All-In E176: Meta's scorched earth approach to AI, Tesla's future, TikTok bill, FTC bans noncompetes, wealth tax
Episode 176 • 4/26/2024
Meta's Open Source AI Strategy
- Meta released Llama 3, a fully open-source AI model comparable to GPT-4
- They're taking a "scorched earth" approach by open-sourcing their AI models to commoditize the market
- Meta is integrating AI assistants across Instagram, Facebook and WhatsApp
- Stock dropped 16% after earnings due to concerns about infrastructure spending
- The besties discussed how this strategy could undermine closed AI models' business models
Tesla's Future & Business Lines
The group ranked Tesla's future business lines by potential:
- Optimus (humanoid robot) - Seen as having highest potential due to low BOM costs
- Energy - Potential to disrupt utility companies through home solar/battery systems
- Robotaxi/Ride-hailing - Could be transformative but faces technological and regulatory hurdles
TikTok Ban/Divestiture Bill
- Congress passed bill requiring TikTok to be divested from ByteDance or face ban
- Reports suggest ByteDance exploring selling majority stake to non-tech company
- Debate over whether China will allow divestiture and implications for other foreign-owned apps
- Discussion of national security concerns vs government overreach
FTC Noncompete Ban
- FTC voted to ban most noncompete agreements
- Affects estimated 18% of US workforce
- California already doesn't enforce noncompetes
- Mixed views on impact - could spur innovation but may affect company investments in employees
Biden's Proposed Capital Gains Tax Changes
- 2025 budget proposes increasing capital gains rates to ~45% for high earners
- Includes 25% unrealized gains tax for those worth over $100M
- Discussion of potential impact on innovation and investment
- Debate over political implications and voter reaction
The episode featured lively debate about government regulation, innovation policy, and the intersection of technology and politics, with the besties often taking opposing views while maintaining their characteristic rapport.