Apple is reportedly in talks with Google to license AI model suite Gemini for iPhones. CNBC’s Steve Kovach discusses the report and the impact it could have on regulatory concerns for big tech. Palantir co-founder and tech investor/entrepreneur Joe Lonsdale shares his perspective on Reddit’s imminent IPO and on AI’s trajectory, both for economic efficiency and for sentience. Japan’s Nippon Steel plans to buy U.S. Steel for over $14B, but President Biden has spoken out against the deal. President...
Mar 18, 2024•30 min
Saudi Arabia is reportedly making a $1B pitch to the women’s and men’s professional tennis tours, in the Kingdom’s latest push into global sports . Coach to Coco Gauff and former tennis pro Brad Gilbert joins from the Indian Wells tournament to discuss the changes afoot for tennis. TikTok dad-ager and D’Amelio Brands co-founder Marc D’Amelio is managing risk to Dixie and Charli D’Amelio’s TikTok revenue streams as the TikTok divest-or-ban bill progresses in Congress. Plus, United Airlines is loo...
Mar 15, 2024•34 min
Former Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin is looking at buying TikTok, after the House passed a bill pushing for Bytedance’s divestiture of the platform. Mnuchin weighs in on the social media business, the U.S. deficit, and former President Donald Trump’s vision for another 4 years in the White House. Disney is in the midst of a proxy fight with billionaire activist investor Nelson Peltz. 13D Monitor founder Kenneth Squire explains the various characters and their roles in the drama, including Ik...
Mar 14, 2024•39 min
The House has passed a bill calling for Chinese giant Bytedance to divest TiKTok US or face a stateside ban. Senator Ted Cruz (R-Tex.) explains how he’ll consider the legislation once it gets to the Senate, as well as his concerns about CCP involvement in tech used in the United States. Alaska Airlines has confirmed that the plane whose door plug blew out mid-flight was scheduled for maintenance later that day . CNBC’s Phil Lebeau discusses Boeing’s 737 Max crisis and the subsequent lawsuit , fl...
Mar 13, 2024•38 min
Ahead of the Reddit IPO , former Reddit CEO Ellen Pao discusses the platform’s reliance on Reddit users and its data-selling strategy for profitability as a public company. Plus, she weighs in on the dangers of unchecked online forums, suggesting that TikTok may be one of multiple national security risks . Also online, entrepreneur Sonny Caberwal is attempting to use social media AI algorithms for good; his app Legends builds confidence in young internet users before they develop mental health i...
Mar 12, 2024•28 min
In an extended interview, presumptive Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump shares his vision for TikTok, China, electric vehicles, and tariffs, should he win the 2024 election. Trump discusses his March meeting with Elon Musk , as well as his recent shift in position on banning TikTok. He points to curbing the growth of Facebook, which he considers “an enemy of the people,” as one reason not to ban TikTok. Former SEC Chairman Jay Clayton, a one-time member of the Trump administration, co...
Mar 11, 2024•55 min
President Biden delivered his State of the Union , addressing the tax code, inflationary pressures, and American unions 8 months before the 2024 election. Axios National Political Correspondent Alex Thompson discusses the speech, the reception on the hill, and the impact it may have on voters. TikTokkers inundated their government representatives with calls this week, as lawmakers voted on legislation targeting the platform’s parent company ByteDance. A House committee unanimously approved a bil...
Mar 08, 2024•31 min
Becky Quick sits down with RTX Chairman and CEO Greg Hayes in Washington, DC, where he’s meeting with fellow Business Roundtable members. Hayes discusses military support and funding for Ukraine, AI technologies on the battlefield, and bolstering jobs at home in the U.S. In this episode: Becky Quick, @BeckyQuick Cameron Costa, @CameronCostaNY Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising....
Mar 07, 2024•12 min
Becky Quick sits down with ConocoPhillips CEO Ryan Lance in Washington, DC, where he’s meeting with fellow Business Roundtable members. Lance discusses the economic optimism displayed in the latest BRT CEO Survey, as well as his concerns about regulation in his industry and beyond. Energy giants are hoping to consolidate, and Lance reacts to the government’s scrutiny on those deals. In this episode: Becky Quick, @BeckyQuick Cameron Costa, @CameronCostaNY Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company....
Mar 07, 2024•12 min
Nikki Haley has ended her bid for the White House as the country digests Super Tuesday’s results. Harvard Professor and host of “How to Build a Happy Life” Arthur Brooks discusses the “dark triad” of American politics, and he offers a guide to navigate the 8 polarizing months until election day. Dartmouth’s Men’s Basketball has voted to unionize ; Sports Business Journal reporter Ben Portnoy explains the gravity of this moment for college athletics. Plus, OpenAI has responded to Elon Musk ’s law...
