Uptin and Thomas

Uptin & Thomas dive into:Zoox’s free robotaxi rides hitting the Vegas StripTesla’s Austin robotaxi plans revving upChipotle making a bold move into Asia & MexicoMicrosoft dragging workers back to the officeWhy tips just got tax-freeAnd how new tax breaks could boost creators

In this episode, Uptin sits down with David Cox, IBM’s VP of AI Models and head of the MIT-IBM Watson AI Lab, to break down the real story of artificial intelligence.Forget the hype. Forget the talk about superintelligence. Cox explains why the biggest risk is not an all-powerful AI taking over humanity. The real danger is bad AI deployed at scale, faulty agents making high stakes decisions, and companies using “safety” as a way to control the market.From sovereign AI to geopolitics, from China’s open model strategy to the coming energy crunch from oversized models, Cox lays out the most important questions that will shape the next decade.This is the AI conversation people should be having.

Uptin just exited his first company.In this UTP episode, we break down the real story behind selling UP10 Media to Augustus Media — how the deal happened, what the process was really like, and what this means for the creator economy.We cover:• How the acquisition came together• What founders never tell you about exits• The emotions + negotiations behind the scenes• What’s next for Uptin after UP10A raw, honest look at what it takes to build and sell a company in today’s creator-led world.Also a look at Paramount Vs Netflix over Warner Bros.

Uptin & Thomas cover:Google vs OpenAI: Wall Street is suddenly betting on Google as Gemini 3 boosts Alphabet and Broadcom — while Microsoft and Nvidia lag.Australia Teen Ban: Australia moves to block under-16s from TikTok, Instagram, and Snapchat with a national age-verification system.India vs Apple: Apple refuses India’s push to preload a government-made “cyber safety” app, setting up a major privacy showdown.MrBeast Financial: MrBeast is launching a full financial services platform and mobile carrier, potentially becoming the first creator-led fintech giant.Meta’s Pivot: Zuckerberg quietly cuts the metaverse budget by up to 30% as Meta shifts focus fully toward AI.

• Gemini vs ChatGPT — Google drops Gemini 3 and Salesforce CEO Marc Benioff says he switched from ChatGPT after just two hours, signaling a potential shift in the AI race.• Target’s ‘Diabolical’ Black Friday — People lined up at 3 a.m. for gift bags with candy and shampoo samples, while Lowe’s stole the show with tool-filled buckets and $2,000 appliance giveaways.• Google’s Hurricane Predictor — DeepMind’s new GraphCast AI beats world-class weather models in 90% of tests, delivering 10-day forecasts in under a minute and raising big questions about Big Tech running global weather.• Apple Watch vs Rolex — Rolex’s CEO says the Apple Watch actually helped Rolex by getting younger consumers used to wearing a watch, fueling record luxury sales and years-long waitlists.• Billie Eilish vs Elon Musk — A comment from Billie sparks a full-blown internet culture war between Gen-Z climate anxiety and Silicon Valley techno-optimism.• Campbell’s Soup Meltdown — A VP is caught on tape calling Campbell’s “food for poor people,” triggering a corporate crisis around brand trust, product pride, and whistleblower retaliation.• Waymo Freeways & New Cities — Waymo expands to Miami, Dallas, Houston, and more — and begins freeway driving in LA, SF, and Phoenix, pushing robotaxis into real transportation territory.

Tinder’s Head of Product, Mark Kantor, sits down with Uptin to break down the future of dating: AI-powered profile creation from your camera roll, personalized match recommendations, and why Tinder actually wants you to get off the app fast.We talk swipe fatigue, Gen Z’s new dating rules, safety tech like FaceCheck, the explosion of Double Date mode, and whether AI can ever understand “vibe” or chemistry.A rare look inside how the world’s most influential dating app is redesigning connection.

