Digest

The podcast begins with a brief overview of the day's news, including the disappearance of British tech mogul Mike Lynch and the potential takeover of 7-11 by a Canadian company. Procreate CEO James Cuda then expresses his concerns about the use of generative AI in his company's products, citing its potential impact on artists and the possibility of their work being used without consent. The podcast then discusses the potential for a rail strike in Canada due to a dispute over forced relocation provisions and safety concerns. The episode also explores the challenges facing venture-backed startups in the current economic climate, including high interest rates, a lack of funding, and a dearth of exits. The podcast concludes with a discussion about the growing popularity of text message wedding invitations and the emergence of an AI candidate running for mayor in Cheyenne, Wyoming.

Outlines

00:00:00

News Headlines and Procreate CEO's Stance on Generative AI

The podcast begins with a brief overview of the day's news, including the disappearance of British tech mogul Mike Lynch and the potential takeover of 7-11 by a Canadian company. Procreate CEO James Cuda then expresses his concerns about the use of generative AI in his company's products, citing its potential impact on artists and the possibility of their work being used without consent.

00:07:42

Canadian Company Bids to Buy 7-11 and Potential Rail Strike

Koush-tard, the Quebec retailer that owns Circle K, has submitted a bid to buy 7-NI, the Japanese owner of 7-11. This deal would create one of the largest convenience store empires in the world. A potential strike by the Teamsters union could bring Canada's freight rail network to a halt. The dispute centers on forced relocation provisions and safety concerns.

00:16:31

Venture-Backed Startups Face Challenges and Emerging Trends

The number of venture-backed startup failures has skyrocketed in recent months due to high interest rates, a lack of funding, and a dearth of exits. Text message wedding invitations are becoming increasingly popular as couples look to cut costs and simplify the wedding planning process. An AI candidate, Vic, is running for mayor of Cheyenne, Wyoming, with the promise to let the AI chatbot run the city government.

Keywords

Q&A

• What are some of the reasons why Procreate CEO James Cuda is rejecting generative AI?

  Cuda is concerned about the impact of generative AI on artists, including the potential for their work to be used without their consent and the threat it poses to their employment opportunities.

• What are some of the challenges facing venture-backed startups in the current economic climate?

  High interest rates, a lack of funding, and a dearth of exits are making it difficult for startups to survive. Many companies are running out of cash and closing up shop.

• What are some of the potential benefits and drawbacks of using an AI chatbot to run a city government?

  An AI chatbot could potentially make data-driven decisions and improve efficiency. However, it lacks a moral compass and could make mistakes based on the data it is trained on.

Show Notes