Mar 06, 2024•29 min
It’s Super Tuesday! Republicans in 15 states are voting for their preferred Presidential candidate while Democrats hold their own primaries and caucuses across multiple states. Target reported better-than-expected results in the holiday quarter. CEO Brian Cornell discusses the retailer’s plans to open new stores and navigate food and beverage inflation. Even Cookie Monster has an opinion: “Me hate shrinkflation!” Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg discusses airline safety and manufacturing ...
Mar 05, 2024•38 min
Congress has released details of six budget bills to avert a government shutdown this weekend. Also in DC, Nikki Haley has notched her first win of the 2024 election cycle , just in time for Super Tuesday. Dune 2 raked in $81 million in its box office debut, a big win for Warner Bros. Discovery. Lightshed’s Rich Greenfield discusses the movie-goer landscape and the best releases on streaming and in theaters. The EU has hit Apple with a $1.95B antitrust fine . CNBC’s Steve Kovach explains what’s ...
Mar 04, 2024•28 min
Elon Musk is suing OpenAI , the company he co-founded. His argument: Sam Altman and the OpenAI team have departed from the founding mission to innovate “for the benefit of humanity broadly.” Along with the rest of the country, New York City is navigating a migrant crisis . NYC Mayor Eric Adams discusses his plans for the city’s newest residents, the city’s uptick in illegal marijuana shops, regulating social media, and the rising presence of electric vehicles. Plus, a month after Apple launched ...
Mar 01, 2024•36 min
China’s auto business is booming , with electric vehicles filling roads around the world. Phil Lebeau with a surprising report on global demand from South America. The Commerce Department will investigate national security risks from “connected autos” that have parts manufactured in China or other countries of concern. Council on Foreign Relations President Michael Froman describes the potential risks to Americans’ data. The Anti-Defamation League’s Jonathan Greenblatt discusses new data that sh...
Feb 29, 2024•33 min
Apple is winding down its electric car strategy after 10 years of quiet work. Apple is also reportedly making a last effort to avert an antitrust probe. UnitedHealth, owner of the largest insurer in the U.S. , is facing an antitrust probe of its own. Former FDA Commissioner Dr. Scott Gottlieb argues that consolidation in the industry is partly a consequence of hospitals and physicians losing money on Medicare. Starbucks and Workers United are making progress. Unionized Starbucks employees will n...
Feb 28, 2024•30 min
Google has taken its Gemini AI image generator offline after the tool’s historically inaccurate images prompted criticism across the internet. Heroic Ventures founder, futurist and podcaster Michael Fertik discusses various LLM controversies–some involving Elon Musk–and the solutions to bias in AI. Fertik underlines the importance of these “fixes” early in AI adoption, before AI-generated inaccuracies find their way into public knowledge. Anthony Scaramucci breaks down CNBC’s latest conversation...
Feb 27, 2024•34 min
Nikki Haley lost to former President Donald Trump in the South Carolina Republican primary, but she’s committed to her campaign. Punchbowl News co-founder Jake Sherman discusses the 2024 race and its impact on progress in Congress. Amid uncertainty, the market has hit 52-week highs ; whatever happens, Professor Jeremy Siegel says he’s bullish on the markets. Plus, a BP executive’s husband pleaded guilty to work-from-home eavesdropping and insider trading, and retail analyst Dana Telsey explains ...
Feb 26, 2024•38 min
Reddit has filed for an IPO ! The social media company plans to list on the New York Stock Exchange under the ticker RDDT, but Wall Street is asking questions about its business model–and its plans for advertising. Big Technology founder Alex Kantrowitz parses the S-1 filing and the company’s growth trajectory. Spot bitcoin ETFs are available to the masses, thanks to last month’s regulatory approval, and Grayscale CEO Michael Sonnenshein explains where he’s hoping to find his next set of returns...
Feb 23, 2024•30 min
Nvidia’s fourth quarter blew past expectations. The chip maker's revenue tripled from last year, hitting $22B in one quarter. Sapphire Ventures partner Cathy Gao explains how Nvidia’s boom is impacting the private AI market. Another company did not fare as well in its fourth quarter: Rivian. The EV-maker is cutting 10% of its workforce. The Presidential candidate Nikki Haley is still fundraising ; Puck founder Teddy Schleifer weighs in on the 2024 race, the slate of candidates, and the likelihoo...
Feb 22, 2024•31 min
Washington lawmakers like Senator Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) are raising concerns over Capital One’s planned acquisition of Discover . Antitrust laws and consumer protections are just part of the regulatory pushback on the deal . Pulitzer Prize-winning author Charles Duhigg is out with a new book, “Supercommunicators.” He explains what differentiates a good communicator from a super one, including a polite, inquisitive attitude. Manhattan Institute’s Allison Schrager warns that 401ks might be go...