Uptin & Thomas discuss:Home prices: More than half of U.S. homes are worth less than a year ago on Zillow, but most owners are still sitting on huge equity and almost no one is truly underwater.Nvidia earnings: Nvidia posts a record $57 billion in quarterly revenue, mostly from AI data centers, raising the question of whether this is an AI bubble or just the new normal.Target’s identity crisis: Longtime CEO Brian Cornell is out, an insider is in, and Target is stuck between Walmart prices, Amazon convenience and culture war fatigue.Sonder’s collapse: Once a billion dollar Airbnb–hotel hybrid, Sonder goes straight to Chapter 7 liquidation after its lifeline Marriott deal implodes.Turkey dinner math: Bird flu and higher wholesale costs behind the scenes, but supermarkets are using cheap turkeys as loss leaders to keep your Thanksgiving bill down.White Lotus in France: HBO confirms season 4 in Paris and the French Riviera, setting up a new round of rich people drama in châteaux, beach clubs and luxury hotels.

Meta’s Chief Marketing Officer Alex Schultz joins Uptin & Thomas to break down the future of social media, AI, smart glasses, creators, and why the United States is still the last major country that hasn’t fully embraced WhatsApp.- Why Americans don’t use WhatsApp and Meta’s plan to change that- Smart glasses vs headsets and why Meta believes glasses will win- The Ray-Ban Meta partnership and why the new designs matter- Vibes, Meta’s AI-only content app, early trends and the vision- Meta’s AI strategy across Facebook, Instagram, WhatsApp- The future of creators & monetization and what platforms won’t tell you- Is social media actually declining? Meta’s internal data says something different- How teens should use social platforms, and Alex’s take on safety & screen time- How Facebook is still huge for Gen Z in Asia, Middle East & beyond- Why Meta still cares about connecting the next billion users - Where VR/AR is headed — gaming → entertainment → productivity- Alex’s digital marketing book & why principles matter more than channels🔥 Then Uptin and Thomas break it all down:- Why the U.S. messaging ecosystem is so different- Whether smart glasses really are the next big consumer device- The future of creator monetization (and why platform payouts are unreliable)-----0:00 - Intro1:35 - Why Americans Still Ignore WhatsApp3:43 - Ray-Ban x Meta Partnership4:57 - Smart Glasses vs Headsets: Who Wins?6:56 - Creator Money: What Platforms Don’t Tell You8:53 - Meta’s Race to Connect the Next Billion9:56 - Why Gen Z Still Uses Facebook (Outside the West)11:00 - Is Social Media Dying? Meta Says No11:17 - How Teens Should Use Social Media12:50 - Vibes App: Meta’s AI-Only Experiment13:55 - Why Marketing Principles Still Matter based on Alex's Book15:29 - Meta’s Big AI Play Across All Apps16:02 - Final Question: What excites Alex the most right now?16:33 - Uptin & Thomas React to the Interview16:43 - Why the U.S. Messaging Ecosystem Is Unique21:58 - Are Smart Glasses the Next Big Thing?24:15 - The Future of Creator Monetization31:42 - Final Notes from Uptin & Thomas

Uptin & Thomas discuss:Trump’s proposed 50-year mortgage lowers monthly payments but dramatically increases lifetime interest and doesn’t fix the real issue: housing supply.Bitcoin plunged from $126K to under $96K as rate-cut hopes collapsed and high leverage amplified the fall.Apple released a $230 knitted iPhone pouch with Issey Miyake, turning the phone into a full-on fashion accessory.One in three Americans earning $100K say they’re financially distressed as rising housing, childcare, and inflation erase purchasing power.Target launched the “10-4 program,” requiring employees to smile and greet customers to boost holiday sales, sparking debate about forced friendliness.Sony bought the rights to Labubu and is developing a movie around the viral collectible toy phenomenon.Brittany Kaiser explains why Gen Z finally cares about data privacy and why Telegram’s TON ecosystem could be the next major alternative to Meta.

Microsoft President Brad Smith joins Uptin at Web Summit to discuss the company’s $15B investment in AI and what comes next after ChatGPT. From Microsoft’s early bet on OpenAI to the rise of AI-powered jobs and the global digital divide, Brad explains how the company is balancing innovation with responsibility. They cover AI regulation, education, and why the UAE is leading global adoption. Plus, Brad shares what keeps him up at night — and why he believes AI should help us think more, not less.

