‘Odd Lots’ Cohost Joe Weisenthal Has Predictions About How the AI Bubble Will Burst
If you read one of WIRED's recent AI editionYou know a lot of people spend a lot of time talking about how technology is revolutionizing just about everything—from coding to writing to accounting. You have probably heard by now, from us or from someone else, that we can be very good at it an economic bubble of AI originOne in which the billions and billions of dollars poured into the industry creates an unsustainable economic scenario that could turn catastrophic.
Of course, you may have also read that it's really me sick of being asked about AI. However, I'm still not sick of asking other people – especially if they're way smarter about this stuff than I am. Enter Joe Weisenthal, the cohost of Bloomberg's fantastic Odd Lots podcast, and a former colleague of mine. Trust me: If someone who has listened to Joe for a year loses his mind in the office – out loud! – when the economy hiccups, few people think more about the financial conditions of our country, and our planet than Joe does. And right now, Joe's concerns aren't strictly about what happens if or when that AI bubble bursts. His concerns are more focused on what is going right and wrong with the American economy writ large.
For this week's episode of The Great InterviewJoe and I talk about weird market indicators, US competition with China, and whether we should all be preparing for an AI economic apocalypse.
This interview has been edited for length and clarity.
KATIE DRUMMOND: Joe Weisenthal, welcome The Great Interview.
JOE WEISENTHAL: Glad to be here. Nice to see you again.
It's been too long. We were just talking about how [you] and I worked together – what was that, like nine years ago?
I think you were there 2014, 2015, so maybe 10 years ago or so?
Yes, I worked at Bloomberg. I lasted about a year.
Not bad.
Not bad. In my mid-twenties, perhaps not the most conducive environment for my professional success. Let's just say that. But Joe, you were there, you were loud, you were proud, you were always very excited about the economy.
I love talking about the economy.
You would just cry and yell and cry and cry, and I was like, who is this guy sitting in front of me? And why is he so loud? But I really appreciate your enthusiasm.