Feb 21, 2024•30 min
It’s big news for your wallet: Capital One is set to acquire Discover in a $35.3B all-stock deal, pending any regulatory hurdles. In the run-up to the 2024 election, Axios co-founder Mike Allen is watching two key issues: President Biden’s upcoming State of the Union, and former President Trump’s days in court. In DC, the Biden administration is awarding chipmaker GlobalFoundries $1.5B for semiconductor production; National Economic Council Director Lael Brainard discusses the White House’s prog...
Feb 20, 2024•29 min
Russian media has announced the death of Alexei Navalny, the imprisoned opponent to Vladimir Putin . Convening with other global defense leaders at the Munich Security Conference, former CIA Director General David Petraeus discusses Navalny’s death and legacy, as well as news that the FBI disrupted a Russian cyber espionage operation. Disney, Warner Bros. Discovery, and Fox might face regulatory scrutiny for their attempt to launch a new sports streaming platform. Former FTC Commissioner Mozelle...
Feb 16, 2024•31 min
Thousands of flight attendants are picketing at dozens of airports around the country. President of the Association of Flight Attendants Sara Nelson explains the wage increases her colleagues are requesting. Cisco and Morgan Stanley are the latest firms to announce layoffs, joining the ranks of UPS, Paramount Global, Amazon, Macy’s, Alphabet, Levi Strauss, and others. Recruiter.com chairman Evan Sohn discusses a workforce “reshuffling” across industries, including the impact of AI on hiring tren...
Feb 15, 2024•26 min
A month after approving spot Bitcoin ETFs , SEC Chair Gary Gensler shares his perspective on cryptocurrency. In an extended conversation with Joe Kernen, Becky Quick, and Andrew Ross Sorkin, he discusses market risks for investors, the responsibilities of investment advisors employing AI, and much more. Hot CPI data on Tuesday sparked a market sell-off and suggested that America’s inflation woes are far from over. Plus, an error in Lyft’s earnings report sent the stock into a Lyft-off, and the D...
Feb 14, 2024•37 min
Expedia’s CEO says travelers are in a new era after post-pandemic revenge travel has faded. Peter Kern explains travel demand and his four years turning the travel company technology first, as he prepares to leave the C-suite in May. Author Jared Cohen has penned a new book; in “Life After Power,” Cohen examines the chapters after leadership for seven U.S. Presidents who explored new roles and more purpose after leaving the White House. Uber, Lyft, and Doordash drivers plan on striking this week...
Feb 13, 2024•27 min
Elon Musk is swapping Neuralink’s Delaware incorporation for one in Nevada, after a Delaware judge struck down his $55.8B Tesla pay package . Separately, the SEC has asked Musk to testify in a probe of his Twitter takeover. Elon Musk biographer and Perella Weinberg advisory partner Walter Isaacson shares takeaways from his time chronicling the billionaire, including Musk’s frustration with multiple regulatory threats. Plus, after the Kansas City victory, Kevin Krim, CEO of advertising tracking c...
Feb 12, 2024•35 min
President Biden spoke to reporters yesterday, rebutting claims made in Special Counsel Robert Hur’s recent report and defending his memory. Axios National Political Correspondent Alex Thompson discusses sentiment in DC and at the White House, as well as the paths forward for the Democratic Party as the country gears up for the 2024 election in just 9 months. The S&P 500 is flirting with a milestone: 5,000. Fairlead Strategies Founder Katie Stockton breaks down the market technicals and trend...
Feb 09, 2024•40 min
In this bonus episode of Squawk Pod, Google CEO Sundar Pichai discusses Google’s newest iteration of AI, now known as Gemini . He explains which aspects of Google’s AI excite him the most, including Gemini’s ability to interpret images and video. Plus, Pichai comments on AI’s innovation trajectory, combating deep fakes, and working with regulators to build a safe internet. Andrew Ross Sorkin digests the interview with Joe Kernen, and Becky Quick. In this episode: Sundar Pichai, @sundarpichai Joe...
Feb 08, 2024•28 min
Disney’s first quarter earnings report beat estimates and revealed multiple new deals, releases and events in the year ahead. Disney’s new CFO Hugh Johnston discusses the media giant’s investment in Epic Games , its plan for an ESPN sports streaming service, and Taylor Swift’s Eras Tour, soon available on Disney+. Plus, NBC’s Chief International Correspondent Keir Simmons is on the ground in Iraq , after a U.S. drone strike killed a commander in an Iran-backed militia. Keir Simmons - 02:16 Hugh ...
Feb 08, 2024•28 min
Disney-owned ESPN, Warner Bros. Discovery, and Fox are launching a joint sports streaming platform this year, with each party owning a third of the newly formed company. Sports entrepreneur and Kevin Durant’s long-time agent Rich Kleiman says he likes the media move, for sports and for athletes, although many factors–like the cost for consumers and the name of the venture–are still unknown. Plus, in his latest essay, Minneapolis Fed President Neel Kashkari is reading the economy’s mixed signals....
Feb 07, 2024•35 min