Uptin & Thomas discuss:- Elon Musk’s $1T pay deal ... Tesla approves a record plan that could make him the world’s first trillionaire.- NYC elects socialist mayor Zohran Mamdani ... Wall Street panics over higher taxes and rent freezes.- Peter Thiel’s 2020 email resurfaces ... he predicted millennials would turn on capitalism, and it’s happening.- Amazon’s robot grocery experiment ... a “store-within-a-store” that shows Amazon still hasn’t cracked grocery.- Coca-Cola’s AI Christmas ad sparks backlash online for looking like “AI slop.”

Uptin & Thomas discuss:The rich are still spending while everyone else pulls back — America’s K-shaped economyJensen Huang’s fried-chicken meetup with Samsung and Hyundai goes viral and boosts chicken stocksChipotle’s traffic falls and the stock sinks as young diners cut backGrowing frustration with sloppy, low-effort fast-casual bowls at rising pricesLuxury brands and premium experiences continue to boom while fast-casual chains struggle

Uptin & Thomas discuss:• AI layoffs: Big companies are cutting thousands of white-collar jobs while San Francisco runs billboards saying “Stop hiring humans.”• Middle management squeeze: CEOs are removing layers of managers because AI can handle reporting, planning, and coordination.• Should we panic?: Layoffs sound scary, but economists say we are not anywhere near recession-level firing yet.• Airbnb Halloween crackdown: Anti-party algorithms are blocking suspicious bookings and using noise sensors to prevent ragers.• Prop 50 in California: California wants to redraw election maps to counter Republican-friendly maps in other states.• OpenAI’s potential $1T IPO: The company needs massive capital to build chips, energy infrastructure, and data centers for AGI.• Nvidia hits $5T: Demand for AI chips pushed Nvidia to become the most valuable company on earth.• AOL gets acquired: A European app firm is buying AOL, betting that legacy email and nostalgia still print cash.

Uptin sits down with GM President Mark Reuss inside the company’s secret proving grounds, a five-mile-wide private city where the future of cars is being built.They dive into how General Motors is reinventing itself through electric vehicles, AI-driven safety, and autonomous technology while confronting the $3 billion failure of Cruise. Mark shares how GM plans to win back Gen Z drivers, the company’s evolving stance on Apple CarPlay, and why the future of driving might be hands-free.From Detroit’s rebirth to the global EV race against Tesla and China, this is a candid conversation about innovation, risk, and what it really takes to keep American cars on top.

Uptin & Thomas discuss:AWS OutageAmazon’s cloud service went down and parts of the internet stopped working. McDonald’s apps failed, airlines like Delta couldn’t check in passengers, Netflix and Slack slowed, and everyday life paused because AWS glitched.Louvre HeistFour thieves dressed as workers used a lift truck to break into the Louvre in broad daylight and stole eight royal jewels in under ten minutes, forcing the museum to shut down for investigation.Apple Stock SurgeApple’s stock hit a new record of 262 dollars after strong iPhone 17 sales, which were up 14 percent compared to the iPhone 16 launch, and major banks upgraded their outlook on the company.Cards Against Humanity vs SpaceXCards Against Humanity settled its lawsuit accusing SpaceX of trespassing on its Texas land. Supporters expected cash compensation but instead received Elon Musk themed joke cards.Meta AI and the Vibes FeedMeta AI’s app grew from 775 thousand to 2.7 million daily users in one month. The surge is linked to its new Vibes feed with TikTok style AI videos and people looking for an alternative to OpenAI’s invite only Sora.

Uptin & Thomas discuss:Apple finally gives in — touchscreen MacBooks are coming, and even Steve Jobs once called it a terrible idea.Illinois Governor JB Pritzker wins $1.4 million playing blackjack — and says he was “just lucky.”Waymo and DoorDash test driverless food deliveries in Los Angeles — your next meal might arrive with no driver.BYD’s overseas sales explode 130%, making it the world’s next big EV powerhouse.MKBHD reviews the Xiaomi 17 Pro Max and calls it “embarrassing what we have available” in the West.Apple TV Plus drops the “Plus.” Why Apple’s rebrand feels a lot like HBO Max’s name shuffle.Netflix moves into podcasts — starting with The Ringer and Bill Simmons, and taking full video shows off YouTube.

