Tech Brew Ride Home

In this conversation, Bradley Tusk discusses his unique career at the intersection of politics and technology. He shares insights from his early experiences in New York City politics, his time working with Senator Schumer, and his role as Deputy Governor of Illinois. Tusk reflects on the Bloomberg campaign during the financial crisis and how he merged political strategies with business through Tusk Strategies. He highlights the regulatory challenges faced by Uber and the importance of understanding the political landscape for startups. Tusk also addresses the future of AI and the necessity of regulation to protect society while fostering innovation. 00:00 The Intersection of Tech and Politics 05:58 The Rise of Tech in New York City 12:08 Governance and the Role of a Deputy Governor 18:03 Tusk Strategies: Merging Politics with Tech 23:55 Navigating Regulatory Challenges in Startups 33:52 The Need for AI Regulation 40:06 Addressing the Challenges of Gambling Regulations * Bradley Tusk identifies as a political junkie rather than a tech junkie. * His early career choices were influenced by his experiences in politics and writing. * Working under Henry Stern provided Tusk with a deep understanding of municipal politics. * Tusk learned the importance of media and messaging while working for Senator Schumer. * His role as Deputy Governor of Illinois involved managing a significant budget deficit. * The Bloomberg campaign was marked by innovative use of technology and media. * Tusk's strategies for Uber involved mobilizing customers to advocate for the service. * He emphasizes the need for startups to recognize regulatory challenges early on. * Tusk believes in the necessity of regulating AI to prevent societal harm. * He advocates for a taxation structure to redistribute wealth generated by AI. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices [https://megaphone.fm/adchoices]

China continues to show signs that it might not need American AI chips much longer. A weird story about that big recent Tesla trial ruling. Look, AI being too much of a sycophant is clearly becoming a big problem. And, of course, the Weekend Longreads Suggestions. Links: * Alibaba Creates AI Chip to Help China Fill Nvidia Void [https://www.wsj.com/tech/ai/alibaba-ai-chip-nvidia-f5dc96e3?st=ft9tQU&reflink=desktopwebshare_permalink] (WSJ) * Tesla said it didn’t have key data in a fatal crash. Then a hacker found it. [https://www.washingtonpost.com/technology/2025/08/29/tesla-autopilot-crashes-evidence-testimony-wrongful-death/](Washington Post) * Intel gets $5.7 billion from Trump deal as White House says details are ‘being ironed out’ [https://www.cnbc.com/2025/08/28/intel-trump-deal-commerce.html] (CNBC) * Zuckerberg’s AI hires disrupt Meta with swift exits and threats to leave [https://www.ft.com/content/110786e7-6443-4dff-adee-0ac02c55aaa6](Financial Times) * A Troubled Man, His Chatbot and a Murder-Suicide in Old Greenwich [https://www.wsj.com/tech/ai/chatgpt-ai-stein-erik-soelberg-murder-suicide-6b67dbfb?st=Hp4Ajw&reflink=desktopwebshare_permalink] (WSJ) Weekend Longreads Suggestions * AI Is Eliminating Jobs for Younger Workers [https://www.wired.com/story/stanford-research-ai-replace-jobs-young-workers/] (Wired) * This Visiting Interstellar Comet Just Keeps Getting Weirder [https://gizmodo.com/this-visiting-interstellar-comet-just-keeps-getting-weirder-2000648450] (Gizmodo) Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices [https://megaphone.fm/adchoices]

