivity and maintain job security. Calacanis shares personal anecdotes about using AI for tasks such as troubleshooting machinery and provides examples of how AI can serve as a personal tutor, thereby increasing individual self-sufficiency.

Jason Calacanis (26:04): “The person who is going to take your job right now is going to be a person using AI, and the person who will be the last person standing at the company is the person who knows the tools best.”

C. Addressing AI’s Rapid Evolution

The conversation shifts to the rapid advancements in AI, with Calacanis highlighting concerns about Autonomous Superintelligent (ASI) systems potentially operating beyond human control.

Jason Calacanis (32:02): “In 12 hours, it said five to eight years. Shortly, it will be a hundred years of growth in that 12-hour period.”

Calacanis warns against over-reliance on AI without critical oversight, stressing the importance of human engagement to prevent complacency and ensure AI serves as a beneficial tool rather than a replacement for human ingenuity.

4. US Politics: Budget and Continuing Resolutions

The discussion transitions to the US political landscape, focusing on budgetary strategies and the role of Continuing Resolutions (CRs).

• Glenn Beck and Calacanis analyze President Donald Trump’s approach to budget management, critiquing the use of CRs to circumvent traditional budgeting processes and enable significant spending cuts without stringent legislative oversight.

Jason Calacanis (39:26): “A clean CR maintains the current funding levels without any spending increases. That’s what he’s asking for—no more spending.”

They debate the implications of cutting the Department of Education by 50%, discussing how such moves reflect broader efforts to reduce government size and reallocate funds more efficiently.

Glenn Beck (44:45): [Advertisement]

Calacanis interprets Trump’s budgetary maneuvers as strategic efforts to demonstrate fiscal responsibility and reduce national debt, contrasting them with previous administrations' approaches.

5. Conclusion

The episode concludes with a blend of political commentary and reflections on AI’s role in shaping the future workforce. Glenn Beck and Jason Calacanis underscore the urgency for individuals and policymakers to adapt to technological advancements and advocate for measures that protect personal freedoms and economic stability.

Notable Quotes

• Jason Calacanis (07:30): “With a central bank digital currency, you don’t own that. They own it. The central bank and the government, they own that. So you have no place to go but through them.”

• Jason Calacanis (16:20): “The same companies that took 10 people and half a million dollars to get a product to market are now being done by three people, so about 70% fewer people.”

• Jason Calacanis (22:44): “You’re going to have to completely retrain over and over and over again. That's just the way life is going to be.”

• Jason Calacanis (26:04): “The person who is going to take your job right now is going to be a person using AI, and the person who will be the last person standing at the company is the person who knows the tools best.”

• Jason Calacanis (32:02): “In 12 hours, it said five to eight years. Shortly, it will be a hundred years of growth in that 12-hour period.”

• Jason Calacanis (39:26): “A clean CR maintains the current funding levels without any spending increases. That’s what he’s asking for—no more spending.”

This episode of "The Glenn Beck Program" provides a comprehensive exploration of the intersection between emerging technologies like AI and CBDCs with current political strategies. Through insightful dialogue with Jason Calacanis, listeners gain a deeper understanding of the challenges and opportunities presented by these advancements, alongside critical perspectives on governmental fiscal policies.