Uptin & Thomas discuss:Trump’s talking 100% tariffs on China again… and somehow the markets love it. The “TACO Trade” — Trump Always Chickens Out — might be back.JPMorgan just dropped $5 billion on a new NYC HQ with 19 restaurants, a gym, and absolutely no remote work.Former Apple CEO John Sculley says OpenAI is Apple’s first real rival in decades. Shots fired.Tim Cook got his own custom Labubu toy in Shanghai — and PopMart’s stock jumped 6%.Canada’s Aritzia is blowing up — profits tripled, worth $7B, and everyone’s fighting about their no-mirror fitting rooms.

Uptin & Thomas discuss: • Apple’s Siri Comeback: Apple unveils “Apple Intelligence,” a new AI system that finally gives Siri brains. We unpack how it blends Apple’s privacy focus with OpenAI’s ChatGPT, and why this could redefine how we use our phones.OpenAI’s Next Move: ChatGPT turns into an app platform with Spotify, Canva, and Zillow integrations, plus a new proactive “Pulse” feature that might replace your morning routine.Tim Cook’s Exit Rumors: Is Apple preparing for life after Cook? We dive into internal reshuffles, the race for AI leadership, and who could take over.Tesla’s “Affordable” EVs: The Model 3 and Y Standard trims arrive, but do they really make Tesla more accessible or just cheaper looking?Delta Bets on the Rich: The airline says premium seats will soon bring in more money than economy. A sign of where travel and inequality are headed.Salt Bae’s U.S. Collapse: From viral fame to empty tables, what the fall of Nusr-Et says about the end of Instagram-driven hospitality.

Uptin & Thomas discuss:OpenAI vs SpaceX: OpenAI’s new $500B valuation after a $6.6B employee share sale makes it the world’s most valuable private company — overtaking SpaceX.Millennial Burnout vs Gen Z Balance: Deloitte finds 50% of Millennials quit jobs due to burnout while Gen Z prioritizes work-life balance and avoids leadership roles.Right to Work From Home: Australia’s Victoria state moves to make 2 WFH days a week a legal right, challenging office-first corporate culture.Sauna Networking Trend: From running clubs to cold plunges and saunas, professionals are ditching bars for wellness-driven “sweat-working.”

When Changpeng “CZ” Zhao built Binance in 2017, it quickly became the biggest crypto exchange in the world.  At one point it was processing $65 billion in daily trades and making CZ the richest person in crypto.But in November 2023, everything changed: the U.S. Department of Justice hit Binance with a record-breaking $4.3 billion settlement for anti-money-laundering and sanctions violations. CZ pleaded guilty, stepped down as CEO, and later served four months in U.S. federal prison.That’s when Richard Teng, a former regulator and seasoned finance executive, stepped in to lead Binance through its toughest chapter yet ... promising a culture shift toward compliance and transparency while keeping the exchange at the center of a rapidly evolving crypto industry.Uptin sits down with Richard Teng at TOKEN2049 in Singapore to unpack:- What it was like to take over from one of crypto’s most influential founders.- How Binance plans to rebuild user trust after the $4.3 B settlement.- The future of regulation, stablecoins, and crypto ETFs worldwide.- Why traditional finance giants are suddenly embracing blockchain.- How global politics could reshape crypto adoption, and why even Trump’s crypto stance matters.Whether you’re an investor, a builder, or just curious about how the world’s largest exchange is preparing for the next wave of adoption, this is a rare inside look at the new era of Binance.📈 Uptin & Thomas ... fresh takes on business, money and tech.Twice a week on YouTube, Spotify and Apple. Link in Bio.#Binance #RichardTeng #CZ #CryptoNews #Bitcoin #Ethereum #TOKEN2049 #CryptoRegulation