Pivot

Latest Episodes:

"Free Speech Warriors," EU's AI Act, and Guest Dan Pfeiffer Dec 12, 2023

Show notes

Kara and Scott discuss Tucker Carlson's new streaming service, Elon letting Alex Jones back on X, and whether the criticism of Google's Gemini demo video is warranted. Then, UPenn's president resigns after that Congressional testimony last week, will the other presidents follow? Plus, the EU moves forward with its landmark AI Act. Finally, our Friend of Pivot is "Pod Save America" co-host and "Pollercoaster" host, Dan Pfeiffer. Dan gives us insight into the latest election poll numbers and shares some advice for Biden and the Democrats.

Follow Dan on X at @danpfeiffer.

Send us your questions by calling us at 855-51-PIVOT, or at nymag.com/pivot.

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Taylor Swift, AI Alliance, University Presidents, and Guest Lou Paskalis Dec 08, 2023

Show notes

Kara and Scott discuss TIME's Person of the Year, Taylor Swift, George Santos' Cameo stardom, and yet another Republican debate. Then, they critique the testimony of three university presidents who spoke to Congress about anti-semitism on their campuses. And it’s a big week in AI news: Meta is teaming up with IBM to form an “AI Alliance,” Google launched a new model, “Gemini,” and Elon Musk’s AI startup has filed with the SEC to raise up to $1 billion. Then we’re joined by Friend of Pivot and Chief Strategy Officer for Ad Fontes Media, Lou Paskalis to discuss Linda Yaccarino’s decision to stick it out at X.

You can find Lou on X at @LouPas.

Send us your questions by calling us at 855-51-PIVOT, or at nymag.com/pivot.

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Dow is Up, Santos is Out, and Guest Sixto Cancel Dec 05, 2023

Show notes

Kara and Scott discuss the Dow's record highs and home ownership's new lows. Then, George Santos leaves Congress like a "Scandal in the Wind," while the Newsom/DeSantis debate was a circus of another kind. Plus, Google is accused of suppressing evidence, Nelson Peltz continues his Disney proxy battle, and "rizz" is the word of the year (Do Kara and Scott have it?!). Our Friend of Pivot is Sixto Cancel, the CEO and Founder of Think of Us, who's on a mission to revolutionize the country's child welfare system.

Follow Sixto at @sixtocancel

Send us your questions by calling us at 855-51-PIVOT, or at nymag.com/pivot.

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Elon, Kissinger, Cuban, Haley, IPOs, and Guest Rob Copeland Dec 01, 2023

Show notes

We have a newspalooza for you today. Kara and Scott discuss Elon Musk's decision to put advertisers on blast, Henry Kissinger's death, Nikki Haley's next steps, those Mark Cuban political rumors, and Microsoft's non-voting seat at OpenAI. Then, guest Rob Copeland joins to discuss his new book, “The Fund: Ray Dalio, Bridgewater Associates, and The Unraveling of a Wall Street Legend.”

You can find Rob on X at @realrobcopeland.

Send us your questions by calling us at 855-51-PIVOT, or at nymag.com/pivot.

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Sam Altman's Return to OpenAI, Meta's Underage Users, and Guest Alan Patricof Nov 28, 2023

Show notes

Kara and Scott discuss Jeff Zucker's return to the news business, and the cost of advertiser backlash in Elon Musk's antisemitism controversy. Then, Sam Altman is back at OpenAI, but who are the winners and losers after all the chaos? Plus, a new complaint reveals what Meta knew about its underage users. Finally, our Friend of Pivot is legendary venture capitalist Alan Patricof. At age 89, Patricof is as active as ever, and he explains why the longevity economy is a smart investment.

Follow Alan at @alanjpatricof

Send us your questions by calling us at 855-51-PIVOT, or at nymag.com/pivot.

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Decoder: Barack Obama on AI, Free Speech, and the Future of the Internet Nov 24, 2023

Show notes

Happy Thanksgiving! While Kara and Scott take a break after a crazy week of news, enjoy this episode of Decoder, featuring Nilay Patel's interview with former President Obama on AI, free speech, regulation, and more.

Kara and Scott will return next week!

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Sam Altman Goes to Microsoft, Elon Goes Thermonuclear, and Guest Dr. Joy Buolamwini Nov 21, 2023

Show notes

Kara shares her latest reporting on Sam Altman and his decision to go to Microsoft, then she and Scott discuss what's next for OpenAI. Plus, Elon Musk threatens a "thermonuclear lawsuit," and X CEO Linda Yaccarino resists calls to resign. Our Friend of Pivot is Dr. Joy Buolamwini, founder of the Algorithmic Justice League, and author of "Unmasking AI: My Mission to Protect What Is Human in a World of Machines." Dr. Joy gives her take on OpenAI and the Altman ouster, and also discusses her mission to root out bias in AI.Follow Joy at @jovialjoy

Send us your questions by calling us at 855-51-PIVOT, or at nymag.com/pivot.

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Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella on the OpenAI Debacle Nov 21, 2023

Show notes

In the swirl of drama around Sam Altman’s exit from OpenAI, one company seems to be the winner: Microsoft. It has both a significant partnership with, and an ownership stake in, the company, and now it's welcoming Altman and OpenAI researchers with open arms. For this emergency episode, Kara interviews Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella.

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Emergency Episode! Sam Altman Out at OpenAI and X's Advertiser Exodus Nov 18, 2023

Show notes

It's an emergency crossover episode of Pivot and the Prof G Pod and there's a lot to discuss. Sam Altman is out as CEO of OpenAI –but what exactly happened? Kara shares her latest reporting. Plus, major advertisers are fleeing X after Elon Musk endorsed an antisemitic conspiracy theory. Will Elon and X survive the firestorm? Kara and Scott break it all down.

Send us your questions by calling us at 855-51-PIVOT, or at nymag.com/pivot.

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Government Shutdown Averted, A Surge in Hate Speech, and Guest Adrian Aoun Nov 17, 2023

Show notes

Kara and Scott discuss Nikki Haley's social media stance, Truth Social's waning prospects, and the revelation that Google sends a third of Safari ad revenue to Apple. And don’t worry, they also talk about the Jeff Bezos and Lauren Sanchez photoshoot. You’re welcome/we’re sorry. Then, in the fight club that is DC, a government shutdown has been averted for now. Also, a look at how hate speech has surged on social media since the start of the Israel-Hamas war. Then we’re joined by Friend of Pivot, Adrian Aoun, CEO and Founder of the health tech startup Forward, which is launching what it calls, “the world’s first AI doctor’s office.”

You can find Forward on Twitter at @goforward.

Send us your questions by calling us at 855-51-PIVOT, or at nymag.com/pivot.

Editorial Note: In our original recording of this episode, we cited erroneous reporting from CNBC that Trump Media & Technology Group, Truth Social's parent company, had lost $73 million since its launch in early 2021. The correct operating loss is $35 million, according to SEC filings by the company.

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