Podcast Summary: This Day in AI Podcast – EP99.16-BILLIES

Episode Title: Billions, Browsers & What AI Will Do To SaaS + Video Maker MCP Preview
Hosts: Michael Sharkey (A), Chris Sharkey (B)
Date: September 5, 2025

Overview

In this engaging and irreverent episode, Michael and Chris Sharkey riff on the latest eye-popping billion-dollar news in AI, dissect Atlassian’s acquisition of the ARC browser company (and the future of browser interfaces for knowledge work), predict how AI-driven protocols ("MCPs") are upending the SaaS business model, and preview an impressive AI-powered documentary/video generator. Throughout, the duo combine humor and skepticism with thoughtful insights on what these trends mean for workers and businesses.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Anthropic’s Massive Funding Round & The “Billy” Economy

• Anthropic raises $13 billion at a $183 billion post-money valuation, led by Iconic Capital.
  • Purpose: To expand capacity, improve model capabilities, and pursue safety research.
  • A: "It's an incredible amount of money and I think a testament in a way to how Anthropic really just quietly chips away..." ([01:09])
• OpenAI’s secondary sales mean employees can now sell >$10 billion of stock.
  • Discussion about what it means for motivation and the “billionaire mentality.”
  • A: “At what point are you just not motivated anymore to continue to work? ... Are you really going to be like, ‘I'm so motivated by our AGI mission, I better get back to making forking chats work?’” ([03:38])
  • B: “It's really, really going to change your frame of mind when you've got $100 million in your bank account.” ([03:55])

Notable Quote

“Mean, at what point are you just not motivated anymore to continue to work?”
— Michael Sharkey [03:38]

2. Atlassian’s AI Browser Acquisition: Why Buy ARC?

• Atlassian acquires the makers of ARC and D.E.A.R. browsers to “reimagine the browser for knowledge work in the AI era”.
  • A plays and mocks Atlassian’s announcement video: “Props to this guy for not developing a posh billionaire accent. Now he's rich, he just sounds like, ‘You dumb bloody gonna need these browsers to do your SaaS work.’” ([06:35])

Analysis & Skepticism

• The brothers question the strategic rationale:
  • Why own the browser? Is control over the browser the right way to dominate AI-driven productivity?
  • B discusses difficulties in getting market share with enterprise browsers due to strict IT policies.
  • They argue the MCP (Multi-Channel Protocol)—direct AI integration into SaaS and data sources—outpaces anything a browser can add.

Key Quote

“I just don't see what advantage you have by controlling the web browser when it's going to be such an enormous investment…when you don't even really need to do it.”
— Chris Sharkey [17:11]

3. The MCP Revolution: AI as the New SaaS Layer

• MCPs are becoming the standard for connecting AI assistants directly to SaaS/data sources.

  • Implications:
    • Removes traditional integration nightmares.
    • Enables AI workspaces where workers can chat with data spanning all their SaaS tools.
    • Could make traditional multi-app SaaS stacks obsolete over time.
  • A: “The real value here.…is removing the integration bottlenecks internally.” ([16:00])

• Prediction: SaaS will eventually be replaced by customizable, AI-centric agent workspaces, collapsing many “apps” into fluid AI-driven workflows.

Notable Quote

“You can only imagine a point where you're tapping into authentication and the compliance structure and like all this stuff and you've got like this sandbox where you can build those custom applications that do start to take away chunks of that SaaS spend.”
— Michael Sharkey [35:11]

4. What Does This Mean for Work & Business?

• Shift in Knowledge Work:
  • The nature of “knowledge work” will change from clicking around in SaaS apps to orchestrating AI tools toward higher-level business objectives.
  • B: “It's going to be goal setting. … I think it'll get a higher level of abstraction where it's like, make revenue go up and then they set their own goals and go from there.” ([22:26])
• ‘Super Employee’ Agents:
  • AI agents connected via MCPs will act as “super employees,” handling routine tasks, reporting, and even inter-agent communication.

5. Rise of the DIY Enterprise Information Worker

• Companies are starting to empower “information gatherers/MCP producers” to connect unique internal systems and data via MCPs, without engineering teams.
  • Rapid building of custom AI capabilities for reporting, automation, and bridging old systems.
  • Example: Internal knowledge base MCP enforcing firm-specific policies or reporting styles.