Nvidia’s earnings are ok, but maybe showing signs of normalizing. Copilot for your TV. A blockchain for your cloud. I catch you up on that whole Nano Banana image AI craze sweeping the internet. And a summary of the Pixel phone reviews. Links: * Nvidia beats on top and bottom lines as company expects breakneck AI spend to continue [https://www.cnbc.com/2025/08/27/nvidia-nvda-earnings-report-q2-2026.html] (CNBC) * Microsoft expands Xbox Cloud Gaming to Game Pass Core and Standard subscribers [https://www.theverge.com/news/766762/microsoft-xbox-cloud-gaming-game-pass-core-standard-pc-games] (The Verge) * Microsoft’s Copilot AI is now inside Samsung TVs and monitors [https://www.theverge.com/news/767078/microsoft-samsung-tv-copilot-ai-assistant-launch] (The Verge) * Google Cloud is developing its own blockchain for payments, currently in private testnet [https://www.theblock.co/post/368399/google-cloud-blockchain-gcul] (The Block) * Google Gemini’s AI image model gets a ‘bananas’ upgrade [https://techcrunch.com/2025/08/26/google-geminis-ai-image-model-gets-a-bananas-upgrade/] (TechCrunch) * Nothing busted using professional photos as Phone 3 samples [https://www.theverge.com/report/766543/nothing-busted-using-fake-phone-3-photo-samples] (The Verge) * Google Pixel 10 Pro review: the best AI phone on the market [https://www.theshortcut.com/p/google-pixel-10-pro-xl-review] (The Shortcut) Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices [https://megaphone.fm/adchoices]

A wrongful death lawsuit has been filed against OpenAI. The continuing saga of what the heck is going on over at Meta AI? Is “vibe hacking” the big new threat we need to be worried about? Anthropic had to settle because it was afraid it would be sued out of existence. And when the iPhone event is gonna happen. Links: * OpenAI Plans to Update ChatGPT After Parents Sue Over Teen’s Suicide [https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2025-08-26/openai-plans-to-update-chatgpt-as-parents-sue-over-teen-s-suicide](Bloomberg) * A Teen Was Suicidal. ChatGPT Was the Friend He Confided In. [https://www.nytimes.com/2025/08/26/technology/chatgpt-openai-suicide.html?unlocked_article_code=1.hE8.T-3v.bPoDlWD8z5vo&smid=url-share] (NYTimes) * Researchers Are Already Leaving Meta’s New Superintelligence Lab [https://www.wired.com/story/researchers-leave-meta-superintelligence-labs-openai/](Wired) * ‘Vibe-hacking’ is now a top AI threat [https://www.theverge.com/ai-artificial-intelligence/766435/anthropic-claude-threat-intelligence-report-ai-cybersecurity-hacking] (The Verge) * Anthropic Settles Major AI Copyright Suit Brought by Authors (3) [https://news.bloomberglaw.com/class-action/anthropic-settles-major-ai-copyright-suit-brought-by-authors](Bloomberg Law) * Apple Makes Music Push in Radio After Losing Ground to Spotify [https://www.wsj.com/business/media/apple-makes-music-push-in-radio-after-losing-ground-to-spotify-5931c467?st=mcskBs&reflink=desktopwebshare_permalink] (WSJ) * Apple Event Announced for September 9: 'Awe Dropping' [https://www.macrumors.com/2025/08/26/apple-september-2025-event/] (MacRumors) Fantasy League Link: https://fantasy.premierleague.com/leagues/auto-join/poyeg1 [https://fantasy.premierleague.com/leagues/auto-join/poyeg1] Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices [https://megaphone.fm/adchoices]

Elon Musk is taking his beef with Sam Altman AND Tim Apple to court. The Trump administration could sanction EU officials over the Digital Services Act. Spotify has added DMs. And Ben Thompson’s deep analysis of the whole Intel situation. Links: * Elon Musk's xAI sues Apple and OpenAI over AI competition, App Store rankings [https://www.reuters.com/legal/litigation/elon-musks-xai-sues-apple-openai-over-ai-competition-app-store-rankings-2025-08-25/] (Reuters) * Exclusive: Trump administration weighs sanctions on officials implementing EU tech law, sources say [https://www.reuters.com/world/us/trump-administration-weighs-sanctions-officials-implementing-eu-tech-law-sources-2025-08-26/] (Reuters) * Spotify is adding DMs [https://www.theverge.com/news/765771/spotify-messages-dms-audio-sharing-feature] (The Verge) * Attorneys General To AI Chatbot Companies: You Will ‘Answer For It’ If You Harm Children [https://www.404media.co/44-attorneys-general-to-ai-chatbot-companies-open-letter/] (404Media) * Intel says Trump deal has risks for shareholders, international sales [https://www.cnbc.com/2025/08/25/intel-trump-deal-risks-stock.html] (CNBC) * U.S. Intel [https://stratechery.com/2025/u-s-intel/] (Stratechery) Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices [https://megaphone.fm/adchoices]