World Model · podcast knowledge graph

The Case Against the AI Bubble - Azeem Azhar with Nicholas Thompson

2026-09-23 · 65 min · 12 entities

episode page audio

Asserted relationships

  • → appeared on The Most Interesting Thing in AI podcast
    0.68
    evidence rules-v5
    The Case Against the AI Bubble - Azeem Azhar with Nicholas Thompson
  • → authored Exponential View newsletter book
    0.62
    evidence rules-v5
    author of the Exponential View newsletter
  • → authored Exponential View newsletter book
    0.62
    evidence rules-v5
    author of the Exponential View newsletter
  • → hosted by Atlantic Re:think person
    0.55
    evidence rules-v5
    Feed author/publisher: Atlantic Re:think
  • → works at The Atlantic company
    0.50
    evidence rules-v5
    CEO of The Atlantic
  • → works at The Atlantic company
    0.50
    evidence rules-v5
    CEO of The Atlantic
  • → discusses Technology company
    0.40
    evidence rules-v5
    Feed category: Technology

Entities found in this episode

companys 5

  • mentioned The Atlantic company
    0.62
    evidence rules-v5
    CEO of The Atlantic
  • mentioned Technology company
    0.50
    evidence rules-v5
    Feed category: Technology
  • works at The Atlantic company
    0.50
    evidence rules-v5
    CEO of The Atlantic
  • works at The Atlantic company
    0.50
    evidence rules-v5
    CEO of The Atlantic
  • discusses Technology company
    0.40
    evidence rules-v5
    Feed category: Technology

persons 3

  • mentioned Nicholas Thompson person
    0.72
    evidence rules-v5
    The Case Against the AI Bubble - Azeem Azhar with Nicholas Thompson
  • mentioned Atlantic Re:think person
    0.70
    evidence rules-v5
    Feed author/publisher: Atlantic Re:think
  • hosted by Atlantic Re:think person
    0.55
    evidence rules-v5
    Feed author/publisher: Atlantic Re:think

books 3

podcasts 1

Episode description as stored
Among the many eye-popping numbers of the AI industry—from trillions in investments to billions in spending—one stands out: $0 in profit among leading AI companies. According to Bloomberg, “never before has so much money been spent so rapidly on a technology that, for all its potential, remains largely unproven as an avenue for profit-making.” That imbalance, and the industry’s reliance on circular financing, has led to fears of a bubble. But those concerns are overblown, according to Azeem Azhar, author of the Exponential View newsletter, who earlier this year released a report on the AI economy. In conversation with Nicholas Thompson, CEO of The Atlantic, Azhar expands on his findings. He says AI’s finances are sound: the demand is there, revenue is growing, and the technology will advance enough to deliver on the necessary ROI. Produced independently of The Atlantic’s editorial staff. Supporting sponsor: PwC. (00:00) Introduction (03:40) Mapping the AI economy through forensic accounting (07:50) How to think about infrastructure spend (16:30) The "J-curve" of AI adoption (24:00) How cheaper tokens will change the market (27:17) China's AI strategy (40:22) Is there something that could break Azeem’s model? (48:34) What could happen when the AI firms IPO (53:34) The effects of the culture in Silicon Valley (56:34) Which bubble-breaker scenario worries Azeem the most (59:16) What Azeem would do if he had an unlimited budget to invest in AI Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices