AI Optimism- with a Dose of Reality

Glen chats with Generative AI’s self- described Chief Optimist (and OpenAI’s onetime Head of Go to Market) Zack Kass about how we’ve arrived at the brink of AGI, potential regulatory avenues to safeguard the technology, and why he sees more likely good than harm. Also- Elon’s latest gambit and another Easter egg in the Capital One/Discover deal.
We Were Promised Jetpacks (But Got Deepfakes)

John recaps ten years of BIG ideas, recounts tech expectations circa 2015, and ponders the potential of AI, for better or worse. Plus- Glen wonders what happens if the Cap One/Discover deal doesn’t go through.
The Capital One/Discover Deal- A Test of Typical Battle Lines (and a Credit Union Angle?)

In a sector that’s seen no shortage of fascinating recent deals (PSCU/Co-Op, Fiserv/First Data, the aborted Visa/Plaid combination, the “never mind” FIS/Worldpay merger), this one may be the most fascinating yet.
Card Company Mergers: How They Started, How They’re Going

John and Glen check in with PSCU Co-Op CEO Chuck Fagan to learn about progress combining the two organizations. Plus- initial thoughts on Capital One’s proposed Discover acquisition.