Notable Quote

“People are active participants in this new world of software.”
— Chris Sharkey [30:30]

6. Preview: AI-Powered ‘Documentary Maker’ Video MCP

• Michael demos a soon-to-be-released MCP that builds narrated, captioned documentary videos (with music, animation, and even character reference images).
  • Use cases: Education (custom TikTok-style learning vids for kids), company onboarding/training, internal presentations, social media.
  • The tool supports custom scripts, AI narration, and can reflect uploaded faces as characters in the video.
  • Cost is currently $6–$7 per 3–5 minute video—far undercutting traditional explainer video production.
  • Numerous funny anecdotes—e.g., the model swallowing a whole lemon by mistake or tripping the “safety” filter for a flat earth video. ([53:14-53:16])

Memorable Demo Moment

“So anyway, I've tuned a bunch of that stuff out. The way I tuned it out for those interested was to say, like, I know where the video models are weak. So I'm like, don't do this. Don't ever do a shot of this.”
— Michael Sharkey [61:08]

7. Youth Job Impact: The First Real AI Layoffs

• They discuss Stanford’s study on the job impact of AI on 22–25-year-olds, especially in “AI-exposed” jobs (e.g., junior devs, customer service).
  • 13% decline in employment for this cohort.
  • Shrinkage comes from hiring freezes and lower demand—not direct pay cuts or mass layoffs.
  • Productivity gains are prompting companies to pause hiring rather than fire en masse.
• Advice to Young Workers:
  • Be “AI-native”; show how you’ve personally used AI to boost productivity.
  • A: “If you're an AI first worker and you train yourself coming out of school...it's so desirable to an employer...you can come in and help me transform this organization.” ([70:44])

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments (with Timestamps)

• “At what point are you just not motivated anymore to continue to work?”
  — Michael Sharkey [03:38]

• “I just don't see what advantage you have by controlling the web browser when it's going to be such an enormous investment…when you don't even really need to do it.”
  — Chris Sharkey [17:11]

• “To me that becomes the primary entry point, not the browser. Like I just…”
  — Michael Sharkey [16:00]

• “I will get a Sim Theory hat, blend it in a blender and slowly eat it on successive episodes of the show. Like, I will eat my Sim Theory hat if I'm wrong on this.”
  — Michael Sharkey, predicting ARC browser’s enterprise failure [20:14]

• “People are active participants in this new world of software.”
  — Chris Sharkey [30:30]

• “So anyway, I've tuned a bunch of that stuff out. The way I tuned it out for those interested was to say, like, I know where the video models are weak. So I'm like, don't do this. Don't ever do a shot of this.”
  — Michael Sharkey [61:08]

Timestamps for Important Segments

• 00:02 – 04:50: Anthropic & OpenAI billion-dollar news/motivation chat
• 04:50 – 07:08: Atlassian’s ARC browser acquisition, knowledge work in the browser
• 09:30 – 18:21: Is browser control the right AI interface for productivity/SaaS?
• 18:21 – 25:39: MCP protocol: The new connective tissue for SaaS and AI-powered workspaces
• 25:39 – 32:43: Emerging “super employee” (agent) concept, and future of SaaS
• 32:43 – 40:50: How AI/A MCPs may disrupt/replace elaborate SaaS stacks
• 47:00 – 63:09: Live demo: Video Documentary Maker MCP (features, use cases, cost, fun stories)
• 63:32 – 70:46: New research: Youth job losses in AI-augmented industries and how to adapt
• 70:46 – End: Final thoughts, promo code, and outro banter

Conclusion – Tone & Closing Thoughts

Throughout, the Sharkeys maintain their signature blend of average-guy wit and tech curiosity—challenging grandiose corporate strategies (“Billy’s in the bank!”), poking fun at AI industry tropes, and championing the real utility and disruption made possible by AI protocols (MCPs). Their bottom line: As AI becomes a “super employee” with direct integration into your business’ data and processes, both SaaS and the structure of knowledge work itself are ripe for rethinking.

Call to Action:
Try making your own AI video documentary with Sim Theory AI (promo code: still relevant) and join the “proudly mediocre” community to experiment with next-gen AI tools and protocols.